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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Harris and Harry

38 replies

earlgreyismynectar · 17/02/2011 22:28

DS was born a week ago and we finally decided on the name Harris though I intend for him to be known as Harry, whilst he's little anyway and he can use Harris when he's older if he likes or if there are more of them in the class! I realise that Harry is quite a popular name which is why I'd like another option in the wings.

I might regret this as I suppose I'm looking for reassurance following some negative / sniggering reaction to the announcement, mostly around the name Harry but I've also had a few querying comments (as well as positives) around Harris. Are there connotations to either name that I am missing? Or am I being hormonally over emotional just now?!

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Original poster

earlgreyismynectar · 24/02/2011 21:20

Thanks all! Have to confess I've never actually been to Harris! I've heard all about it though and will defo have to go now! Will be nice for him to see when he's older like you say! Yes I've heard the name Harrison too though I prefer Harris! Thanks for the positives! I'm feeling much more confident about following my heart now! Just need to think of a middle name!!! I like Jay, I also like Gabriel though that seems to have less impact as the surname is also 3 syllables. I love naure names (DD is a Daisy) also birds and angels (god help him!!) any thoughts?!

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birdofthenorth · 22/02/2011 21:02

Both are lovely. I like Harrison too but Harris is great -like you say, gives your Harry more options & will make him distinct if there's mire than one Harry is his class!

weegiemum · 22/02/2011 20:54

I like it - but I lived on Harris for 10 years and still have a house there! Its an amazing place and will be great to take him there when he is older and let him see the place .....

Just never call his little brother Lewis - that would be too much!

piebald · 22/02/2011 20:51

Harrison is nice as well

Original poster

earlgreyismynectar · 22/02/2011 20:50

Thanks Marwoir, good to hear seeing as you're actually down there! The connection does strike me as a bit random & I'm less worried by it now following the cross section of feedback here. Still, it's been good to hear all sides. He remains Harry / Harris.

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Marwoir · 21/02/2011 12:48

Definitely Harris - it's on our shortlist too.
TBH, I don't think the cockney thing matters. I've lived in East London for over a decade and never once has anyone requested I shift my 'aris (or, indeed, commented on what a lovely one I have, more's the pity....) He's not likely to be swamped by a great salivating bunch of cockneys every time he travels east on the central line - you're fine!

Original poster

earlgreyismynectar · 19/02/2011 23:51

Thanks everyone! No, I realise he may not always live in Scotland but does the cockney slang not change / move on? [hopeful emoticon] Prawns, I take it you've got one?! Notnowcato - good point re dialect, it wouldn't register in the same way with the northern dialects. Thanks, it really helps me to see all sides and it seems pretty split which is what I'm finding in RL too!

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Greenwing · 19/02/2011 22:25

Harry is great but Harris really isn't - it means bum/arse in slang (Cockney? ... Move your 'arris!) Sorry but it will make some people snigger/raise their eyebrows.

Notnowcato · 19/02/2011 22:22

Harris is lovely and I share your reservations about Henry.

I lived in London for nearly 20 years and I didn't get the rhyming slang connection (innocent rose that I am!). Besides which I'd say you were COMPLETELY safe when the scottish/northern pronunciation of glass doesn't even rhyme with arse. Harris for me is the island and the tweed (which is a fabric I love). Enjoy your lovely baby boy.

prawnsmum · 19/02/2011 22:21

Harris all the way- but I'm biased! {wink}

IwishIwasmoreorganised · 19/02/2011 22:19

OP - "None of the arse connotations in Scotland which helps"

But your ds may not always live in Scotland.

Harris does sound like a surname to me. Harry is a good, strong name. If you like that just go for it.

Original poster

earlgreyismynectar · 19/02/2011 22:14

Thanks v much Smiley! You're quite right of course, I should forget looking for approval from everyone..

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smileychicken · 19/02/2011 14:01

I think Harris is a great name. It is a bit differerent to the Harolds and Harrisons that I know shortened to Harry.

Whatever name you choose you'll get mixed reactions...too safe, too unusual, too whatever.

Go with what you love and be proud.

Congratulations BTW!

Original poster

earlgreyismynectar · 19/02/2011 13:57

Thanks Ann! I'm loving every minute!

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AnnOnimous · 19/02/2011 13:08

Harris is a lovely name, even more so here in Scotland - I by far prefer Harris to Harold or Henry for the long version, so go for it and enjoy your lovely wee boy.

Original poster

earlgreyismynectar · 19/02/2011 12:35

Thanks, I totally take on board the regional differences to the connotations of a name so it's good for me to hear how it's viewed elsewhere. Harris in Scotland would always be viewed in terms of the place I think. I appreciate that Harry is a short form for Harold or Henry but neither of those names feel right to me. He is already being referred to & introduced as Harry & it suits him. I just don't know. Harry as a name is more popular in England than Scotland, it sounds very English to me which I like (I am English) & perhaps that's why I've had some negative reaction to it here. If it doesn't feel right to me then I'll have mo qualms changing it, even at this late stage, have to do a bit of soul searching.

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OliveMalay · 19/02/2011 08:55

I'd go for Henry with Harry as nickname.

suwoo · 19/02/2011 08:05

Harry is lovely. Not a fan of Harris, sorry. I imagine that the conotations are very different in Scotland to the ones here in Manchester, but it sounds a bit 'try hard' and as if it is an alternative to Harrison. My dad also uses it to mean 'arse'.

Congratulations on your baby

seeker · 19/02/2011 07:54

Go for Henry with Harry as a shortening.

CharlieBoo · 19/02/2011 07:49

Harris is a bit surnamey for me....I would just go with Harry. If you're wobbling about it now, it will always be in the back of your mind.

Original poster

earlgreyismynectar · 18/02/2011 21:43

Thanks Tarlia! None of the arse connotations in Scotland which helps!

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Tarlia · 18/02/2011 16:06

I love Harris! So much so I wouldn't shorten it to Harry and probably growl at anyone who did. Not that I don't like Harry, but just such a lovely name in it's own right.

AvonCallingBarksdale · 18/02/2011 14:19

Really like Harry. Unfortunately, for me, Harris would be too much like 'Arris - Arse. sorry.

MelinaM · 18/02/2011 14:10

Much prefer Harry too, Harris is too 'surnamey' for me x

Original poster

earlgreyismynectar · 18/02/2011 13:54

Thanks! Good to get feedback, hormones are definately making me overly sensitive & messing with my logic I do love both names & agree with the idea of a formal name for the birth certificate. It's a monumental decision naming a child...

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