Ernest?

[KatamariDamacy]

As a sibling for Iris. We have several girls' names we're choosing between, but less inspired for boys' names.

Ernest is a family name ... but he'll get called Ernie, won't he? Don't like Ernie.

Anyone got any clever similar ideas?

[sonlypuppyfat]

My BIL is Ernest he gets called Ernie and big Ern. Oh he gets called worse too under my breath.

[gallicgirl]

You can't. Seriously.

How about. ...

Edward
Leonard
Sidney
Archie
Harvey
Alexander
Toby

[Confuseddd]

Wilfred - Wilf
Albert - Albie
Theodore - Theo
Hector
Erno
Harold - Harry

[dyslexicdespot]

I really like it and I love 'The importance of being Earnest'. We meet a little Ernest in the park the other day, he was lovely.

[KatamariDamacy]

Is it really that bad, gallic? Thought it was okay. But don't like Ernie or big Ern so we may be in need of a rethink.

Sidney and Alexander I like but both have been used in the family. Harvey makes me think of giant invisible rabbits. Edward is a possibility...

[IslaValargeone]

Slightly biased as I know 2 Ernies who happen to be totally gorgeous, so it gets my vote.

[KatamariDamacy]

Ooh, I like Wilfred as well (and Alfred, but DH has vetoed that).

[KatamariDamacy]

Oh, and should possibly add that I'm not that keen on names that will be shortened - I never, ever use my full name and I'd prefer a stand-alone name with no nn. Just to be difficult.

[niffernaffer]

Ernest is lovely. It goes beautifully with Iris too.
Could always shorten to Nestor/ Ness or just stick with full name and not take any notice of anyone who calls him Ernie (although I quite like Ernie too).

[exoticfruits]

Dire - and you have no control over nicknames, that is up to him.
Edward, Edmund or Edwin are better.

[KatamariDamacy]

Not thought of Edwin, thank you. Will run that past DH (when DD finally goes to sleep...)

[DoItTooJulia]

Love, love love Ernest.

I know an Edmund. He gets called Ned.

[releasethehounds]

My late Dad was Ernest. And yes, apart from his father he was always called Ernie. Think I prefer Ernie actually. It's an older name which hasn't really come back into fashion in the UK but I believe it's quite popular for kids in USA.

[Lexiesinclair]

I think Ernest is lovely, as is Wilfred.

And Iris is beautiful. :)

[Oubliette0292]

I love Ernest (and my DS is called Wilfred, so obviously love that too). How about Hugh, Alec or Laurence?

[KatamariDamacy]

This name seems to be dividing opinion a bit but thank youniffer and release for liking Ernie - maybe I can get used to it or learn to live with him being called it. I'd never thought of Ernie being a nice name.

Ernest was my grandad who died about 5 years ago - he was a stroppy wonderful man who would stand up for his principles no matter what. I miss the arguments discussions we used to have. He also used to bemoan the fact that a lot of the older names were coming back into fashion, but no little boys were being called Ernest. I miss him.

[HenriettaChicken]

In that case, definitely go for it. It's a great reason to pick a name. And just let it go when his mates call him Ernie (which I also like, by the way).

[rockybalboa]

I love Ernie/Ernest. How about Edgar?

[Smartiepants79]

The Importance of being?.???
Wouldn't choose it myself.
Very old fashioned.
Baby Ernest?
But the family connection is good.
If you like it choose it but he will be Ernie to most people I suspect.

[releasethehounds]

Katamari - I miss my Dad Ernie too! He was also one to express his opinions forcefully, but also a good laugh.

[Grannylipstick]

I love it. Ernest or ernie. Both fab.

[exoticfruits]

You could put it as a second name.

[KatamariDamacy]

Love Edgar but it doesn't work with surname.

I agree exotic, we'll use Ernest as a middle name if we don't choose it as a first name (and assuming we have a boy!) but still rather like it.

And release, glad to hear about another forthright Ernest/Ernie.

[squoosh]

Ernie will be inevitable.

I quite like the idea of your Grandad being outraged that Wilfred and Stanley were coming back into fashion but not Ernest!