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Original poster

To be surprised by the names of the “posh kids” at DDs school

368 replies

marilee · 31/08/2025 02:55

Hi all, my DD just started primary 1. The catchment area for her new school is super mixed with all the nicest houses in the town but also 2 council areas so a real mix. We live in a council flat, I can’t say I’ve rubbed shoulders with the more middle class half of the town and I grew up in a firmly working class area so this is the first time in my life I’m properly mixing with this group (I know that’s awful but it’s just how life has been for me so far).

I don’t know why but I was expecting all the posh kids to have more extravagant names but almost every single one of them is just a very basic name (James, Harry, Anna, Clara, Emily, Emma etc.). While the names I’d normally have associated as being more “posh” are actually the names of the kids from my area (Rafferty, Arabella, Florence, Theodore).

AIBU to be shocked by this? Is this normal or a little regional quirk?

OP posts:
Suednymph · 31/08/2025 10:09

GenieGenealogy · 31/08/2025 09:29

Assuming you are in either Scotland or Ireland due to your use of "Primary 1".

I totally agree - the "posh kids" round my neck of the woods are James, George, Alexander or Anna, Catherine, Lucy. As we are in suburban Glasgow you will also come across lots of Scottish-flavoured names like Kirsty, Euan, Fraser, Blair, Isla or Rory.

No idea about Scotland but we do not have a 'primary 1' in Ireland.

Moresettingspuzzles · 31/08/2025 10:08

LessOfThis · 31/08/2025 09:57

“Wealthy people aren’t naming their kids Raffie”

Think I probably know more about the people I know than you do!

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Alright speak for yourself but In my area the Amelia's, rubys and Alfie's are all pretty upper class 😉

AspiringChatBot · 31/08/2025 10:06

Whatatodo79 · 31/08/2025 07:38

Posh people give their kids names that aren't going to sound silly when they are prime minister.

That's what I did, and I think that (Rishi, stop teasing your sisters !!) it has really paid off. They are (Maggie, do NOT make me come over there !!) not at all silly and (Liz, if you're not careful your face will freeze that way !!)

Well, at least baby Archibald Primrose is lovely and statesmanlike.

maddening · 31/08/2025 10:01

You are a snob.

Araminta1003 · 31/08/2025 10:01

There is flamboyant arty posh you know vs boring landed gentry posh. Quite different circles. You will find plenty of more exotic name choices in the former.

Moresettingspuzzles · 31/08/2025 09:59

Bambamhoohoo · 31/08/2025 09:51

“Actual wealthy” people call their children Charlie William Harry so they?

what do you mean by actual wealthy?

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Pretty obvious what I meant. Like the comment above this one said they aren't calling their children Tarquin charlmondey Warner. They don't want to draw excess attention to their children and have them be bullied for being "posh" hence they give them regular names. Even the royals name their kids William Harry and George etc.

LessOfThis · 31/08/2025 09:57

Moresettingspuzzles · 31/08/2025 09:47

Interesting comment I read a thread on here the other day where someone said ruby and Amelia were posh names.

Btw actual wealthy people aren't naming their kids raffle. It will be regular names like Charlie William and Harry

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“Wealthy people aren’t naming their kids Raffie”

Think I probably know more about the people I know than you do!

Gettingbysomehow · 31/08/2025 09:56

What were you expecting? Tarquin Cholmondeley- Warner? 😂

Bambamhoohoo · 31/08/2025 09:55

reversegear · 31/08/2025 09:51

I don’t even understand the point of this thread but I hope your kids aren’t at judgy as you. Please don’t pass this down to them.

Absolutely we do need to end this awful behaviour. I am hopeful for a generation who weren’t brought up on “benefits Britain” and demonising teenage mums. But they are being raised by our generation, the worst of which can obviously be seen here.

it’s so emotionally immature too.

reversegear · 31/08/2025 09:51

I don’t even understand the point of this thread but I hope your kids aren’t at judgy as you. Please don’t pass this down to them.

Bambamhoohoo · 31/08/2025 09:51

Moresettingspuzzles · 31/08/2025 09:47

Interesting comment I read a thread on here the other day where someone said ruby and Amelia were posh names.

Btw actual wealthy people aren't naming their kids raffle. It will be regular names like Charlie William and Harry

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“Actual wealthy” people call their children Charlie William Harry so they?

what do you mean by actual wealthy?

Bambamhoohoo · 31/08/2025 09:47

MasterBeth · 31/08/2025 09:43

How is Louis remotely in the same ball park as James?

Louis is flamboyant and continental. French, even! James is plain, porridge with salt. Very different tone.

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Also lols at Catherine wales being “true old money”

Moresettingspuzzles · 31/08/2025 09:47

LessOfThis · 31/08/2025 07:10

We all know exactly what you mean and people pretending they don’t are being disingenuous. In my area working class kids are still called Ruby, Amelia, Alfie, Callum etc. Posher kids are Raffie, Felix, Martha, Sebastian.

Their intrinsic worth as human beings is not affected.

Interesting comment I read a thread on here the other day where someone said ruby and Amelia were posh names.

Btw actual wealthy people aren't naming their kids raffle. It will be regular names like Charlie William and Harry

Bambamhoohoo · 31/08/2025 09:46

Dmsandfloatydress · 31/08/2025 09:44

It's the same in Wales and probably Ireland. Class obsession is more of an English thing. Rhys, Nia , Cai , Gareth could be rich, poor, underclass or the children of doctors and University professors.

I think it comes back to- whilst colonies were abused by the English, the English were abused by the upper classes. Only we are far behind in recognising it and still well in the Stockholm syndrome/ bootlicking stage.

Dmsandfloatydress · 31/08/2025 09:44

It's the same in Wales and probably Ireland. Class obsession is more of an English thing. Rhys, Nia , Cai , Gareth could be rich, poor, underclass or the children of doctors and University professors.

MasterBeth · 31/08/2025 09:43

Cathkidson36 · 31/08/2025 07:29

I know what you mean and ignore the catty comments, the true 'old money' type names do seem to be more 'simple' names like James. Look at Louis, Charlotte, George.

How is Louis remotely in the same ball park as James?

Louis is flamboyant and continental. French, even! James is plain, porridge with salt. Very different tone.

Moresettingspuzzles · 31/08/2025 09:42

Anyone can name their child whatever they want.

Actual wealthy people tend to give their kids basic names so they don't get mocked for being "posh" that's why all the royals have basic names like Harry William Elizabeth etc

Parkhotel · 31/08/2025 09:42

MidnightPatrol · 31/08/2025 08:07

Hector is a popular name in a variety of countries - the entire Spanish speaking world, Scotland.

I see this a lot with names - people are making assumptions the name is because of X or Y fanciful reason, but it’s actually just culturally normal to the person using it.

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Agree with this.

There were a lot of Hughs in Ireland, for example, because Hugh was used to translate the Irish name Aodh. I remember seeing a documentary about fishermen in the west of Ireland, mostly elderly men, and every second one seemed to be called Hughie.

Bluesey · 31/08/2025 09:41

At least they're all lovely names and no one's called Chardonnay or Balonz.

homeedhorrors · 31/08/2025 09:40

ShineLuceeeee · 31/08/2025 04:42

I have found this:

  • The genuinely posh people don't go for overly fancy names but traditional older names (eg James - lovely name btw)
  • The nouveau riche/upwardly mobile go for names that are OTT posh (eg Atticus, Hugo)
  • More working class tend to go for names that were normal posh but then have gone out of fashion (Arabella is a perfect eg)

This is my observation too.

Kisskiss · 31/08/2025 09:37

Purpleheatherrain · 31/08/2025 06:03

Rafferty is not a posh name any more than Jacob’s a posh name!

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I quite like Rafferty! Although my local park has both rafferty ( dogs) and rafferty (kids) so it gets confusing 😀

Bpickle1 · 31/08/2025 09:36

’Posh’ people often choose classic, sensible sounding names, they don’t want a novelty name. The “not posh” people often don’t choose “Harry, James, Edward, Hannah” and go for Kayleigh, Tyler, Elsie-Mae and things spelled incorrectly, awful double barrels etc

HelpMeGetThrough · 31/08/2025 09:34

I don’t know any posh people, must be rough as a badgers arse around here. No private schools, a few primary/junior schools and an averagely shite secondary.

GenieGenealogy · 31/08/2025 09:34

I also think it is relevant that the Savannah, Archie and Lilibet mentioned as part of the Royals all had/have one parent who is not British. Peter Phillip's wife was Canadian, Meghan is American.

MasterBeth · 31/08/2025 09:33

tygertygers · 31/08/2025 05:08

I will never understand the English obsession with names and class. So glad I moved away and am free of that nonsense. “working class names” FFS

The OP isn't English or, at least, doesn't live in England.