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Baby names

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

Original poster

Which names are would you consider 'too posh/try-hard/odd' to be used?

433 replies

AKMD · 25/07/2011 13:40

Having seen a few names pop up which, when read out to my office colleagues, have caused great hilarity, I was wondering which names poeple on MN generally consider too posh/try hard/odd to be passed off in RL. I absolutely love Arabella but have been told that DH and I aren't posh enough to use it :( Ditto Lucinda.

I have to admit I did laugh at Mungo. Sorry to any Mungos/parents of Mungos out there!

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mumanator · 26/07/2011 21:44

I think that the need to have an 'original' name rather than a well-worn old name such as George or Mary etc. is all part of the 'cult of individuality' which places personal happiness above all else. It signifies to the world that your child is soooo special that a mere normal name simply won't do for your spectatcular child. I'm not sure it is an indicator of a healthy society that everyone is fighting to be different!

Rainydaze · 26/07/2011 21:43

Just read up and see that my foot's firmly in my mouth. I'm sorry, lockets. I should have read your posts when I saw your question. Blush

doesntfitin · 26/07/2011 21:43

I think Rex is a great name

everlong · 26/07/2011 21:42

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Rainydaze · 26/07/2011 21:41

Because it's terribly pretentious. "King" - 'nuff said!

Besides, it's a dog's name, along with Butch and Spike!

There are plenty of great names out there. The family didn't need to resort to Rex for the little lad! It's setting him up for a lifetime of embarrassment.

lockets · 26/07/2011 21:40

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everlong · 26/07/2011 21:39

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CDMforever · 26/07/2011 21:38

AKMD we named our longed for daughter Arabella.
It was a name I have always loved. DH didn't but I wore him down eventually!
Someone described it as an "aspirational" name, which is fine because I do have high aspirations for her.
I think the name is truly beautiful and lots of people have commented on it in a positive way. When she was born there were no other Arabellas but I think it has started to become a little bit more popular recently. So get in there quick!
I even saw it on Cbeebies birthday time!
Generally she gets called Bella although I do make an effort to call her by her full name.
If you love the name, stuff what anyone else has to say.
PS God help anybody that dares to call her Arab!

lockets · 26/07/2011 21:37

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Greythorne · 26/07/2011 21:31

Cherry
I like trad names and slightly foreign names:

Laurence
Edward
Raphael

Alicia
Lucia
Anastasia

ChocolateIsAFoodGroup · 26/07/2011 21:29

lockets but wait till I tell you that I'm married to... an American... whose name is completely unpronouncable (bwa ha ha.... goes off to claim special mumsnet prize..... or to go and do something more constructive with time....)

cherrysodalover · 26/07/2011 21:25

greyhorn.....what names do you like? i think that reveals more. i like all the names on your list so just curious?

Rainydaze · 26/07/2011 21:25

I know a family who've named their DCs:
Tyger (pronounced "Tiger")
Rex
Dido
I genuinely feel sorry for them. One little boy already has a hard time in the playground.

lockets · 26/07/2011 21:19

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ChocolateIsAFoodGroup · 26/07/2011 21:12

Well, where do we stand, then?!

So far we have: DS (Jack - achingly unposh, right? in fact, a bit common, innit Grin)

And DD: Margot Elizabeth (which is apparently too reminiscent of the Penelope Keith character in that show.)

So what are we? Common or posh - I'll leave it to the MN jury to decide....

lockets · 26/07/2011 21:11

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TheSecondComing · 26/07/2011 21:04

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EllenJaneisnotmyname · 26/07/2011 20:45

I knew a 'posh' family in the 70's, brothers called Crispin, Julian, Lucien and Simon. We knew they were posh because they were the only family in the entire village to go to a private school! Grin Poor old Simon dipped out, though on the posh name front.

lockets · 26/07/2011 20:42

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lockets · 26/07/2011 20:41

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JoInScotland · 26/07/2011 20:37

Augustus. One of my best friends fell in love with this name and was determined to use it- baby would have been Augusta if he had been a girl. I guess he will be the only one in school, particularly since they have moved from the US to the country of Georgia. I suppose it would seen "try hard" in Britain, but it is so much better than the -aydon names topping the charts and tons of Alfies, Archies, etc?

superjobee · 26/07/2011 20:36

i knew as i wrote it it didnt make 100% sense but its the sophie giraffe toy for teething Grin

PipFEH · 26/07/2011 20:35

I am called Philippa and have two Bugaboos - no Sophie la Giraffe though! I know several Ruperts! I am NOT posh (and find people who refer to themselves as posh a bit unposh really). My hubby works in a profession that is overwhelmingly populated by public school boys (though he went to a comp) and most of them are called John, Alex and Will, peppered with the odd aforementioned Rupert! In fact there are 4 John's in our little circle and we call them by their last names to differeniate! We went through the contacts list on his iphone for baby name inspiration and found it an utterley dull and fruitless task! Most of his colleagues appear to call their children top 10 names - Harry, Charlie and more Isabellas/Isabelles than I can tot up!

StayFrosty · 26/07/2011 20:19

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JoanofStark · 26/07/2011 20:12

I understand people choose name for their DC because they love them, but surely the opinions of other people matter as it's the child who has to live with the name. Giving a pompous (for example) name could be a real problem throughout a person's life. It doesn't seem fair to me.

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