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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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Daya · 19/03/2012 17:23

Kit is much nicer.

I think most the Kim's in the world are women in their late 30's.

Original poster
halfdoneharris · 19/03/2012 17:22

...not trying to change all of your minds but Kim (male) is short for Kimball which according to my very quick online search means:

Kimball as a boy's name is pronounced KIM-bul. It is of Celtic origin, and the meaning of Kimball is "war leader". Variant of a medieval given name.

Does that make it any better? Hmm

OP posts:
squoosh · 19/03/2012 17:06

I know a male Kim, I think it's ok. Bound to get the odd comment though I'm sure.

In the category of 'Names That Are Associated With Girls But Have Historically Also Been Boys Names' there are far worse. e.g.

Vivian
Shirley
Marian
Lindsay
Lesley
Beverley

Original poster
halfdoneharris · 19/03/2012 17:05

Haha, well i'm not sure the name of the Kim Jong Il would put me off, otherwise I would have to remove Joseph (i.e. Stalin) from my list too. Plus the surname would be Harris so doesn't quite have the same North Korean ring to it.

Although Adolf isn't on my list!

I guess I don't mind the boy girl thing that much as my brother is a Nick who is soon to marry a Nicky!...maybe a will have another think. I do like Kit and Zac(h) though Another

OP posts:
CecilyP · 19/03/2012 16:39

Both male Kims that I have known would be in their 50's now. Both were the opposite of posh.

LaTristesse · 19/03/2012 16:35

I know an adult one who married a female Kim. Which is odd..

ripsishere · 19/03/2012 16:35

Kimi sounds like a Japanese girl.
What about Tim?

TimothyClaypoleLover · 19/03/2012 16:33

I know one male Kim - he is in his late forties. So it is acceptable as a boys name but more generally thought of as a girl's name.

NettoSuperstar · 19/03/2012 16:30

Kim, no, Kimi (after Raikkonen), absolutely.

ripsishere · 19/03/2012 16:28

I've a friend called Kim. He's around 45 and vair vair posh.
How about Dunc(an) Ade(rian) or Gav(in)?

nizlopi · 19/03/2012 16:26

Like Kim Jong Il?

No, just... just no. Please don't do that.

Another1makes4 · 19/03/2012 16:25

I know a boy named Kim though I think its actually his middle name but he prefers it to his first name. It took a bit of getting used to as I always think Kim is a girls name, but it suits him. Personally I wouldnt use it myself though.

Other 1 syllable boys names:
Seth
Gabe
Kit
Beau
Zac
John Smile