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Baby names

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Original poster

Rex or William?

41 replies

cheddaraddict · 11/04/2015 19:51

Expecting DC number 2, a brother for Frederick (Freddie). Think we're sorted on girls' names but can't decide between Rex and William for a boy. William is classic but there are a lot of them about. Rex is more unusual, and it was my grandfather's name. We have a monosyllabic surname though so worried it might be a bit short. What do you think?

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IvoryMadonna · 20/04/2015 12:21

The most popular dog name round our way is Tilly. There's at least 4.

BubGal13 · 20/04/2015 10:59

I HAVE NEVER MET A DOG IN MY LIFE CALLED REX!!! Get over it people, so dull and unimaginative.
Rex is fab.

ConfusedInBath · 20/04/2015 10:11

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FishCanFly · 20/04/2015 10:00

William. Rex is too much of a dog's name

ConfusedInBath · 18/04/2015 19:53

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Scattymere · 14/04/2015 22:48

Slimy estate agent would be the absolute opposite in my mind possibly for a Rex. Rex would be a cool singer, fab artist, athlete, actor or political mastermind. Intelligent, creative, warm and kind.

Estate agents = Gavin, Gary, David...

Think "bullying potential" has really changed in last 5/10 years as the Jonathans, Daniels and Williams are rarer and individual, quirky, different names are ever increasing as people dare to be different & not obsessed with conforming anymore.

IvoryMadonna · 13/04/2015 21:28

As I said earlier, the one-syllable thing needn't be an issue if you go with Reginald, which shortens to Rex as well as Reggie.

I really wouldn't worry about the dog thing. The current fashion is for dogs to be given human names, so most popular names are getting given to dogs now. One day it will swing back to Fido, Rover, Patch and the like.

Choose Rex, it's much better than William!

BakingBunty · 13/04/2015 20:20

Love Rex. William is wet, IMO

theendoftheendoftheend · 13/04/2015 19:56

I love them both but would lean more towards Rex. Never met an animal or person called it!

TheReluctantCountess · 13/04/2015 19:53

I prefer William.
Rex would grow up to be a slimy estate agent Grin

Bowlersarm · 13/04/2015 19:52

I've never met a dog called Rex. I know a teenage boy called Rex, it's fine, a name just like any other name.

I probably wouldnt use it if I were you though as Rex one syllable surname is a very short entire name.

Will is a great nn for William too. Very cool IMO.

What about Felix or Max?

Alisvolatpropiis · 13/04/2015 19:48

I've never met a dog called Rex.

I have met dogs called Milly, Toby, Penny and Alfie though!

Original poster
cheddaraddict · 13/04/2015 19:46

Just as it seemed there was a consensus I log back on and most of the recent posters prefer Rex... It definitely is a marmite name. I'm slightly concerned about bullying potential though?

I'd be interested to know how many doggie Rexs people know as opposed to human ones. For me it was always my grandfather's name and I'd never heard of it as a dog's name but it obviously has that connotation for some people. He was just Rex, it wasn't short for anything.

OP posts:
squoosh · 13/04/2015 11:09

Rex.

William is fine but withers to nothing when in the company of the mighty Rex.

Scattymere · 12/04/2015 22:41

oh, silly me thats the rank not the number of??! But still 322 in the chart isn't exactly common

Scattymere · 12/04/2015 22:40

Think , I only know 1 (very cool) little boy called Rex, how many have you heard?

Am sure there was the Fearne Cotton affect but in 2013 there were only 322 new Rex's according to this- names.darkgreener.com/#nevaeh

ThinkIveBeenHacked · 12/04/2015 22:36

Grrrr at how popular Rex is now. We gave the name to the cat seven years ago as we felt we would be tempting fate if we kept it for a future baby. It is a lovely name. However with a Frederick nn Freddie id say William nn Billy as Rex just doesnt sit well next to Freddie (imo, so feel free to disregard it)

Scattymere · 12/04/2015 22:34

I'm with most recent posters. Rex. Without a doubt. If ever lucky enough to have a DS he will be a Rex.

Never heard a dog or cat or rabbit called Rex in my life. HAVE heard about 1000000 Williams in every shape and (usually rather dull...) form though. Dare to be different, its fab Wink

ReallyBadParty · 12/04/2015 22:30

I like Rex.

Short names are good, I think.

PeasinPod1 · 12/04/2015 22:30

"petty" not pretty?!

PeasinPod1 · 12/04/2015 22:29

William- serious yawn, meh, wouldn't think anything upon hearing it as just very common, middle of the road.

Rex- cool, strong, quirky, individual but still classic.

Ignore stupid, immature comments re. dogs name- I have never heard a doggie called Rex but have heard plenty of dogs called molly, Lucy etc etc, but you never hear dog comments to these names. its just a pretty, untrue cliche, take no notice.

Lunastarfish · 12/04/2015 16:23

Definitely Rex. William is the middle name

Nospringflower · 12/04/2015 15:36

Rex. Much more interesting name than William.

Alisvolatpropiis · 12/04/2015 15:34

Rex.

IvoryMadonna · 12/04/2015 11:03

Rex is short for Reginald, so that would solve your monosyllabic surname issue, and even things up with Frederick.