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Baby names

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

Original poster

Stanley? Honest opinions please

54 replies

HowardMoonsTinyEyes · 11/05/2012 10:40

Hello

My partner and myself really like the name Stanley but so far the reactions from the few people we've told has not been good - ranging from laughter to my sister gasping "how am I going to tell people my nephews name!" - I'm predicting the rest of my family will react the same Sad

I'm orginally from Ireland so Stanley is rare, and the only people my sister could relate it to were Stan from Laurie and Hardy and Cath Kidston's dog!

Honest opinions would be appreciated. Should I change due to these reactions?

H x

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Original poster
HowardMoonsTinyEyes · 11/05/2012 18:22

Thanks everyone for your opinions, really helpful to get a more balanced view.

Think we're gonna stick with Stanley, and hope everyone else grows to love it once the little fella is here x

OP posts:
Lannie33 · 11/05/2012 16:47

Not a huge fan myself but agree that who cares what anyone else thinks, if you love it go for it and in a few months everyone will just be thinking how adorable little Stanley is!!! My best friend's parents were horrified she named her DD Vienna, "a city and not a real name" and now love calling their little Vienna.

tummytickler · 11/05/2012 16:33

It's fine. Hardly eyebrow raising though. We know loads. Ds has 2 in his small reception class.
I agree it is good for a teenager. We know a teenage Stan - 'tis pretty cool.

freerangeeggs · 11/05/2012 15:58

When I first moved to SE England I would have thought anyone contemplating Stanley as a name was mad.

However, I now know two teenaged Stanleys and it works brilliantly on them - quirky without being weird. Stan is an unexpectedly cool nickname, too.

I would actually consider it myself now. I think you'll kick yourself if you don't use it, as it'll probably get more popular and you would have been an early adopter :P

WithACherryOnTop · 11/05/2012 14:49

I hate it.It's a very ungainly,ugly name imho.

Starshaped · 11/05/2012 13:25

I like it Smile

MyMelody · 11/05/2012 13:23

This is why you should never tell people your name choices or ask what they think!

I like it, there were 737 in England and Wales last year according to my app so not overused but not unheard of either.

carrielou2007 · 11/05/2012 13:22

Love it Smile I was stuck between Charlie and Archie and went with Archie and friend had her little boy 3 months later and chose Stanley and I love love love it. I had a lot of 'that's an old man's name' with Archie to which I replied 'yes it is a traditional name which I love' with a death stare grin Grin

I think if you love it and it is not outlandish or crazy spelling hey who cares if every other person in the whole world dislikes it if you love it and it is right for you then use it!

SoftSheen · 11/05/2012 13:18

I like it, but there do seem to be a lot of baby Stanleys around at the moment, so perhaps not the most original choice.

imogengladheart · 11/05/2012 13:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BeeInMyBonnet · 11/05/2012 13:13

Sorry no it's a bit drippy (imho).

PrimaBallerina · 11/05/2012 13:12

Very cool. I wanted it and got talked out of it and then was so Envy when an old friend used it after - made me realise just how great is is.

Grin at sounding a bit 2002 whoever said that - very specific!

YouFloatLikeAFeather · 11/05/2012 13:12

Don't like it at all, sorry. Old mannish and not in a cool way.

MummysLittleSunbeams · 11/05/2012 12:46

I've known 2 young Stanley's, I think it's cool.

squoosh · 11/05/2012 12:41

My parents think all children should be called Neil or Ruth.

Have courage in your convictions!

Kaekae · 11/05/2012 12:40

No not keen, very chavvy in my opinion. Sorry to those who hate that description but it is how I feel.

thing1andthing2 · 11/05/2012 12:27

I thought it was already super popular? Maybe I'm wrong but there are lots of little stanleys in my circle of acquaintances (well, I know at least 3).

millpond · 11/05/2012 12:24

i know a little boy (about 3 year old) called Stanley, i really didn't like it when his parents told me his name as a baby. ithought it sounded like an old mans name...but now I like it and Stan is a great nn.

crumpet · 11/05/2012 12:22

seemed to be a popular name about 10 years ago (as well as about 60 years ago!). Will it sound a bit 2002?

PercyFilth · 11/05/2012 12:10

I can't see what's wrong with it. It's almost always abbreviated to Stan in older generations, and you hardly ever hear them use the full name, so Stanley isn't really an "old man's name" to my ears. If he didn't want to be Stan, he could use Lee as a nn.

madasahattermummy · 11/05/2012 11:01

love it ! very cute for baby but defo great as a mans name too !

BBQJuly · 11/05/2012 10:56

It's too "old man" faddy for me.

squoosh · 11/05/2012 10:54

People are much more conventional when it comes to baby naming in Ireland. If it's a name you love go for it and to hell with the naysayers!

LexieSinclair · 11/05/2012 10:53

I love it. I think Stan makes a cool nn too. Smile

typicalvirgo · 11/05/2012 10:49

There is a Stanley in my class. At first I thought it was a bit odd but I quite like it now.

I think Stan would be quite cool for a teenager.

I wouldn't change it. If its what you like go for it.

And CK dog ??? do you care... really ???