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Baby names

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Original poster

Is the middle name Barry too cruel?

55 replies

PrettyInDecadence · 20/06/2012 22:36

DH has just announced that he would like this DC to have his father's name as a middle name if a boy. It is Barry. Would we be too cruel to burden bestow a child with this name?

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Idreamof · 22/06/2012 23:48

As a middle name for family tradition, Ok then. Needs something else good before last name though.

PorkyandBess · 22/06/2012 23:26

I forgot the crucial bit re my cousin Barry! That he is, unhappily, single.

CrumpettyTree · 22/06/2012 21:51

OP you've made it clear that you really don't like the name. I would feel the same way. Maybe start thinking of other ways to honour your FIL?

PorkyandBess · 22/06/2012 20:57

My cousin is a 40yr old Barry.

Good looking, solvent, great job, kind, non-weird.

I am convinced his name has done him no favours.

Original poster
PrettyInDecadence · 22/06/2012 20:29

I don't know why I dislike it so much, it's just very dated and, it would seem, it goes with absolutely none of our chosen first names! Ah well, no one has to know Wink.

Barrington is an amazing name!

OP posts:
SPsFanjoHarboursDeadCats · 22/06/2012 20:17

I had things said because I gave my son.Matthew as one of his middle names. Doesn't matter what anyone thinks.

bouncysmiley · 22/06/2012 20:15

Yes but who uses middle names really?

hubbahubster · 22/06/2012 19:54

My DH is Barrie. Grim as a first name, gets shortened to the harsh 'Baz'. But as a middle name, I think it's OK although not something I'd pick.

Bottom line is, if you don't like it then don't be pressured into using it. If however you are absolutely delighted to honour your FIL in that way then go for it.

nizlopi · 22/06/2012 19:05

Its a middle name in honor of a family member. Fuck the haters.

YoulllaughAboutItOneDay · 22/06/2012 18:51

Agree Percy. Can you imagine the discussion. "We've named him Alexander Harry after you Dad". "But my name is Barry." "Err,yes, we changed it a bit". Confused.

Emandlu · 22/06/2012 18:51

Surely the point of middle names is for kids to try to stop their friends finding out what they are at all costs? Grin It's not like you'll be using it a lot as it'll be his middle name.
Also, what on earth is wrong with the name Barry? The Barrys I know are lovely kind men that I would love my boy to turn out like.

PercyFilth · 22/06/2012 18:47

If the intention is to honour a family member by naming a child after them, then you give the child their name. Not a different name.

There's nothing wrong with Barry, it's a good strong name.

YoulllaughAboutItOneDay · 22/06/2012 18:24

I am amazed at the strength of feeling on middle names. Middle names mean nothing in the grand scheme of things. I can think of people I've known 20 years where I couldn't tell you their middle name. I think Barry after your FIL would be lovely.

AgathaTrunchbull · 22/06/2012 17:48

I have an idea: I think Barry can be a diminutive of Finbarr. What about that?

FunnysInLaJardin · 22/06/2012 17:06

I know a 6yo Barry, named after his father. Not overly keen TBH

turningvioletviolet · 22/06/2012 17:05

my dad's name was Barry, short for Barrington (which was actually his middle name). We gave ds that as a middle name - dfather died while i was pregnant with ds. So ds is X (classic English name) Barrington - i think it goes really well and is a lovely reminder of my father.

babyblabber · 22/06/2012 16:40

What's wrong with Barry?!!! What am I missing? Perfectly normal name in my opinion.

chipmonkey · 22/06/2012 13:50

Hadn't realised Barry was so out of favour! It's actually quite a nice name.

HalleLouja · 22/06/2012 13:34

What's his first name? My FIL who passed away his first name was Trevor so we went for a variation of his middle name. MIL was chuffed.

WithACherryOnTop · 22/06/2012 13:32

I actually like Barry slightly more than Harry,not that I'm a huge fan of Barry,but I've never understood why the latter is so popular.

CrumpettyTree · 22/06/2012 13:30

:o

SillyBeardyDaddyman · 22/06/2012 13:26

As long as your last name isn't island it'll be fine Grin

CrumpettyTree · 22/06/2012 13:22

Or you could say "Yes I would love to honour your father by using the name Barry. Let's make it slightly more ancient though by changing the first letter to H."

PercyFilth · 22/06/2012 13:16

:o at the idea of a name as ancient as Harry being an "update"

CrumpettyTree · 22/06/2012 12:40

Could you say "Yes I would love to honour your father by using the name Barry. Let's update it slightly though by changing the first letter to H."