Would these 'Nr American' names sound ridiculous for a child living in England?

[jayisagirlsnametoo]

I spent several years working in Canada and two names cropped up several times, names of professional, classy, intelligent, confident women. With such positive associations, I fell in love with these names.

However, I always felt they just would not work in England. But i love them. I know people are often encouraged to go with the names they love. . .but I'm not sure on these ones. Before I worked in Canada, I always thought one of them was 'chavvy' (sorry) but I don't think like that at all now.

Anyway, the names I love are Randy and Whitney.

What do you think? Do you know any Randys or Whitneys?

Thanks :)

[50shadesofvomit]

Whitney makes me think of Whitney Houston so no for that reason.

I wouldn't use Randy because of the piss taking he would suffer (Are you feeling randy? Etc)

[jayisagirlsnametoo]

I know, there is the potential mickey-taking to consider.

I am thinking Randy for a girl btw.

[UpTheFRIGGinDuff]

You cannot use Randy. Just No.

Whitney is pretty awful IMO but I guess that's just down to personal taste...

[CorrieDale]

Are you feeling randy? No. I wouldn't do it to her. She will be made miserable v.

[SanityClause]

Randy would be a big mistake in the UK. Whitney obviously has associations with Whitney Houston, but that will be less and less, now, so maybe won't affect a child being born in the next year, all that much.

[Onesleeptillwembley]

Randy? Ridiculously open to teasing, why would anyone even consider it? Whitney? There's a character on Eastenders, Biancas daughter, says it all really.

[reggiebean]

I'm American, and know lots of Whitney's, and a few Randy's (boys and girls), and I think they're both a bit, erm... country? As in, you would hear the names quite often in a small town, but never in a city, IYSWIM?

[jayisagirlsnametoo]

I know you are all thinking sensibly. I am not sure Randy has the same connotations in Nr America as it does in England. The Randy I knew of loved her name. If I was bringing my child up in Canada, I think it would be my no. 1.

Would it be okay as a middle name?

[Onesleeptillwembley]

In the UK? no, not even as a middle name. Absolutely not, not even third, fourth or nick name. Just don't.

[Startail]

Whitney as a second name fine.
Randy in the UK, just no!

[GwendolineMaryLacey]

No. Just no. Awful names no matter what continent but definitely worse here.

[MmeLindor]

No. No. No.

Sorry, it's hard when you love a name but you just can't do that to a child.

[reggiebean]

Jay If you're living in Canada, I think they're both okay (though I still think Whitney is a bit chavvy, but that's just the experience I've had with Whitney's I know... They're a bit like Britney's or Cindi's to me) but Randy would be much more acceptable in NA than in the UK I think.

[jayisagirlsnametoo]

okay, okay, I will put Randy in the 'definitely not' pile. Maybe I can give it to the name of a future pet or house plant instead.

[MacaYoniandCheese]

Ugh. Ew, NO. I'm Canadian and I think both those names are awful. Sorry .

[NightmareWalking]

I don't like either name I'm afraid. However if you were set on Randy might you consider Miranda? I once knew a Miranda who was occasionally shortened to Randy (no idea if she liked it though!)

[Cloudkitten]

Jayis "If I was bringing my child up in Canada, I think it would be my no. 1. " and "I am not sure Randy has the same connotations in Nr America as it does in England".

Are you bringing up your child in Canada? If so great. If not then I really think you've answered your own question!

To clarify: Randy and Whitney in UK - NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[OrangeJuiceSandwich]

I have a friend Miranda who gets called Randy.

[thegreylady]

Miranda with Randy as a nn if you like.

[ICantRememberWhatSheSaid]

I thought Randy was a bit of a duff name in Canada too (in Quebec anyhow)

[ZZZenagain]

I know an American Whitney SAHM andcexpat. She is a really nice woman, I've never thought anything about her name tbh. Randy is unfortunate since we use it as an adjective, maybe north Americans don't.

[sausageandorangepickle]

agree with thegreylady - Miranda is nice, and you can use Randy as a nn while she is small

[scaevola]

Randy just doesn't work in UK - too snigger-worthy (and I think of the poor singer called Randy Van Warmer). A Miranda with lots of chutzpah might carry it off, but free-standing it could be a recipe for disaster.

I don't like the name Whitney, but I don't see a strong reason why it couldn't be used in UK.

[Branleuse]

I think you should use them on cats or dogs

[maja00]

I don't think the associations Whitney has in the UK are "classy, professional". Depends how much you care about the associations a name has though?