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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Thoughts on Archie?

84 replies

harverina · 31/05/2013 17:31

Ok so I have a dd called Eilidh and am pregnant with dc 2. Think we have decided a girls name (Annabel or Annabelle) so now just have to decide on a boys name.

Dh and I both love Archie but I am a bit worried about other people's reactions to it?

Honestly is it awful? And if you don't like it,do you think it's horrendous or just now for you?

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Bowlersarm · 01/06/2013 11:13

But Dontmind don't forget that the Archie's Charlie's Freddie's Alfie's who are born now will be the professionals of the future so it will become more the norm. Charlie is pretty much the same name in it's own right these days than a short form of Charles.

I think of this generation of boys there will be an even split of shortened versions on birth certificates, as well as traditional versions.

DontmindifIdo · 01/06/2013 11:02

Bowlers arms, of your list, tony and Toby are the only non-cutesy ones, I see cvs of high level people at work regularly, regardless of what someone is known as, I'd expect to see oliver, John/Jonathan, charles, robert, rather than the nick name versions. It just looks more professional.

Plus the only people I know with what are really nicknames as their given name spend a lot of time explaining that it's not short for anything. (thankfully while short names, they haven't got "ee" endings)

Bowlersarm · 01/06/2013 10:49

I don't think it's a 'cute' name. People on MN always say that about names ending in the 'ee' sound for boys.

But how do those men cope who are called Tony, Toby, Oli, Andy, Johnnie, Charlie, Jamie, Robbie etc.

It would be a non issue for me.

Original poster

harverina · 01/06/2013 10:30

Bowlersarm it is still a strong contender! I am only 18 weeks so have lots of time to decide

I also like Euan and George.

But I can't say that there are any names I love which makes it a bit harder

I don't know that I agree with Archie being a cute name - especially in Scotland?

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NeedSomeSun142 · 01/06/2013 09:37

we've chosen Archie for our overdue baby, but going to put Archer on his birth certificate as we feel it's more masculine when he gets older, and if people start calling him Archibald he can say, 'actually my full name is Archer'

DontmindifIdo · 01/06/2013 09:35

Archie is a very cute name, and not 'chavvy' round here (Kent), it does make me think of a cheeky, bright but mischievious (not really naughty) little boy but - you aren't just naming a cute little boy, you're naming a 30-something man who's CV has just landed on someone's desk, the 20-something who's trying to chat up that gorgeous girl at the bar, your naming the 40-something who might have a job like a builder or mechanic where sounding 'trustworthy' is important, you're naming someone for the rest of their life.

therefore I'd go with something less "cute" for a full name, but call him Archie from birth, it just gives your boy a little more options when he gets older if his life takes him in a direction where cute name isn't going to help him. A rule of thumb for me, anything that ends in "ie" is cute, cute is only suitable for primary school and younger.

(I also think Archer is a fabulous, fabulous name!)

Bowlersarm · 01/06/2013 09:30

Do you think you'll use it OP?

Original poster

harverina · 01/06/2013 09:14

But leb the shortened names are often so different. Don't you think? Alfie compared to Alfred for example.

There are some names where I like the full name but not the nickname - Alexander is often shortened to Alec in Scotland and I don't like Alec at all, but I like Alexander

Thanks everyone, it's good to see how many like/don't like

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Coconutty · 01/06/2013 09:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CPtart · 01/06/2013 09:05

Awful, awful, awful.

WorkingItOutAsIGo · 01/06/2013 09:04

I love it. We were just on holiday in a very nice, very middle/upper middle class place and there was indeed a preponderance of boys called Archie. So it may be chavvy (and so what if it were) but it is certainly also very socially acceptable.

But more than that it's cute, and characterful and the boys called Archie I know all have a little something extra about them. It works at age 4 and also 18 and older, which not all names do.

Mckayz · 01/06/2013 08:21

Archie is lovely.

Lebkuchen, My DS1 is Freddie. I think Frederick is awful, not the same at all.

Lebkuchenlover · 01/06/2013 08:06

I find it odd that someone can like a nickname (Archie, Freddie, Ed, Alex etc) and hate the full version (Archibald, Frederick, Edward, Alexander). In my head they are the same!

exoticfruits · 01/06/2013 07:30

I certainly wouldn't have the full name but as soon as someone tells me their DS is Archie I automatically think 'bald'.

Original poster

harverina · 01/06/2013 07:04

Thanks mrsyattering - I don't see it as a nn either but I don't have a problem with shortened names. Plus I think Archibald is awful.

Thecraic what about gilly?!

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mrsyattering · 01/06/2013 01:01

I like it, was on my list. Why does everyone go on about nick names though? My ds is Charlie, not Charles just Charlie I chose it because I like it. DH's gm very vocal about disliking it as old fashioned If you and DH love Archie then use it, you will regret it otherwise. I'm in Scotland btw and it's not "chavvy" imo at all

TheCraicDealer · 01/06/2013 00:41

Argh, he was a babe! Hector is on my list...

Original poster

harverina · 01/06/2013 00:23

Thecraic that's one of the reasons I love it - Archie from monarch of the glen was lovely

Monsterbook you are right we can't please everyone and I know a few family members don't like the name

OP posts:

houseforawinelover · 01/06/2013 00:16

I absolutely love Archie. I know one very un-chavvy wee boy of that name... Yes, in Scotland.

I also think that doubting a name choice is totally normal. If you both love it, go for it. The person makes the name imo.

GW297 · 01/06/2013 00:10

Archie goes well with your daughter's name as both Scottish names. I have taught 2 boys called Archie fairly recently.

MonsterBookOfTyRexs · 01/06/2013 00:09

Oh btw we are in England.

MonsterBookOfTyRexs · 01/06/2013 00:08

My ds is an Archie. He is adorable, obviously! Twinkle you must know my ds, he is four
I chose it and had a few people dislike it but I really didn't care and it just means that not too many people will pick it :o

TheCraicDealer · 01/06/2013 00:06

Agree with MadameJosephine. Archer is pretty cool... but Archie itself is going to be very 2010's in a few years, I think. Blame Monarch of The Glen.

twinklestar2 · 01/06/2013 00:02

I know an ADORABLE Four year old called Archie yet I still detest the name. Sorry. It's my worst name for a boy.

scottishmummy · 01/06/2013 00:01

Archie is a great wee name

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