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Baby names

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

Original poster

Can I call my baby boy this.....

34 replies

babywantscake · 12/12/2010 08:38

Hi there, I'm 35 weeks with my first and really struggling with a boy's name. DH likes very 'out there' names, I like the classics and family names.

We have decided on Rosa Joan for a girl (Joan was my Granny's name).
For a boy we both love Edwin but are struggling with a middle name. DH wants Edwin Galileo (we are very keen amateur astronomers) or Edwin Beowulf (I am not joking!). Safe alternative is Edwin Frederick (DH's Grandad), but neither of us mad keen.

What do you think...... is it cruel to give a child such an outlandish middle name?!? BTW our surname is Italian, very unusual and never pronounced correctly. Thanks!

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LilyBolero · 14/12/2010 16:32

I almost called ds3 Rowan Bede, but it didn't fit very well with the other children's names. Bede is a fabulous name!

Longstocking2 · 14/12/2010 16:29

much better an odd middle name than an odd first name.

I think it can be mean to give children and unpronounceable and unspellable name.

I've heard all the arguments endlessly but still think you shouldn't lumber a child with weird first name.

mathanxiety · 14/12/2010 16:13

Want to add -- Cosimo might work as a mn here too. But Galileo is so nice...

mathanxiety · 14/12/2010 16:12

I love Galileo -- fabulous mn.

I wouldn't do Edwin Frederick -- too many ED sounds running into each other. But I love Edwin.

Do you like Albin, Boniface, Ambrose, Urban, Ivo?

ReshapeWhileDamp · 14/12/2010 15:10

I love Edwin, it's on our shortlist too! Smile (He'd probably end up as Eddy while small, but there are lots of nns he could use if he hated Edwin later on.)

But I wouldn't pair it with another Anglo Saxon name, it does make Edwin more outlandish than if it were just Edwin Leo, or Edwin Frederick, or whatever.

Mind you - Edwin Alfred - both Anglo Saxon but both are 'proper' names with a more recent usage! Grin

Ooh, I quite like that combo myself, actually!

sonniboo · 13/12/2010 14:05

Love both names but would probably prefer Galileo given the Italian and astronomy link.

I agree - there are now so many different names from all cultures that children are much more accepting of 'different' names. My kids both have quite unusual names and have never had any problems - in fact they love having their 'own' name Smile.

SuzieHomemaker · 13/12/2010 13:48

I wont out my DS's names but sufficient to say that he is named after a 7th century Northumbrian saint of such obscurity that no one knows why he is a saint. His middle name is a place in France.

He is now at secondary school and has never had problems about his name. These days there are so many different names out there that one more really doesnt matter. So much better than my day when boys were all named from a list which could have fitted on a postage stamp.

I like both Edwin (can be shortened to Ed, Ned, Win) and Galileo.

rachel1970 · 13/12/2010 13:34

In fact, I prefer Galileo to Edwin, actually Smile.

rachel1970 · 13/12/2010 13:33

Middle names never, ever get used, do they.. we gave our children middle names with important meanings to us (loved relatives' names).

I quite like Galileo - classic and cool sounding. Can always use Leo as nickname.

evamummy · 13/12/2010 13:29

I think Galileo is cool and has nice associations (as you're keen astronomers). So my vote goes to Edwin Galileo.

misdee, we have a Quentin (age 8) who suits his name perfectly Smile. Good luck with the birth!

SoupDragon · 13/12/2010 13:11

From the ones you listed, Galileo, but Leo works really well.

one are really to my taste, but that's not the point. i am big campaigner for not saddling a child with a ridiculous name and i don't think Edwin fails my test :) Middle names are great for letting yourself go.

diddl · 13/12/2010 13:06

I like Frederick Leo, or Leo Frederick.

Don´t like Edwin.

If you like Galileo as a name, use it, but not because it´s connected to a hobby-that seems really naff to me.

misdee · 13/12/2010 13:04

My dd3 middle name is Dixie.

my ds middle name will in all liklihood be Quentin! will see if it suits him in the next few weeks when he arrives Grin

PixieOnaLeaf · 13/12/2010 13:01

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kreecherlivesupstairs · 13/12/2010 09:31

Middle names are such a waste of paper [don't have one face]. DD on the other hand has three middle names because the woman in the hospital kept asking for more. She was born in Oman where everyone has at least 12 so I felt rude to stop.

Original poster
babywantscake · 13/12/2010 08:16

Thanks for your comments and suggestions - I'm loving Leo and Bede! Very helpful to hear opinions on middle names and their importance. I have point-blank refused to consider any of DH's weird and wonderful first name suggestions, as I think a very unusual first name is something of a curse. I just can't decide whether I'm being mean not indulging DH's desire for an unusual middle name or whether I'm being sensible and my child will thank me in the future.

More mulling for me I think (or perhaps hoping for a girl as we are in agreement there!).....

OP posts:
Gay40 · 13/12/2010 00:53

I love Edwin Galileo. Go for it!

wisteria12 · 13/12/2010 00:30

If you like Old English names, here are a few suggestions:

Edwin Bede
Edwin Alaric
Edwin Godric
Edwin Anselm
Edwin Swithun

I think Galileo flows better than Beowulf (even though I commend your choice - I wrote a dissertation on OE literature!)

sharbie · 12/12/2010 21:37

Edwyn is lovely what about Wolf as a middle name?

MelinaM · 12/12/2010 21:34

I'm loving Galileo! x

ChippingIn · 12/12/2010 18:35

Good thinking expectingno3!

Fredrick is the only one of those I would use, but I don't like Edwin either... however, I don't like many of the names that others on here do, so I accept I must have quite a limited range of names I like.

expectingno3 · 12/12/2010 18:27

What about taking the last part of Galileo and shortening it to Leo?
Edwin Leo sounds a great name I think.

Whelk · 12/12/2010 18:13

I'm hoping you have a girl. Your girl's name is wonderful.

I really don't think you should give him either of those middle names. A child is not some sort of extension of you. They are a person in their own right. Its just not fair to give them a name that reflects your hobby.

i don't love Edwin but at least he can be Ed!

Can you tell I hate my middle name?

BikeRunSki · 12/12/2010 18:07

I have a very unsual middle name and I still hate it. Even if I don't use it, it gets out in the end - driving licence, passport, degree certificate....

PixieOnaLeaf · 12/12/2010 18:04

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