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Baby names

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Original poster

Is DH's suggestion boarding on the ridiculous?

47 replies

MrsSawyer · 17/05/2011 11:16

We have one DS, Dillan, and have just found out that we are having another boy :) We decided for ds1 that no family names were to be used, in case we upset someone by not choosing their name or whatever, so he had a completely "new" name.

DH has now decided that he would like my late FIL's name in DS2's name. It is Arnold. (FIL died way before Ds1 was born) This is DH's middle name and when he was at school, he used to tell everyone it was andrew as arnold was "embarrassing", so in an attempt to stop any embarrassment to ds2, he wants us to call him......

Oliver A (surname)

He says we would all know what the A was for, but meant that ds2 wont be embarrassed. I wouldve thought that having a letter for a name was more embarrassing, but what do you think?

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confuddledDOTcom · 18/05/2011 17:03

Why not show him the national office of statistics names spreadsheet?

MrsTwinks · 18/05/2011 16:37

I agree with mrsbabookaloo, Arnold was my mums surnameand my brother and alot of cousins use it as a middle name, and none of my cousins have ever been teased.

If your DS is sensative he need not use it, he can lie like his dad, but I doubt anyone will comment these says what with all the chavvy names about. I know a boy whos name is T Dorian Armstrong A and no one bats an eyelid.

Bue · 18/05/2011 13:00

OP, both of those would be very nice :)

Bue · 18/05/2011 13:00

It is not just bordering on the ridiculous, it has surpassed ridiculous! I can't see how the middle name "A" is any less embarrassing than Arnold. Arnold is fine, but if he doesn't like it I'd pick something else.

Original poster
MrsSawyer · 18/05/2011 10:52

Thanks everyone, i spoke to him last night and said that i really cant saddle my son with a letter for a name, and that it will have to be Oliver Arnold or Oliver Nathan (Dh's other fav name) Arnold , and though he is set on the idea of a letter, i think he will come round.
Thanks again :)

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cloudydays · 18/05/2011 01:40

It worked for Harry S Truman.

mich54321 · 18/05/2011 00:58

Agree with Jogonjill and mrsbabookaloo - no one will bat an eye at the name Arnold these days. If dh thinks Arnold is embarrassing, how does he think "A" is going to look ? Also, in every day life you don't use your middle name. Oliver Arnold is lovely - sounds good as a child and adult - as long as your last name doesnt mean the initials spell something (like OAR / OAP etc) I would go for it !

kangers · 17/05/2011 23:15

I teach students with initials as names (CJ) and EVERYONE- students, teachers, strangers wnat to know what they stand for. It is the bane of the kids life. It stands for nothing- but its not a name either- its 2 letters. Second name less obvious, but just go for Arnold imo- really not that bad- quite cool with oliver.

mathanxiety · 17/05/2011 23:08

I think Olddeuteronomy you are right about Arnold being the wave of the near future, with all the Alfies and Wilfreds, and Teds out there. Even Ernest is not unheard of, or Albert. I personally prefer Arnold over any of those (except maybe Ted).

olddeuteronomy · 17/05/2011 21:33

oops, new

olddeuteronomy · 17/05/2011 21:30

What about Arnaud?

I agree, nothing wrong with Arnold, it (and Arnie) will probably come back into fashion soon when a knew Alfie/Archie is sought so it will be quite cool.

VforViennetta · 17/05/2011 20:34

Can't see what would be so bad about Arnold, surely the child would find it more annoying being asked what the A stood for (not that it would be a regular issue).

A person I know called their child AJ, just AJ, I actually thought she was saying Adrian, which I thought was quite nice, the mind boggles.

COCKadoodledooo · 17/05/2011 20:10

Arnold is better than A!

Ihavewelliesbuttheyrenotgreen · 17/05/2011 18:16

I think that Arnold is fine as a mn. IMO mns are an opportunity to use names that you like but might not be brave enough to use as a first name.

mathanxiety · 17/05/2011 18:00

How about Arno (like the river in Italy) or Arnaud (pronounced the same, a French name)?

Names ending in O or an O sound are trendy now. (Milo, Hugo, Jago, Otto)

JanMorrow · 17/05/2011 17:20

oh god! no that's barmy.. so FIL didn't have a middle name? Arnold isn't a great name no but you can't have just an A!.. I'd gently steer him away from this bless him! How about Arn. Is that less offensive? Oliver Arn??

greenlime · 17/05/2011 14:04

Yes, sorry!

Just use Oliver Andrew - you both know Andrew means Arnold.

I should think that there may be quite substantial embarrassment caused by the middle name "A". DS2 will be having to make up a name just like DH had to!!

pranma · 17/05/2011 13:55

Arnold is that lovely little piglet on Kipper-sweet name

Original poster
MrsSawyer · 17/05/2011 13:49

allhailtheaubergine it is a lovely suggestion, thank you.

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squeaver · 17/05/2011 12:22

I know an Arnie and an Arne (also pronounced Arnie). It's quite a popular name now isn't it? Not like Jack etc, but certainly up there.

Or two middle names is fine.

allhailtheaubergine · 17/05/2011 12:17

My suggestion was brilliant.

Use Andrew which can stand for Arnold. Instead of A standing for Arnold.

MelinaM · 17/05/2011 12:17

Yes, 'A' is ridiculous! There are far more embarrassing names than Arnold!

Original poster
MrsSawyer · 17/05/2011 11:48

no, ninedragons it begins with an S, biblical masturbation fame eh? :)

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ninedragons · 17/05/2011 11:45

Your surname doesn't start with N, does it? Because his initials would be ONAN, of biblical masturbation fame (he's the one who spilleth his seed upon the ground)

Original poster
MrsSawyer · 17/05/2011 11:36

I did mrsb and jogon but he says "it wont, like norman or keith, some names are not destined to come back!" MIL doesnt want to know what we are having, so cant discuss it with her.

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