View Message

This is a reply within a larger thread: view the whole thread

[Opinions] Re: Kelvin
It's weird. I don't like Kevin and I don't like Kelvin, but I love Calvin, which is so similar to the two.Also hate Melvin. Why do I love Calvin?But, yeah...Kelvin is so geeky. Kevin isn't, but Kelvin is.
Archived Thread - replies disabled
vote up1

Replies

It's because of Cal, which is so snappy and sharp.
vote up1
The Pocket Protector SetIt's funny to read that everyone thinks "geek" where Kelvin is concerned. I wasn't aware of the name before meeting my neighbor but, with it being so similar to Kevin and Calvin, I can't imagine it would have screamed geek to me since the latter two don't.The particular Kelvin I knew did work as a computer tech, but he was a big, strong, handsome guy...athletic, a family man with a beautiful wife. Never saw any hint of a pocket protector on his person. Nothing at all about him gave away his inner geek, unless you asked him a computer question. Even then, it was "impressively intelligent geek" rather than "strange socially-backward geek."
vote up1
That's the problem with mental images that are attached to names, though. They aren't really based upon anything logical. That's why real life examples of certain name-bearers that don't correspond to the image rarely will dislodge the image.For instance, Stanley to me evokes an old man with black socks, black shoes, shorts, a polyester shirt and a pot belly. The only Stanley I've ever known was a young, attractive black man. I've often stated that Charlotte has a very frumpy, dowdy image to me. The only Charlotte I've ever known was young, athletic, very thin and trim, and, while I wouldn't say she was the most beautiful girl I've ever known, she couldn't be described as frumpy or dowdy.Doesn't matter. Stanley is still old man and Charlotte is still dowdy. And Kelvin...alas...will always be geeky.Sometimes I know someone who does the fit the image----I think that Franklin is geeky, also, and I had a friend named Franklin, the only Franklin I've ever known, who was indeed geeky.
vote up1
Oh, I didn't mean to impugn anyone's opinion here, or even to suggest that a definitively right or wrong opinion exists. I was merely commenting on the trend, noticing I'm not a part of it, and offering description of a flesh and blood example I met who, doesn't fit the common stereotype, for general interest purposes.Stanley - yes, my impression of this isn't all that much different from yours, though I did know a bright and dashing Stan in school. I'm guessing he was probably a Stanley, but he never went by that. :)
vote up1
Maybe it's because Calvin has more of an old-fashioned, down-to-earth feel. I have a hard time picutring a petty or mean-spirited Calvin; it's such a good guy name.Kevin is too common, and Melvin and Kelvin are geeky, so maybe that's why you don't like them. Or, it could be because you prefer the A sound over the E sound.Okay, I think I've analyzed this enough. :P
vote up1