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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

Is it okay to call an English child Klaus?

35 replies

Cammy007 · 02/07/2016 14:59

My family are Scottish and English but i really like the name Klaus but it is German, I only have 2 German cousins but their blood is English (if you know what I mean)

Would it be okay to call him Klaus? (baby boy btw)

If not what are some similar names if not?

OP posts:

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PlanBwastaken · 02/07/2016 15:04

How about Chloe for a girl...?

The poor child would be asked about the German connection for the rest of their life, I don't think I would. There are a few American names that sound similar if you're so inclined: Clay, Clinton, Clifton...

Cammy007 · 02/07/2016 15:06

Thank you! I do see how it could be a bother. I also like a couple more English names like Tobias (toby) and Harvey!

OP posts:

Cjamm · 02/07/2016 16:16

Two of my kids have strong German names and it's really rare for them to be asked if they're German and if they are asked they just say no and everyone moves on. Klaus is a lovely name, almost named my DS that but DH vetoed it. Their are plenty of names that fit the situation at birth but won't in the future, if you really like a name, go for it.

LaceyLee · 02/07/2016 16:26

I think he would get a lot of Santa jokes but it's up to you, could be worse!

MidnightVelvetthe5th · 02/07/2016 16:28

I would pronounce it Clowss to rhyme with mouse.

Its occurred to me from the PP that he would get called Klaus to rhyme with claws a lot....

frenchielala · 02/07/2016 20:56

I love the name Klaus and I wouldn't worry about questions about heritage. It isn't just German - it is popular in Europe. Where I grew up in Stockholm there were lots of Klaus's. I would seriously consider it if I had a son and I've lived in England for years.

Mottled · 02/07/2016 21:01

Don't think that it is a problem, it would also be fine to use Claude or Claudia.

bittapitta · 02/07/2016 22:12

It's the name of the fish in American Dad to me

InionEile · 02/07/2016 22:21

It's not really a current name in Germany right now. Current popular boys names would be maybe Lukas, Leo, Kai, Max and so on. Klaus would be more of a grandad name I think.

SaturdaySurprise · 03/07/2016 19:28

My father was called Klaus, but he was German. It did get mispronounced as Klaws by English speakers.

Pipilangstrumpf · 04/07/2016 14:02

Klaus is a very untrendy name at the moment, in Germany. It's like Clive, Bernard or something middle aged. Not something I would choose.

PsammeadPaintedTheLion · 06/07/2016 20:44

My fil is Klaus. How about Nicholas, which is where Klaus is derived from?

NataliaOsipova · 06/07/2016 20:47

People will assume that you or your DH is German. It's a bit odd otherwise, but not bad - in my opinion, anyway!

PotteringAlong · 06/07/2016 20:47

Like Santa? No.

dexy24 · 06/07/2016 20:49

There's a Klaus in the tv show The Originals. In this case, as a PP has already mentioned this is a shortening of Nicklaus-what about that then you could shorten to Klaus or Nick if you prefer?

NotYoda · 06/07/2016 20:49

It's OK, but he would probably always be explaining his name because it sounds very German. It can get a bit tiresome to do that.

What about:

Karl
Calvin

EssentialHummus · 06/07/2016 20:51

No, bit of a grandad name and he'll be fielding Santa jokes forever.

HeteronormativeHaybales · 06/07/2016 21:30

In answer to your title, it's not even OK to call a German child Klaus. The rough Brit equivalent would be Geoffrey or Derek.

Nicholas is good.

1horatio · 06/07/2016 21:45

I personally like Nicholas. And Nicco or Klaus would be really cute nns.

What about Niccola/Nikkola? (in the UK for a girl, not a boy). It sounds lovely imo :)

1horatio · 06/07/2016 21:50

Btw, imo Derek or Geoffrey (well, before GoTs) would be much better than Klaus. But if you feel like Klaus is the name then you should go for it.

Dontrocktheboat · 06/07/2016 21:57

Klaus makes me think of a chubby boy with a Herr Flick hairstyle, round wire rimmed glasses and 1950s schoolboy shorts. So based on that and the fact it sounds like it may be the German equivalent of Colin or Nigel, I would say probably not!

Nicholas is great though, and you could use klaus as a nickname.

BettyDraper1 · 06/07/2016 22:00

I really like it but I think it depends on your surname.

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Slumberparty · 07/07/2016 06:34

How about Nicklaus? You can call him Klaus but as he gets older he can shorten to Nick if he feels the need?

allegretto · 07/07/2016 06:42

I would avoid because it makes me think of Klaus Barbie.

MissWimpyDimple · 07/07/2016 07:10

V old fashioned but quite sweet. It should be Pronounced to rhyme with mouse and not like claws.

Had a few much older Klaus uncles. One changed his name to Claude.

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