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Baby names

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

Original poster

Glaswegian names

108 replies

GuatemalanRum · 03/05/2015 17:37

If you are Glaswegian & born in the 70s or 80s, what names did you hear growing up and what would you/have you named your dcs now?

Dp is Glaswegian which I had hoped would give me free rein to use lovely names such as Fergus, Euan, Douglas, Ishbel, Elspeth.. Sadly when I suggest these he looks at me like I've lost the plot (he claimed Ishbel is what a drunk Scot would say for Isobel Confused) and wants to call our dc John Hmm

I would be grateful for some cultural guidance!

OP posts:
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squoosh · 03/05/2015 19:48

I met a real life Senga recently, I didn't think they actually existed!

roughtyping · 03/05/2015 19:30

florascotia that's a great link! I'm just outside Glasgow, will have a wee nosey Smile

Someone at work was saying they love the name Alba, which means Scotland, but don't know if I'm keen.

roughtyping · 03/05/2015 19:27

I was born mid 1980s. James, David, Alex, Lewis, Ross, Murdo, Andrew, Tom, Greig, Niall, Gavin, Robert, Billy, John, Mark all boys I went to school with or family names (all lived in Glasgow/West coast). Not particularly 'Glaswegian' I think!

Girl names - Jean and Mary are the most Glasgow names I can think of Grin. Jenny, Laura, Katrina/Catriona, Mhairi (var-E), Rhona, Gillian, Tracy (all the Tracy's I know are 40+ I think), Dorothy (Dot), Kirsten.

Studyingmummy · 03/05/2015 19:22

Alexander is a lovely, classic name & has quite a few derivatives Grin & Ec (from Alec) is a typical Glaswegian nn!

florascotia · 03/05/2015 19:22

You need a poster called Weegiemum. She always has sound advice and am sure she could provide up to date Glasgow info. You might also like to look at this, which shows 2014 babies' names in Scotland by council area www.nrscotland.gov.uk/filesstatistics/popular-forenames/2014/babiesnames-2014-t3.pdf

Senga is an insult, as I'm sure your DH has told you. I rather like Annis (= old city pronounciation of Agnes = Senga the right way round).

Lowland Scottish versions of universal names Robbie (Rab) and Thomas (Tam) might perhaps be worth considering.

I actually like John. It's simple, timeless, dignified ....

Studyingmummy · 03/05/2015 19:20

I am Glaswegian & have a Ewan Grin. Scottish names werent very popular in the 70s/80s I don't think. My classmates were all Karen, Sharon, Tracy, Debbie, Lynn, Julie ,James, John, Mark, Jason, Gary etc. There were a few Fionas & Kirsty/ens. Names like Harris, Logan, Hamish, Euan, Angus, Isla, Iona, Eilidh are more popular now but I never knew anybody with those names as a kid. Irish names have been popular here recently; Ronan, Kian, Kieran, Keira, Saoirse, Caomhie (sp). Don't really know what you mean by 'Glaswegian' tbh I can't think of any specific except maybe Mungo (patron saint).

IvoryMadonna · 03/05/2015 19:18

If you like Ally, and Alexander and Alastair are "too posh" Hmm try Alan or Allan.

LittleBairn · 03/05/2015 19:10

At least 50% of the Glaswegian females I know born in the 70/80's are all called Michelle or Kelly. Grin my DH is always confused about which Michelle I'm talking about and thinks I've made half them up.

JimmyCorkhill · 03/05/2015 19:07

I knew Trainspotting was Edinburgh, but it's a lot closer to Glasgow than I am Grin

OP, has your DH suggested any more names or just John?

Original poster
GuatemalanRum · 03/05/2015 19:04

Football would be Partick Thistle (sp??)

OP posts:
Annunziata · 03/05/2015 19:01

Religion/football.

Suggest Lennon to him. That'll be a laugh Grin

MrsTuppence · 03/05/2015 18:59

I must say I love Ishbel, but then I have a good friend with a fabulous little girl called Ishbel, so that always helps!

There are lots of wee boys called Angus, Magnus, Finlay, Harris, Logan, Euan at the moment in my bit of Glasgow ('middle class' southside suburbs).

Original poster
GuatemalanRum · 03/05/2015 18:57

By "colour" do you mean religion? His family are all staunch atheists but I guess culturally more protestant than Catholic..

OP posts:
SoldierBear · 03/05/2015 18:53

Trainspotting is Edinburgh, not Glasgow FWIW!

yes, the "colour" of Glasgow would make a big difference e.g. Billy or Sean.

Annunziata · 03/05/2015 18:50

Your DH is right, you want a Glaswegian name then John. Your names are not very Glaswegian at all, maybe West End but not normal!

And it depends which colour of Glasgow you are.

I was born in 1970. I went to school with Mary, Marie, Maria, Patricia, Josephine, Angela, Cheryl, Jennifer and Susan.

David, Paul, Michael, Christopher, Sean, James, Joseph (Joe), Anthony for boys.

Ztastic · 03/05/2015 18:49

Hi, I was born in the 70s in Glasgow most of my classmates have pretty regular names for the time like Leighanne, Kelly, Fiona, Lots of Claires, Yvonne, Rhona, Michelle, boys names like Anthony, John, Jim, Ewan, Brian, David, Craig, Scott and Paul all popular. Popular Scottish names now are:
Heather
Isla
Iona
Skye
boys names that would have been classed as old men's name like
Alfie
Archie
Angus
Hamish
Struan
Campbell
Alistair
All quite popular now

Branleuse · 03/05/2015 18:42

Shona, Aileen

AngusAndElspethsThistleWhistle · 03/05/2015 18:40

Did someone mention me?Grin

TheScottishPlay · 03/05/2015 18:36

Duncan

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 03/05/2015 18:30

I'm Glaswegian, born in 70s and I like all the names you suggest OP!

Whyhasnooneusedvimesyet · 03/05/2015 18:22

Island names? Iona, Ailsa for a girl. Agree with PP on surname names for boys Stuart, Cameron etc.

Original poster
GuatemalanRum · 03/05/2015 18:15

Hamish is another one that get the Hmm look from dp..

OP posts:
Branleuse · 03/05/2015 18:12

Hamish

AmandaTanen · 03/05/2015 18:11

That's it, now happily singing the theme tune.

MsInterpret · 03/05/2015 18:11

Cartoon is The Family Ness.

Ferocious-ness was my favourite.