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Baby names

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Original poster

Ned?

33 replies

FlashBangWallop · 09/11/2010 16:37

DS due in six weeks. Ned has been our favourite name throughout the pregnancy but DP is worried about whether it lends itself to teasing.

We know it has negative connotations in Scotland but as we don't live anywhere near I don't think that's a particular problem.

We don't really like Edward - it doesn't go very well with the surname - so his given name would be Ned. What do you think?

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ThatllDoPig · 15/11/2010 19:36

I like Ned and Ted.

Komondor · 15/11/2010 14:21

love the name

washngo · 13/11/2010 09:26

I am also from Scotland and can't separate the name ned from the noun ned (as in "look at those neds drinking buckfast at the bus stop"). But even in England (where I now live), I think it has connotations of farmyard animals. Plus you wouldn't even be able to go on holiday to Scotland, which you might possibly wish to one day (it's a beautiful place).

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 13/11/2010 08:34

i went to uni in England and got comments about being Scottish the whole time at first Wink

Faaamily · 13/11/2010 08:21

Donkey!

MummysLittleSunbeams · 13/11/2010 08:12

I like it but with a Scottish dh it'd be a no-goer for me!

coldcomfortHeart · 12/11/2010 22:18

No worries Rhubarb, shame your friend had such a hard time.

LetThereBeRock · 12/11/2010 15:08

No problem,Rhubarb.

mathanxiety · 12/11/2010 15:02

YY, SoLongAsItsHealthy -- Neddy and Ned are traditional names for the family donkey in Ireland. I seem to remember a Neddy the Donkey from a school Irish language primer (maybe it was Neidi, with fada on the last I)...

SoLongAsItsHealthy · 12/11/2010 13:38

Have you people never heard of Ned the Donkey???

Rhubarbgarden · 12/11/2010 13:30

I only say that because a close friend went to Aberdeen university and got so bored of the constant jibes she left after the first term. She's not particularly sensitive but decided she didn't want to spend 4 years apologising for where she came from. I also have a Scottish friend who never misses an opportunity to slag off the English (even though he lives in London Hmm) So that's coloured my judgement. But quite prepared to accept it's not all Scots! Apologies for any offence caused.

AngryPixie · 12/11/2010 12:57

I love the name Ned (we have a Teddy/Ted) I think it works as a name in its own right.

I fight the anti-Benedict cause on behalf of a mate of mine who lived through teenage hell as 'Bendy-Dick'

coldcomfortHeart · 12/11/2010 12:46

I agree with Letthereberock- never ever encountered any anti English sentiment personally. (Consider myself scottish but sound very English) DH either. I don't doubt there is some anti english stuff that goes on, but it is by no means widespread or something someone would 'have to put up with all the time'

LetThereBeRock · 12/11/2010 12:01

Why would he have to put up with them all of the time?Hmm

My dp is English and has rarely had any anti English comments. There's been a few idiots over the years,but it certainly hasn't been constant or even often. And he's upper class so even more of an obvious target one would think.

Rhubarbgarden · 12/11/2010 11:12

Makes me think of the Atomic Dustbin! But I suspect I'm in the minority there, and it's no bad thing anyway.

As for the Scottish thing, I wouldn't ditch a name you love just because it has unfortunate connotations in one part of the country. If he was to move to Scotland he'd have to put up with anti-English snipes all the time, so a thick skin would be essential anyway (that is if you are English of course).

Original poster
FlashBangWallop · 12/11/2010 09:22

Thanks for all these posts.

yellowflowers, I think you're right - if DS ever goes to Scotland, it'll be funny the first time he introduces himself but (hopefully!) not for long afterwards!

It's still our favourite...so we'll see what happens!!

Thanks again everyone.

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coolascucumber · 10/11/2010 16:12

Love the name Ned but only Ned I have known was from a very posh farming family on the Scottish borders. Have never heard about any of the negative overtones in Scotland.

yellowflowers · 10/11/2010 16:10

Is a lovely name though I think find a name it can be short for if possible. But if not just go for it. Even if he moved to Scotland when older, people would laugh the first time they met him and then get over it.

coldcomfortHeart · 10/11/2010 16:08

Sorry another Scot here and it just jars my ears- really is like calling your child 'chav' or 'skally'. It's really ingrained and I don't think it'll disappear any time soon. He may well move to Scotland/study in Scotland etc in his future... I'd say if you love it then use it as a nickname.

InstructionsToTheDouble · 10/11/2010 15:45

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LetThereBeRock · 10/11/2010 12:27

Personally I think it's very likely that it'll still be used then.

Original poster
FlashBangWallop · 10/11/2010 12:02

Thanks - all really helpful. It's good to know 'first hand' how strongly the name would be disliked in Scotland!!

I like the idea of Benedict as a full name, although DP not too keen. I'm not that struck on Edmund or Edgar, for the same reason as Edward - none really go with the surname very well.

Can anyone tell me how long Ned been used as a term to describe thugs / 'chavs' in Scotland? Do you think it's likely to still be in use when DS is older? I only wonder because I can think of names which were used as derogatory terms when I was a kid which are no longer used in this way.

I guess if we did settle on Ned, it could always be shortened to Ed if he wanted.

All very helpful - thanks again.

OP posts:
oldspeckledtam · 09/11/2010 20:43

Ned is popular here (shrops) There are two in my dd's class and a further two in nursery.

How about Edmund or Edgar for Ned? My DS is Edgar and I'm constantly stunned by the variety of nicknames he has.

antoinettechigur · 09/11/2010 20:30

Have to agree with letthereberock. What if your DC wants to go to Scotland? Why not Edward and call him Ned, that way he would have flexibility. Ned really is like being called "Chav".

LetThereBeRock · 09/11/2010 20:06

That should read 'If you were in Scotland it'd be the equivalent of...',though I know you've already mentioned the negative connotations here.

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