Ned?

[FlashBangWallop]

DS due in six weeks. Ned has been our favourite name throughout the pregnancy but DP is worried about whether it lends itself to teasing.

We know it has negative connotations in Scotland but as we don't live anywhere near I don't think that's a particular problem.

We don't really like Edward - it doesn't go very well with the surname - so his given name would be Ned. What do you think?

[loonies]

I like it but only with Edward as a full name. I don't think that Ned sounds like a full name and being Edward would give him a lot of options for nicknames, Ed, Eddie, Ted, Teddy, Ned

[randomimposter]

I love Ned and am thinking if I ever get the chance I will call a DS2 Benedict (nn Ned) as Benedict means blessing.

I'm not wild on Edward either, so get your dilemma. Would you consider Benedict as a long birth certicate name, in case he ends up working in Scotland...!?

[theagedparent]

I know a Ned, lovely name on its own

[loonies]

I like the idea of Ned as a nickname for Bendict. What about Edmund or Edwin?

[Hedwig3]

Do you like Benedict?

Good name in my opinion and plenty of options for nicknames if Ned becomes a problem.

[Byblyofyle]

Love Ned. Love Neddy too!

[LetThereBeRock]

Awful. I am in Scotland,so it'd be the equivalent of calling your child 'thug' or 'chav',but it has a horrible sound,and is best reserved for horses.

[LetThereBeRock]

That should read 'If you were in Scotland it'd be the equivalent of...',though I know you've already mentioned the negative connotations here.

[antoinettechigur]

Have to agree with letthereberock. What if your DC wants to go to Scotland? Why not Edward and call him Ned, that way he would have flexibility. Ned really is like being called "Chav".

[oldspeckledtam]

Ned is popular here (shrops) There are two in my dd's class and a further two in nursery.

How about Edmund or Edgar for Ned? My DS is Edgar and I'm constantly stunned by the variety of nicknames he has.

[FlashBangWallop]

Thanks - all really helpful. It's good to know 'first hand' how strongly the name would be disliked in Scotland!!

I like the idea of Benedict as a full name, although DP not too keen. I'm not that struck on Edmund or Edgar, for the same reason as Edward - none really go with the surname very well.

Can anyone tell me how long Ned been used as a term to describe thugs / 'chavs' in Scotland? Do you think it's likely to still be in use when DS is older? I only wonder because I can think of names which were used as derogatory terms when I was a kid which are no longer used in this way.

I guess if we did settle on Ned, it could always be shortened to Ed if he wanted.

All very helpful - thanks again.

[LetThereBeRock]

Personally I think it's very likely that it'll still be used then.

[coldcomfortHeart]

Sorry another Scot here and it just jars my ears- really is like calling your child 'chav' or 'skally'. It's really ingrained and I don't think it'll disappear any time soon. He may well move to Scotland/study in Scotland etc in his future... I'd say if you love it then use it as a nickname.

[yellowflowers]

Is a lovely name though I think find a name it can be short for if possible. But if not just go for it. Even if he moved to Scotland when older, people would laugh the first time they met him and then get over it.

[coolascucumber]

Love the name Ned but only Ned I have known was from a very posh farming family on the Scottish borders. Have never heard about any of the negative overtones in Scotland.

[FlashBangWallop]

Thanks for all these posts.

yellowflowers, I think you're right - if DS ever goes to Scotland, it'll be funny the first time he introduces himself but (hopefully!) not for long afterwards!

It's still our favourite...so we'll see what happens!!

Thanks again everyone.

[Rhubarbgarden]

Makes me think of the Atomic Dustbin! But I suspect I'm in the minority there, and it's no bad thing anyway.

As for the Scottish thing, I wouldn't ditch a name you love just because it has unfortunate connotations in one part of the country. If he was to move to Scotland he'd have to put up with anti-English snipes all the time, so a thick skin would be essential anyway (that is if you are English of course).

[LetThereBeRock]

Why would he have to put up with them all of the time?

My dp is English and has rarely had any anti English comments. There's been a few idiots over the years,but it certainly hasn't been constant or even often. And he's upper class so even more of an obvious target one would think.

[coldcomfortHeart]

I agree with Letthereberock- never ever encountered any anti English sentiment personally. (Consider myself scottish but sound very English) DH either. I don't doubt there is some anti english stuff that goes on, but it is by no means widespread or something someone would 'have to put up with all the time'

[AngryPixie]

I love the name Ned (we have a Teddy/Ted) I think it works as a name in its own right.

I fight the anti-Benedict cause on behalf of a mate of mine who lived through teenage hell as 'Bendy-Dick'

[Rhubarbgarden]

I only say that because a close friend went to Aberdeen university and got so bored of the constant jibes she left after the first term. She's not particularly sensitive but decided she didn't want to spend 4 years apologising for where she came from. I also have a Scottish friend who never misses an opportunity to slag off the English (even though he lives in London ) So that's coloured my judgement. But quite prepared to accept it's not all Scots! Apologies for any offence caused.

[SoLongAsItsHealthy]

Have you people never heard of Ned the Donkey???

[mathanxiety]

YY, SoLongAsItsHealthy -- Neddy and Ned are traditional names for the family donkey in Ireland. I seem to remember a Neddy the Donkey from a school Irish language primer (maybe it was Neidi, with fada on the last I)...