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Baby names

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Original poster

Can we use Robyn? If not, what else might we like?

28 replies

hazelnutlatte · 30/05/2015 10:39

Love Robyn for a girl but our surname sounds like a first name - so if you imagine our surname is Paul, does Robyn Paul sound like Robbing Paul, or are we overthinking it a bit?
If Robyn does sound a bit strange then we are stuck for alternatives - I love Willow but DH not too keen, any ideas with a similar feel?

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bridgetsmummy · 01/06/2015 01:34

I like Robyn, it's a very pretty name. Our surname is also a first name and it sounds fine with it. I think if you both love it you should use it Smile

bridgetsmummy · 01/06/2015 01:34

I like Robyn, it's a very pretty name. Our surname is also a first name and it sounds fine with it. I think if you both love it you should use it Smile

Quasilulu · 01/06/2015 01:13

I love Robyn. My OH vetoed it. Much prettier with the y imho

nooka · 31/05/2015 22:10

I think that Robin is much much nicer than Robyn, which to me just looks quite ugly. I don't know why there is the convention that Robyn should be used for girls.

GoulashSoup · 31/05/2015 22:06

I like Robyn and think Robyn Paul would be ok.

How about Hazel or Wren?

DuhNuh · 31/05/2015 19:53

It's a lovely name and I agree, you're probably over thinking it.

How about Wren as an alternative though?

SuisseRomandeMaman · 31/05/2015 08:22

I love Robyn. A friend near me has a Robyn and her name really suits her. She is a gorgeous, vivacious, bright, charasmatic, independant young girl. Go for it.

Her younger sister calls her Bobby because she struggles with her Rs at the moment. Super cute nickname

hossenfeffer · 30/05/2015 21:51

All the boys in my class had a boy's name and a boy's name. i.e. Mr. something Graham, Mr. something James, Mr. boy name Williams or Mr. Brian. It's the way it works out.

How about Rosalind, Miranda, Madeline - a girl's name?

In the 70s there was a trend to name girls androgynously: Toni, Lesley, Ashley, Jo. I think it was a fabulous strike out for feminism. Then it all changed.

Girls became girly with flower and princess names.

These days I'd stick to the Bible or Shakespeare.

BelindaBagwash · 30/05/2015 21:33

As long as it doesn't make it hard for the child, go for whatever name you like.

My friend's surname is Banks, so obviously Robin/Robyn wasn't a possibility!

Marcipex · 30/05/2015 21:29

Robin and Robyn are both nice.
There was a recent thread of bird names -Wren, Linnet, Merle etc.

Trills · 30/05/2015 17:30

Or Hood of course

Original poster
hazelnutlatte · 30/05/2015 17:28

I'm not sure any name would sound nice with the surname bastard!

OP posts:
reuset · 30/05/2015 15:02

I think Robyn is fine with any surname, except perhaps Bastard, which would still be ok if she was going to end up in merchant banking.

Grin
BitOfFun · 30/05/2015 14:44

I think Robyn is fine with any surname, except perhaps Bastard, which would still be ok if she was going to end up in merchant banking.

Moresmores · 30/05/2015 14:40

I think if you have a masculine sounding surname, a girly name would be better personally.

reuset · 30/05/2015 14:31

Robyn Paul sound like Robbing Paul, or are we overthinking it a bit?

It does sound like 'robbing Paul' Grin

Why the 'y' though? It looks clumsy and an unnecessary attempt to make it look more feminine I always think. I prefer the Robin spelling for a girl or boy.

WorldsBiggestGrotbag · 30/05/2015 12:51

I think you're overthinking it. It's fine unless, like Debin says, your surname is Banks Smile

Debinaround · 30/05/2015 12:48

I think it's fine. I know 2 Robyn's and they are both girls.

I think unless your surname is Banks it should be fine. Wink

Original poster
hazelnutlatte · 30/05/2015 12:08

Hmm opinion is divided then! I don't think we want a hyphenated name as it's a bit of a mouthful. Our surname is pretty awkward, lots of names just sound wrong.
I had thought that with a gender neutral name then dd would sometimes be mistaken for a boy and this doesn't bother us too much. We hadn't really considered that this would be even more so with a masculine sounding surname.

OP posts:
Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 30/05/2015 11:49

Please, please don't hyphenate it. Robyn sounds lovely on its own. Very feminine.

Re surnames that sound like first names - I always feel sorry for men with names like Elton John. They must be constantly getting them turned round. Less of a problem for women, unless they're given a first name like Jordan or Courtney, I suppose.

I did once in an old job read a form too hastily and consequently sent a letter to Mr James Meredith* when the person's correct name was Mrs Meredith James. She was very nice about it (I don't expect it was the first time but I was aghast when I realised.

*Not the real name

Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost · 30/05/2015 11:42

You see even though Robyn obviously spelt Robin was originally used for boys I still see it as a very effeminate and pretty name with no masculine element what so ever.
If you're concerned that it sounds masculine with your last name, why not hyphenate it with another name such as Robyn-Mai Robyn-Jade, Robyn-Olivia., Robyn-Willow
For the record though I think Robyn is fine on it's own to use and My thinking is deeper that the ocean when it comes to names

MamaLazarou · 30/05/2015 11:32

Yes, Robyn would be a bit masculine sounding with your surname. How about Roberta?

iWantToBeAlone · 30/05/2015 11:14

I really like Robyn. Go for it I say!

UnspecialSnowflake · 30/05/2015 11:10

I'd say you're overthinking it, DDs first name when run together with her second name sounds like another word, it's not an issue. Robyn is a lovely, unusual but not out there name, go for it.

Trills · 30/05/2015 11:10

It doesn't sound like "Robbing", if that was what you are worried about.