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Baby names

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

Original poster

Calling a boy 'Kim'

62 replies

halfdoneharris · 19/03/2012 15:41

I quite like the idea of calling my DS Kim after the Rudyard Kipling novel, but my DH thinks this is too much of a girls name nowadays.

Do you think Kim is acceptable for a boy - and if not can anyone suggest some equally short spunky english names not in the top 10?

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BadRoly · 20/03/2012 13:30

I know 2 Kims and they are both men in their 40's now. Both are lovely blokes and mean I associate the name Kim as a very positive male name Smile

Original poster
halfdoneharris · 20/03/2012 13:28

Yep - Kimberley is definitely a girls name and in the same realm of Marian, Shirley and Vivian...but I can't help but think that the shortened 'Kim' is a bit different.

In regards to all the hot male Kim's out there - maybe the boys have to work a bit harder to get the ladies if they have an androgynous name. After all Kelly Jones from the Stereophonics is hot AND talented!

Not sure if I am vair vair posh but I do live in an affluent part of the home counties so I think I might get away with that one too - even though it would be going to the local comprehensive!

OP posts:
redrubyshoes · 20/03/2012 11:40

I knew a male Kimberly. He is in his fifties, that is a girl's name!

ripsishere · 20/03/2012 11:38

What's his name Ben10?

Ben10HasFinallyLeftTheBuilding · 20/03/2012 10:54

Do you all know my uncle?! He is around 42 and is vair vair good looking Grin

SodoffBaldrick · 20/03/2012 06:39

I knew a Kim once, he'd be in his 40s now; knew him in his late 20s/early 30s. Drop dead gorgeous.

For some reason, men with names like Kim and Kelly seem to end up being very, very good looking... Hmm

oikopolis · 19/03/2012 23:42

unless you are vair vair posh indeed, i think it would have enormous teasing potential since it has really become a girls' name.

I know a male Ashley in the US who was tortured for his name in the 90s, for example.

GRW · 19/03/2012 20:40

My friend has a 16 year old son called Kim, and I really like it, and have never met another one.

AmberNectarine · 19/03/2012 20:27

I knew a male Kim when I was a teen and he was HOT. Not really helpful or terribly relevant, but we certainly didn't relate his name to his masculinity which was evident

MadameChinLegs · 19/03/2012 20:21

Kit
Hal
Gus

FilterCoffee · 19/03/2012 20:15

James (Jim)
Timothy (Tim)
Daniel (Dan)
Samuel (Sam)

EBDteacher · 19/03/2012 19:25

I went through this phase with Evelyn (after Waugh) and Yves.

Think Kit or Cam would be a good compromise (as nn for proper boys names in case DS doesn't like them).

Or could Kim be short for something definitely masculine?

rachel234 · 19/03/2012 19:25

I think Kim is fine for a boy, in fact I think it sounds very masculine ( I don't like it as a girls name). I know one who is about age 25 and it suits him.

Alternatively, how about Quinn? Or Tim?

DonInKillerHeels · 19/03/2012 19:17

I think it's OK, but it's pretty old-fashioned. I only know one and he's in his early fifties.

memphis83 · 19/03/2012 19:13

It is my name and growing up used to get told my name was a boys name, I didnt meet a girl with my name until I was about 15, I much prefer it for a boy than a girl! (I also love Kimi for a boy)

Dovahkiin · 19/03/2012 19:08

Kim is the surname, Jong Il is the first name. As long as you avoid Jong Il you should be fine, though it doesn't seem to worry the hundred Korean kids I teach who have exactly the same name as the North Korean chappy...

TheMonster · 19/03/2012 19:07

No. No way. No.

Bue · 19/03/2012 19:06

I prefer Kim for a boy. The only ones I know/know of are 50ish though.

OneLittleBabyTerror · 19/03/2012 18:52

Sorry Kim to me is as bad as Hitler.

puzzletree · 19/03/2012 18:51

I know an adult male Kim. I think it does annoy him that people always assume he's female, but I do like it myself.
Alternative short names: Kit, Rex, Ned, Sol?

Catsmamma · 19/03/2012 18:46

I think Kim for a boy is fine.....for some reason I see it as dutch/african no idea where that comes from though! I'd totally miss the Korean connection.

PercyFilth · 19/03/2012 18:44

From the same stable as Kim, based on people I have known -

Guy
Hugh
Giles

lisaro · 19/03/2012 18:14

Great name for an oppressive leader, otherwise no.

SowsEar · 19/03/2012 18:11

I love the name Kim for a boy

Beans1977 · 19/03/2012 18:10

I was at school with a boy called Kim and he was very good looking and all the girls were after him - regardless of his name!