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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Finley - How many do you know? What kind of boys are they? Where are they from?

35 replies

puddle2 · 18/06/2011 08:17

As title says really! I like the name - people say it's getting popular but not more than Jack, Oliver, Thomas type names I'd say. So ...

How many do you know?
Where are they from?
What type of boy are they?

Nb. 'type of boy' q is because I'm a teacher and certain names are often attached to certain types of children. Big generalisation I know!

OP posts:

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EmilyHallow · 18/06/2011 22:48

I've never heard it for a girl before, Rosie! Interesting though :)

typsical · 18/06/2011 22:48

I know one Finley and he is adorable and from a lovely family :)

Also, I have an Oliver, and I love his name! When he was born, a teacher asked me what I had called him, and when I told her she said 'ahhh, good choice, Olivers are lovely'

RosieMapleLeaf · 18/06/2011 22:39

I only know one. She's 5, super cute! :)

BikeRunSki · 18/06/2011 22:36

I know loads, maybe 7or 8 between 2-8.
Wide socio-economic spectrum. One is the sweetest, politest boy you could ever wish to meet. One is horrible. The others are variable.
West Yorks and Bristol

duckdodgers · 18/06/2011 22:30

My DS3 is called Finlay, and Im in the West of Scotland. Surprisingly I dont know any more at all, its 1 of my favourite 3 boys names in the world.

bananamom · 18/06/2011 21:41

I know of a few only. Not anywhere near as popular as Oliver, Joshua, Charlie, Jack, Thomas etc.
In Scotland it is much more popular I think (seeing as it's Scottish!).

The few that I know are children of teachers so I guess that makes them middle-class? Don't think it really matters; it's a nice name.

EmilyHallow · 18/06/2011 21:34

Really? Oliver and Thomas are by far the most popular here. Some of DS1's (7 years old) friends off the top of my head: Ollie, Oliver, Nick, Ben, Ben, Matthew, William, Lucas, Rory, Oscar, Jake, Jake, Tom, Thomas, Alex, Fin, Kevin.
Two Olivers, two Bens, two Jakes, two Thomases, one Fin :)

oooggs · 18/06/2011 21:18

In the town I live it is the most popular name spelt Finlay or Finley often shortening to Finn or Fin.

I know 10 under 8 spread between 2 schools

Much more than Jack, Oliver or Thomas (probably put togther)

dustyhousewithdustypeople · 18/06/2011 21:11

We know 2, one quite posh, the other, er, not.

lechatnoir · 18/06/2011 21:06

I know 1 Finn (age 5, Kent, blond, cheeky, lovely) and 1 Finlay (ditto!)
I wanted it for DS2 but DH wouldn't agree so we have an Oscar (of which I know 2 others one 11yrs & the other 3yrs). Oh, and DS1 is the only Harry in his entire school!

Ivortheengine8 · 18/06/2011 19:56

There is one at our toddler group and Finley the Fire Engine.
I think it is quite a middle class sounding name. I think it is quite nice.

Clary · 18/06/2011 19:48

I know a fair number if I include all Finns, Finlays and Finleys together. Maybe 7 or 8 aged between 6 and 12. I definitely know more boys called Oliver and James.

All are from the nice middle-class area where we live - most are nice tho one is one of the less pleasant lads at school. Equally one (DS1's pal) is one of the nicest boys I have ever met - very polite and sensible. He's Finn tho.

rachel234 · 18/06/2011 16:12

It has certainly become more popular over the past 5 years or so, and we know three under the age of 7yrs. You need to add up all the Fin & Finn names to get a true reflection of its popularity imo.

mumoftoomany · 18/06/2011 16:08

I know 3 Fins and assume they are Finlay/Finleys. I also know a Finn, short for Finnian. What type of boy - not sure, seem like normal boys to me.

tammytoby · 18/06/2011 14:51

I know a lot of Fins/Finns especially if you add up all the Finlays, Finleys, Finnians, Fintons etc. About five years ago I didn't know a single one, so I too feel it is a very 'trendy'/'fashionable' name that may start to date once people tire of it. Personally I'd choose a name that isn't already used by thousands others - to me that is the point of naming someone/something imo.

EmilyHallow · 18/06/2011 14:19

Oh Finley Alexander or Finley Oliver would be lovely :)

BertieBasset · 18/06/2011 14:05

I know a Finlay, a Finn, a Finley and a Fynn. All 2 or under, and I don't know that many children.

All "normal" kids from average families

Original poster

puddle2 · 18/06/2011 14:02

I was expecting people to say they knew hundreds - everyone always comments on here about how common/popular it it. I was always one of 3 or 4 with my name at school and it never bothered me at all, so don't really mind if there is another one in his class. I've had classes with only 1 child with a so called common name, but 2 or 3 with more unusual names - you really can't judge can you.

WearegoingonaKwazihunt
Honestly! Do you really think I would treat a Kieran, Lewis or Connor (sorry to owners of boys with these names but I've only ever taught pains with these names!) any differently to how I would treat an Oliver or Hugo?! Names do conjure up images............think Adolf, Dora (the explorer), Elton etc. I'm not stupid - my child's behaviour will reflect how I bring him up not be down to the name I give him. I was just wondering what first impressions of this name were.

EmilyHallow - Id rather not reveal my surname, but middle name is likely to be Harry, Jack, Thomas, Alexander, Oscar or Oliver.

OP posts:

websticks · 18/06/2011 13:10

I know 1 and he is beautiful! Sat on my knee now, he is 5 months. I live in manchester and its not very popular here, i am also a teacher and have only ever taught 1 many years ago.
My Finley is very Smiley and a cheeky monkey we call him Finn most.

EmilyHallow · 18/06/2011 13:02

I love it, considered it for DS2 but settled on Logan as Finley is gaining popularity fast. I know several Finley/Finlays, almost all shortened to Fin/Finn. What middle name and last name would it go with?

AngryBeaver · 18/06/2011 13:02

blonde

AngryBeaver · 18/06/2011 13:01

We have one. He is 3,curly blond mop,big blue eyes..looks cherubic.
Is a monkey!! There is one more in his nursery class.
We let the midwife choose his name as she saved his life at the birth

Jojay · 18/06/2011 12:57

I know a couple.

One is about 8, Thai Mum, English dad. Nice, slightly alternative type people.

The other is a Fynn - he lives in Canada with Canadian mum and English Dad, and must be about 8 too. Again, really nice, intelligent, slightly alternative type people.

it's a good name

CharlieBoo · 18/06/2011 12:54

To me it's a fashion name, but that's just me. I know 2, both under 2. I think it's a name that will cross most classes but most I know are w/c if that helps. It's funny because I just got back from holiday and I think most names now cover most classes. Some real posh types there whose kids were called what I have seen described on here as Chav names and vice versa.

iMemoo · 18/06/2011 12:51

I know 6!!

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