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Baby names

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

Original poster

Colin?

67 replies

wonderingaboutnames · 16/01/2012 21:26

Pregnant with DS2.

My DFather passed away tragically just after we found out I was pg. V sudden. He did know about the pregnancy and was delighted though.

I'd really like to name DS2 after my dad. But my dad's name was Colin.

What do you think? He didn't have a middle name and we already double barrel (or I'd use his surname as a middle).

I can't think of any other names, whenever I try I keep coming back to Colin. But... it's what all the idiots on TV are called and nobody uses it now do they? I don't want DS2 to be mocked.

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Original poster
wonderingaboutnames · 16/01/2012 22:48

My dad didn't have a middle name, no.

His dad's name was Kenneth which I am not keen on, plus he (dad's dad), passed away before I was born so we never had a relationship.

I think it has to be Colin, because a name which is 'like' Colin wouldn't be my dad's name, you know?

I sort of agree about DH but he has conflicted feelings about his own dad. I think what would be better would be if we could put Peter 'in' DS1's name but I'm not sure you can add middle names and it might be confusing for DS1. I don't think we'll have any more children.

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MysteriousHamster · 16/01/2012 22:41

I think it's a little unfair of your husband to say it can only be your dad's name if it's his dad's name, and if not he hates Colin too much to use it at all. It can't be that bad if 'Peter' would make it okay, surely?

Is there a chance you might have another child one day who could take on his dad's name?

I think Colin will be fine for your little one. It makes me think of Colin Morgan from Merlin (excellent actor!)

saoifre · 16/01/2012 22:32

What about variants eg Colm or Callum or is Colin what it has to be?

Figgygal · 16/01/2012 22:31

My DH names Colin I say go for it!!

Figgyrolls · 16/01/2012 22:27

Did your dad have a middle name? could you use that? Or what about your dads dads name? Is there something else that links to your dad but indirectly? I am not keen on colin but I loved the Secret Garden and have just been happily reminded of it, alternatively is there another name in dh's family that could be used?

If you don't use the name, you will still be using him name in your surname and he will always still be a part of your dad through you Smile

DesertOrchid · 16/01/2012 22:17

I LOVE Colin. Long overdue a revival, I think :-)

I would check with your Mum, but I think Colin Peter is a classic, strong name. (reading back I'm not the only one to use those adjectives!)

rockinhippy · 16/01/2012 22:15

I'm sure he was wonder :) - I probably just met all the freaks by that name - lol

Original poster
wonderingaboutnames · 16/01/2012 22:13

Oh dear crosspost with rockinhippy - ok good to hear about MOST other Colins! My dad was lovely I promise :)

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Original poster
wonderingaboutnames · 16/01/2012 22:12

Trofast that's lovely :) I suppose I worry that DS1 will feel left out or it's unbalanced - I wish we'd given him the m/n Peter rather than give DS2 both but then again DH actively didn't want to use Peter before.

Good to hear about other Colins, as I think my dad was the only one I ever met!

Vickety yes I think you make a good point about calling out the name. Might upset my mum and uncle too maybe.

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rockinhippy · 16/01/2012 22:12

I can totally understand your reasons as regard your Dad & it being his name, but don't, jut don't - I've never known anyone named Colin who wasn't odd in all the worst ways, & I've known a few, I even have an ex by that name & to this day, despite it been over a decade later, I still shudder at the thought of him ever knowing where i live - so okay i'm probably a bit biasedBlush but it is IME of the 6 or more Colins I've personally known a name to avoid - appologies to your Dads name, but its one I personally really dislike

can you not twist it about a bit a make it a bit more modern & less white van man/noncy (gawd I've known some awful Colins Blush - Conil perhaps ??

Asinine · 16/01/2012 22:08

I had a great Uncle Col. I think it's a cool name. Peter Colin is PC as initial, not great if he joins the police Grin

TrofastTroslow · 16/01/2012 22:07

I think Colin/Peter go together really well, in fact I love both.

Don't think of it as a burden to your DS2, think of it as a gift. My DD is nearly 3 and is just starting to ask questions about who is who within the family. I have explained that my mummy was lovely and her name was XXX and because I love my DD so much I gave her that name too to show her how much I love her. I think she understands.

VickityBoo · 16/01/2012 22:06

Two in my close family called Colin. Smile

I'd like to name a boy (if we have one) after a close family member but personally couldn't cope with it as a first name. It would be too odd to call the name out, for me and other family, so for that reason I'd choose as a middle name.

Original poster
wonderingaboutnames · 16/01/2012 22:04

Thankyou so much for the kind words.

I'm 36 weeks so not long to make our minds up!

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Original poster
wonderingaboutnames · 16/01/2012 22:03

Problem is that DH has said that if we use Colin we should also use his father's name (Peter). Peter Colin? Colin Peter?

Two dead grandfather's names seems a bit of a burden on a little baby! I suppose we could try to think of something else so it's Something Colin Peter but then what about DS1?

Since seeing that link about Colin being related to Nicholas in the greek I'm thinking that that might work... Nicholas Colin? Doesn't sound right... How many syllables would go well with Colin as a mn?

Really don't want to use it as a mn BUT I can see that it makes the most sense to do so.

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BandOMothers · 16/01/2012 22:02

I like it too! Not one I would have thought of but while it's not been used popularly for a whle it's no "keith" or "Roger". It's a lovely name and an older one too. Classic and solid.

AfternoonNap · 16/01/2012 22:01

I do understand. I was clear from the day I got pg that I would be using my dad's name as part of my ds's. How long do you have to make this decision? My best advice would be to take the pressure off yourself right now and not dwell on it too deeply right now. Give yourself some space, a moment of calm and maybe leave the decision making til the time comes. You can always use Colin when the time comes but right now you're not able to make a clear decision so stop beating yourself up about it......Time, the old cliche, does give most things perspective.
And - so sorry to hear about your loss (I was such a daddy's girl and it gives me comfort now, not sadness, 29 years later). x

Caliphora · 16/01/2012 21:59

The dog in 'Spaced' was called Colin. Lovely name!

TrofastTroslow · 16/01/2012 21:57

Sorry, I see now you've already considered using it as a middle name. FWIW I think I prefer it as her middle name, its like its just between us, special.

aJumpedUpPantryBoy · 16/01/2012 21:56

I think its lovely, very underused

TrofastTroslow · 16/01/2012 21:56

Can you give DS2 Colin as a middle name? I've done thins with one of mine for the same reason, wanting to have a link to a dead parent. I love knowing that she has the name, even if it isn't her everyday name, its still there.

earlyriser · 16/01/2012 21:54

I really like Col as a nn, it is quite a strong sounding name, so you could go for Colin on the birth cert and use Col as an everyday name?

SparkleSoiree · 16/01/2012 21:53

I like Colin and know a couple of lovely Colins!

AgathaPinchBottom · 16/01/2012 21:52

Colin makes me think of the boy from ' the secret garden.' I loved that book! Go for it.

Original poster
wonderingaboutnames · 16/01/2012 21:49

Thankyou AfternoonNap. problem for me is right now I literally cannot think of any names apart from Colin! Ridiculous I know. I hear you 100% on your son having his 'own' first name. Perhaps I will think of something when DS2 arrives which fits him and will feel happier about Colin as a middle?

I just feel so strongly right now!

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