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Baby names

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

Original poster

Emmanuel??

35 replies

sw11mumofone · 17/02/2013 17:25

I have posted on here before but am still trying to find an alternative to Samuel or Oscar as am concerned about their popularity.
So what does everyone think about Emmanuel? I've toyed with Fabian and Xavier but have gone off them. I love Laurence but DH doesn't.
So should I just stick with Samuel or Oscar and resign myself to potential DS being one of five in his class??
I've been going round in circles for months but keep thinking about comments like "don't forget why you name a child - to identify them - so why would you give them a name that hundreds of others kids will have"
HELP!!!

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zingally · 20/02/2013 17:49

I recently taught a 5 year old Emmanuel. Family were very religious, hence the churchy name, they told me.

Nice kid though, and one of the most boyish boys you could ever wish to meet. Not feminine at all to me.

Original poster
sw11mumofone · 19/02/2013 20:58

Cheesestraw - we have a Benjamin in the family so Benedict is a no-go. And not sure I like Lysander

Bue - your posts made me laugh!!

I love Laurence and really love Laurie as a nn but DH doesn't like either! :-(

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ComposHat · 19/02/2013 15:23

Laurie or Lawrence I quite like,

Laurie Lee the author and Laurie Taylor the academic/broadcaster are both (or were in the case of the former) adult Lauries.

Lawrence is the name of the singer in one of my favourite bands so I think I am predisposed to liking it.

rtc8608 · 19/02/2013 14:52

I knew an Emmanuel who was known as Manny. I'm not that keen on it - reminds me of the Manny from the Ice Age films...

I prefer Oscar and Samuel on your list. I don't think you need to worry about them being too popular as they aren't up there in the top 10. I know kids with the names that were in the top 10 when they were born who have only one or two other children with the same name in their class.

I also know a Laurence that goes by Laurie if that makes the name any more bearable for your DH. Not sure that this would suit an adult though.

ComposHat · 19/02/2013 14:48

O Come O Come Emmanuel is my favourite Carol too, however the name also makes me think of G-g-g-gladys Emmanuel from 'Open all hours'

G-g-g-granville f-ff-f-ff-f-fetch a cloth.

Bue · 19/02/2013 14:44

Oh, and I think Gabriel is a great alternative. (I also had a mahoosive crush on one of them Grin) I've known a few and have never been aware of any teasing. Usually they get called Gabe.

What about Nathaniel or Joel?

Bue · 19/02/2013 14:31

Ah, I'm sad you've taken Emmanuel off the list. O Come Emmanuel is my favourite carol! Plus I had a massive crush in high school on a half Italian boy whose middle name was this, as well as a massive crush in my 20s on a French Manu. (They were both HOT! And I never got to snog either :( ) Would disagree that it is predominantly a Jewish name, although it is used a lot by Jews (or at least it used to be). I'd say it's quite pan-European.

tigrou · 19/02/2013 09:22

I do like Emmanuel, and don't find it girl or overly religious - not more than any standard classic old testament name.
Also like Reuben and Gabriel (much more than Oscar and Samuel).
If you like Fabian and Xavier, how about Felicien, Lucien, Xander?

CheeseStrawWars · 19/02/2013 09:14

Benedict? Lysander?

Original poster
sw11mumofone · 18/02/2013 20:56

We have a Rafferty in our immediate family so Rafael is out unfortunately. Lovely name though.
Looking like Samuel is still at the top. The popularity doesnt bother my DH at all. He thinks we should go for a name we both love.

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Howgreenismyvalley · 18/02/2013 12:40

What about Rafael? I knew a Raffi at college and taught a very cool Rafael once many years ago

alemci · 18/02/2013 12:39

It is quite a nice name but I am playing the carol Emmanuel in my head.

rejoice rejoice Emmanuel
to come to thee oh israel

highlystrung · 18/02/2013 12:29

My son's middle name is Emmanuel. I love it (obviously)!

Original poster
sw11mumofone · 18/02/2013 09:57

I like Domnic but really dislike Dom which i think there would be no getting away from.
Sounds like Emmanuel could be difficult to live up to. V cool, sexy and half Italian!! With a wing and a prayer he may be lucky enough to pull off the first two but think ive missed the boat on making him half Italian!!!

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Umlauf · 18/02/2013 09:51

I was at uni with a very sexy, half Italian Emmanuel, he was 'Ema' as a nn. It wasn't girl on him because he was, well... Phwoar! I really like it but IMO its on the same level of girliness as Gabriel. Manny is nice but reminds me of Black Books!

CheeseStrawWars · 18/02/2013 09:20

What about Dominic?

drjohnsonscat · 17/02/2013 18:57

It was on my list. I wanted a Manny. I was thinking Immanuel to differentiate a bit more from Emmanuelle

Tryharder · 17/02/2013 18:49

I love Emmanuel so think you should definitely go for it!

MadameCastafiore · 17/02/2013 18:46

I love Gabriel. DH and I are arguing as to whether a DS would be Gabriel or Reuben.

He likes Rue and I like Gabe.

thegreylady · 17/02/2013 18:43

The only Emmanuel I have known was the son of a very very religious family. He was known as Manny.
Of the names you mention I love Gabriel and Oscar.I know one little Gabriel [aged3] and no Oscars.Gabriel nn Gabe is not at all 'girly'.

Original poster
sw11mumofone · 17/02/2013 18:25

Ok so looks like Emmanuel is off the list then. I'm not in any way religious so didn't realise the Jewish connection. Not that that would really bother me tbh.
Still slightly concerned that Gabriel is a bit "girly" as well but do really like it.
Still keep coming back to Samuel though. Wish it wasn't so popular!
Was just getting my head around going for it as a classic popular name and then one of the mums at DDs nursery had a DS a few weeks ago and named him Samuel so just reinforced even more that there are loads around!!!!

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Cornwall73 · 17/02/2013 18:12

I think Emmanuel is a beautiful name but I must agree with the others that it could be difficult to carry off. I went to school with a Joseph Emmanuel and have always loved that name combination but I know DH would veto it! It also happens to be one of my favourite carols Smile

nooka · 17/02/2013 18:05

I've a cousin Gabriel, mostly known as Gabe. Never had any teasing (he is super cool though which I am sure helps). dd also has a cool Gabe in her class.

Original poster
sw11mumofone · 17/02/2013 17:58

Thanks for the suggestions. Have a Benjamin and Isaac in the family already. Really like Gabriel but was worried about it being a bit feminine as well actually. And my DH is concerned about the "gay boy" jibes. Is that a bit ridiculous?

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deleted203 · 17/02/2013 17:50

I'm not desperately keen. Emmanuel is a predominantly Jewish name (which is fine, if you are Jewish, obviously). I don't suppose you would think of calling your son Mohammed if you were white Anglo Saxon and this strikes me as the same kind of thing, TBH. Obviously a lot of the names we use (such as Ruth) were probably Jewish originally, but some names have remained more or less entirely with their original religion. Emmanuel strikes me as one of them.