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Baby names

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

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Original poster

MummyGil's baby name shortlist

36 replies

MummyGil · 04/02/2011 03:20

Here's the shortlist of baby names I'm considering that I generated with Mumsnet's Baby Name Finder. Let me know what you think.

Boys
Angus
Basil
Caspar
Cassian
Conrad
Duncan
Gerard
Hamish
Hector
Jesus
John
Leonard
Lucifer
Ruaraidh
Torbjorn
Vincent
Wilfred
Zebedee

Girls
Agatha
Agnes
Clara
Claudia
Cora
Cordelia
Dorcas
Fleur
Flora
Georgiana
Gertrude
Lilias
Lyra
Mary
Mildred
Ursula
Viola
Zillah

OP posts:

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PlanetLizard · 07/02/2011 22:44

mathanxiety · 07/02/2011 18:33

Of the other names, I like Conrad, Hamish, Hector and Ruaraidh (or the spelling Ruairi) for boys.

And Agatha, Agnes and Lyra for girls.

AllieW · 07/02/2011 17:39

Of the names you've given, I rather like:

Angus, Conrad, Hamish, Ruaraidh and Wilfred;
Clara (if pn Clare+a), Cora, Cordelia, Fleur and Ursula.

Original poster

MummyGil · 07/02/2011 16:44

I am making no assumptions. I simply like the name. Whether or not other people believe in the devil is largely irrelevant.To share a name with someone is not to actually be that person.

As for people who would not even utter the name - that is funny. I would sincerely hope my DC would have nothing to do with such people. It has, however, given me an idea for a third name - Voldemort! Yes, that IS a joke.

Sadly, I suspect you are wrong about the competing strengths of Lucifer and Damien as cultural references. Declining church attendences coupled with poor religious education in schools may well mean that the potency of a Hollywood franchise is more influential.

As for making a point about religion - I really couldn't care less. I have no religious beliefs but my DH does. DD attends a church school because I'm open-minded enough to see that it's something which is important to him. For the record, he likes the name Lucifer, too.

Quite clearly the name is generally disliked on this forum. I'm sure I'll manage to live with that. It's unfortunate, though, that despite stating that it's unlikely that I'll use the name, most of the comments have concentrated on it.

So, if we can take it as read that nobody else likes Lucifer, I'm interested in opinions on my other name choices. Thanks.

OP posts:

mathanxiety · 07/02/2011 14:55

You seem to assume most people your child will encounter will see Lucifer as an element of fiction, whereas most people would harbour at least a little tendency to hedge their bets where his existence is concerned. There are people who would not say the name -- a bit extreme perhaps, but they exist. The 'pop culture' of which I speak has sections that take Lucifer seriously.

My comment on googling was made based on the assumption that you mightn't actually be aware of the significance of the name Lucifer, but since you are aware, would you really give your child such a name and make him stand out so much among all the Jacks and Harrys and even Mohammeds? You can't deny the cultural associations most people would have with the name, and I would bet there are more people familiar with the name Lucifer and its cultural context than are familiar with The Omen. It strikes me that giving a child a name like that would come across as an attempt at attention-seeking by the parents, or an attempt to use a child to make some sort of point about religion.

Original poster

MummyGil · 07/02/2011 07:56

You seem to assume that Lucifer is not also a work of fiction. In the stories I was told as a child, Lucifer was the favourite of God's angels. Students of Milton will be familiar with the theme of Satan as an anti-hero. The pop culture you speak of has Lucifer pinned as the bad guy but it's not as simple as that. Of course I'm sure you must know that since you have that great alternative to a real education, google, at your fingertips.

My comment on the name Damien was merely to draw an analogy between two names often associated with the devil. Saints' names notwithstanding.

OP posts:

mathanxiety · 07/02/2011 01:47

The Damien you're thinking of is from a movie, and a fictional character.

OTOH, there are a few saints named Damien, but the most famous was the one from the Hawaiian leper colony, Fr. Damien of Molokai.

Before you dive into the world of baby names, you should research the names a bit deeper -- despite the fact that you don't hold any religious views it might help if you googled some of the names and learned their context, and maybe a bit more than the pop culture links.

Original poster

MummyGil · 06/02/2011 22:08

Wonder if Liz Hurley was met with a torrent of abuse when she elected to name her son Damien.

Not keen on the name Mohammed personally, but I wouldn't ridicule someone for using it.

Anyway, as I keep saying, it's not a front-runner.

OP posts:

Rhubarbgarden · 06/02/2011 21:54

Lucifer Jesus Mohammed - do it. Genius.

LemonDifficult · 06/02/2011 21:32

I knew a girl who's brother was called Lucifer. And really that did sum up the family.

Meltdowns and issues.

Original poster

MummyGil · 06/02/2011 21:30

Considering the number of possible names available I think this is a very short list.

This is the first time I've posted a thread on Mumsnet so if there are unwritten rules about how long a list may be, I am blissfully unaware of them.

OP posts:

Ariesgirl · 06/02/2011 18:14

NOt very short, this list, is it?

Nando95 · 06/02/2011 17:55

Angus- Ok
Basil- Not keen at all reminds me of faulty towers/Basil Brush
Caspar- Not keen
Cassian- Love this name
Conrad- Like this name a lot- much less common than Connor
Duncan- OK
Gerard- Not keen
Hamish- Nope
Hector- Nope
Jesus- Really dislike
John- Very plain
Leonard- Like Leo/ Leonard a bit starchy
Lucifer- Nope
Ruaraidh- Nope
Torbjorn- Nope
Vincent- Nope
Wilfred- Wilf is a cute little boys name not
keen on Wilfred
Zebedee- No way

Agatha- Not too keen initially but the more I say it the prettier it sounds
Agnes- Nope
Clara- ok
Claudia- Nope
Cora- ok
Cordelia- ok
Dorcas- Quite like
Fleur- Nope- too prissy!
Flora- like
Georgiana- like
Gertrude- really really really dislike
Lilias- quite like/never heard before
Lyra- not too keen
Mary- Very dull
Mildred-No way- Millie is lovely tho
Ursula- nope
Viola- nope
Zillah- nope

Original poster

MummyGil · 06/02/2011 16:26

Never heard of Gertrude the cow. Isn't that Ermintrude?

I don't think Wilfred would automatically become Willie but as that is my father's name (his preferred abbreviation of William), I wouldn't have a problem with it.

Lucien is fine but reminds me of the rabbit-breeding Carla Lane character. I also like Lucius but am put off by the Malfoy connection. Lucas is ok but is becoming chavvy.

Lilias is no more tampon-y than the ubiquitous Lily and has the benefit of being less common and then of course, there's the Scottish connection too. It's difficult to find a pretty Scottish name and I wouldn't mind giving a nod to my Scottish ancestry.

As I said earlier, Lucifer Jesus is fairly unlikely anyway as I can't think of a suitable third name. I wonder if forumites would automatically assume I was joking if I said I was considering Mohammed?

OP posts:

Darnsarfupnorf · 05/02/2011 19:19

Angus-never liked but know a few
Basil- brush
Caspar- ghost
Cassian- never heard, not keen
Conrad- not keen
Duncan- again, ot keen
Gerard- as said above, steven
Hamish- no
Hector- really no
Jesus- joke?
John- bit boring but ok
Leonard- lenny maybe but i wouldnt personaly
Lucifer- another joke?
Ruaraidh- poor boy would spend his life correcing everyone
Torbjorn- really?
Vincent- no...
Wilfred- quickly become willy
Zebedee- just plain cruel

Agatha- no
Agnes- no
Clara- pretty :)
Claudia- know one or 2 but i wouldnt
Cora- another pretty one
Cordelia- really?
Dorcas- dork...
Fleur- pretty but reminds me of a dog, not sure why
Flora- pretty but..well butter
Georgiana- prefer georgie or georgia
Gertrude- the cow
Lilias- lillys nicer
Lyra- possibly to close to lycra?
Mary- a little boring maybe
Mildred- no
Ursula- little mermaid
Viola- hmm
Zillah- never heard, to close to cilla?

i dont believe these are for real though lol think you need to suggest lucifer jesus on the 'worst baby names ive ever heard' thread!!

BarbieLovesKen · 05/02/2011 19:10

Not for one second accepting that you are serious about using Lucifer Jesus, is one of the most ridiculous suggestions I've ever heard.

But...

Boys
Angus - No but love just Gus
Basil - Definately not, its a herb.
Caspar - hate this name
Cassian - nice
Conrad - no
Duncan no
Gerard - lovely bit boring
Hamish - no
Hector - no
Jesus - dont be silly
John - boring but fine
Leonard - awful
Lucifer - again dont be ridiculous
Ruaraidh - no
Torbjorn - no
Vincent - no
Wilfred - no, although I do like Wilf
Zebedee - no

Girls
Agatha - ok
Agnes - no
Clara - nice
Claudia - ok
Cora - hate this (but probably because I know one that I dont really like_
Cordelia - no
Dorcas - definately not
Fleur - ok
Flora - beautiful
Georgiana - beautiful
Gertrude - awful
Lilias - no
Lyra - nice
Mary - boring
Mildred - awful
Ursula - awful (immediately think of sea witch from little mermaid )
Viola - beautiful
Zillah - no

takethatlady · 05/02/2011 18:36

. I wasn't brave enough to keep going with saying it was obviously a joke when I was the only one, so I'm glad other people feel the same way!

Though you could start a nice line in names of this kind. Satan Messiah anyone? Beelzebub Lord and Maker? These names are just so underused!

There are lots of other good names on the list (not my taste, but Angus, Caspar, Claudia, Clara etc. are all perfectly lovely names).

BelligerentGhoul · 05/02/2011 18:28

I don't believe for one second that you are being serious tbh. Lucifer Jesus is quite frankly the most ridiculous name I have ever heard proposed.

I like:
Hector
Vincent
Wilfred

Clara
Fleur
Flora
Georgiana - love this
Lyra
Viola

Lillias sounds like a brand of feminine hygiene products.

bambiandthumper · 05/02/2011 18:24

I have a Violet and haven't met another yet. Great choice :)

SandStorm · 05/02/2011 18:21

Lucifer will very quickly become Lucy

Caoimhe · 05/02/2011 18:15

Come on, this is obviously a joke - no normal person thinks it's acceptable to call a child Lucifer Jesus!!!!!

mathanxiety · 05/02/2011 18:09

Well you may not be religious or superstitious but your child will be living in a world where Lucifer and Jesus would raise a lot of eyebrows. There are lots and lots of other names to choose from that wouldn't have the same negative impact on your child's life, even names that you probably haven't encountered in your teaching career.

tummytickler · 05/02/2011 12:37

I understand why you like Lucifer. It does have a nice sound, but I think it would be crazy to use it, and actually I wonder if you would be aloud to register a child with the name Lucifer.
I really like most of your list.
How about Lucien? Vaguely, a little bit similar to Lucifer.

takethatlady · 05/02/2011 08:58

My husband teaches and neither of us is religious or superstitous, but if he suggested a name which meant 'Satan Son of God', I'd wonder if he didn't really want the baby after all! And if this really isn't a joke I urge you to think again! It doesn't really matter what your views are - your child is going to have to live with the fact that his parent gave him the name of the devil before he was born, and balanced it with the name of God! I still don't trust that this is serious, but if it is, please stick with Wilbert or one of the other names on your list.

Original poster

MummyGil · 05/02/2011 06:53

No joke. I used to teach and can't have any names I've taught before. Nor do I like children having to use the initial of their surname to distinguish them from the other Jacks and Olivias in their class.

My preference is for traditional, underused names. I dislike unisex and made-up names.

Lucifer Jesus quite clearly is balanced. Lucifer Adolf, on the other hand, is another matter altogether. I'm not religious or superstitious, so don't have a problem with either Lucifer or Jesus. I prefer two middle names, though, and can't really see a suitable third name to go with them.

OP posts:

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