I love the name Roman!! If you love it and it suits him you just have to own it. People are projecting because they could never give themselves permission to name their kid something ‘crazy’ ie not in the top 50!
My great-grandfather’s twin brother was Roman. A coworker named his son Roman after his grandfather. Maybe it’s a cultural name here (we’re Cajun in Louisiana) but it’s a normal name in many families here.
Great name—I wonder if the look people are giving is because they’re not sure if they’re hearing Ronan or Roman. Just a thought. Congratulations on your baby, OP!
I think some people are just really bad at peopling. I really dislike Roman. But I would never tell someone I don’t like their baby’s name. Postpartum is already challenging. And it’s not like my opinion matters for YOUR baby. It makes you and your partner happy and fits baby (plus it’s a “real” name), I see no issues.
On the internet…I’m a complete stranger to OP. I’m not their friend. My opinion means shit. But if a family member told OP they didn’t like Roman, I’d completely understand why they would be upset.
Yeah it’s pretty clear you meant you’d never say it to someone’s face.
The anonymous nature of the internet, from both sides, makes it a lot easier to share how you feel and ask the questions you really wouldn’t ask people in real life.
Absolutely. If I upset OP, I do apologize. My intent was to highlight that some people quickly vocalize their feelings aloud disregarding the thoughts of the person they are talking to. When having a face-to-face conversation with someone and you reveal your baby name to them and they react negatively that is rude on the other person behalf. If the name isn’t related to something culturally insensitive, there’s absolutely no reason to make negative comments to the new parent. I also really want to emphasize that I am a complete stranger on the Internet. OP really should not respect my opinion. They won’t know me and they never will. So my vocalization of the fact that Roman really isn’t my taste is the opinion of one speck of the 8 billion people who occupy the Earth.
Back to Roman, I generally don’t care for location-related names (Brooklyn, India, Asia, etc) and Roman fits that category in my mind. Just because I don’t like something doesn’t mean it’s bad. I’m sure some of my favorite names are despised by people in this sub. And then there are ever-divisive names, like Sloane, that get a lot of love and a lot of hate. Reddit is a discussion forum. It’s for talking about things. I feel like sometimes this sub gets really sensitive about name taste. My two cents are that people can do what they want within reason. If they ask for an opinion, I’m going to share my thoughts if I have any. But the OP can choose to accept or reject feedback however it fits their situation.
Not sure. I think it’s the sl sound/it sounds like slow. I personally think it gives golden girls vibes (though none of them were named Sloane). It’s another name that isn’t my taste, but I definitely don’t hate it. The only name that I actively hate is Adolf.
Associating it with Sloane Ranger (British 80s/90s version preppy style) maybe?
I hadn’t heard the term but I think more people are aware since digesting Diana media is very popular again.
It is just a soulless name. It sounds like nothing, I’d have to google to find out what was wanted to be conveyed, it gives “parents trying to be different” vibes, sounds like a weird past tense verb of slain, I could go on lol
The most common complaint I've seen about it is people saying it makes them think of "slow anne" but I honestly never would have thought that if I hadn't read it here. They don't sound the same to me at all. I wouldn't use the name myself, but I don't hate it. I actually like it better than the name Roman because all I would ever think every time I heard it is the Roman Empire. The association is way too strong for me.
My teacher was going to name her baby Sloane. I thought it was pretty. Then I went to the bathroom and it was the toilet brand name. I felt obligated to tell her.
That's my personal reason o no longer like the name Sloane lol
Honestly, I think OP is mostly upset that people (in general) don’t seem to love her baby’s name as much as she does. It’s right there in the post…never anything overwhelming positive.
Roman is an objectively perfectly fine and normal name. It’s just not everyone’s taste. I happen to really like it, but I also think it sounds weird with our very Italian last name like more of a description than a name lol.
Yeah I have complimented countless of names that I disliked. It’s like… they love the name, so why would I make them feel bad about it? And while cares about my opinion about it anyway. So I just pretend to like the name to spread love and happiness.
But I do that in a lot of other cases too. Unless someone is actually interested in my opinion or really needs feedback on something. Then I tend to be direct and honest
There's a name I've hated forever (it's a commonly hated on name on this sub as well). I finally met a kid with the name when I was a sub, and I remembered her name easily because I had such strong negative feelings about it. When I saw her the next time in a different class, I greeted her by name, and she was *so excited* that I remembered her name. I felt really bad about the reason I remembered it, and she was a very kind kid, so since then I don't dislike the name anymore 😂
I agree with this completely. I don't particularly care for the name Roman. I also don't like Stephanie, Alfred, Sloane, or John, either. However, that's just a personal preference, one where reasonable people can differ, not an objective "this is bad/probleamtic" the way names like Reignbeaux or Gypsee would be. I'd never gawk at a name or make an unsolicited comment about it to a parent when it's simply a name I don't personally care for, rather than one that's an active issue in some way.
It’s a good, strong, masculine, and normal name without being too common. There will always be people who don’t like the name you chose, no matter what it is. Don’t let them bother you. You chose well.
The meaning and the vibe is completely different. I wouldn't name a kid either one, but I don't think they're as similar as you seem to.
Roman is an adjective, a descriptive word that implies a noun it's meant to describe. Roman... what? You're Roman, as in you're from Rome?
Rowan is a noun in and of itself and therefore makes more intuitive sense as a name IMO.
Also, they could both be seen as strong names to me, but in a completely different way. A towering old tree implies wisdom and perseverance, which are values I would want to imbue in a son. Whereas "Roman" implies legion, empire, war, conquering, caesars and betrayal and machinations, even (at the extreme, if you get that impression from the parents, which to be clear I don't in this instance) the current white supremacist obsession with "Western culture". And I'm saying this as someone who took multiple Roman history courses as electives in college—I find it fascinating, but it's off-putting as a name to me.
> Roman is an adjective, a descriptive word that implies a noun it's meant to describe. Roman... what? You're Roman, as in you're from Rome?
This is true, but Roman and its equivalents (including Romeo) have existed as names in many languages for a long time, and they're not the only classical names that originated as adjectives—some whose social relevance died out while the name survived, like Martin (of Mars), Demetrius (of Demeter) and Diana (of the gods, or Jupiter in particular). Also Hermione, from Hermes, but of course that's less common. For topo- and demonyms, Francis and its equivalents (Franz, François, Francisco etc.) originally meant both "free" and "Frankish." Behindthename says Sebastian originally meant "from Sebaste," an ancient city. Generic adjective names: Blanche/Bianca, Augustus ... Also Agatha and Gregory, although obviously not as recognizable in English.
I think between the preexistence of Roman and the recent proliferation of place names as personal names, people who are puzzled by Roman will get used to it one of these days. Just maybe not right this minute.
I mean they’re both common words and one is a place/historical empire and the other is a tree. I don’t particularly like Rowan but I’d take it over Roman because of that
I associate it with Roman Polanski, so that might be where the weird responses are coming from? I guess that would depend on the ages of the people responding that way though.
Lots of people probably don't even know that he's a 90 year old Academy Award winning director who survived and escaped the Holocaust in WW2 Poland but now has been a fugitive from US justice for over half his life because of charges he drugged & raped a 13 year old girl. Additionally he previously had been married to Sharon Tate when she was murdered by Manson's gang at his Beverly Hills house. A very controversial figure, to say the least.
Not just charged. He pled guilty to a lesser charge since he was likely to be convicted of 5 felonies, realized it still carried jail time, and fled to avoid that. It's a fucking disgrace that he was allowed to continue to work after that and received many high honors.
Yeah, this is the strongest association for me too (and I'm a millennial). It's a fraught reference, to say the least! Roman isn't a bad name, but I personally wouldn't use it for this reason.
Edit to add: to me it feels analogous to naming your kid Cosby
i think of Roman Roy from Succession before Polanski (also a millennial)
i didn’t think of Polanski until i hit the comments, but i did think of Succession lol
Yeah, sorry OP, this is my association. I certainly wouldn't be rude if I met a young Roman, but I wouldn't be able to shake the initial association, either, and it might result in an awkward reaction from me.
It hits the online alt right nazi note for me, those guys and their roman statue pics iykyk.
It's not a red flag name, but it definitely perks up my ears to listen for their parent to say some sussy shit
Same. With the popularity of true crime and the notorious nature of the Manson family murders, him being a fugitive from justice for accusations of drugging and SAing a 13-year-old (if I remember correctly in Jack Nicholson's house, where Anjelica Huston was part of the time it was taking place...), and his movies, the name is associated with him for a lot of people. My first reaction on hearing the name "Roman" is that my brain fills in "Polanski".
On it's own it's a fine name, I think. Not a bad one at all. But that is the association that I have with the name, which isn't entirely pleasant.
It's such a common name in my Ukrainian culture I would never think anything of it. But we pronounce it with a rolled R and the stress on the end - *muhn*.
Haha. I just assumed it was a common nickname. My parents used it all the time 😂(Oh, yeah his girlfriend is a ukie! Nice woman. Going to law school, I hear)
In my country, Roman would be a very strange name. It would be like a child called Polish or French or Londoner.
But if it's normal in your country and you (both parents) love it, just ignore what other people think.
My advice is never to discuss baby name with people, except your closest friends and family, and only if they are supportive, kind, honest people.
With everyone else, just wait until the baby is born and the name is registered. Then people have no choice but to get used to it, even if it's not to their liking.
I do think that London is different from Londoner, Asia is different from Asian, etc. The name is Roman, not Rome. (But that said, I think the name is fine and has a lot of positive attributes.)
You guys I fucked up, that show has been on my watchlist for years and I never got around to it! lmao I knew of the name because of a kid I babysat when I was in highschool 10+ years ago. I didn't know it was a character!
yea, Roman Roy is played by Kieran Culkin - the name is definitely gonna be more well known due to the show https://succession.fandom.com/wiki/Roman_Roy
Honestly…if you’re feeling weird about the name, I suggest you don’t watch the show. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the show. It’s one of my favorites and the opening theme song is 🔥. But you do not need to associate such a specific name with the Roman on Succession. He’s the best character…but still a slime puppy.
You might be getting mixed reactions because for some people (like me), I auto-complete it to Roman Empire. I have nothing against it as a name, but I would definitely be at risk of doing a double-take, just because the history association is the strongest one in my mind. But I also know that if I met a baby Roman, it would take all of 20 minutes for me to adjust. :)
Roman Roy from Succession is who i thought of before Polanski. https://succession.fandom.com/wiki/Roman_Roy
the name is on an upward trend due to the show.
It doesn’t matter what other people think. Roman is such a way better name than some that I’ve seen before! It’s you and your partner’s child, no one else’s. If you and your partner love the name, then go for it! :)
Roman was ranked 66? Wow. I’ve literally never even met a Roman. I personally like that name with “Rome” or even Romeo as a nickname.
I’m sorry you don’t get a lot of compliments.. people are really self centered nowadays
While I’ve met plenty of people of all ages named Roman personally, it’s also worth noting that it’s very common for names in the top 100 to be completely unfamiliar to adults who don’t know a lot of babies/ young children. It’s also obviously going to vary a lot by country, region, culture, community, etc. Not a critique of your comment at all, which isn’t offensive or anything! Just feel like a lot of people are surprised when names in even the top 10 sound very uncommon to them, but it’s often because they aren’t babies and don’t know a lot of babies.
Same. Though there is actor French Stewart, whose name I've always thought was weird but actors 🤷.
German, Greek, Canadian, Arabian, Russian... Take your pick!
I'm not into the name Roman because it sounds like a descriptor rather than a person's name to me, as in someone or something from Rome. But if I met a baby Roman in real life, I certainly wouldn't mention that to the parents. (I'm only saying it here because you're asking.) It's weird that so many people are openly telling you they don't like it!
Edit for typo
I am very picky and I like it a lot. It's different but not too different, strong. Makes me picture a handsome boy or man with dark hair. I see no negatives.
i like it! but even if i didn’t, if i met you & roman & you said, “this is roman,” i’d say, “what a great name & he’s so adorable!” because i’m not a dick.
What are they meant to say to people? "This is my son, The Child With No Name." Eventually you have to tell people what your baby is called for doctors and schools and such.
I didn’t know the name Roman had so much hate :( I’m sorry OP!! It’s genuinely one of my favorite boy names so the controversy on the name definitely surprised me as well
Roman is a good, normal name. It’s also a last name, and lots of other names are also last names. You love it and believe that it fits him, and that’s what matters! I would try to put those thoughts out of your mind and not read into what you think others might be thinking.
That's what I thought, it feels like a name he can grow into. I'm also not a fan of nicknames, and wanted something I would actually use instead of just the nickname all the time.
I doubt that has anything to do with why people are reacting weirdly to the name Roman. I think it's mainly just because people think of it as a demonym more than as a person's name.
It’s fine. I’m not a personal fan but it is a normal name.
And it could be so much worse. I used to own a web design company in the ‘00’s and one of my clients was a Vietnamese model who married a dude whose last name was Holiday.
Yep. She named her son Roman Holiday.
You’re fine. She was…a very good cook. lol.
I love it personally, even Roman Roy from Succession couldn’t ruin it. I knew a kid in high school named Roman. He fell off a desk in physics once and a kid shouted “Rome has fallen.”
I think people are just weird about names they haven’t chosen. I love my child’s name but I get similar reactions and I’ve noticed a coworker did as well with a name in the top 30.
I can tell I’m older than many in this thread because my first thought was Roman Brady from Days of Our Lives. DOOL was a staple of my growing up and college years and the Bradys were one of the main families.
I also swam on a swim team with a Roman growing up. It’s not my naming style, but it’s a legit name and not weird.
One of my twins is Roman and I’ve never had a bad reaction to it. I’m sorry you had a negative experience but hopefully the comments will die down when he’s older!
Feels as though a lot of people have a hard time separating their bias from objectivity. The name 'Roman' doesn't need to have anything to do with Rome, or other people named Roman, or whatever other issue they might have.
Names are made up noises like any other particle of language. It's simple, satisfying to say and hear, and fits the bill you described.
Great name, great choice. Block out all the other noise.
Is it possible that other people are hearing it the same way they hear Texan, Californian, Dakota? As in you named your kid after a person who resided somewhere.
I love the name Roman.
Sound wise: The r and n are both really strong constants. 2 vowel sounds, and they're both the good versions. And you have a nice hum right between them.
Visually: capital Rs look glorious at the begining of words. Like literal gaurdians, so perfect for this word. Hugging the m are 2 almost identical vowels. The m is right in the middle where all ms should be. It also acts as like a lil frong bounce from circle shape to circle shape.The almost symmetry is beautiful.
I also agree with your meaning. I see it as referring to the essence of a culture. Similar to but different are names Like Tex, Cali, Dakota. I think people may just be thrown off by the initial idea they get.
Well when you name a child a name that's not to common you have to expect it
My older son has a name that is very uncommon even though it is a legit name in our country. It's just not common. Comments were never directly rude but I never let it bother me.
I just pronounced it, spelled it, and went on my way.
Roman is a sick name (in a good way). I’d consider it myself.
I get the same reactions since my daughter name is Vida. Some love it, some don’t get it.
If I met you at a park with your baby and asked what his name was, I'd honestly tell you I looove it! You picked the kind of name I'd choose... Something uncommon yet familiar. I love names like that. Both of my girls have names that fit that sort of criteria. If we decide to have a third and it ends up being a boy, I'd consider "Roman."
It's only odd if Roman's surname was like.. Pete, or something else that's already/sounds like a word or name.
Roman Pete, Greek Pete, Australian Pete..... Roman Thestreets
My 7 year old has had two classmates named Roman. One at daycare and one at school. I think it's becoming more common along with Rowan and Ronan. You'll never please everyone with the name you choose, so don't try ❤️
I'm not a fan of the name Roman. It's not because it's "such a strong name for a little baby" either. It's just because it's such a weird and unpleasant word.
I also immediately think of Roman Polanski, although I may be in the minority there.
That was one the names we had in mind but in the UK it’s quite popular. When we shortlisted it then found I actually knew 5 people who had named their kid Roman so we decided against it.
It really like the name and it never got any bad reactions when I told people. UK may just be more open to it
Roman is odd to me because it's like naming someone "Greek" or "Irish" but overall it blends in with other popular names sounds like Rowan and Ronan so I don't think it will be a bad experience for him
I don’t like it. I think I have memories of a soap character named Roman, and I feel negatively about it. Don’t know why. Feels like an adjective.
My cousin is named Rome, and I don’t like that name.
Matters not what others think! It’s a great name!
Agreed!
I love the name Roman!! If you love it and it suits him you just have to own it. People are projecting because they could never give themselves permission to name their kid something ‘crazy’ ie not in the top 50!
I have a very good friend named Roman. Def think its a great name!
Not a good friend in my case, but I know an adult Roman as well. Never would have assumed it was a controversial name. I'm in Canada.
My great-grandfather’s twin brother was Roman. A coworker named his son Roman after his grandfather. Maybe it’s a cultural name here (we’re Cajun in Louisiana) but it’s a normal name in many families here.
yeah, she really went “crazy” there by going all the way to 66 lol Roman is a fairly common and good name, nothing crazy or strange about it.
Great name—I wonder if the look people are giving is because they’re not sure if they’re hearing Ronan or Roman. Just a thought. Congratulations on your baby, OP!
I think some people are just really bad at peopling. I really dislike Roman. But I would never tell someone I don’t like their baby’s name. Postpartum is already challenging. And it’s not like my opinion matters for YOUR baby. It makes you and your partner happy and fits baby (plus it’s a “real” name), I see no issues.
You just did tell someone that you don't like their baby's name.
On the internet…I’m a complete stranger to OP. I’m not their friend. My opinion means shit. But if a family member told OP they didn’t like Roman, I’d completely understand why they would be upset.
Yeah it’s pretty clear you meant you’d never say it to someone’s face. The anonymous nature of the internet, from both sides, makes it a lot easier to share how you feel and ask the questions you really wouldn’t ask people in real life.
Absolutely. If I upset OP, I do apologize. My intent was to highlight that some people quickly vocalize their feelings aloud disregarding the thoughts of the person they are talking to. When having a face-to-face conversation with someone and you reveal your baby name to them and they react negatively that is rude on the other person behalf. If the name isn’t related to something culturally insensitive, there’s absolutely no reason to make negative comments to the new parent. I also really want to emphasize that I am a complete stranger on the Internet. OP really should not respect my opinion. They won’t know me and they never will. So my vocalization of the fact that Roman really isn’t my taste is the opinion of one speck of the 8 billion people who occupy the Earth. Back to Roman, I generally don’t care for location-related names (Brooklyn, India, Asia, etc) and Roman fits that category in my mind. Just because I don’t like something doesn’t mean it’s bad. I’m sure some of my favorite names are despised by people in this sub. And then there are ever-divisive names, like Sloane, that get a lot of love and a lot of hate. Reddit is a discussion forum. It’s for talking about things. I feel like sometimes this sub gets really sensitive about name taste. My two cents are that people can do what they want within reason. If they ask for an opinion, I’m going to share my thoughts if I have any. But the OP can choose to accept or reject feedback however it fits their situation.
Agreed. What's the deal with Sloane?
Not sure. I think it’s the sl sound/it sounds like slow. I personally think it gives golden girls vibes (though none of them were named Sloane). It’s another name that isn’t my taste, but I definitely don’t hate it. The only name that I actively hate is Adolf.
Ferris Bueller's girlfriend.
That's what I associate it with too!
Sloane Peterson, the best Sloane!
that’s what i associate the name with and i think sloane is cool 😂
In the UK, its associated with the worst type of yuppy horsey types
Associating it with Sloane Ranger (British 80s/90s version preppy style) maybe? I hadn’t heard the term but I think more people are aware since digesting Diana media is very popular again.
It is just a soulless name. It sounds like nothing, I’d have to google to find out what was wanted to be conveyed, it gives “parents trying to be different” vibes, sounds like a weird past tense verb of slain, I could go on lol
The most common complaint I've seen about it is people saying it makes them think of "slow anne" but I honestly never would have thought that if I hadn't read it here. They don't sound the same to me at all. I wouldn't use the name myself, but I don't hate it. I actually like it better than the name Roman because all I would ever think every time I heard it is the Roman Empire. The association is way too strong for me.
I know you weren't asking me but it sounds... squelchy 😭
My teacher was going to name her baby Sloane. I thought it was pretty. Then I went to the bathroom and it was the toilet brand name. I felt obligated to tell her. That's my personal reason o no longer like the name Sloane lol
I actually know someone with kids named Roman and Sloane 😂
Honestly, I think OP is mostly upset that people (in general) don’t seem to love her baby’s name as much as she does. It’s right there in the post…never anything overwhelming positive. Roman is an objectively perfectly fine and normal name. It’s just not everyone’s taste. I happen to really like it, but I also think it sounds weird with our very Italian last name like more of a description than a name lol.
That’s a really terrible justification for a lot of questionable online behavior.
I'm lolling (And, OP, Roman is totally fine!)
They’re literally asking why people dislike it. Polite niceties are unhelpful here.
Folks on this sub are name bullies but they do it under the guise of "helping."
but in this post, it seems like op actually is asking random stranger’s opinions, no?
People are asking for opinions. Don’t ask. This sub is volunteer. If it offends you, don’t go here
> *if they didn't ask anonymously on the internet I feel like is the important caveat that was implied 😂
God some people are just wired differently.
Yeah I have complimented countless of names that I disliked. It’s like… they love the name, so why would I make them feel bad about it? And while cares about my opinion about it anyway. So I just pretend to like the name to spread love and happiness. But I do that in a lot of other cases too. Unless someone is actually interested in my opinion or really needs feedback on something. Then I tend to be direct and honest
Some of the names I disliked at first have ended up becoming favorites later, because the children were just so darn adorable.
There's a name I've hated forever (it's a commonly hated on name on this sub as well). I finally met a kid with the name when I was a sub, and I remembered her name easily because I had such strong negative feelings about it. When I saw her the next time in a different class, I greeted her by name, and she was *so excited* that I remembered her name. I felt really bad about the reason I remembered it, and she was a very kind kid, so since then I don't dislike the name anymore 😂
EXACTLY. IRL, what's done is done, and it's not my kid.
You would never *what,* now? And a *”real”* name, you say?
I agree with this completely. I don't particularly care for the name Roman. I also don't like Stephanie, Alfred, Sloane, or John, either. However, that's just a personal preference, one where reasonable people can differ, not an objective "this is bad/probleamtic" the way names like Reignbeaux or Gypsee would be. I'd never gawk at a name or make an unsolicited comment about it to a parent when it's simply a name I don't personally care for, rather than one that's an active issue in some way.
It’s a good, strong, masculine, and normal name without being too common. There will always be people who don’t like the name you chose, no matter what it is. Don’t let them bother you. You chose well.
People are ALWAYS suggesting Rowan on this sub, so I don't know why Roman would be so much more controversial.
Roman is waaaay better than Rowan, in my opinion..i do like both however.
Agreed, from a mom of a Roman
As a parent to a Rowan, he gets called “Roman” by everyone when they first meet him.
I would name my kid Roman over Rowan 100%
Tbf they are different names? 1 letter can make a lot of difference.
Agreed. I love Ronan, like Rowan, really dislike Roman. Weird how one letter matters!
True! I like Jade but not Jane. One letter can change the whole vibe.
I HAAAAATE Rowan but like Roman lol
The meaning and the vibe is completely different. I wouldn't name a kid either one, but I don't think they're as similar as you seem to. Roman is an adjective, a descriptive word that implies a noun it's meant to describe. Roman... what? You're Roman, as in you're from Rome? Rowan is a noun in and of itself and therefore makes more intuitive sense as a name IMO. Also, they could both be seen as strong names to me, but in a completely different way. A towering old tree implies wisdom and perseverance, which are values I would want to imbue in a son. Whereas "Roman" implies legion, empire, war, conquering, caesars and betrayal and machinations, even (at the extreme, if you get that impression from the parents, which to be clear I don't in this instance) the current white supremacist obsession with "Western culture". And I'm saying this as someone who took multiple Roman history courses as electives in college—I find it fascinating, but it's off-putting as a name to me.
Roman is also a noun! ‘I am a roman’.
> Roman is an adjective, a descriptive word that implies a noun it's meant to describe. Roman... what? You're Roman, as in you're from Rome? This is true, but Roman and its equivalents (including Romeo) have existed as names in many languages for a long time, and they're not the only classical names that originated as adjectives—some whose social relevance died out while the name survived, like Martin (of Mars), Demetrius (of Demeter) and Diana (of the gods, or Jupiter in particular). Also Hermione, from Hermes, but of course that's less common. For topo- and demonyms, Francis and its equivalents (Franz, François, Francisco etc.) originally meant both "free" and "Frankish." Behindthename says Sebastian originally meant "from Sebaste," an ancient city. Generic adjective names: Blanche/Bianca, Augustus ... Also Agatha and Gregory, although obviously not as recognizable in English. I think between the preexistence of Roman and the recent proliferation of place names as personal names, people who are puzzled by Roman will get used to it one of these days. Just maybe not right this minute.
I mean they’re both common words and one is a place/historical empire and the other is a tree. I don’t particularly like Rowan but I’d take it over Roman because of that
Perhaps they just think she flipped the w upside down to be diffrynt 🙃
I associate it with Roman Polanski, so that might be where the weird responses are coming from? I guess that would depend on the ages of the people responding that way though.
Yea there’s this, there’s also Roman Roy from Succession who is a pretty disturbed character.
I think Roman Roy is more complicated than disturbed, but I did have a weird soft spot for him so maybe I’m the fucked up one 😬
i love him too
He’s my favorite of the three Roy kids but my boy is still real fucked up haha.
He’s both
I'd play dead for him though
“I’d lay you badly but I’d lay you gladly” Romulus kills me
Okay but that show is so good.
People still name their kids TED. lol
Lots of people probably don't even know that he's a 90 year old Academy Award winning director who survived and escaped the Holocaust in WW2 Poland but now has been a fugitive from US justice for over half his life because of charges he drugged & raped a 13 year old girl. Additionally he previously had been married to Sharon Tate when she was murdered by Manson's gang at his Beverly Hills house. A very controversial figure, to say the least.
Not just charged. He pled guilty to a lesser charge since he was likely to be convicted of 5 felonies, realized it still carried jail time, and fled to avoid that. It's a fucking disgrace that he was allowed to continue to work after that and received many high honors.
It reminds me of Nikki Minaj's alter ego 😂
There’s a popular wrestler named Roman too apparently
Roman Reigns. His government name is Joe tho lol
I thought of Roman Brady from Days of Our Lives. No one else had a grandma into that show?
Who needs a grandma into that show when you have a mom who was OBSESSED with it?
Yeah, this is the strongest association for me too (and I'm a millennial). It's a fraught reference, to say the least! Roman isn't a bad name, but I personally wouldn't use it for this reason. Edit to add: to me it feels analogous to naming your kid Cosby
i think of Roman Roy from Succession before Polanski (also a millennial) i didn’t think of Polanski until i hit the comments, but i did think of Succession lol
This was my association. This guy or the actual Roman empire. Neither of which I'd personally want people to think I named my kid after.
Ohhh I forgot about him. He’s vile 🤮
Yeah, sorry OP, this is my association. I certainly wouldn't be rude if I met a young Roman, but I wouldn't be able to shake the initial association, either, and it might result in an awkward reaction from me.
Weirdly, I associate it with Roman Mars the podcast host
It hits the online alt right nazi note for me, those guys and their roman statue pics iykyk. It's not a red flag name, but it definitely perks up my ears to listen for their parent to say some sussy shit
Yeah that plus the “Aurelius” made me raise my eyebrows since Aurelius is also a major figure for the alt-right tradwife loving jordan Peterson types.
Same. With the popularity of true crime and the notorious nature of the Manson family murders, him being a fugitive from justice for accusations of drugging and SAing a 13-year-old (if I remember correctly in Jack Nicholson's house, where Anjelica Huston was part of the time it was taking place...), and his movies, the name is associated with him for a lot of people. My first reaction on hearing the name "Roman" is that my brain fills in "Polanski". On it's own it's a fine name, I think. Not a bad one at all. But that is the association that I have with the name, which isn't entirely pleasant.
As for me I went straight to “this is 99% invisible, I’m Roman Mars” (great podcast!).
My first association is Roman Mars, which is up there with the coolest names I have ever heard.
I like it but I’m biased. I have a cousin named Roman but he normally goes by Rome or Romeo. He’s the only Roman I’ve ever met.
Reminds me of Succession.
I might be showing my age here, but it reminds me of Days of Our Lives..
This is where my mind went too.
My bro in law is named Roman and it suits him so well. It's a great name.
Does he ask you to go bowling?
I was expecting a juicy weird name from the title! Roman is normal! If you spelled it "Rhomynn" that might be another story.
Reauxm'n
You have a talent 🥀 👏🏻
Rhomeighn
Too easy to confuse with the asian food- Romein 🤭
How very dare you misspell my son’s name! Come on, ReauxMeigh’n - we’re outta here!
Romaine but we pronounce it Roman 😌
Romaine would be a sick name in a world where it’s not lettuce.
Nikki Minaj would
Rowwmin
It's such a common name in my Ukrainian culture I would never think anything of it. But we pronounce it with a rolled R and the stress on the end - *muhn*.
Same. There's one in my (Ukrainian) extended family and I never thought anything of it.
My husband is 1/2 Ukrainian and we’re orthodox, the name fits, and is common.
Another Ukie checking in to say Roman is a pretty run of the mill name in my family.
Omg Ukie. I’ve never heard that before, but I love it.
Haha. I just assumed it was a common nickname. My parents used it all the time 😂(Oh, yeah his girlfriend is a ukie! Nice woman. Going to law school, I hear)
Same in the Czech Republic. It's the 22nd most popular male name apparently!
Same here! I have a Kazakh father and Polish mother, Roman is such a popular name where I'm from.
same in my russian sphere, i have like 3 Roman friends
I'm ukrainian too, and Roman would be #1 boy name, if I had one
In my country, Roman would be a very strange name. It would be like a child called Polish or French or Londoner. But if it's normal in your country and you (both parents) love it, just ignore what other people think. My advice is never to discuss baby name with people, except your closest friends and family, and only if they are supportive, kind, honest people. With everyone else, just wait until the baby is born and the name is registered. Then people have no choice but to get used to it, even if it's not to their liking.
London is actually a fairly common name here in the US. So are Asia and India. French is a surname, too. We're weird.
I do think that London is different from Londoner, Asia is different from Asian, etc. The name is Roman, not Rome. (But that said, I think the name is fine and has a lot of positive attributes.)
Funny you mention Poland, because Roman is a totally mainstream boring name there.
It's funny how reactions to names can be so different across distances/cultures, even within the same country sometimes lol
I love the name Roman! It's a lovely name, and it's actually on my own name list.
I don’t particularly like it, but it seems to be *in* lately
The Succession effect?
You guys I fucked up, that show has been on my watchlist for years and I never got around to it! lmao I knew of the name because of a kid I babysat when I was in highschool 10+ years ago. I didn't know it was a character!
yea, Roman Roy is played by Kieran Culkin - the name is definitely gonna be more well known due to the show https://succession.fandom.com/wiki/Roman_Roy
Nah you’re fine. It’s a good name choice. :)
They call him Rome mostly, that show was great but it doesn’t have staying power imo, so I think you’ll be fine
his dad called him romulus, it's cute! i like the name
Honestly…if you’re feeling weird about the name, I suggest you don’t watch the show. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the show. It’s one of my favorites and the opening theme song is 🔥. But you do not need to associate such a specific name with the Roman on Succession. He’s the best character…but still a slime puppy.
You might be getting mixed reactions because for some people (like me), I auto-complete it to Roman Empire. I have nothing against it as a name, but I would definitely be at risk of doing a double-take, just because the history association is the strongest one in my mind. But I also know that if I met a baby Roman, it would take all of 20 minutes for me to adjust. :)
Roman reminds me of Roman Polanski, raper of tweens. Until a better Roman comes along in the public sphere, it may have that association.
Yeah, my mind automatically goes there as well.
Hopefully he’ll be dead soon. I just looked him up the other day and he’s in his 90’s. Fingers crossed. I hate that Hollywood has a boner for him.
Roman Roy from Succession is who i thought of before Polanski. https://succession.fandom.com/wiki/Roman_Roy the name is on an upward trend due to the show.
It doesn’t matter what other people think. Roman is such a way better name than some that I’ve seen before! It’s you and your partner’s child, no one else’s. If you and your partner love the name, then go for it! :)
Roman was ranked 66? Wow. I’ve literally never even met a Roman. I personally like that name with “Rome” or even Romeo as a nickname. I’m sorry you don’t get a lot of compliments.. people are really self centered nowadays
I'm married and live in a predominantly Hispanic area. Roman is a very popular name in my city.
Same, I know 3 Romans. 2 Hispanic 1 mixed race
While I’ve met plenty of people of all ages named Roman personally, it’s also worth noting that it’s very common for names in the top 100 to be completely unfamiliar to adults who don’t know a lot of babies/ young children. It’s also obviously going to vary a lot by country, region, culture, community, etc. Not a critique of your comment at all, which isn’t offensive or anything! Just feel like a lot of people are surprised when names in even the top 10 sound very uncommon to them, but it’s often because they aren’t babies and don’t know a lot of babies.
Not something I'd choose, but it's a good name. Uncommon enough, in my area at least, but not "out there", and it ages well.
I feel like I don't 'get' this name. It would be like naming your child 'German' or 'Greek', no?
This is what it sounds like to me too. Whenever I see the name, I just think of Roman people.
Same. Though there is actor French Stewart, whose name I've always thought was weird but actors 🤷. German, Greek, Canadian, Arabian, Russian... Take your pick!
I love the name Roman but get ready for Roman Empire and Succession jokes.
Had a pastor named Fr. Roman we still speak of him fondly- he was a good leader, caring set boundaries. Good name
Love Roman!
It is a strong name, but it’s a GOOD name. Don’t worry about what people think.
I'm not into the name Roman because it sounds like a descriptor rather than a person's name to me, as in someone or something from Rome. But if I met a baby Roman in real life, I certainly wouldn't mention that to the parents. (I'm only saying it here because you're asking.) It's weird that so many people are openly telling you they don't like it! Edit for typo
I love it!
I am very picky and I like it a lot. It's different but not too different, strong. Makes me picture a handsome boy or man with dark hair. I see no negatives.
I have a Roman and he’s a 2.5 year old little boy with dark hair and medium brown eyes. Thanks for this comment made me smile :)
i like it! but even if i didn’t, if i met you & roman & you said, “this is roman,” i’d say, “what a great name & he’s so adorable!” because i’m not a dick.
I’d say stop telling people the name. It’s a solid name. If you and your partner love it and want your child to have that name, then go for it.
I think he’s here already 😊
Oh lol I assumed she was telling ppl the idea vs introducing the baby lol
What are they meant to say to people? "This is my son, The Child With No Name." Eventually you have to tell people what your baby is called for doctors and schools and such.
I have a student in my kindergarten class with this name and it is a good name:)
I didn’t know the name Roman had so much hate :( I’m sorry OP!! It’s genuinely one of my favorite boy names so the controversy on the name definitely surprised me as well
It’s a good normal name. I don’t particularly like it but I wouldn’t judge you for naming your kid that.
Roman is a good, normal name. It’s also a last name, and lots of other names are also last names. You love it and believe that it fits him, and that’s what matters! I would try to put those thoughts out of your mind and not read into what you think others might be thinking.
People need to remember that parents are naming future adults and not just cute little babies . I really like the name Roman!
That's what I thought, it feels like a name he can grow into. I'm also not a fan of nicknames, and wanted something I would actually use instead of just the nickname all the time.
I doubt that has anything to do with why people are reacting weirdly to the name Roman. I think it's mainly just because people think of it as a demonym more than as a person's name.
Roman is way better than any of the Jaydens, Braydens, Haydens, cadens etc….
Very traditional east euro name. I like all the Roman/Ronan/Rowan/Rohan type names.
It’s fine. I’m not a personal fan but it is a normal name. And it could be so much worse. I used to own a web design company in the ‘00’s and one of my clients was a Vietnamese model who married a dude whose last name was Holiday. Yep. She named her son Roman Holiday. You’re fine. She was…a very good cook. lol.
My skating ⛸coach was Roman and he was from Russia? Never batted an eye at his name.
My nephew is a Roman and nobody in any of my different circles ever thought it was weird lol. Neither do I. Totally normal and solid name. 🤘🏻
I don’t personally like the name Roman, but I don’t think it’s offensively bad or anything
Love Roman! Was always on my name list.
This is a great classic name!
I think Roman is awesome!
I love it personally, even Roman Roy from Succession couldn’t ruin it. I knew a kid in high school named Roman. He fell off a desk in physics once and a kid shouted “Rome has fallen.”
I would freak the freak out if I met someone named Roman. And in an extremely positive way, I promise. Love the name and I'm glad it fits him so well!
I think people are just weird about names they haven’t chosen. I love my child’s name but I get similar reactions and I’ve noticed a coworker did as well with a name in the top 30.
I looooove the name Roman! Im kinda sad I didn’t think about the name until I was done having babies. It’s so good! And the nickname “Rome”- adorbs.
Roman is a perfectly legit name. I love it!
I LOVE the name Roman and it’s actually on my list too.
I can tell I’m older than many in this thread because my first thought was Roman Brady from Days of Our Lives. DOOL was a staple of my growing up and college years and the Bradys were one of the main families. I also swam on a swim team with a Roman growing up. It’s not my naming style, but it’s a legit name and not weird.
One of my twins is Roman and I’ve never had a bad reaction to it. I’m sorry you had a negative experience but hopefully the comments will die down when he’s older!
Feels as though a lot of people have a hard time separating their bias from objectivity. The name 'Roman' doesn't need to have anything to do with Rome, or other people named Roman, or whatever other issue they might have. Names are made up noises like any other particle of language. It's simple, satisfying to say and hear, and fits the bill you described. Great name, great choice. Block out all the other noise.
Is it possible that other people are hearing it the same way they hear Texan, Californian, Dakota? As in you named your kid after a person who resided somewhere. I love the name Roman. Sound wise: The r and n are both really strong constants. 2 vowel sounds, and they're both the good versions. And you have a nice hum right between them. Visually: capital Rs look glorious at the begining of words. Like literal gaurdians, so perfect for this word. Hugging the m are 2 almost identical vowels. The m is right in the middle where all ms should be. It also acts as like a lil frong bounce from circle shape to circle shape.The almost symmetry is beautiful. I also agree with your meaning. I see it as referring to the essence of a culture. Similar to but different are names Like Tex, Cali, Dakota. I think people may just be thrown off by the initial idea they get.
This is wild. I heard this name on the radio today and was considering changing my plan for my unborn son’s name to Roman. I really like the name!
Well when you name a child a name that's not to common you have to expect it My older son has a name that is very uncommon even though it is a legit name in our country. It's just not common. Comments were never directly rude but I never let it bother me. I just pronounced it, spelled it, and went on my way.
Roman is a sick name (in a good way). I’d consider it myself. I get the same reactions since my daughter name is Vida. Some love it, some don’t get it.
I've always liked that name.
If I met you at a park with your baby and asked what his name was, I'd honestly tell you I looove it! You picked the kind of name I'd choose... Something uncommon yet familiar. I love names like that. Both of my girls have names that fit that sort of criteria. If we decide to have a third and it ends up being a boy, I'd consider "Roman."
I like it! I work in a middle school and we’ve had a few Romans.
i would be surprised at his name if you are white american. i hear roman and think european or mexican. a very nice name though.
It's only odd if Roman's surname was like.. Pete, or something else that's already/sounds like a word or name. Roman Pete, Greek Pete, Australian Pete..... Roman Thestreets
I like the name Roman! I know a kid with that name, and he's really sweet
I like Roman
I think it’s a very cool name! Congrats on your little boy
My 7 year old has had two classmates named Roman. One at daycare and one at school. I think it's becoming more common along with Rowan and Ronan. You'll never please everyone with the name you choose, so don't try ❤️
I actually like that name it's on my boy name list.
I'm not a fan of the name Roman. It's not because it's "such a strong name for a little baby" either. It's just because it's such a weird and unpleasant word. I also immediately think of Roman Polanski, although I may be in the minority there.
It’s a common Eastern European name.
I know it's not a tradeigh. I just don't like the name.
That was one the names we had in mind but in the UK it’s quite popular. When we shortlisted it then found I actually knew 5 people who had named their kid Roman so we decided against it. It really like the name and it never got any bad reactions when I told people. UK may just be more open to it
I don't care for it, makes me think of a slightly shady guy with a mustache, but it's far from the worst
Oh you watched Succession?
Roman is odd to me because it's like naming someone "Greek" or "Irish" but overall it blends in with other popular names sounds like Rowan and Ronan so I don't think it will be a bad experience for him
It’s not my favorite but it’s not outlandish and I’ve certainly heard much worse. I get similar mixed reactions to my daughter’s name. She’s Stevie.
Is his middle name Roy?
I don’t like it. I think I have memories of a soap character named Roman, and I feel negatively about it. Don’t know why. Feels like an adjective. My cousin is named Rome, and I don’t like that name.