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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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slowshow · 17/05/2011 11:34

Ridiculous, yes. Make him see sense!

mrsbabookaloo · 17/05/2011 11:33

Just because Arnold was embarassing for your DH as a child doesn't mean it will be now. I think you should point that out to your DH. Grandad and Grandma names are all the rage. There will be tons of Albert, Elsie, Nora, Erics as a first name, never mind a middle name when your new DS is at school.

Original poster
MrsSawyer · 17/05/2011 11:33

I was toying with the idea of Oliver Nathan (DH's fav name) Arnold Surname, that way we can baptise him with the name Arnold in it and it can be used on forms and such like and DH will know its in there but not actually used - madness or genius?

OP posts:
CandiceMariePratt · 17/05/2011 11:32

How about Oliver Roland? Roland is an anagram of Arnold

SenoritaViva · 17/05/2011 11:31

Listen to your gut (and definitely not his!)

Jogonjill · 17/05/2011 11:31

When your DH was a boy, the fashion was for a different kind of name. Our generation of children are growing up with all sorts of 'grandad' names, which Arnold will fit in with perefectly, and therefore no teasing will ensue! I know all sorts of Alfreds, Percys, Alberts, etc, and Arnold is a name with a very similar feel.

allhailtheaubergine · 17/05/2011 11:30

Why not call him Oliver Andrew and your loon of a DH can secretly know that the Andrew stands for Arnold.

wheniwishuponastar · 17/05/2011 11:28

can't you just have a name beginning with A, then the A will be the continuation. Alex, Adam, etc.

Original poster
MrsSawyer · 17/05/2011 11:26

no, this is yesterday, he was Arnold, Arnie for short.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsSawyer · 17/05/2011 11:26

HULLY, i had to laugh as that was my first thought, but DH really is quite sensitive.

OP posts:
thisisyesterday · 17/05/2011 11:24

does FIL not have any other useable names?

Original poster
MrsSawyer · 17/05/2011 11:24

i quite like Arnold and havent objected to it at all, and i know my mil will be so touched. Since FIL died, DH is now quite proud of the name, but sees it as a source of ridicule for a young 'un at school. FIL didnt have a middle name. His father was also Arnold.

Oliver Arnie sounds like the song "olivers army" :)

DH is quite sensitive and i need a way to say to him, "god no", but in a nice way.

OP posts:
Mamaz0n · 17/05/2011 11:21

Why would he need to discuss his middle name. it is very rarely used.

either use arnold or something completly different, but A is daft and would cause even more embarrassment i am sure

Hullygully · 17/05/2011 11:20

loon

Fimbo · 17/05/2011 11:19

Bonkers, completely Bonkers. Reality is how many people actually ever ask for your middle name? How about Arnie instead?

manicbmc · 17/05/2011 11:19

How about 'Arnie'? Grin

Checkmate · 17/05/2011 11:19

What about Arnie as a middle name? Or FIL's middle name?

IngridBergman · 17/05/2011 11:19

I think you go with the name or you don't. If your DH is embarrassed about it or hates it then I think it's definitely ridiculous to use it like that...either reclaim the name, or ditch it entirely.

No one will know his middle name anyway in everyday life. Does DH's late father have another name you could use instead?

Checkmate · 17/05/2011 11:19

Yes, bordering on the ridiculous.

lockets · 17/05/2011 11:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sheeplikessleep · 17/05/2011 11:18

FWIW, i quite like arnold

sheeplikessleep · 17/05/2011 11:18

a letter for a middle name? agree with you, he'd have to permanently explain it!

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