Unfortunately, Sloane immediately makes me think "Sloane Ranger", a derogatory term for a stereotyped young upper-class Londoner. I don't think it's a bad name, though, and hope to hear it more often, to shift the negative association.
"The term Sloane Ranger (often shortened to Sloane or Sloanie) refers to a stereotype in the UK of young, upper class or upper-middle-class women or men who share distinctive and common lifestyle traits. The term is a punning combination of "Sloane Square," a location in Chelsea famed for the wealth of residents and frequenters, and the television Westerns character The Lone Ranger."
"Initially the term "Sloane Ranger" was used mostly in reference to women, a particular archetype being Diana, Princess of Wales. However, the term now usually includes men. Male Sloanes have also been referred to as "Ra Ra Ruperts" and "Hooray Henrys".[1] The term Sloane Ranger have similar related terms in other countries: in France they are called 'BCBG' (bon chic, bon genre). The Preppy of the United States can appear similar to the Sloane Ranger at first glance but in fact they are different in their ideologies and aspirations."
Oxford Dictionary of First Names: Sloane - In the latter half of the 20th century it was associated with Sloane Square in London, where a particular kind of fashionable young, upper-class woman (known colloquially as "Sloane Rangers") tended to live."
"Sloane ranger" or "Sloane" was used in the 1980s (I believe; I wasn't around or was too young to be aware and would welcome corrections) as a term for upper-middle-class young women (sometimes extended to men) with stereotypical features including affluence, taking part in "upper-class" sports such as horse riding, and attending private schools. It became pejorative.
I don't hear it used much, especially not by younger adults. The stereotype and the label have moved on, so there may be hope for it as a name for children. I'm not sure what the American equivalent is - prep, perhaps?
The name is from Sloane Square, an area of London where such characters might be found. A little research (thank you, Wikipedia!) tells me that it was named after Hans Sloane, an Irish physician who introduced drinking chocolate to Britain - surely not a bad namesake!
While Sloane is not my personal style, I do like it because it makes me think of Ferris Bueller's Day Off, a movie that I very fondly associate with my childhood.
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Sabina is very pretty, but I've never liked the name Sloane.
I guess it is a little reminiscent of Memorial Sloan-Kettering... Is that your objection or is it something else?
I also like Sabina (althougth I prefer Sabine).
I've always been a bit meh about Sloane, but I can see the appeal if you like that style of name.
Unfortunately, Sloane immediately makes me think "Sloane Ranger", a derogatory term for a stereotyped young upper-class Londoner. I don't think it's a bad name, though, and hope to hear it more often, to shift the negative association.
Can you explain theterm a bit, Clarebeorhte?
Never mind, I found this explanation from a 2010 discussion of the name. I quote:
"By PatriciaMay 12, 2010 10:44 PM
This is my image of Sloane:
"The term Sloane Ranger (often shortened to Sloane or Sloanie) refers to a stereotype in the UK of young, upper class or upper-middle-class women or men who share distinctive and common lifestyle traits. The term is a punning combination of "Sloane Square," a location in Chelsea famed for the wealth of residents and frequenters, and the television Westerns character The Lone Ranger."
"Initially the term "Sloane Ranger" was used mostly in reference to women, a particular archetype being Diana, Princess of Wales. However, the term now usually includes men. Male Sloanes have also been referred to as "Ra Ra Ruperts" and "Hooray Henrys".[1] The term Sloane Ranger have similar related terms in other countries: in France they are called 'BCBG' (bon chic, bon genre). The Preppy of the United States can appear similar to the Sloane Ranger at first glance but in fact they are different in their ideologies and aspirations."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloane_Ranger
Oxford Dictionary of First Names: Sloane - In the latter half of the 20th century it was associated with Sloane Square in London, where a particular kind of fashionable young, upper-class woman (known colloquially as "Sloane Rangers") tended to live."
"Sloane ranger" or "Sloane" was used in the 1980s (I believe; I wasn't around or was too young to be aware and would welcome corrections) as a term for upper-middle-class young women (sometimes extended to men) with stereotypical features including affluence, taking part in "upper-class" sports such as horse riding, and attending private schools. It became pejorative.
I don't hear it used much, especially not by younger adults. The stereotype and the label have moved on, so there may be hope for it as a name for children. I'm not sure what the American equivalent is - prep, perhaps?
The name is from Sloane Square, an area of London where such characters might be found. A little research (thank you, Wikipedia!) tells me that it was named after Hans Sloane, an Irish physician who introduced drinking chocolate to Britain - surely not a bad namesake!
Even though I am not in the UK I knew about the Sloane Ranger issue, so I think that has coloured my opinion of the name!
While Sloane is not my personal style, I do like it because it makes me think of Ferris Bueller's Day Off, a movie that I very fondly associate with my childhood.