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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Do you have any 'rules' that you use/used to choose a name ?

185 replies

picklemum · 25/08/2010 18:45

If so what were/are they ?

We had couple, like didn't want to use same intial as me or DH and, second time not same as DD1. Also ruled out 'noun' names eg Ocean even though I liked a lot of these, I thought in long term might not be appealing for the person who has it as a grown-up ( no offence to others who disagree)

Also one rule was nothing very very unusual or really weird that no-one had heard of, so to avoid the poor kid having to spell their name out all the time....

.......BUT in the end me and DH fell in love with one name when DD2 was born and gave her a v unusual name. We simply liked nothing else better.

SO did you have 'rules' ? Did you follow them ?? ?

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Oldjolyon · 25/08/2010 22:04

Our rules were:

1). Name must have multiple nicknames / variations for child to be able to use, should they not like their full name.

2). Nothing too popular. If it was in the top 50, it was a definite no.

3). Nothing too unusual or wacky. It should be a name that people have heard of before.

4). Nothing too common or too posh - something middle of the road, or a name used by different groups in society.

5). For a girl, I definitely wanted a feminine name, but nothing too cutsey girly.

Chynah · 25/08/2010 22:03

Just that it had to be something that would look good on a business card when he/she is older.

LittleCheesyPineappleOne · 25/08/2010 21:51

no surnames as first names
no creative spelling
traditional British
preferably family name
wouldn't give you a hint of the social class of the child/adult
no repeating initials

yes, we followed them

MrsvWoolf · 25/08/2010 21:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ishouldhavechosenagoldfish · 25/08/2010 19:45

Same here on repeating initials. I had enough of my mum 'innocently' opening my post without inflicting that on my DCs.

No place names, especially if you've never been there. It could be a complete shithole. Grin

notagrannyyet · 25/08/2010 19:40

Not to use first names already used by cousins or god children.

Be careful if middle name begins with a vowel in case initials spelt out PIG or FOG etc.

Be careful initials + surname don't 'say 'anything eg. Ian Peter my be fine, but if your surname is green, Poor chap will be forced to sign cheques I P(pee) Green.

No name that can be used for both boys and girls, even if spelt differently. This doesn't worry everyone, but I wouldn't do it.

Don't repeat initial within the family. DH & 17 yr old DS have the same initials and post is now a problem!

Nothing too posh...Mine go to the local comp.
some names would just cause unnecessary problems.

SoupDragon · 25/08/2010 19:15

it must not rhyme.

sorrento56 · 25/08/2010 19:14

No names already in the family.
No names after someone we knew.
No names that spelt anything stupid when initialled.
No names that could be shortened to anything/anything we don't like.

sedgiebaby · 25/08/2010 19:12

I'm chosing now and a rule for me is...I imagine if it was my name how would I feelintroducing myself at a client meeting, if it sounds lacking in credibility (e.g. to frilly and girly) I'm thinking twice...

muggglewump · 25/08/2010 18:49

Yes, don't use anything stupid.
I followed it.