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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Would it be mean to call a child Paddy?

58 replies

hearthattack · 17/06/2015 08:55

My Grandad's name was Patrick. Everyone called him Paddy. It's also my Dad's middle name. We're living in Wales very close to my DPs Welsh family and I like the idea of keeping something of my Irish roots. To me it feels solid, not trendy, good for a wee one and a grown man. No one else seems crazy about it though. In fact there's a distinct tumble weed moment followed by other helpful suggestions whenever we mention the idea to friends or family.

Would it be mean to call a child Paddy? Do people still see it as an insult for Irish people, or another name for a tantrum? Don't want to tempt fate for having a stroppy baby!

Honest thoughts please Mnetters..?

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mathanxiety · 30/06/2015 05:46

I love Patrick and Paddy.

Big name in my family, and I would have liked it for DS but alas exMIL's name was Patricia and I couldn't stand her.

Y0la · 30/06/2015 05:33

oh my xmil kept doing that. She wanted me to call the baby James after the man she had left my x's father for. James died, very sad n all, but it was insane the way she pushed that name at me!

Patrick is a classic name. Hating it seems extreme. Perhaps it's not her style but hating it seems xenophobic! Tell her that next time she complains

Deeclasse · 28/06/2015 18:06

Too right, hearth; back in yer box, MIL.

Seriouslyffs · 28/06/2015 18:02

Behooven
As long as your surname isn't Field
Or whack.
It's a lovely name!

Original poster

hearthattack · 28/06/2015 17:58

Ah, just caught up with the latest opinions on here. Thanks all.

We'd definitely go for Patrick on the bc and let the nick name take care of itself. These things have a habit of evolving of their own accord.

MIL still hates it btw, keeps referring to the baby as whatever name she prefers that week. If she continues to do that when he's born I might start changing her name to something that better reflects her character!

OP posts:

Valsoldknickers · 26/06/2015 15:07

Lovely name although I am biased!

Would go Patrick on birth cert and Paddy as nn.

Therein2tics · 26/06/2015 14:34

I like the name Patrick.
I'm in NI and plenty of Patricks/ Paddys here!
No-one I know here uses it as a slight or a tantrum. But abroad heard it as a reference to an Irish person but not so much that it would put me off.

Would definitely have Patrick as their name tho and Paddy as a nn.

Also I think you cannot worry about the nn thing too much as I have a different nn to the one associated with my name - not through planning. I think outside family my parents had no control of it!

villainousbroodmare · 25/06/2015 21:17

Go for it! Patrick nn Paddy (or whatever seems to suit or he prefers in time). Great name.

switchitoff · 25/06/2015 21:09

I like the name Patrick and know a couple of children called that. Also like the nn Paddy, but I'm not so sure that Paddy Adams sounds right (the repetition of the "ad" sound bothers me). So with that surname I'd encourage use of the full name, or a different shortening. Could be Patch, Pat, Trick or Rick

SurlyCue · 25/06/2015 19:48

Patrick is lovely, paddy fine as a nickname

Paddy is not a tantrum. It is a name. Nor will naming your baby paddy tempt "fate" into giving you a stroppy baby names have no effect on temperament. and there is no such thing as fate in the sense you mean

reuset · 25/06/2015 19:43

Great name, Patrick, with Paddy for short.

cheymommyaz · 25/06/2015 19:40

love it its on our list for when we have more lil ones

AgentCooper · 18/06/2015 18:31

'Having a paddy is no less offensive' to me than 'paddy wagon' or 'bogtrotter,' all very imperialist and shouldn't be getting used anymore.

OP, I love Patrick - my grandad, cousin, nephew and second cousin were/are all (confusingly) called Patrick and my family is originally from Donegal. All of them were/are Pat for short, but Paddy is really nice. I would love to call any son I had Patrick.

YellowPirate · 18/06/2015 18:24

Go for it! I have a Patrick, 9 months and I love the name even more now. He's Patch at the moment but I could see him being a Paddy when he's older. X

Cloggal · 18/06/2015 11:01

Love it. Agreed that 'having a paddy' is a horrible expression, never heard it used in Ireland (or outside of MN for that matter)

Deeclasse · 18/06/2015 11:00

Gorgeous name, Patrick, and with Saint Patrick thought to have likely been Welsh, the name's a nice link between Ireland and Wales. Go for it. Paddy's great, too.

nattarji · 18/06/2015 10:54

I like Patrick. I know a Patrick and he's called Patch

MitzyLeFrouf · 18/06/2015 10:52

Tricky is awful. Now that would be mean!

I like both Patrick and Paddy, good solid names. Paddy seems to be back in vogue for baby boys in Ireland.

I also hate the term 'having a paddy' (don't use that one if in Ireland).

Original poster

hearthattack · 18/06/2015 09:38

Yr wyf yn cyfaddef nad wyf yn fyfyriwr da iawn! Perhaps Patrick will be better. MIL is already extolling the virtues of Welsh language schools. But that's a whole other thread!

Loving all the Patricks and Paddys out there. I think we're going to go with what we like best and bugger those in the family that don't like it. Pretty soon the name with become synonymous with him and they'll love it anyway right?

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scarfaceace · 18/06/2015 09:01

I love the name Patrick, but then I have numerous ones in the family. Brother (Patrick/Pat), cousins (Pat and Paddy Joe), uncles (Pat and Patsy), Grandfathers (Patrick and Pakki), and great grandfather (Patrick).

MrsBennetsEldest · 18/06/2015 09:00

Hearthattack, well done you. I'm not much of a Welsh speaker, can understand more but I'm supposed to be making more of an effort. Most Welsh people are helpful except 99% of those born in Gwynedd!!! Dai iawn

perpetuallybewildered · 18/06/2015 08:58

Love the name Patrick, it was both my maternal grandfather's and my father's name. An uncle with that name has been called Pad, Paddy, or Padraig throughout his life.

123Jump · 18/06/2015 08:47

I'm Irish, live in UK, and I know a few "Paddys' on both sides. I love it! Would have called one of my DSs Paddy, but our surname means it would be the same as a sleb.

Original poster

hearthattack · 18/06/2015 08:42

Thanks onlyonescoop

OP posts:

Original poster

hearthattack · 18/06/2015 08:41

I'm trying to learn Welsh at the moment. Going for the whole two languages from birth thing. Most people are really supportive of my efforts, but some look at me like I'm a total moron for not remembering that y u and i sound completely different depending on what 25 other letters happen to precede them in that particular sentence.

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