What are you first impressions of....

[DefinitelyMaybeBaby]

Hamish?

THINK this might be the one for our DS due soon. I was going to explain the reasons why we've tentatively chosen it, but I actually would be more interested in your initial reaction to it without knowing anything else. Would you make any assumptions about the child/adult carrying this name and does it give you any pre-conceived ideas about them?

[DefinitelyMaybeBaby]

*your first impressions...
DOH! Spelling mistake in the title not a great start...

[comfybigduvet]

I like it. I vaguely think 'Hamish Macbeth' but that's not a bad thing.

[ThursdayLastWeek]

I would assume you were Scottish.
But nothing else.

[exexpat]

I know quite a few Hamishes, pretty much equally divided between men from New Zealand, and small shaggy terriers.

I would assume that any small boy called Hamish had some kind of Scottish heritage, but apart from that it doesn't have any particular connotations for me. I quite like it.

[ThursdayLastWeek]

Yes, or Scottish heritage if not actually Scottish.

[Pipbin]

I would expect the child or the parents to be Scottish.
It's a lovely name but I would find it odd if no one was Scottish.

[Dollyemi]

Love it

[manicinsomniac]

I quite like it but then the only one I've ever known was so lovely that that might be the reason I like the name.

I'd definitely assume you and/or you partner were Scottish though

[SmugairleRoin]

I'd assume he was a hulking great Scottish man, possibly out garroting haggis with his kilt. Exaggeration - but yes I'd be thinking very Scottish! I'd be very surprised if there was no close Scottish connection!

[MyNameIsSuz]

I like it, and wouldn't assume you were Scottish! I know it is a Scottish name but both the Hamishes I know are English. I wouldn't find it any odder than a Sean who wasn't Irish.

[SirChenjin]

They are ten a penny up here, so I wouldn't think anything tbh. If you were outside Scotland I would think you had some connection to that part of the UK.

[GrannyAch1ng]

Yep, as far as I would think about it at all, I'd assume some sort of Scottish connection. Other than that I really like it and haven't come across any children called Hamish in my part of South East England.

[OnMyShoulders]

Love it. If DD had been a boy, she would have been Hamish. I am Scottish.

[DefinitelyMaybeBaby]

Thanks all, that is helpful. The scottish connotations are strong! I am Scottish, DH is English, we used to live together in Scotland but are now in South England. Baby will be raised here and so I imagine have an English accent, I wonder if he will have to explain he is half Scottish a lot.
I wanted a scottish name, and this was DH's suggestion, he loves it, and I do too but then sometimes I think it's "too scottish" which seems ridiculous when that was something I wanted in a name! Someone on baby names thread recently coined the phrase "a hairy-arsed highlander name" and I think Hamish falls in that category!

[zippyswife]

I love it. I would assume he had Scottish family. I'm of with dc3 and although we both love the name we are English/Irish and kibd of feel like frauds if we used it!

It's great go for it!

[Twolefttoes]

I know an English Hamish, he is half Scottish. Really suits him.

[Fluffy24]

Love it

[WankerDeAsalWipe]

Aha - it was me with the "hairy arsed highlander" That's not a derogatory term though, just a description of a rugged outdoorsy type - kinda like the guy on the front of the porridge box iyswim?

Interestingly th only Hamish I know personally isn't like that - he does have nice curly hair and an accent like liquid honey though.

I like it. His brothers would be Fraser and Rory and his sisters would be Lorna and Mhairi if that helps :o

Slightly lesss overtly highland and rugged I would say are names like Keir, Gregor, Craig, Innes, Struan, Ross, Nairn etc - all lovely names too.

More highlander names, Murdo, Angus, Fergus, Duncan.

Loads of brilliant Scottish names, I don't think you'd get a second glance for Hamish in England though, it's easy to pronounce, easy to spell etc and you never know, you might end up back here some time

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Love it.

[Knitella]

I'd think "I love it, if only Mr Knit liked as much as me"!

I know a lovely Hamish and think it's a handsome strong name.

It's also the punch line to a great joke - What do you call a man who's almost home? Hamish!

[DefinitelyMaybeBaby]

Thanks everyone, I've been re-convinced hearing all your positive responses! I think I just had a last minute wobble, but I do think it is our holy grail name with scottish roots but recognisable in england, easy to say and spell, and uncommon. And a unanimously positive response on mumsnet baby names thread must mean it's a winner!!

[ThighsofThunder]

Oh I like it. I went to school with an East Asian Hamish, he was lovely.

I'd probably assume Scottish heritage but wouldn't think you were weird if you didn't have any.

[Tiggeryoubastard]

I too would assume Scottish roots. Not a name I'd've used, but I think it's fine. Very masculine.

[Fibbertigibbet]

Apologies, but it makes me think of questionable meats (i.e. "What's in this airport vending machine sandwich?" "It's ham...ish") and always has, no matter how many lovely Hamishes there are!

[happymummyone]

My DPs mum has a Scottie dog door stop called hamish. That's all I have to contribute.