Hi Swistle,
I am over the moon to finally have my own question after reading your blog for many years, albeit, it would be even better if I didn’t have a naming conundrum of my own but you get the point.
My boyfriend and I are expecting our first in November. We are in agreement on a girl’s name but when it comes to boy’s, I am finding myself drawn to a name I would never have thought I would actually consider!
For the longest time, my all time favourite boy’s name has been Ambrose, but I have always had difficulty pairing a middle name that I liked the flow of with the baby’s last- which will be Bobinson with an R.
Our second favourite name (and I say “our” because I am not really sure bf would have agreed to Ambrose) was Augustus but again, there are reasons why this name just doesn’t seem right for this baby.
Enter pregnancy dream #2 about said baby in which I referred to him as Fennec. That’s right- the name of the fox. First thing, I had never heard of this type of fox, I had to google the name when I woke up and found the association. Two, I think the name actually came from The Hunger Games’ Finnick but my dream brain changed it. I have always liked his name. Three, Fox is on my list as one of several nature names that I would have only put in the middle. Four, when I jokingly told my boyfriend what I had dreamt the baby’s name was, his answer was “I love that!”
So now we are kind of going with Fennec. Is this crazy? Are these pregnancy hormones at work? I would happily put it in the middle name spot but it feels perfect up front- with Ambrose in the middle.
And lastly, you might ask why not just go with Finnick? Two reasons, I don’t like the rare possibility it could be shortened to Nick and I don’t know if I am alright with naming a child a pop culture name with no other real history behind it.
Any thoughts on how you would feel to see a baby or adult Fennec? I think for short we could call him Fen (or Fenn). We don’t plan on sharing our naming preferences with anyone prior to the birth as I don’t share naming styles with them and would rather not defend any choices.
Looking forward to seeing what you and your readers think!
Cheers,
Jacqueline
I would not go with Finnick, either. I do like that it could be shortened to Finn, but it makes me think of the word finicky.
I am surprised to be saying it, but I think Fennec works. I pictured seeing it on a class list, and I would think, “Wow, THAT’S unusual!”—but it seems like a Real Name to me. That is, I would be thinking, “I wonder if that’s Norwegian?” and not “That’s a crazy thing to name a child.”
Plus, Fennec foxes are beyond adorable.
My other association is with Fezzik from The Princess Bride, but (1) that’s a highly positive association, and (2) it serves to make Fennec even more name-like, and (3) it is not even the same name, just a name with a similar rhythm/sound.
I looked it up in the Social Security data base, and I see there were 5 new baby boys given the name Fennec in 2015. There were none in the data base for the previous 5 years. I suspect the combination of The Hunger Games + the recent popularity of foxes may be leading other parents in the same direction. I searched online for “baby name Fennec,” and got a bunch of hits for discussions of the name on baby name sites.
If I were considering using the name, my main concern would be future sibling names, particularly brother names. If sibling-name coordination is one of your preferences, Fennec could be a hard act to coordinate.
Let’s have a poll to see what everyone else thinks. Remember that when we do Name to Consider posts, we’re not exactly discussing whether the name is to our own personal tastes (though that of course will factor in), but more whether we think it could work as a name. The comments section is a good place to expand/explain your vote. Particularly if you vote “definitely no,” we’d appreciate hearing why not: otherwise I tend to chalk those votes up to the phenomenon I’ve noticed where a certain small percentage will choose the contrary answer, no matter WHAT the question is (“Is Emily a stripper name?” – 1,073 no votes and 7 yes votes).
Name update:
Good morning Swistle,
Here is our update!
Thanks again to you and your readers for helping us with our boy’s name but in the end, we didn’t need it as we welcomed a beautiful baby girl to the world.
Fiammetta Noemi is the name we chose for her and we couldn’t be happier with it.
We’ll keep Fennec Ambrose on hold for next time 😉
Xo
I really like this, would use it myself…. but I won’t, since it wouldn’t be a sibling match, and that’s an on the money point from swistle.
I think it has a European flair and wouldn’t be difficult to match with other names in the future. FYI it is the shortened form of Fennecus, maybe good for a middle name which could lend to the nn Fox.
Thanks for the long form- how did you find that?
I think it totally works and you should go for it! Definitely don’t share the name with people beforehand though, unless you want to be talked out of it. If they only hear the name after the baby’s born and the birth certificate’s been filed, then they’re less likely to say something thoughtlessly rude.
Totally agree! We aren’t sharing the girls name we have picked out either, although people are asking! I keep saying I want the news I share after the birth (both sex and name) to be news!! It’s interesting that I am considering something different when my sister just named her baby with a planetary name that nearly everyone that hears it says something negative about. I do hope no one is being that rude to her and I always have to remind them that there’s a little man out there with that name and he’s my nephew so back off and keep those comments to themselves. It’s also interesting because the name she choose does seem to have some history to it, at least I came away with that impression when I searched.
I saw the headline in Feedly, thought ‘that name reminds me of the Hunger Games!’ and clicked through to read it. I like it, it seems easy enough to pronounce from the way it is written, which I personally find important, and I would have the same reaction as Swistle if I saw it on a class list. Go for it I say!
Exactly! The Hunger Games character was a noble one as well.
I think it’s a gorgeous name! I had never heard of Fennec before reading about it here, but I love that it’s so easy to pronounce and it definitely has a European feel to it. We had a little boy in January, and we named him Finn. My husband’s family is Polish, and I was drawn to the using the Polish diminutive -ek with his name, which makes Finnek. I find the Hunger Games association to be a positive one, and for us it’s only a nickname, not something to be used on paper. I say go for Fennec, although I must say I love the other names that you’re considering too!
Thanks Kaelee! I love Finn too but do prefer something a little longer to start. Love that you’re calling your little one Finnek- that is too cute. Love the European endings that flow so well off the tongue.
I have no association with Hunger Games even though I saw the movies. immediately wondered whether it was an even Irish or Scandinavian name but it definitely read as a real name to me and a completely usable possibility. go for it
Future brothers, if any: nature inspired names abound. Kodiak! Fenn and kody!
The Sibling coordination might give me a moment’s hesitation but not enough for me to say don’t use it
I missed the European feel to this name and I’m so glad I have this community to point it out. Swistle is bang on so often! Amazing!
My lists have so many nature names as well as more classics with a few outliers. I don’t think I will have a problem matching Fennec with say Raphael, Romaine, Basil, Naveen to name but a few names off my list- although it will eliminate Phinnaeus and Finnian. I’ll consult my other half on the sibling front but I think I am more and more okay with it the more I read the comments and look over my lists. :)
I like it, and I tend not to like non-traditional names. I immediately thought of the fox, but it wasn’t a bad association at all. Since you both love it, I vote you go for it! Oh, and I like it much better than Finnick.
Another thing: I just asked my husband what he thought of Fennec, and he said, “I know I’ve heard that… isn’t it from Princess Bride?” So good call, Swistle!
Seconded!
So something I do with odd names is to look it up on LinkedIn. And believe it or not, I found 4 Fennecs. One woman, one man, two without photos. Very international, too.
Can’t believe that! I wonder if it goes back even further? To think that there are adults who go by that name? Thank you for letting us know! And using LinkedIn is a great idea- I’ll have to remember that, beats FB because people are more than likely using a real name on LinkedIn.
Love it! Definitely prefer it over Finnick. It’s one of those ‘why didn’t I think of that?!’ names for sure.
You have to dream these things up sometimes!
I LOVE Ambrose. I wanted to use it so badly but just could not make it work so we went with Ignatius in the middle spot instead.
Ignatius is on my lists too! Most people have crinkled their nose when I’ve told them in the past that my favourite name is Ambrose. Such a pity. I think it is so handsome!!
Yes!! 100% vote for Fennec Ambrose. I don’t mind the Finnick spelling either.
Just did the official bolding of this name on my “November Baby” sheet!
I’d take this name through some of the “would you like it for yourself” tests. He will be spelling it out for people for life. He will be asked the story of the name for life.
I do have to say it SOUNDS very name-y, though. Would make a fantastic middle name.
I like the story so I would hope he would too, and I certainly don’t mind sharing it. Spelling doesn’t concern me overly much, I spell my own name every single time- both the long version and Jackie both of which I would consider familiar names as well as common spellings of. People just don’t want to get it wrong. Oh and Starbucks, hair appts etc where I don’t bother and let them try- I end up with Jacky, Jakie, Jacline etc and I am never bothered by someone else not knowing how to spell a name.
Hey Jacqueline,
Re-reading my comment, I realized it came off a little more negative than I intended. My name is a pastiche of Jessica and Jeremy, and I’m proud to have it, though it often gets mistaken over the phone for “Stephanie” or “Destiny” or “Tiffany” or “Jessica.” My Dad’s name, Regg, is also a creative name that gets heard as Greg, Craig, etc. So people sometimes will slot a unique name into a not-so-unique pigeonhole unwittingly. But I’m so glad you like the name and have a beautiful dream to go with it!
Best,
Jess
I think this response most closely matches my own. I was immediately and strongly reminded of the fox (which is admittedly adorable!), and so I suppose Fennec is “name-y” in the way that most words/sounds can eventually seem like a name after enough repetition. I’m not sure I personally would like the hassle of spelling/explaining the name over and over throughout my lifetime, but that’s likely why I am a fan of traditional (read: boring) names. So I guess what I’m saying is that it’s not to my taste, but I can’t think of an objectively good reason not to use it either.
SIde note: What if your child happens to grow up with protruding Barack-Obama-style ears? That could make Fennec a somewhat more difficult name to carry.
Although this registers pretty high on the “this is not a typical name” scale, I like that it’s phonetic. When people hear it and see it, it will make sense to them. My only reservation is whether it will ring “boy” for people. I thiiink so, but I hesitate just slightly on that. (And also, do you care?)
It’s something to consider since it only reads male to me, surprising how many think female though. I do care a little about gender but it’s not a deal breaker for me.
Wow! I’m gushing. I can’t believe Swistle and the rest of you have so many positive comments about this name! The European flair, the longer version of the name, the fact other kiddos and even some adults are already named this, the Princess Bride (which is a favourite to so many) association, it’s all so unexpected. I’ll give some thought to sibling names as I go over my list as well as the suggestions for other nature names. This is so very exciting! Thanks everyone for your input thus far!! Maybe some of you might consider this name for yourselves now?!
If you hadn’t asked the question, I would have assumed that it was a name, like Swistle said, of some sort of Norwegian roots.
I actually really like the spelling, much better than the alternative Finnick. Finnick actually seems made up to me.
Good luck and keep us posted. Fennec Ambrose is a pretty fabulous name!
Thanks Kelsey! I am excited that I’ve found a spot for Ambrose which sounds good.
I will most definitely keep everyone posted!
Another name I love is Maguire. Could be a potential future sib name too.
Fennec and Maguire.
Fen and Mac
Fen and Gus. (My fav)
I would have totally thought/assumed this was already a name, too! It sounds rare but established, at least in some other country :) And I agree, I far prefer it to Finnick. It sounds wonderful, go for it!!
Love it! The fox connotation is really cute (although honestly I didn’t know it until I read this post!) and I think Fen is a great nickname. I agree with you on why it’s a better option than Finnick.
If you like the sound of that name another name I really liked was Fenton – but for some reason didn’t seem to roll off the tongue that great – I think I actually prefer Fennec! Good luck and can’t wait to hear what you do!
Yes, for the right family Fenton could be a charming name but I don’t like pairing the “son” ending of our last name with “ton” ending, unfortunately. Thanks for the suggestion!
Hmm, I can’t quite put my finger on why but I’m not sure I’d want to be named Fennec myself. Maybe because my first image is the animal– very cute, but also an oddity of sorts, and not particularly dignified (those ears!). It’s a very different type of animal than most that are used for names. Think of the vibe around names like Bear, Falcon, Wolf, or even Fox– they’re a lot stronger, and associated for millennia with things like battles and coats of arms etc. A fennec, as an animal, is closer to something like a wallaby or a lemur. Something slightly exotic.
Though, as I was typing all of the above out, and googling Fennecs, the name really began to grow on me. It has a mysterious, stealth quality that the right individual or family could really pull off.
Starbucks test? Maybe your husband can do it. Next time you’re in a place like Starbucks where you have to give a name for your order, say Fennec. How does it feel? If it’s really easy and natural, then you have your name.
Also: I just have to put in that I winced a little when you said you were giving up on Ambrose because you couldn’t find a well-flowing middle name. Nooooo! Middle names are often so rarely used, it pains me when people give up on a beloved first name for want of a perfect middle. If Ambrose was as popular as Mason or Jacob, I’d understand needing that back-up middle name for clarity, but an Ambrose Bobinson is unlikely to need to use his full name for practical reasons.
You’re right about the middle name flow problem, it shouldn’t cause anyone to throw away a favourite name because of it. I will have to consider that (if my other half agreed to it!! Sometimes I think he just goes with me on some of these wild name rides since I’ve been listing as long as we’ve been dating ;) )
And interestingly enough, I tend to like softer sounding names for boys so your slightly exotic association vs. tough or powerful vibe feels right for us. His dad is a very gentle kind soul and not into very many typically “manly” hobbies so if he’s like his dad it would work well. And if not? Well, we can’t predict everything!!
I’m voting 100% no on Fennec but I thought I would throw out a very similar name that I heard and that is:
FENRIC! Fenric Bobinson
For whatever reason Fenric is more pleasing to my ears than Fennec and I think it is because I first thought of “finicky”.
I do like Ambrose as well and vote for that name if your b/f would get on board.
Isn’t this a Harry Potter name? One of the Death Eaters? (DEFINITELY NOT A POSITIVE ASSOCIATION. But I might be off on the character name…)
I googled and find a Dr. Who connection. It seems like he may be an ancient embodiment of evil on that show, so definitely not a positive association. That said, Fenrick seems to be a not too uncommon last name, if Fenrick appeals to the OP more than Fennec.
I looked it up and apparently there’s a Death Eater named Fenrir.
Awe, too bad Fenric has the name “rick” in it- I have a person in my past that rules that name out. I do like it though, for someone else who likes the sound of Fennec but wants an established name. Thank you for suggesting it!
I am surprised to say I like it for you and think it’s totally usable! It does remind me of Finnick a little but that is a good association. It also kind of reminds me of the names Cormac & Desmond in terms of the way the name “feels”. Both real names and positive associations! Oh, and if I heard/saw it on a class list, I would definitely assume it was a boy.
I thought it was a girl’s name when I read it. Not really sure why. Because it’s similar to Finn, I think it works. It looks like it should be Irish or something like that.
I think it works, although I did initially think of the fox immediately. That’s not a bad connection, but not one I would necessarily want. That said, I’m also a dork over animals, I think for most it would read “European name” rather than the adorable fox with the giant ears. I think it’s usable, and for what it’s worth, it read as male to me probably because of the closeness to “Finn.”
Good luck and congratulations!
It reminds me of Jeff Fenech – the Australian boxer. But I do love it otherwise.
This was my association too (Australian). I thought – sounds like a name? but it is a name! I spelt it Feneck when I tried to google which shows that I’m not a sports nut. I like it.
Ok, I LOVE Ambrose and it’s on my short list (and I’m also a huge fan of Ambrose Bierce). And now I love Fennec! I wish I were having another boy just so I can use it! Go for it!
I don’t care for the name, nor would I want it myself. But if the question is whether it is “usable” for a name, absolutely. Best of luck!
Reading the OP’s letter, Fennec seemed familiar, but I wasn’t quite sure. I wondered if perhaps it was a surname as first, or a name from another language (it strikes me as particularly Nordic sounding). Then I got to the part about the fennec fox & I was like “of course.” In that context, it strikes me as an unusual, but very doable nature name. I might pair it with names along the lines of Peregrine, Juniper, Hawk, Quill or Cedar. I would also skip Fen and just go with Fox as a nickname, but I can understand the appeal of Fen for something that sounds more typical/could blend in.
Fox as a nickname is brilliant.
It reminds me of names like Beckett that I’m seeing more and more of. It reads all boy to me. I can see it paired nicely with any nature name, but I particularly like August nickname Gus, as a previous poster mentioned. It’s not my style, but meeting a Fennec wouldn’t cause me to gag inside like so many other names do! And regarding having to spell names these days, I think that’s just the way it is now. It’s really not a big deal!
I voted as “leaning toward no” because there is something … but I can’t put my finger on it. It makes me think of the word “fennel,” which is a fairly neutral association (neither positive nor negative for me). But at the same time I feel like it’s so close to feeling like I’m swearing. I want to like it more than I do. I think I actually like Finnick more but that may be because I really like the name Finn (Griffin with the nn Finn is a fav) and the Hunger Games books/movies give me familiarity. But I think it’s hard to argue with the fact that you both love it. And that is a pretty great naming story (baby sent it to you in a dream). So I say try out the Starbucks test and then go with your gut.
I decided I’d only chime in about the “fennel” thing if someone else mentioned it first…and you have done so! I think the idea of Fennec is really charming and it gives me an Alec/Merrick vibe, so I think it definitely passes the “Is this a name?” test. I’m aware of the animal, and i do think of it when I see the name–but I come into contact with the spice rack much more often, so my brain can’t stop seeing (and tasting, and smelling) fennel every time I read the name again! Like the commenter above me said, not a bad thing (I like fennel), just a…foody association, I guess. A little like if you were planning to name him Saffton; I wouldn’t be able to not think of saffron, for better or for worse.
I agree that you (and really everyone naming a baby!) should try the Starbucks test, and really hold yourself to the results! If your husband has a pang of discomfort, then proceeding might be a little unfair. But I have a feeling that “My name is Fennec, F-E-N-N-E-C” is easy enough to say. Just those six letters and all confusion is gone.
I said leaning toward No, because changing the spelling doesn’t really rule out the possibility of “Nec” (Nick) as a nn it just makes it odd and with a high possibility of being mispronounced. I have to say that if I met a child who’s name was Fennec or Fennick, I would immediately assume that the child’s parents play a lot of D&D and other role playing games. If that doesn’t bother you, go for it.
I love it. It has a flavor of my son’s name, Fordon, in that it is unusual but not made-up sounding.
There is a character in the first season of Doc Martin, a British show (best show of all time), who’s name is Fenn. At least, everyone calls him Fenn. I don’t know if he has a longer/real name. That was my first association, so the name plays British and male to me. I only know about animals when they are featured on Wild Kratts and my children have to tell me every detail they learned about them. :)
My first thought upon reading the name was, “Isn’t that the guy from Hunger Games?” But yeah, that’s Finnick. I liked it just reading it, but saying it out loud the -ec sound at the end just sounds…off. Part of that feeling might be because the -ec ending is pretty unusual and mostly used as an abbreviation (exec, homeEc, spec, rec…). Also, there are many names ending in -ric/-rick but so few ending in -ec, so I think the name would be mispronounced a lot.
I actually know a Saffron & once met a baby girl named Fennel, so the spice association isn’t an issue for me.
I voted “absolutely yes.” It sounds like you both love it, it can fit a lot of personality types, and Fen is a super-usable nickname.
Be sure to update!
I really like it – it is unusual, but definitely sounds like a name and has a great story associated with it. Like others, I would assume it’s a foreign name or just a name I haven’t heard before . I say go for it!
Like Swistle, I’m a bit surprised by how much I like it! It does make me think of fennec foxes, but fennec foxes are adorable and I love them.
I’m surprised to say I LOVE IT. And I am very slow to warm to ‘new’ names. But the sound, plus the fun story, plus the overall flow of Fennec Ambrose Bobinson. I say go for it.
I like it! I’m into nature-related names that aren’t too hippy-dippy, so this fits the criteria. You could even call him Fox as a nickname.
I LOVE this name and have been completely stuck on what to name my baby boy due in August. I shared the name with my husband and he loves it too. Right now we are going with Fennec Paul. Our daughter’s name is Sylvie. We think the names are perfect together. Hope the poster chooses this name!
Did you end up going with Fennec Paul? I’m dying to know!!
Yes! We named our son Fennec Paul nn Fenn. People love it! Some know what a Fennec fox is and others ask about its origins. We couldn’t be happier with the name and it suits him perfectly.
I signed up for email alerts to this post just so I could find out about your Fennec. I love it so much, so glad you went with it!
Amazing! I love it, the middle is perfect as well. Love the flow. Do you find you want to buy fox things? We had a bunch of things off etsy we really wanted to have modified to fennec foxes like wool diaper covers with fennec foxes on the bum.
I did buy a few fox items and my daughter wanted him to be a fox for Halloween. I expect a bunch of fox items for Christmas gifts! I wish we could share pictures!
I LOVE IT. It feels 100% like a name to me and I’m putting it on my Nameberry list right now. I’ve never heard of the fox! Probably because I’m English I immediately just assumed it was an Irish name – to me it has a strong Celtic feel. And I’m not against Fennec Ambrose Robinson, although you might be if you hate initials that spell a word. But either way, I love Fennec. Do it, do it, do it!
I voted “definitely, yes.” And my first association was with Fenwick, a London department store that (if memory serves me) is pronounced “Fennec.” And it was an elegant and interesting store…if that helps at all.
I’d be interested to hear the story of Fiametta
I just came across it and really liked it. We liked that we could call her Fia or Etta or even Metta or Fifi for short.
Our Italian friends say it is a name for a passionate person and literally translates to Little Flame. Fiamma is also a name in Italian.
What a lovely choice! I have a dear friend from Florence (Italy) whose name is Fiammetta, and I’ve always thought it was a beautiful name—unique, but also classic with the Boccaccio connection. :)