Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

I know most of you won't like this name, but that doesn't matter. What I need to know is...

72 replies

allhailtheaubergine · 18/09/2011 16:14

... are there any reasons I can't use it?

Any negative references or unfortunate initial sequence that I didn't notice. That sort of thing.

The name is Gilbert.

Middle names probably Merle Thomas (though the Thomas is undecided).

Surname - short and fairly usual.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
SanctiMoanyArse · 18/09/2011 17:43

(Also nice to see Merle, I had a teacher called Merle once, he was an isnpiration, lovely man)

SanctiMoanyArse · 18/09/2011 17:42

(but argh at Gilbert O Sullivan- I bet you can tell what my name is LMAO- bloody scary wrods to that song 'n all)

SanctiMoanyArse · 18/09/2011 17:42

I really like Gilbert, makes me come over all Anne of Green Gables

jumpingjackhash · 18/09/2011 17:40

Anyone see The Morgana Show?

RitaMorgan · 18/09/2011 17:39

I think Gilbert is definitely coming back into fashion.

Any name had teasing potential, and equally someone can be cool with any name. The most popular boy at my school was called Basil.

BalloonSlayer · 18/09/2011 17:38

As you asked...

When I hear the name Gilbert I think of Gilbert O'Sullivan. (Not Gilbert and Sullivan, though. Funny that.) Also "Gilbert the Guinea Pig" comes to mind. Where did I get that from I wonder? Tales of the Riverbank perhaps. If so then those two seventies throwbacks of mine need hardly worry you.

I always thought of Merl as being the man's name and Merle the womans. <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=merle+oberon&hl=en&sa=X&biw=1024&bih=649&tbm=isch&prmd=imvnso&tbnid=QaoTZmJj0Ubg6M:&imgrefurl=www.tvguide.com/celebrities/merle-oberon/165844&docid=rRGWgP-K-3I-aM&w=218&h=150&ei=Dh52Tqa7BJC48gOH_ISVBw&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=550&page=1&tbnh=119&tbnw=172&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:0&tx=120&ty=75" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Merle Oberon being a famous old movie star. But old is once again the word here.

I guess I am giving you the responses you will get from the old ladies at the bus stop. Grin

ShowOfHands · 18/09/2011 17:33

Gilbert is a bloody brilliant name.

PotteringAlong · 18/09/2011 17:28

I think it's a fab name - I associate it with Anne's husband in Anne of Green Gables; my first crush Blush

ArmageddonOuttahere · 18/09/2011 17:28

Makes me think of Gil Scott Heron i.e. Sub Zero Cool Grin

Collision · 18/09/2011 17:28

poor-boy

Bue · 18/09/2011 17:26

I loved it when Anne (of Green Gables) would call Gilbert Gil! Great nn.

missmiss · 18/09/2011 17:26

Love it.

Original poster
allhailtheaubergine · 18/09/2011 17:24

Alternatives to Thomas...

Gilbert Merle Gordon

Gilbert Merle John

Gilbert Merle Richard

Gilbert Merle Geoffrey

Gilbert Merle.. umm....

(For surname you can use Bing. It's not Bing but it works the same)

OP posts:
JennyPiccolo · 18/09/2011 17:19

I have a friend called gill, which is nice but it's short for gilleathain. Not too sure about gilbert.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 18/09/2011 17:10

Gil...veeeeeery cool :)

nodrog · 18/09/2011 17:07

Is Merle spelt right?

GloriaVanderbilt · 18/09/2011 16:56

Gorgeous, please do this or I'll need another baby to call it Smile

lchodge · 18/09/2011 16:55

I don't like it at all, really dislike the nn Bert/Bertie but can't see any negative references that could be made.
Well done you've found your name!
:)

lockets · 18/09/2011 16:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
allhailtheaubergine · 18/09/2011 16:52

What would you use instead of Thomas TummyTickler? I am undecided about Thomas.

1st son has [old man name] [unusual name] [traditional name] [surname] and Gilbert Merle Thomas [surname] sort of goes well with that.

OP posts:
LetThereBeRock · 18/09/2011 16:51

Merle,spelled that way,is a boy name to me. It makes me think of cowboys,and the country singer Merle Haggard. Actually I think there are a few male country singers named Merle.

comedaygoday · 18/09/2011 16:50

Gilbert is a great name. I think of Anne of the Green Gables. Can't think of any negative associations. I too thought Merle was a girl's name.

seeker · 18/09/2011 16:48

Gilbert Blythe from Ann of Green Gables! I had such a crush on him!

But Merle is most definitely a girl's name.

bonkers20 · 18/09/2011 16:47

I think it's fine. I associate it with rugby balls (good ones!).

LetThereBeRock · 18/09/2011 16:43

Well it's an awful name,but as that doesn't count then I can't think of many negative connotations.