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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU - to ask you for your worst girl and boy names

484 replies

Mirrorlolo · 22/08/2026 08:38

Asking on behalf of DD who is expecting. What are in your view the worst girl and boy names. for me they are the made up ones like Nevaeh and Jayden

OP posts:
Thebigarsedbitch · 22/08/2026 16:22

bloblob · 22/08/2026 11:46

Yes also ‘Kit’ don’t understand the love it gets on here. My immediate association is ‘wayne rooneys son’ which then makes me think football kit.

Kit is a posh diminutive for Christopher, so at least it's a proper name.

Pluto46 · 22/08/2026 16:20

DooDallyHallie · 22/08/2026 15:50

Nobody calls their kid a name they, the parent hates.
So you might have certain preconceptions about a particular name but you can't extrapolate that everyone else will think the same.

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Some names carry certain preconceptions to the vast majority .. like it or not, its undeniable so unless you are a rock star (even Zowie Bowie prefers to go by Duncan Jones) you're not going to do your child any favours by saddling them with something you might like at the time but needs to serve them a life time

NotMeAtAll · 22/08/2026 16:16

Purplebunnie · 22/08/2026 15:52

Orlando - As You Like it - Shakespeare

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Indeed, and the 16th Century English composer Orlando Gibbons.

NotMeAtAll · 22/08/2026 16:13

BunkBedsArePeopleShelves · 22/08/2026 09:02

I was recently introduced to a baby Lolita.

I also know a toddler called Barry and a child called Methuselah.

People are fucking weird.

What's so odd about Barry? It has been an ordinary name for centuries.

Jenpen31 · 22/08/2026 16:08

I think it's all personal choice and experience. I think everyone has had a bad experience with someone at some point in their life time and has been put off a name. I've a long list!!!

Personally I'm not a fan of names spelt unusual ways. Just spell it normally!!!
Also not keen on surnames as first names ie Taylor, Carter etc.
But everyone is different and chooses names on own personal preference.

AnitaCam · 22/08/2026 16:05

I do t think we’ve ever had a great love for the name Jennifer in the UK, it seems much more popular in the US. But to me, in a similar vein is the name Gillian, which has always seemed to me to be the epitome of dowdy. This is no doubt completely unfair. I feel that Denise is even worse. As for Marlene and Darlene… just no!

ItWasnaMeGuv · 22/08/2026 16:02

bloblob · 22/08/2026 08:45

Ptolemy and Persephone

Persephone, is that pronounced per-sef-on-ee?

Purplebunnie · 22/08/2026 15:52

Blanknotebook · 22/08/2026 14:57

Names of cities or places where the child was conceived. Brooklyn Beckham was one of the first. I know a child who is named Orlando, Im not sure if his parents are fans of Lord of The Rings or if he was conceived in Disneyland.
He is a sweet little boy by the way.

Edited

Orlando - As You Like it - Shakespeare

DooDallyHallie · 22/08/2026 15:50

Pluto46 · 22/08/2026 15:10

Agree with this - for those prevaricating on what an unpleasant & classist thread, it does not help a child one little bit to be landed with a name that will (rightly or wrongly) initially define them. Its hard enough for young people to get a job now without some made up moniker that carries pre-conceived perceptions

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Nobody calls their kid a name they, the parent hates.
So you might have certain preconceptions about a particular name but you can't extrapolate that everyone else will think the same.

MyEasterBonnet · 22/08/2026 15:47

I used to teach a really unfortunate looking Adonis.

lazymaw · 22/08/2026 15:46

Den names like jayden, kayden etc. Always the out of control boys at soft play. also nicknames/shortened names as a first names so archie, alfie, harry, lily etc. They can be nice in themselves but I can’t get over it’s the pet name. All of these are in my family also so i’ve never voiced in real life 😅

SlightlyTerrifiedButPolite · 22/08/2026 15:43

Blaze

IsaacKnowitall · 22/08/2026 15:43

All the 'ayden' sounding names for boys (Jayden/Hayden etc etc)
Surnames for first names (Jackson, Harrison, Mason etc)
Hyphenated names, especially when hyphenated with May (or Mae or Mai)
Conversely, ugly sounding old people names (Edith, Maud, Bernard, Harold, Gladys, and so on)
I once saw a reality show where the couple had kids whose names all began with K and one of them was actually called "K-Lum" (pronounced Caylum).
I correspond with someone through work who is called "Tiajuana" with superfluous first A.

Mrsjones98 · 22/08/2026 15:42

aperolspritzbasicbitch · 22/08/2026 09:01

I went through a stage of wanting to call my child Satine.

no prizes for guessing what film I had watched.

I LOVE that film!

5128gap · 22/08/2026 15:41

Wouldn't it make more sense to post the names your DD is considering? Then if they get sneered at by people who laugh at children's names, you can let her know?

SouthLondonMum22 · 22/08/2026 15:38

CillianMurphyhasbeautifuleyes · 22/08/2026 15:06

My DC has one of your dull-sounding names and they’re anything but dull 🤣

We all have different taste. ❤️🙌

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I don't think it makes a person with the name dull, just the name itself is dull sounding.

I also have a dull sounding name myself.

Awfulname · 22/08/2026 15:35

A boy called Badger.

JustAQuestion12 · 22/08/2026 15:33

Coinkidinki · 22/08/2026 08:49

Oh, dear - this is going to be one of those threads where people sneer at names from demographics or cultures they perceive as inferior.

Why does your DD need a list of 'the worst names'? Why not post some names she is considering and get people's opinions?

If you're naming your baby, it seems an odd way to go about it - take every single possible name and start crossing off those that Mumsnetters don't like.

This.

Why would you need a list of names you don't like?

SleeplessRoads · 22/08/2026 15:32

Threeboystwocatsandadog · 22/08/2026 14:31

I have an adult Alfie. He doesn’t find it “cringy” at all. He loves his name and it’s still fairly unusual in an adult. Another 10 years and there will be quite a few adults named Alfie.

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It just gives me Alfie Moon man child vibes - I’m not sure I can ever square away a professional Alfie, but that’s fine - that’s not my name.

You’d probably hate my kids names too though, so don’t take offence!

CillianMurphyhasbeautifuleyes · 22/08/2026 15:24

BunnyLake · 22/08/2026 14:45

None of those names would make me think of ‘AH’. Only AH’s name would be a big no-no.

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It stands for asshole

CillianMurphyhasbeautifuleyes · 22/08/2026 15:23

AChunkOfPurestGreenMilady · 22/08/2026 14:42

Likewise! One of my kid's names was in there too, so l'm somewhat invested now ...

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AH stands for asshole

CillianMurphyhasbeautifuleyes · 22/08/2026 15:22

Kyttiol · 22/08/2026 14:42

Probably a certain German dictator

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It stands for asshole

CillianMurphyhasbeautifuleyes · 22/08/2026 15:20

BunnyLake · 22/08/2026 14:39

Me too, I didn’t understand that post at all.

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AH stands for asshole
there is a Reddit (or something) forum called AITAH; am I the asshole?
it’s similar to AIBU.

DooDallyHallie · 22/08/2026 15:20

TheOnlyWayIsIlford · 22/08/2026 08:59

Bertleflump
Pantye
Gorfy
Urulututu

Thats what d my kids are called! 😪

CillianMurphyhasbeautifuleyes · 22/08/2026 15:18

*positive pregnancy test 🤦‍♀️

autocorrected before I realised.

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