Is "Preen" an approapriate name for girls?

[registered]

"Preen" sounds like a surname.
Does anyone use it as a first name?
I'm from China, and "Preen" sounds like my Chinese name best.
Do you think it is an approapriate name for a girl?

 

[jamiep]

Why not?

While it may sound unusual and unlike any "English" names, I can't think of any reason that it's a bad idea.

It's not inappropriate by any means.

 

[David L.]

If you do adopt "Preen' as a first name, you may find Australians will break into a smile when they are introduced to you.
In Australia, Preen is the brand name of an aerosol can of ironing aid (starch).

 

[BobK]

If you do adopt "Preen' as a first name, you may find Australians will break into a smile when they are introduced to you.
In Australia, Preen is the brand name of an aerosol can of ironing aid (starch).

And that trade name - which I hadn't heard of before - obviously trades on the verb 'to preen'; so even outside Australia, its use as a first name might raise a few eyebrows - though that doesn't make it necessarily inappropriate.

b

 

[Anglika]

It is also worth remembering its meanings in English:

• verb
1 (of a bird) tidy and clean its feathers with its beak.
2 devote effort to making oneself look attractive.
3 (preen oneself) congratulate or pride oneself.

 

[stuartnz]

Why not?

While it may sound unusual and unlike any "English" names, I can't think of any reason that it's a bad idea.

It's not inappropriate by any means.

I'm not a teacher, but since you're seeking opinions, I have to say that I agree 100% with Jamiep. If it's as close as you come to your actual name, I say "go for it". The fact that the name obviously comes from a non-English background will makr it as different, and can give you a conversation starter if people comment on the similarity between your name and various English words. Be proud of your name, and stick with it, I say.

 

[BobK]

Afterthough - I once taught a Chinese girl who gave her name as 'Prime'. I don't know what the original was, but I wonder if it's the same name?

b

 

[anreak]

Preen is cute, preencess...

 

[NearThere]

I think it's a pretty name too.

I can almost guess your Chinese name. It's pretty.

NT

 

[registered]

Afterthough - I once taught a Chinese girl who gave her name as 'Prime'. I don't know what the original was, but I wonder if it's the same name?

b

I don't think it's the same name.:-D

 

[registered]

Afterthough - I once taught a Chinese girl who gave her name as 'Prime'. I don't know what the original was, but I wonder if it's the same name?

b

I don't think it's the same name. At least this is my first time considering picking this name. :-D

 

[BobK]

I don't think it's the same name. At least this is my first time considering picking this name. :-D

No, I had* misremembered. My student was Japanese (not Chinese), and her name was Seiko.

b
PS* This tense may look a bit strange. It refers to the context of this thread: "[before I posted my previous reply] I had misremembered".

 

[Ouisch]

Sorry, but I'm going to be the voice of dissent. Perhaps I'm just old and jaded, but to my mind "Preen" is always going to sound like you're cleaning your feathers or that you like to strut around and admire yourself.

I don't know what your Chinese name is, but if "Preen" sounds like it, what about something like "Bree," which is not too common but not completely out of the ordinary, either. Many people use it as a nickname for "Brianna."

When choosing a name, there are many things to keep in mind. For example, if you have a truly unusual name you'll find that whenever you introduce yourself or leave a telephone message, you'll have to not only say it but spell it out: "Hi, I'm Preen, P-R-E-E-N." (I speak from experience as I have a somewhat unusual first name, and have spent my entire life saying things like "Not 'Oreo,' but 'Oriole,' like the bird." :roll:

 

[NearThere]

Sorry, but I'm going to be the voice of dissent. Perhaps I'm just old and jaded, but to my mind "Preen" is always going to sound like you're cleaning your feathers or that you like to strut around and admire yourself.
:roll:

Wow, I did not know that, thanks for explanaining it. I was gonna include it to a list of names I recommend to friends and family when they ask for one. Phew, this is good information.

For the orginal poster, I have a name that's somewhat close to Preen and sounds a lot like "Bree", it's "Brin". :-|

Thanks Ouisch
NT

 

[registered]

Wow, I did not know that, thanks for explanaining it. I was gonna include it to a list of names I recommend to friends and family when they ask for one. Phew, this is good information.

For the orginal poster, I have a name that's somewhat close to Preen and sounds a lot like "Bree", it's "Brin". :-|

Thanks Ouisch
NT

Is BRIN a name?:-?

 

[BobK]

I knew a 'Brynn' - but it was short for 'Brynnley' (I think), and he was a man.

b

 

[Ouisch]

Is BRIN a name?:-?

Brin is a name, although it's commonly spelled "Bryn." It's still pronounced the same way as "Brin."

 

[NearThere]

Yes, "Brin" is a name, and it's the name of a little girl in my neighborhood. (I stressed the word "girl" to show that I wouldn't have suggested a guy's name to you. As it turnd out, "Brynn" could also be a guy's name then?)

I never asked the girl to spell her name, so I would go with "Brynn" if you decided on it.:-D

NT

 

[registered]

but BRYNN is a boy's name.
is BRYN a bit masculine?

 

[NearThere]

but BRYNN is a boy's name.
is BRYN a bit masculine?

Not neccessarily. That's why the reason I pointed it out the fact that the person I know to own the name is a girl, to show that I didn't suggest a name if it exclusively meant for a boy.

There're many other names used for both sexes nowadays and quite fashionably: Jordon, Haydon, Taylor, Jalen..........majority of them are more to the masculine side, but I have noticed parents given girls these type of names more and more, it's a trend. And I thought "Brynn" was strictly a name for a girl, it sounds feminine to my ear, more than those listed above at least.:-|

NT