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Baby names

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

Original poster

Hopefully my final name post, what do you think of "Elvin"?

68 replies

honeytea · 05/11/2012 13:28

I have posted so many times, I think we have found our baby boy's name.

The name is Elvin, it's celtic meaning is elfish or elf friend, it's scandinavian meaning is 11th. We call my bump Elfie and I was tempted to actually call lthe baby Elfie but I'm not sure he would be pleased as an adult. He is also my DP's parent's 11th grandchild.

It's a pretty rare name in the UK 8 babies were claled Elvin in 2010. It's in the top 100 Swedish baby names, it was 90th last year but only 119 babies were called Elvin so the chance of him meeting another Elvin are fairly small.

I wanted an unusual name as my name is very common and I hated being in a class with loads of Amys, but I didn't really want to give him a name that was compleatly made up.

We are still not 100% decided I'd love to hear opinions both good and bad :)

And thank you for all the feedback on this name and the others we have considered :)

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Frikadellen · 10/11/2012 19:01

I dont mind it nor do I love it but I wouldnt think oh heavens if I was told a child/man was called it.

When I saw title I thought Eldin (I know a Eldin) then I thought oh no thats my friend...

chinley · 09/11/2012 22:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 09/11/2012 22:33

Don't like it - but it is better than both Alvin and Elvis, I suppose.

DinosaursOnASpaceship · 09/11/2012 19:40

My first though was "Simon... Theodore!"

But then I read the bit about being in Sweden and got distracted by the list of acceptable baby names. Do they really have a list? How many names are on the list?

LuckyOwl28 · 09/11/2012 19:33

Its unusual without being too over the top. I like the meanings too. Go for it!

Ephiny · 09/11/2012 17:46

I don't like it, sorry. Just seems a bit silly and lightweight to me somehow, and not like a proper name. Maybe it's perceived differently in Sweden though. You're going to get a predominantly UK/English-speaking view on MN obviously.

Alvin is slightly better IMO. Or what about Elwyn?

Goldchilled7up · 06/11/2012 22:42

I don't like it, sorry!

Ham69 · 06/11/2012 22:39

There's definitely something about it I like.

mummabug · 06/11/2012 22:36

Chipmunks?

themammy73 · 06/11/2012 22:22

My husband absolutely loves this name and it would have been in his top 3 boys' names consistently but we haven't used it.. yet (mostly due to having girls). His connection with it comes from the American drummer Elvin Jones (who also had brothers called Thaddeaus and Hank) and he was a pretty cool guy. I would say to go for it!

Rhubarbgarden · 06/11/2012 22:12

I quite like it actually. I feel that I shouldn't - elves are not an association I would choose myself, and yet I think it's rather nice.

I do have a weakness for all things Scandi though.

PelvicFloorClenchReminder · 06/11/2012 00:46

There was an Elvin in The Cosby Show, who was married to Sondra. He was something of a misogynist fool, until Clare showed him the error of his ways, so if it's alright with the Huxtables, it's alright with me.

Viviennemary · 06/11/2012 00:22

Sorry it's just dire. Please don't.

Cezella · 05/11/2012 22:44

Where I live in Wales it's actually quite a common name, the spelling is Elfyn but pronunciation is the same- I'd say I probably know about six

rrreow · 05/11/2012 16:57

I like it! Irrespective of you being in Sweden or in the UK.

Puremince · 05/11/2012 15:09

You're in Sweden, so it's fine. If you come back here, then explaining that it's a Swedish name stops it from being seen as unusual.

ChippingInLovesAutumn · 05/11/2012 15:03

Just as an aside - I could not live in Sweden, I would, not cope in a society where you had an approved names list.

Sorry, I don't like the name either, but if you do and it's not 'odd' in Sweden, then go for it.

AimForTheMoon · 05/11/2012 15:02

I like it and i like your reasons behind it. would you like Elwood as it means from the ancient forest and has elvish conotations? nothing wrong with elves as far as I am aware.
Alfie is a lovely name too but far too 'popular' IYGWIM.

ladymia · 05/11/2012 14:59

that changes my opinion then if that's how you spell it in Sweden. If you like the name go for it! :)

Original poster
honeytea · 05/11/2012 14:59

I'm glad you said that Lisaro, I was going to say the eqivalent of names such as Jayden and Kayden but I didn't want to offend anyone!

I'm British, DP is Swedish and we live in Sweden, DS will be (hopfully) bilingual but he will go to school in Sweden and possibly University in the UK but by the time he is 18 I hope he will be confident enough to choose friends that don't tease him about his name.

OP posts:
lisaro · 05/11/2012 14:55

Haha, honeytea the 'naughty names here are things like Jayden and kayden. I didn't realise you lived in Sweden. It's highly unlikely he will get the teasing then if it is more common there. I still think its's an unattractive name, but it may be different with a Swedish accent.

DorisIsWaiting · 05/11/2012 14:51

I have a slightly off the wall suggestion DH loved it but it was too out there for me but it might work in swedish.

Balin (sanskrit) Powerful, strong; robust (Aslo one of the dwarfs from JRR Tolkein)

Original poster
honeytea · 05/11/2012 14:48

I like Alfie, but names ending in a "ie" or "y" sound are seen in Sweden as names that a naughty young man would have.

OP posts:
bigkidsdidit · 05/11/2012 14:46

My DS is Albert which was number 130 the year he was born, I think.

ChickensHaveNoEyebrows · 05/11/2012 14:45

I like Elfyn.

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