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Baby names

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Original poster

A boy called Baxter?

33 replies

stilllonely3yearson · 05/08/2015 13:30

My SIL is due her first baby later this year. They just had the 20 w scan and found out they're expecting a boy. They've told close family the gender, and the name they have in mind - Baxter. I've never heard this before. I tried to give a neutral response when she asked if I like it, I said it was unusual but easy to spell (??) But honestly I dislike it. It just reminds me of a dog's name. Anyone else know or having a baby Baxter? Is it just me, or is it not such a great name?

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LibrariesGaveUsPower · 07/08/2015 21:20

I hate surname names. Baxter is not one of my favourites within the genre either.

But it isn't awful objectively - it isn't badly spelled or particularly clichéd.

NobodyLivesHere · 07/08/2015 20:48

i know a Baxter, it suits him.

florascotia · 07/08/2015 20:23

As previous poster says, Baxter is the name of a female baker. That's what the word means. Why would anyone do that to a male child?

BooChunky · 07/08/2015 16:23

I love it!

Babylove2015 · 07/08/2015 16:18

Nothing wrong with Baxter. I think Bax for short is cute! If I met a baby called Baxter, being petty to compare baby's name to a can of soup/ dog/ fictional character would be the last thing on my mind. :)

MamaLazarou · 06/08/2015 17:45

Makes me think of Bert Baxter, the vile neighbour in the Adrian Mole books.

reuset · 06/08/2015 15:05

Yes, as Marina said, similar to Dexter. Not my taste at all, but I can see this having appeal to the modern transferred use of surname crowd.

marinacortina · 06/08/2015 12:19

Ian Dury's son is Baxter Dury.

I'm not a fan of surnames as first names, but this doesn't seem a million miles away from the popular Dexter.

Glindathegoodwitch · 06/08/2015 11:10

Dog - and a horrible little yappy terrier thing at that too (coming from a dog lover)

Shadow1986 · 05/08/2015 20:24

I know two baxters - both dogs.

Having said that I don't think it's horrendous, there are much worse names. I would just smile and say 'ah that's nice' as if it's the name they have chosen why spoil it for them.

Strokethefurrywall · 05/08/2015 20:21

I like it, wouldn't even raise an eyebrow over here.

And definitely better than the old man names being done to death. But then I like surnames for first names so I'm biased.

ATravellingCircusCame · 05/08/2015 15:04

I know a Baxter, with a similarly American surnamey named brother. I think it's awful, but as with all names you eventually get used to it and just come to accept it as that child.

(Except the child in DD's class called Maud, which I've yet to come to terms with, despite them being in year 6).

LeChien · 05/08/2015 14:56

Yes I know didwe, but as far as I'm aware I'm also allowed to post what I did Confused.
It just comes a cross as very mean, that's my opinion.

Fishwives · 05/08/2015 14:52

I agree with Squoosh - US surname-as-name preppy, like Hunter/Cooper. Seems to be starting something of a trend over here. Not wild about it personally, but aren't you afraid your SIL will read this? Pretty identifying with an unusual name, and you identifying yourself...?

didwedotherightthing · 05/08/2015 14:52

I wouldn't choose that name as it sounds a bit canine. I also dislike very common and very uncommon names in equal measure!

LeChien, do people ever post here slating their own name choices? And are we only meant to post on MN to seek opinions on things that directly and personally affect us?

LeChien · 05/08/2015 14:47

"Le Chien are you new to MN?!!"

No, are you?

I usually manage to stay away from the baby names section, I'm not sure why I strayed in this afternoon.
I just find it very odd that a post is started slating a name, an identifying, unusual name, when it's not even the op using it.

squoosh · 05/08/2015 14:08

A damn sight better than Cedric or Herbert or some of the other names mentioned here recently!

squoosh · 05/08/2015 14:07

Very American preppy. I wouldn't be crazy about it but I wouldn't be horrified by it either. In fact I think I'd even grow to like it after a while......assuming the child wasn't a little horror.

Surnames as first names are here to stay.

ArseForElbow · 05/08/2015 14:04

Reminds me of a dog.

Sophronia · 05/08/2015 14:02

Baxter means "female Baker" (just like Webster is a "female weaver")

CasualJersey · 05/08/2015 13:59

I like it.
It's quite American (think Hunter )
But it's different but not weird.

SoupDragon · 05/08/2015 13:53

Not your baby, it doesn't matter a jot if you don't like the name.

No shit, Sherlock.

TheCowThatLaughs · 05/08/2015 13:52

It's not a very nice name at all imo. Reminds me of Adrian mole and soup.

chocolatechip123 · 05/08/2015 13:52

Oh no, Stanley Baxter!

didwedotherightthing · 05/08/2015 13:51

Le Chien are you new to MN?!!