Atticus (as in Finch)

[KamikazeNight]

My DP and I are planning on doing a baby in a few months' time. We were talking about names the other day (possibly a bit prematurely, I know!) and he mentioned Atticus.

He suggested this to me a few years back, but I assumed he was joking. Turns out he's not. He said that, if he fails to be a decent dad, then at least our son will always think of Atticus (as in Finch) and that he can be a positive role model.

He read To Kill A Mockingbird for his GCSEs, so a fairly long time ago, and he would have dissected it to pieces as is the way when studying a book at school. I read the book about 2 years ago, knowing how much my DP admires it, but I just wasn't that impressed with Atticus as a character. For the era, he's great, but for a modern day father he's very hands-off and the children have to fit around him; sitting silently with him rather than talk and be dismissed to their rooms. He carries on with his adult life and the children have to adapt or miss out.

He got quite protective of his name choice, and I do want to make him happy, but I can't help but feel that our child would be mocked mercilessly if he were called Atticus, even as a middle name. It's like calling your child Holden. Moving and life changing books when you're a teenager, but not something to call your child, surely?

[ifancyashandy]

I love it. It's on the list. Also love Atty as a nn.

[notso]

I know one and he is very very cute.

[squoosh]

It's a very lumbering sound.

[Psammead]

I think it's a great name

[mrsSOAK]

I love the name and I would love a DS of mine to have it, however it wouldn't work with our surname. As far as it goes TKAMB is one of my favourite books and whilst it is some time ago since I read it I recall Atticus being involved and loving, a single father struggling to bring up his children and provide for them in the only way he knew how.
IMHO its nice to have a 'good role model' and for the name to remind you of the good points of that character, however there has been a huge rise in the number of 'Scarlett's recently and I am not sure that she is a particularly good role model for young girls...

[OpheliasWeepingWillow]

I knew an Atticus once. Suited him. I say go for it.

[Badgerina]

I know a little Atticus. He's awesome. So is Atticus Finch.

[HistoryNerd]

I agree with you, on the characters bad points and the fact that its a silly name.

Maybe you could compromise on another literary character? OMG LIKE SHERLOCK.

[crazybutterflylady]

I love it! I know of one whose nickname was Attie. FWIW, I actually think the dissection of the text shows what an inherently good father Atticus is, especially for that era, so I wouldn't rule it out based on that.
I also loved Harper till posh spice nicked it!

[crazybutterflylady]

Oh, and my friend just called her little girl Finch!

[NigellaTufnel]

It's a bit try hard...

[justwantcheese]

Love it

[squoosh]

A girl called Finch?

Of all the birds to choose . . . . . .

[WinkyWinkola]

Love it and want it for my ds.

[squoosh]

It reminds me of that twatamundo Finchy from The Office

Finch

[crazybutterflylady]

Oh no! I was just coming round to it...!

[HerRoyalNotness]

Love! Would
Use for a third DS except a friend has named their son this

[diddl]

Love it.

[LotusOnTheLake]

I think it's a great name!

[IHeartKingThistle]

Sounds try-hard to me and I bloody love that book.