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Baby names

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Original poster

Stephen - am I crazy to love this name?

36 replies

slothlike · 14/10/2013 15:11

As the title says, I really like the name Stephen, possibly in part because of a really lovely person I used to know with that name. Not crazy about the nickname Steve, but I could cope with it - just wouldn't use it myself! DH is on board as well.

I haven't asked for anyone else's opinions on it (until now), but I just have this hunch that other people will react in a bit of a 'meh' way, as it's simultaneously fairly unoriginal and declining in popularity. What would you think if you heard the name Stephen being shouted across the playground? Too middle-aged-man sounding? (I don't really buy into the "It only matters if YOU love the name" line, because it's not ME who has to have the name for the rest of my life...!)

FWIW, other potential name candidates are Toby and Theodore.

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Lubiloo · 14/10/2013 22:56

I think Stephen is a good solid name that isn't overused these days. There are already lots of little Tobys and Theos out there but a Stephen probably won't have to add his initials to his name - good choice imo!

stopprocrastinating · 14/10/2013 22:52

DH loves this name. On his list. I don't dislike it.

DramaAlpaca · 14/10/2013 22:12

I know two teenagers called Stephen & Steven. Neither of them are ever called Steve.

It's a very nice name.

badtime · 14/10/2013 22:07

I like the name.

There has been a King Stephen of England (even if he was really Etienne of Blois), so really there is no reason why it (and Richard) don't belong among the George, William, Edward type names.

Ikeameatballs · 14/10/2013 21:47

I love it, it was a contender for ds.

littlealien01 · 14/10/2013 21:46

the steven i know has always been either Steven or Ste, but never Steve

Original poster
slothlike · 14/10/2013 19:56

Ooh thanks for the replies everyone - very happy with how positive they are Grin , good to hear I'm not the only one who likes it. Looks like Stephen it is then, unless DH changes his mind!

OP posts:
ClaraOswald · 14/10/2013 18:33

I'recently heard of a baby Robert and a baby Michael, by calling him Stephen you'll be giving him a name that everyone has heard of and most people think well of instead of "Oh no, not another one"

There are some wonderfully classic names out there and Stephen is one of them.

Chubfuddler · 14/10/2013 18:29

I know a 64 year old Stephen, his wife calls him Steve but no one else does. I know several in their thirsties, they are all Stephens. And the six year old is never shortened either.

hawkmcqueen · 14/10/2013 18:24

Oops, I really like it. Good solid name, knew a hot one! He was always Stephen never Steve. I also like the spelling Steven. Heard a little boy being called this a while back and it caught my attention as it's now so unusual and it sounded good.

hawkmcqueen · 14/10/2013 18:22

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Hulababy · 14/10/2013 18:13

I teach a 6y called Stephen. It isn't shortened to anything else as yet. Only one I have taught in past few years though and no others in school.

Of your other names - Theodore is pretty popular here - have two in this current year group, had a couple last year and one in Y1 and reception at moment. Everyone of them is shortened to Theo. There is one Toby in the infants at the moment, not very popular here so no others I cn think of in past years either.

ShadowFall · 14/10/2013 18:04

I don't think it sounds too middle aged - it's one of those names that's been around for centuries, so I don't think it would be too dated to an era.

But I think it's fairly likely that someone will try calling him Steve at some point. Stevie and Ste are also nn's I've come across.

SmokedMackerel · 14/10/2013 17:59

I really like it, and it was dh's top choice for a boy (we ended up with girls).

Chubfuddler · 14/10/2013 17:57

I really like Jonathan too.

Yama · 14/10/2013 17:31

I like Stephen. Possibly because I know so many of them (born in 1970's).

Much prefer the ph version. Go for it!

SatinSandals · 14/10/2013 17:28

And much better than your other choices.

SatinSandals · 14/10/2013 17:28

I like Stephanie too.

SatinSandals · 14/10/2013 17:28

I like it but then I love the John, David, Robert and Jonathan mentioned.

ButEmilylovedhim · 14/10/2013 17:26

I really like it. That and Jonathan. Would have used Jonathan if we'd had a ds2 and it had gone with our surname. These kind of names are due a revival and they probably will have one in about 10 years!

CordeliaRose · 14/10/2013 17:22

I like the name Stephen with that spelling and I quite like Stevie as a nickname. My own RL name has a couple of nicknames but I always introduce myself by my proper name, and very rarely have I had it 'shortened' - except by family and close friends, which I take as a sign of affection Grin

Owllady · 14/10/2013 17:19

I like Stephen

ExcuseTypos · 14/10/2013 17:18

My nephew's name. He was Stevie when he was little, which was quite cute. I really like it, obviously.

squoosh · 14/10/2013 17:17

Nothing wrong with it, it's a John/David/Robert kind of name.

I know lots of them, a few of them born on the 26th December.

Mim78 · 14/10/2013 17:12

I prefer ph version. I think Steph is a good nickname. I read a good book about a male character called Steph.

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