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Will a 'Basil' get bullied horribly?

50 replies

TheFroglet · 16/09/2014 11:46

I really love the name Basil, its goes so well with our surname and its unusual which i love, OH likes it too. but i am worried he might be a bit of a target for bullies. Any opinions please xx

OP posts:
beela · 16/09/2014 11:47

I don't know, but I met a baby basil the other day who was very cute!

PhoebeMcPeePee · 16/09/2014 11:49

Sadly I'd say yes Hmm

SoonToBeSix · 16/09/2014 11:49

Yes and obviously called brush.

mymummademelistentoshitmusic · 16/09/2014 11:51

Yes, he will.

UriGeller · 16/09/2014 11:52

Can't even look at the word Basil without hearing Prunella Scales barking it at John Cleese.

Comedy name. Sorry.

GlossyFossil · 16/09/2014 11:52

No, because kids don't have the perception that Basil is a strange name.

Lots of nature/plant/herb like names in my circle of acquaintance.

jeee · 16/09/2014 11:54

Fawlty Towers, Basil Brush.... if you think this when you hear the name Basil, I think it probably says something about your age.

FWIW, I am of an age that will automatically add Brush to the name.... and I still like it.

EvansOvalPiesYumYum · 16/09/2014 11:55

If he goes to America, they will mispronounce it most dreadfully (Baysil) Eeek!

scarletforya · 16/09/2014 11:55

Modern children won't know anything about Basil Fawlty or Basil Brush I would use it!

EvansOvalPiesYumYum · 16/09/2014 11:58

Scarlet - you are quite wrong. Most "modern" children I am acquainted with know exactly who Basil Fawlty is. Aaahh, the power of television, that very modern invention Wink

fishfingerSarnies · 16/09/2014 11:58

Love it

ElephantsNeverForgive · 16/09/2014 12:02

Personally, I think Basil brush and Fawlty are old enough not to matter.

The only Basil I know was always Baz, even when he was made a professor.

scarletforya · 16/09/2014 12:05

Wow! That's amazing! I'd still use it though!

TheFroglet · 16/09/2014 12:12

Thanks everyone for the comments!

OP posts:
Archfarchnad · 16/09/2014 12:16

It slightly depends on where you live and where your DS will be going to school. Basil might be more accepted if you're taking the prep school /Eton route than if he'll be going to the local comp in a socio-economically vulnerable part of town. A friend of mine is called Rupert and his well-meaning parents (liberal university lecturers) sent him to the local comp in Sheffield. That was not a fun experience in the 1970s, he says.

And when I hear the name I automatically hear: 'he put Basil in the ratatouille' in a panicky fake-Spanish accent.

TheFroglet · 16/09/2014 12:23

Sadly i dont think he will be Eton bound one day! We are westcountry bumpkins!

OP posts:
squoosh · 16/09/2014 12:29

I would need to stop myself from automatically saying 'BOOM BOOM' if I met a Basil.

Iamblossom · 16/09/2014 12:32

I love it.

TheRealMaudOHara · 16/09/2014 12:59

There's a dashing Basil in jilly cooper's Rivals who is called Bas. Always seems a v glam name to me!

msrisotto · 16/09/2014 13:02

I love it!

marne2 · 16/09/2014 13:04

I love it and I don't think he would get picked on at all, kids won't even know who Basil brush is, I don't think my kids know who he is.

ErmagerdANerknerm · 16/09/2014 13:07

Sadly I think it's adults and not children who would ruin this name. Only a matter of time before one pops up with the old Basil Brush reference and their kids get wind of it.

But if you love it enough then go for it.

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flingingmelon · 16/09/2014 13:07

Love it here, he can be Baz when he needs to be yes?

evamummy · 16/09/2014 13:47

I've been in the uk for 20 years and have never heard of basil brush...nor do I watch faulty towers. My kids would accept Basil as their mates' name just like they would Rowan, Heath or Barbaby. Kids are far more accepting of different names than some is us adults!

cherrybombxo · 16/09/2014 13:56

I would beat up a child named Basil, never mind other kids! Hmm

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