Do you like the name 'Atlas' for a boy?

Question

Our last name is Jakes (rhymes with cakes) and while we really like the name 'Atlas Jakes', my family hate it. I mean REALLY hate it.

Now I can't tell if I have just de-senstitsed myself to the name or is the name really that bad, and would be a bad idea to name a child?

I can't take a step back and see if it really is a crap name or a cool one.

What do you think?

Answer 1

Well, what's your life like?

If you live in an urban setting, with lots of diversity and a heavy supply of creative types, Atlas might fit in well with his classmates Esme, Teddy, Archer, Maeve, Silas, Gideon, Canyon and Clara. (I know toddlers with every one of those names, all living within a few miles of each other in the city, in vibrant neighborhoods.) When your peers tend to choose unusual names, they seem normal.

Let's say, however, that you live in the 'burbs. Kids are named Jared and Kayla, Alexis and Riley. In a field like this, Atlas will stand out like a rose among corn stalks. It might be beautiful, but he will likely feel out of place.

Personally, I think the images of maps are quite nice - it gives the sense that your child has every possibility in the world. And while bearing the weight of the world on his shoulders is a negative image, the flipside of that is capable - that's actually a very strong message for a child.

So I like Atlas, and in my neck of the 'hood, he'd fit in just fine. But if you're not within spitting distance of public art, a super-liberal Christian church, mass transit and at least two or three houses being rehabbed by eco-friendly DIY types, you don't live in Atlas' neighborhood.

In that case, I'd probably go with something like Henry Atlas, in that case. Slightly unusual but not nearly as unexpected.

Answer 2

Atticus is an awesome name -
Atlas - wow - I'm having a hard time with this one - I kind of like it - but I also think that he may be in for a lot of teasing because of it - also when you finalize your name choice - make sure the initials don't spell out something.
what you name a child is important - don't name him something different just to be different - think about what the name means - look it up,
kids find things to tease other kids about as it is, don't make his name something that can be turned into a bad experience.
BTW if you put Atticus in Wikipedia, you get Atticus Atlas http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_moth
it's the largest moth in the world
if you search for Atlas - well - try it

Answer 3

I think Atlas is an AWESOME name.

To me it comes across as powerful. Atlas held up the world. Why shouldn't a child have a name to live up to? Why should you have to name your child like everyone else in the masses?

He may get teased. But he will be teased no matter what you name him. IF you named him John or Matthew, he'd still get teased.

I can see an Atlas as a smart book worm, a great athlete, a political leader, and a Nobel winning scientist. He will have a world of possiblities. (pun intended)

You should go with it!!!

Answer 4

I really like Atlas myself.

I love names from mythology (I've gone through a big book of Greek myths looking for nice ones in the past), and Atlas has an interesting story. The name and the character are both strong and robust, and I think it sounds quite fresh and modern myself.

On the other hand, I'm not 100% sure if it completely goes with your surname. If you do go for it, use a longer middle name like Benjamin to break up its potential sing-songy-ness.

Atlas Benjamin Jakes.

Sounds great to me, and gives you family/kid something to work with if they refuse to use Atlas.

Answer 5

id say if you are really hooked on this name use it as a middle name because if he like it he can choose to be known by it. But i agree with your family . Children have enough to get picked on wothout having a name htat is a " book full of maps" Im not tryin gto be mean . But consider your future childs self esteem. there are planty of unique names which aren't as bully prone as atlas would be.

Answer 6

I don't care for your name choice very much. Atlas carries the weight of the world and that is quite a big act for a kid to follow.... or a young adult venturing out into his future. This may even set him up for failure in life. Now if you know he is probably destined to be a terrific footbal player, maybe the name could work out. Nah, I think I still feel the same. Read on, please.

Name choice is important. A poorly chosen name can affect how people respond to you... ( i recall a very unattractive girl in high school by the name of Elizabeth Taylor- I felt sad for her as she often was the butt of jokes) ...

I also know a man name Governor Smith. He claims he loves his name and that everywhere he goes he gets special attention ( upgrades to first class when flying to the best seats in a restaraunt... with the restaraunt even picking up the whole tab)
Now, this man appears very distinguished, because , he says in part due to his name --as it has offered him respect and success in many ways. He feels it did inspire him to be an acheiver in life.

Reagan is a popular name also for a guy or girl.... due to the personal strengths of our former president. A strong minded man.

Whatever you choose, remember your baby will carry the name with him for the rest of his life. Choose wisely and congratulations! May your boy be blessed with a wonderful future.

Answer 7

Very unusual. If I met someone that had Atlas for a first name I would wonder what the parents were think, or even if they were. Sounds like a big book, not a person. Better make sure he is well versed on location of countries and major cities. I think with a little efort, you could do better.

Answer 8

Atlas held up the world, son, but no pressure.

How many Atlas shrugged jokes are you all going to have to hear? Use it as a middle name, with something more classic as a first name. If he wants to, he can take Atlas as his first name later.

But if you give it to him as a fist name, and he ever sees the statue of Atlas holding up the world at Rockefeller Center in NYC, he's going to feel really inadequate for ever.

Answer 9

No, Im sorry I dont. An atlas is a road map and your child will be teased endlessly...dont do that to him. Im all about unique names for kids but really think about how the name would affect your child, not how neat you think the name sounds.

Answer 10

I think the name is kind of cool. It may be aggressively strong like Thor, I'm not sure. Just know that people will say "at last, Atlas" his entire life.