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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Barnaby or Charlie?

38 replies

LottieP987 · 22/03/2011 20:35

Really struggling for a boy's name. I like Charlie but am worried that it's too mega-popular. I think Barnaby is lovely, cheery and laid-back sounding, but what do you think about teasing potential? Too like Barney the irritating purple dinosaur?

Nightmare finding a boy's name that is unusual but not ridiculously so. Girl's names are so much easier!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

onadifferentplanettoday · 25/03/2011 16:09

Another vote for Barnaby,but then I am biased as I have a teenage one.

Wafflenose · 25/03/2011 16:01

Barnaby!

I don't like Charlie much, and went to school with a Barnaby who couldn't have been further from drippy. He was a bit rough around the edges, but nice, and played heavy metal guitar (brilliantly I have to admit) and rode a motorbike. I know one too who is about 13.

portaloo · 25/03/2011 14:30

Another vote for Barnaby here.

Charlie is just too popular now, there are little boys called Charlie, little girls called Charlie, and every time I think of Charlie, I can't help thinking 'You're a right Charlie aren't you? and an image of a grinning clown pops up in my mind.

Also, without exception, every single Charlie I have ever known IRL is not a very nice person. My experience of Charlies is probably very limited and I am not suggesting that all Charlie's are little horrors, just the ones I know.

Barnaby OTOH is a lovely name.

sparkle12mar08 · 25/03/2011 14:23

Barnaby is lovely but I loathe Barney as a shortening and it will take an incredible effort on both your and your sons part for that not to happen.

othersideofchannel · 25/03/2011 13:55

Another vote for Barnaby - it sounds beautiful and is a proper name. I find Charlie a little dull/childish sounding. Charles maybe.

mayanna123 · 25/03/2011 09:52

Barnaby by miles imo - such a strong, elegant name. Charlie, along with Alfie, Archie and all the other 'cutey' type names are too overused imo and will date soon.

jellybeans · 25/03/2011 09:50

Charlie by miles.

Mum2Pea · 25/03/2011 09:07

like Charlie ........ Barnaby just makes me think of Midsomer murders!

Olivetti · 24/03/2011 09:45

My husband is Barney and he's 6'2" and lush!

Original poster

LottieP987 · 23/03/2011 20:52

Thanks everyone. I've never met a Barnaby, really reassuring to know it's considered a good name in those all-important teen years!

OP posts:

Tillyscoutsmum · 23/03/2011 19:55

Barnaby is a fab name. I know an adult who's nn is Barnes

Charlie is sweet enough but is soooo popular. I know loads (as nn for Charles and Charlotte)

Gottakeepchanging · 23/03/2011 19:52

I have just asked a 13 year old barnaby for you. He thinks it's a good name- everyone at school knows him as he is the only one. Apparently it comes from the village of barnaby in north Yorkshire which dates back to Viking times

Original poster

LottieP987 · 23/03/2011 19:35

I think that's enough votes for Barnaby for me to feel confident about choosing it, although I'm sure I'll have a few more horrible dreams where friends laugh hysterically upon hearing the name of our new arrival!

OP posts:

Makingaminime · 23/03/2011 10:11

I love Charles but not Charlie as a full name.

Barnaby is ok but a bit of a mouthful. Prefer Barney I think.

rachel1970 · 23/03/2011 09:46

Another vote for Barnaby. Lovely.

Charlie is indeed overused and has become very common, I too think it will date badly.

(and I am a mother of a Charles - although it is his middle name ).

mopsyflopsy · 23/03/2011 09:43

Definately Barnaby. It is cool, classic and elegant.
Charlie is so overused and overdone and I think people will tire of these cutesy type names soon (Charlie, Alfie, Archie etc..).

NormanNorris · 23/03/2011 09:40

Barnaby is great!

Charlie is overused, cutesy and will date very badly.

Gottakeepchanging · 23/03/2011 08:35

Barnard is a north Yorkshire farming name. In my village barnabys (not related) range from 92 to 5.

Nickname usually barn

Not so nice nickname bananabee

There was a 1970s bear called barnaby and more recently a geography bear but these come and go. Think of all this parents who chose Milo thinking it was cool,and unusual only for it to be a tweenie (which in turn have faded)

NorbertDentressangle · 23/03/2011 08:33

I'm not keen on either but would go for Charlie if I had to choose.

Barnaby/Barney is just not a mans name, its a cutesy toddler name.

hulabula · 23/03/2011 08:30

And if you do use Charlie, please put Charles on his birth certificate - to give him more options later on.

hulabula · 23/03/2011 08:28

Barnaby is much, much nicer - it is lovely classic name that isn't overused. I know a gorgeous 4 year old one.

Charlie is so boring and overused in comparison. I think it will soon start to date, along with all the other cutey type names e.g. Alfie, Archie, Albie etc.

Meglet · 22/03/2011 21:40

Barnaby is ace.

I know a few Charlies, it's ok though.

usualsuspect · 22/03/2011 21:38

Barnaby is awful

Charlie is ok

MerryMarigold · 22/03/2011 21:36

Barney's not drippy...it's what you make it. My sis knew a very rugged, ruby playing Barney that she went to Uni with.

MrsvWoolf · 22/03/2011 21:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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