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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Baby names

Frank/Frankie/Francis?

21 replies

Ilovecremeeggs3 · 07/03/2011 11:28

Not long to go now & really can't decide on a boys name. Don't want anything too unusual or too run of the mill.
Like Frank but is it a bit 'old man' for a little baby/boy. Like Frankie too but not sure if it's a naughty boy's name! Not sure about Francis - bit 'farmery'.

This is my 1st boy after 3 girls. All the other names I liked have been used by friends over the last few years - namely, Harry, Finn, Jack(too popular anyway).
Please help?

OP posts:

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iskra · 07/03/2011 11:33

I really like Francis (used to fancy a character in a book called this). I think a baby could grow into being called Frank as well, not sure about Frankie.

Hedwig3 · 07/03/2011 11:34

How about...

Fred/Frederick
Henry
Arthur
Jake
Archie
Alfie
Stan
Toby

Ilovecremeeggs3 · 07/03/2011 11:45

Thanks, I like Archie but bit too popular at the moment. I really like Ben too but is it at bit dull? Frank is probably my favourite but not totally convinced.

Girls names are so so much easier!

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charitygirl · 07/03/2011 11:48

My DS is Frank. Everyone seems to like it and it suits him even though he is only 2.5. It's solid, but not boring I think.

We never call him Frankie. Yuck.

Francis is nice - but a lot 'softer' IYKWIM.

eileenslightlytotheleft · 07/03/2011 11:49

I really like Frank.

stuffedmk · 07/03/2011 11:50

If you go for Francis of Frank you can always call him Frankie while little anyway, I think I'd go for Francis but prefer Frederick/Freddie/Fred which is along similar lines?

LetThereBeRock · 07/03/2011 11:53

Francis is ok. Frank and Frankie are hideous. It's such an ugly sound.

singersgirl · 07/03/2011 11:59

One of the best names. Not in the least bit ugly, unlike loads of other names I can't even be bothered to list , though will on provocation. And a positive meaning to boot - how lovely to be 'frank', open and honest.

Frankie works well for a little boy but, as with many nicknames (eg Nicky, Sammy, Tommy), can be gradually withdrawn.

Ilovecremeeggs3 · 07/03/2011 12:02

I like Frank the best but just unsure about it for a little baby. Francis just seems so farmer like- it is so common for grandpas here. Will people laugh when I tell them my newborn is called Frank! It is a family name too so probably one of the reasons I like it.

OP posts:

Ilovecremeeggs3 · 07/03/2011 12:03

Singersgirl, you have made me love it a little bit more!

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PepsiPopcorn · 07/03/2011 13:22

Francis is very nice :) Nothing to do with farmers IMO, I just think "saint's name" if anything.

specialknickers · 07/03/2011 17:12

I love the name Francis, with Frank as the nickname (Frankie for when he's small). A lovely name, because unlike many it can be really strong (Frank), or really soft (Francis) according to how he'd prefer it to be when he's older.

Great choice.

Edmundo · 07/03/2011 17:12

I like Francis and Frank but really dislike Frankie.

Fourleaf · 07/03/2011 18:24

I was thinking of calling DS Frank. It was on our two name shortlist. When I saw DS- beautiful (of course), serene, blonde baby- there was no way I was calling him Frank! It just seemed too harsh and old man-ish. But you may feel different of course. Francis is much softer and would have been ok but DH thought it was girly and vetoed. Frankie is sweet but proper name would have to be Frank and when it came to it I couldn't do it. Prob just didn't suit him... Names like Frank- Arthur? Fred? Henry?

KenDoddsDadsDog · 07/03/2011 20:08

Really like both Frank and Francis. But not Frankie.

singersgirl · 07/03/2011 20:10

Who says you can't have a serene blond Frank?

Harimad · 07/03/2011 20:12

I like Francis and Frank. Frankie always lodges that irritating song in my head (and here we go again - gaaah!).
Could also call him 'Fran' like Fran Healy from Travis... ?

Fourleaf · 07/03/2011 20:28

Sorry- of course you can have a serene blonde Frank... It's just that my image of a Frank was a lively brunette. No idea why quite frankly. But it did seem a bit of a harsh sounding name for a baby- then again they're not babies for long and it is a fab name :)

singersgirl · 07/03/2011 21:07

'Serene' is not necessarily the word that springs to mind, TBH...

smother · 07/03/2011 21:09

Not Frankie... why oh why do that when you can have a lovely name like Frank or Francis on the birth certificate. Frankie is sweet as a nn for a wee one, but so much better to have the choice over whether/when to use it as a grown up.

pranma · 07/03/2011 22:27

I have a dgs named Francis who gets Frank or Frankie he is a real cutie with a mischievous streak

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