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Baby names

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

Original poster

Gatsby for a boy?

62 replies

PerksOfBeingAMum · 01/12/2014 23:30

General but polite opinions on the name Gatsby please.

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TywysogesGymraeg · 02/12/2014 09:39

Other ridiculous boys' literary names you might like to consider:
Huckleberry, Atticus, Ebenezer, Albus, Othello, Caliban

HenriettaTurkey · 02/12/2014 09:35

Alternatives...if Atticus is not a goer

From F Scott Fitzgerald:

Francis (he was actually Frances but I'd stick to the male version)
Scott
Nick

From other early c20 literary people:

Ernest
Hemingway
Atticus
Boo
Scout (actually a girl & better for a dog too, maybe!)

There must be loads more!

TywysogesGymraeg · 02/12/2014 09:35

Jay Gatsby's name isn't even actually Gatsby. His real surname is Gatz.

VivaLeBeaver · 02/12/2014 08:00

I'm going to call my next dog Gatsby now. Great name for a dog, not for a kid.

Pramula · 02/12/2014 07:56

Not a name for a baby as so strongly associated with the 'Great..' book. It's a really depressing book. I don't understand people who say they love it. JG is a very unhappy character and lives his life pretending to be someone else and then comes to a terrible end.

EhricLovesTheBhrothers · 02/12/2014 07:43

In the great gatsby isn't it his surname?

It would have me laughing internally at how pretentious you were if I came across your baby gatsby.

Romeyroo · 02/12/2014 06:28

It is a brilliant name for a superciliou cat or horse, yes; but NOT for a baby/child/grown adult. No, no and no again.

The only other literary male name I can think of at the moment is HeathcliffWink

nooka · 02/12/2014 04:58

I think it would suit a rather supercilious cat. Bit unfortunate for a child.

moxon · 02/12/2014 04:55

really really wants a horse called Gatsby now

Belazu84 · 02/12/2014 00:38

Agree with everyone. The character, however charming and beautiful, is a tragic, deluded, sad fellow. And that name has only one connection- so you can't ignore it really. Sorry. I quite like Jay, if your partner wants to honour the book (which is a total masterpiece). Good luck.

TsukuruTazaki · 02/12/2014 00:37

Call him Jay?

islandmama · 02/12/2014 00:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mymummademelistentoshitmusic · 02/12/2014 00:26

You'd have to be a complete arse to saddle a child with that.

PrimalLass · 02/12/2014 00:22

No

BackforGood · 02/12/2014 00:22

No

See all posts above.

catsofa · 02/12/2014 00:15

Gatsby is a surname. In the book the character's full name is Jay Gatsby. Gatsby is a really good name for a horse.

MeMyselfAnd1 · 02/12/2014 00:12

No way, that's like calling him "fido", it is not even a name.

KingCrimson · 02/12/2014 00:10

He'll get called Twatsby at school.

batteryhen · 02/12/2014 00:09

I had a horse called Gatsby once. He was beautiful. But it's not a name for a child!

dorasee · 02/12/2014 00:08

Dreadful. Sorry but it's just awful. Great novel though.

Original poster
PerksOfBeingAMum · 02/12/2014 00:04

I just thought I should say that its the babies father who wants it not me. I like it but not for a child. Hopefully I can show him these and it will put him off Hmm

OP posts:
CoffeeandNumbers · 01/12/2014 23:57

Its very cool but.....It's more of a dogs name I think?

TheAwfulDaughter · 01/12/2014 23:53

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Luckystar82 · 01/12/2014 23:50

The connotations of that name make me thinks of decadence to the point of excess, American dream gone wrong. The novel is a cautionary tale in how not to live and the name is synonymous with that.

I'm sure there are lots of more positive literary characters to consider (can't think of any now though!)

divingoffthebalcony · 01/12/2014 23:49

No. As a first name it sounds ridiculous.

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