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

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

Baby names

Need to make a decision

42 replies

piglet75 · 20/05/2013 13:41

We have got down to 2 final names for DS who is now 3 days old. We are stuck between Ted (which would be his whole name, ie. not a shortening unless someone can think of a long version that doesn't start with "Ed") & Hector.

Really torn... which do people prefer?

OP posts:

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Ihatepeas · 20/05/2013 13:43

Hector.
Congratulations!

pygmy · 20/05/2013 13:48

Hector!! Very high on my list for DS.

Theodore?

BNmum · 20/05/2013 13:59

Both. I would have Theodore Hector nn Ted as I love both names. Congratulations on your new arrival,

Decoy · 20/05/2013 14:21

If you're not going to have a longer version of Ted, then I'd definitely go for Hector.

KittenofDoom · 20/05/2013 15:07

Theodore, no contest.

shoobidoo · 20/05/2013 15:09

The meaning of hector is bully and to hector means to bully or torment someone. Not good. Also, would other kids shorten to Heck?!

Ted is cute for a little boy but how about Theodore as his full name?

chaya5738 · 20/05/2013 15:22

shoobidoo Where do you get that the meaning of Hector is "bully"?

It is from Greek (one of the characters in the Iliad) and means "steadfast."

shoobidoo · 20/05/2013 15:24

Look in any dictionary and the definition of hector is as follows:

hec·tor (hktr)
n.
A bully.
v. hec·tored, hec·tor·ing, hec·tors
v.tr.
To intimidate or dominate in a blustering way.
v.intr.
To behave like a bully; swagger.

chaya5738 · 20/05/2013 15:29

I think you are confusing verbs with proper nouns.

shoobidoo · 20/05/2013 15:34

Look, I'm only trying to help the op in her decision. If she, like you, doesn't care about the meaning of the name, then that's ok.

There is no need for you to criticise my knowledge of grammar!

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 20/05/2013 15:40

Congratulations!

I thought Hector as a name meant defend, hold fast. It is a great name, .

Theodore with Ted for short sounds smashing, Teddy is cute for a little boy. I have liked the name Ted since reading poetry by Ted Hughes at school, (his name was Edward). Theodore would also give your DS the option of Theo later on.

Does one name work better with your surname than the other?
Do you have other DCs with names ending in a vowel specifically -o?

Bowlersarm · 20/05/2013 15:40

There is no one aged under about 90 who uses the word hector to mean bullying, shoobidoo. Do you use ' henceforth' and 'codpiece' too?

Hector, as you will only use Ted as the full name not nickname.

pygmy · 20/05/2013 15:46

I have never heard anyone use the word hector. The name Hector does not mean bully, nor in fact does the verb; it means 'to be forceful'.

Bearcrumble · 20/05/2013 15:47

Another vote for Theodore.

DebsMorgan · 20/05/2013 17:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

evamummy · 20/05/2013 17:43

If you type in 'hector meaning' in google, up comes the following definition:
hec·tor Verb
Talk to (someone) in a bullying way.
Synonyms
bully

And yes, the word is indeed used in the news on a fairly regular basis - perhaps not in all newspapers. But here's a recent example:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21280212

I would personally not name my child this - there are so many other names with nice/neutral meanings!

DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 20/05/2013 17:57

Personally if I met a baby and his mum said, here is Hector, would I see a very small person and say hello Hector or would I think uh-oh, to hector means bully or intimidate. I would think, oh haven't met anyone called that before.

I don't suppose it bothers parents of boys called Jonah that their sons bear a name of a really, really unlucky guy in the Bible.

Anyway, wouldn't do if we all liked the same, etc etc.

Amy106 · 20/05/2013 18:10

Ted gets my vote. Congratulations on your new baby!

Bowlersarm · 20/05/2013 18:15

For all those not liking the meaning of Hector.

Would you say the same of Harry? Which means to ravage, to destroy, to plunder, to harass. No? Thought not.

Flippin' ridiculous.

Ruprekt · 20/05/2013 18:20

Who cares about the meaning?

Theodore as I love Theo and Ted is cute!

Am not sure Hector would want to be called Hector when he is 11. Have just asked my boys A vehement NO was the response!

pygmy · 20/05/2013 18:23

Agree with Bowlersarm; great example used there.

Also Charlie - common nickname for cocaine!

pygmy · 20/05/2013 18:25

I just asked my 11 and 8 year old boys and they love the name. So each to their own Ruprekt.

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StickPin · 20/05/2013 18:29

Love both and couldn't give a shiny shit about name meanings.

My favourite is Hector and have considered for future use - I'm slightly put off by it being seen as an MN name as my ds's is too. Not sure why that bothers me.

DebsMorgan · 20/05/2013 19:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bowlersarm · 20/05/2013 20:31

Debs, think "shout other posters down" is slightly melodramatic. A bit like your take on a word which is no longer used.

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