Scottish name when we are not Scottish?

[PickledSprout]

It feels like I have been through all possible boys names but I can't help but be in love with Hamish.

Very Scottish.

We are both from Yorkshire!

We have spent a lot of time in Scotland, climbing and sailing. Enough of a connection?

[Poledra]

I have 3 DCs. One has a Welsh name, one has a Scottish name and one has an Irish name. I am Scottish, DH is English. We just chose names we liked...

[NancyJones]

I know 3 boys named Hamish and only one has Scottish parents. The other 2 are very posh though. It is quite a posh name so as long as that doesn't bother you then is say go for it.

[MorrisZapp]

If you love the name, use it. Many urban Scots use 'Scottish' names that were used only by Highlanders traditionally.

If you love Scotland and feel a kinship, its a nice way to honour that. Although as pp said, Hamish to me says 'posh' before it says 'Scottish' :)

[ClaudiaNaughton]

Knew a Scottish Hamish many years ago and his nickname at school was Hambones.

[PickledSprout]

Ah! No we are not posh. Average middle class types I guess. Rural/coastal community. What's it equivalent to in terms of "poshness?"

[squoosh]

I'd assume a Hamish was Scottish or his family owned a 5,000 acre estate in the highlands.

I do like it though.

[livingthegoodlife]

i could have posted this very thread myself. i am 8 days over due and struggling for boys names.

the only boys name we like is Hamish and we too are worried that it sounds v scottish and we have no connnection to scotland at all. I have never even been there!

quite pleased to read that people think 'posh' before 'scottish'. The posh connotation doesnt bother me at all. im still wobbling though over the scottish connection....

[livingthegoodlife]

pickledsprout - do you think you will go for it?? or are the wobbles enough to put you off?

[NancyJones]

Hamish is the Scottish equivalent of James so just don't use both. I have met a family who used both without even realising.
I wouldn't worry about it being Scottish. Scots don't worry about using quint English names such as Edward. Lots if Aus and NZ parents call their boys names like Hamish and Lachlan and other names considered Scottish.

[squoosh]

livingthegoodlife it's 'Scottish' or 'posh Scottish'. Always Scottish though.

[PickledSprout]

Not sure i am wobbling enough to go off it. Its the only name we can both agree on!

[OldLadyKnowsBeelzebub]

Hamish is posh? Who knew? To add to what NancyJones said, Seamus (Shay-mus) is actually the equivalent of James, and Hamish is the vocative case of Seamus, so technically you only say "Hamish" when addressing him directly.

But not a lot of people know that, so if you like Hamish, go for it!

(Aunt of a teenage Seamus, known as Shay to his pals, ex-gf of a 60yo James known as Hamish...)

[NancyJones]

Why would you go off it just because it's a Scottish name and you are English? Lots of names originate from lots of different places and if think it's great that nice names spread into other cultures (not that there's much of a cultural diff between the various uk nations). Scots do not have a claim to it. It's a name, if you like it, use it. DH is Scottish and has never suggested it's strange to hear Scottish names on non Scottish people.

[CruCru]

Hamish is a nice name. Everyone can spell it and pronounce it. It might be a bit weird if it was a name people in England wouldn't necessarily know how to say or spell.

[loislines]

Hamish is a lovely name. As someone else already said, names come from all over the place. Isabella is really popular here and that sounds very Italian to me. I don't think it matters. It's easy to say and spell and works well for a little boy and a grown up.

[MidnightDinosaur]

My ds2 has a Scottish first and middle name and we have no connection at all to Scotland except that we love it there.

Hamish is lovely. We're in NZ now and Hamish and Lachlan are quite popular here.

[MidnightDinosaur]

Just realised I said the same thing as NancyJones.

[Eminybob]

Hamish was on our shortlist. DP has a Mc name as his family are Scottish, but we are not and we live in Cheshire. We decided that it just sounded too Scottish with the surname. If DS had my surname we may have used it.

[turdfairynomore]

My daughter is Francesca-I'm not Italian. I know an non-French Delphine and a non -German Otto-etc etc?? Most names originally belonged to a different country or culture. Choose the name you love the most because it's for the little person that you love the most!!

[TheRealMaudOHara]

My DS is Alistair and we're not Scottish at all either! middle-aged men seem to comment on the 'scottishness' (maybe because they don't know what else to say??) But no one else has said anything. I once knew a gorgeous and non-scottish Angus. Go for it!

[PickledSprout]

I haven't gone off it because its Scottish! What gave you that impression NancyJones? i love the name. I was just aware that it is a very Scotish sounding name and that without any specific Scottish ancestry it may seem a bit of an odd choice that little Hamish might get sick of being questioned about when he grows older.

Was just looking for reassurance really as am due in a few weeks and wobbling over both our girl and boy choices.

[KenDoddsDadsDog]

I have a very Scottish name and an Irish surname. No one has ever asked me if I'm either . Hamish is a fab name !

[Yama]

I love Hamish.

i am Scottish and had no idea it was regarded as posh. Are people perhaps confusing it with Hector?

[StetsonsAreCool]

Hamish is DH's front runner if this DC is a boy. My favourite is Gabriel, but I do really like Hamish too.

It's a great name, don't let your lack of Scottish links put you off.

[Surf25]

Go for it! I am a big advocate for choosing the name you love! No-one says you can't choose Theo because it is Greek or David because he was Jewish! I am Scottish, and would've think anything of it!

Hamish is fab!