What do you think of this name?

Rainbow17 · September 2014

I like the name Shailen, but for a boy. Do you think it sounds too feminine?

WashingtonQueen · September 2014

It's not on Behind The Name, so I'm leaning toward that it's not a real name and shouldn't be used on anyone.

WashingtonQueen · September 2014

Nicoleashlee26 said:
Isn't it the name of the girl from secret life of the American teenager?

That's Shailene Woodley.

NatureLovers · September 2014

Terrible for a boy, he will be teased forever for having a girl name. It sounds like Shay-Lynn. Both Shay and Lynn are girls names.

jac409 · September 2014

I agree with everyone else. It sounds feminine and your son will likely be picked on relentlessly. Don't do it.

GeminiJordan · September 2014

Too feminine and not a fan of made up names.

Rainbow17 · September 2014

Its a popular boys name in Indian culture (not popular in America). Has Hindu origin. What would make you think its a fake name, especially when there are names out there like Ta-A (pronounced Tadasha).

manders9479 · September 2014

Not a Fan.

MellyK12 · September 2014

Sounds like a girl to me.

Rainbow17 · September 2014

I actually went to school with a girl who had her name legally changed to that. No need to check snopes when I've actually known someone with that name. Some people seriously need culture sensitivity training on the bump.

Rainbow17 · September 2014

What makes you think this name is "made up"?

Rainbow17 · September 2014

Here are a few:

https://babynames.astrosage.com/meaning/shailen

https://www.indiachildnames.com/name.aspx?name=Shailen

https://www.myshiningkid.com/baby-name-meaning/indian/realign/Shailen

Rainbow17 · September 2014

Because your Indian husband doesn't know anyone with that name, it must not exist. Very logical way to live your life.

Rainbow17 · September 2014

"This. You got the opinions that you asked for."

Pretty sure I asked for opinions on whether the name sounds too feminie (and I'm thankful for those who gave it to me). I didn't ask to be questioned about the authenticity of the name, especially when it is clear some aren't experts on certain names from other cultures.

Rainbow17 · September 2014

Are you maybe referring perhaps to Native Indian culture? Because in Asian Indian culture (from India) its a fairly popular name for boys, particularly in the Punjab region. You do realize there a myriad of cultures and religions in India, don't you? Or was your Indian husband not aware of that? FYI, there's even an episode of Platinum Weddings where they feature an Indian wedding, particularly from North India, and the grooms name was Shailen.

BeachBum678 · September 2014

Rainbow17 said:
I like the name Shailen, but for a boy. Do you think it sounds too feminine?

The fact that you even felt the need to clarify this in the first place should tell you everything you need to know.

jessieluck · September 2014

I came across this iphone app that lets you swipe through names very quickly and save names you like. You should try it. The app is called 'Lala - Choose your baby name'

Good luck

PrimRoseMama · September 2014

Sorry OP. The name sounds made up & feminine. :-??

greeneyed_bride · September 2014

In high school, my brother dated a girl named Shalan. So yes, I think it sounds feminine.

wildflower75 · September 2014

Yes I think it sounds too feminine.

ghostof5letters · September 2014

My male, Indian, dentist's name is Shalin (pronounced like Shailene Woody)

https://www.modernindianbabynames.com/meaning_of_hindi_boy_name_shalin.htm

notasycophant · September 2014

Punjabi names are neither masculine or feminine. You should know that since you're a cultural expert. Names like Harjinder, Manpreet, Kuldeep,Guldeep,Hardeep are used interchangeably between both sexes. I find that punjabi names sound contrived and awful if they're used to identify a non-sikh person.

yvanehtnioj · September 2014

So if you stick your son with this horrible name, are you also going to teach him to defend it in the same smug, self satisfied manner you've demonstrated here today? Some actual Indian kid will call him out and he'll stick his nose up and go "You ARE aware of the Punjab region, are you not?" and then he'll smell his own fart.

ETA this gif because this is you and this will be your son if he takes after you. "It's PUNJABI?" ::sniff sniff:: "mmmm MMMMM"

Ciardasully · September 2014

I am not a fan of the name. At all.

imakeeff0rts · September 2014

Rainbow17 said:

Here are a few:
https://babynames.astrosage.com/meaning/shailen
https://www.indiachildnames.com/name.aspx?name=Shailen
https://www.myshiningkid.com/baby-name-meaning/indian/realign/Shailen

It sounds like you're pretty set, so why bother asking?

imakeeff0rts · September 2014

Rainbow17 said:

Are you maybe referring perhaps to Native Indian culture? Because in Asian Indian culture (from India) its a fairly popular name for boys, particularly in the Punjab region. You do realize there a myriad of cultures and religions in India, don't you? Or was your Indian husband not aware of that? FYI, there's even an episode of Platinum Weddings where they feature an Indian wedding, particularly from North India, and the grooms name was Shailen.

I like that your credible source is a TV show (ETA) that COULDN'T POSSIBLY be staged or embellished. Because everything on TV, especially shows like Platinum Wedding, is totes legit guise. Smooth.
Name your kid whatever you want. No one gives a fuck.

lissbright · September 2014

i don't think it really matters if the name is "real"-there are plenty of people named herbs (sage, rosemary), colors (teal, blue), and after flowers (iris, lily, rose, etc)...so who is to say what kind of a name is real or fake? it doesn't really matter what nationality it is either. i think people in general should think LONG TERM about the names they pick for their kids. sure teal might sound cute for a tiny little girl, but would you want to hire a lawyer named teal? or does teal sound more like a stripper name lol? i do think shalan sounds feminine. plenty of guys have feminine names (jamie, ashley, shiah etc) and they turn out fine. but think long term. do you like the sound of doctor shalan? lawyer shalan? just using those as examples...and ultimately, all that matters is what you and your husband think of the name. you can sit here and argue about it all day...but you're the one popping the kid out and raising it and yelling his name for the rest of your life

. go outside and yell his name. do you like the sound of it? cause you'll be yelling it alot lol!

leela02 · September 2014

It sounds feminine to me.

I don't like it but it's not the worst name I've heard.

In the grand scheme of things my opinion doesn't matter, what matters is if your son will think it's too feminine and end up legally changing his name anyway...

vrj0522 · September 2014

Don't like it and it does sound like a girl's name.

sagegoodenough · September 2014

> (sorry my post got messed up) as a sage I never knew my name was that out there.

Shea and lyn were both originally male names that have become feminized

If you're worried, go with something like Shane

Knottie93133394 · September 2014

If your child isn't at least part Indian, it's a really strange choice. Imagine a non-Chinese kid named Jintao or a WASP named Muhammad.
It kind of comes across like you're just trying to appropriate the ~exoticness~ of another culture you may not have any connection to just for the sake of being different.

And yeah, it sounds kind of feminine in a western context.

Taneigha · September 2014

At the end of the day, this is your baby and thus your choice. Name him whatever is pleasing to you and don't focus so much on what the opinions of others.

Thinking happy thoughts for you and the little one. I just hope he is healthy and happy.

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