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Baby names

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

Original poster

Would these 'Nr American' names sound ridiculous for a child living in England?

59 replies

jayisagirlsnametoo · 01/07/2013 17:10

I spent several years working in Canada and two names cropped up several times, names of professional, classy, intelligent, confident women. With such positive associations, I fell in love with these names.

However, I always felt they just would not work in England. But i love them. I know people are often encouraged to go with the names they love. . .but I'm not sure on these ones. Before I worked in Canada, I always thought one of them was 'chavvy' (sorry) but I don't think like that at all now.

Anyway, the names I love are Randy and Whitney.

What do you think? Do you know any Randys or Whitneys?

Thanks :)

OP posts:
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MacaYoniandCheese · 05/07/2013 22:48

Grin at MM Randy Savage (80's child). Please tell me he's not still around?

superdupermama · 05/07/2013 21:22

No, sorry :(

LeonardoAcropolis · 05/07/2013 21:18

Randy? No, that makes me think of Macho Man Randy Savage.

lljkk · 05/07/2013 21:01

Whitney would be okay, Randy is just... don't go there.

rockybalboa · 05/07/2013 20:57

Nope, neither works in the UK at all, sorry.

FairyArmadillo · 02/07/2013 00:17

Whitney is fine. Randy does not work well over here. Please don't call a child in Britain Randy! If you really like it there used be a show called Northern Exposure back in the 90s. Someone had a baby and called her Miranda (Miranda Bliss), Randi for short. That would give her options if she can't cope with being Randy over here.

PleaseDoNotAdjustYourSet · 01/07/2013 23:48

I like randy for a girl. Not as keen on Whitney, makes me think of Whitney Cummings.

lordleofric · 01/07/2013 23:24

Sorry - not even for a pet. Imagine the looks you would get in the park!

bugsybill · 01/07/2013 22:59

Whitney is fine.

Randy is unusable.

Miranda nicknamed randy possibly ok.

maja00 · 01/07/2013 22:53

I don't think the associations Whitney has in the UK are "classy, professional". Depends how much you care about the associations a name has though?

Branleuse · 01/07/2013 22:51

I think you should use them on cats or dogs

scaevola · 01/07/2013 22:50

Randy just doesn't work in UK - too snigger-worthy (and I think of the poor singer called Randy Van Warmer). A Miranda with lots of chutzpah might carry it off, but free-standing it could be a recipe for disaster.

I don't like the name Whitney, but I don't see a strong reason why it couldn't be used in UK.

sausageandorangepickle · 01/07/2013 22:44

agree with thegreylady - Miranda is nice, and you can use Randy as a nn while she is small

ZZZenagain · 01/07/2013 21:19

I know an American Whitney SAHM andcexpat. She is a really nice woman, I've never thought anything about her name tbh. Randy is unfortunate since we use it as an adjective, maybe north Americans don't.

ICantRememberWhatSheSaid · 01/07/2013 21:16

I thought Randy was a bit of a duff name in Canada too Confused (in Quebec anyhow)

thegreylady · 01/07/2013 20:48

Miranda with Randy as a nn if you like.

OrangeJuiceSandwich · 01/07/2013 20:16

I have a friend Miranda who gets called Randy.

Cloudkitten · 01/07/2013 18:01

Jayis "If I was bringing my child up in Canada, I think it would be my no. 1. " and "I am not sure Randy has the same connotations in Nr America as it does in England".

Are you bringing up your child in Canada? If so great. If not then I really think you've answered your own question!

To clarify: Randy and Whitney in UK - NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

NightmareWalking · 01/07/2013 17:44

I don't like either name I'm afraid. However if you were set on Randy might you consider Miranda? I once knew a Miranda who was occasionally shortened to Randy (no idea if she liked it though!)

MacaYoniandCheese · 01/07/2013 17:42

Ugh. Ew, NO. I'm Canadian and I think both those names are awful. Sorry Sad.

Original poster
jayisagirlsnametoo · 01/07/2013 17:40

okay, okay, I will put Randy in the 'definitely not' pile. Maybe I can give it to the name of a future pet or house plant instead.

OP posts:
reggiebean · 01/07/2013 17:40

Jay If you're living in Canada, I think they're both okay (though I still think Whitney is a bit chavvy, but that's just the experience I've had with Whitney's I know... They're a bit like Britney's or Cindi's to me) but Randy would be much more acceptable in NA than in the UK I think.

MmeLindor · 01/07/2013 17:38

No. No. No.

Sorry, it's hard when you love a name but you just can't do that to a child.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 01/07/2013 17:37

No. Just no. Awful names no matter what continent but definitely worse here.

Startail · 01/07/2013 17:36

Whitney as a second name fine.
Randy in the UK, just no!

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