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Baby names

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

Original poster

What are you first impressions of....

30 replies

DefinitelyMaybeBaby · 26/08/2015 14:51

Hamish?

THINK this might be the one for our DS due soon. I was going to explain the reasons why we've tentatively chosen it, but I actually would be more interested in your initial reaction to it without knowing anything else. Would you make any assumptions about the child/adult carrying this name and does it give you any pre-conceived ideas about them?

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StevieJo · 01/09/2015 04:07

I love Hamish, it would be on my list if I had Scottish roots. Go for it!

scatterthenuns · 31/08/2015 18:44

DH is half Scottish with a Scottish name, but went to a posh indie school and has a plummy Southern English accent. Nobody queries why he has a Scottish name outwardly - he doesn't have to explain his name iyswim.

HerRoyalNotness · 29/08/2015 03:58

I really like it, reminds me of home, very popular in nz

CakeRattleandRoll · 29/08/2015 03:47

It's a great name and actually quite popular here in Australia. I'd assume Scottish roots somewhere in the family.

19lottie82 · 27/08/2015 14:21

Hamish is an AWESOME name. But then again, I am Scottish!

happymummyone · 27/08/2015 13:26

My DPs mum has a Scottie dog door stop called hamish. That's all I have to contribute.

Fibbertigibbet · 27/08/2015 10:58

Apologies, but it makes me think of questionable meats (i.e. "What's in this airport vending machine sandwich?" "It's ham...ish") and always has, no matter how many lovely Hamishes there are!

Tiggeryoubastard · 26/08/2015 23:58

I too would assume Scottish roots. Not a name I'd've used, but I think it's fine. Very masculine.

ThighsofThunder · 26/08/2015 21:42

Oh I like it. I went to school with an East Asian Hamish, he was lovely.

I'd probably assume Scottish heritage but wouldn't think you were weird if you didn't have any.

Original poster
DefinitelyMaybeBaby · 26/08/2015 21:39

Thanks everyone, I've been re-convinced hearing all your positive responses! I think I just had a last minute wobble, but I do think it is our holy grail name with scottish roots but recognisable in england, easy to say and spell, and uncommon. And a unanimously positive response on mumsnet baby names thread must mean it's a winner!!

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Knitella · 26/08/2015 19:20

I'd think "I love it, if only Mr Knit liked as much as me"!

I know a lovely Hamish and think it's a handsome strong name.

It's also the punch line to a great joke - What do you call a man who's almost home? Hamish!

JiltedJohnsJulie · 26/08/2015 19:10

Love it.

WankerDeAsalWipe · 26/08/2015 18:56

Aha - it was me with the "hairy arsed highlander" That's not a derogatory term though, just a description of a rugged outdoorsy type - kinda like the guy on the front of the porridge box iyswim?

Interestingly th only Hamish I know personally isn't like that - he does have nice curly hair and an accent like liquid honey though.

I like it. His brothers would be Fraser and Rory and his sisters would be Lorna and Mhairi if that helps :o

Slightly lesss overtly highland and rugged I would say are names like Keir, Gregor, Craig, Innes, Struan, Ross, Nairn etc - all lovely names too.

More highlander names, Murdo, Angus, Fergus, Duncan.

Loads of brilliant Scottish names, I don't think you'd get a second glance for Hamish in England though, it's easy to pronounce, easy to spell etc and you never know, you might end up back here some time Wink

Fluffy24 · 26/08/2015 18:19

Love it Smile

Twolefttoes · 26/08/2015 18:17

I know an English Hamish, he is half Scottish. Really suits him.

zippyswife · 26/08/2015 18:16

I love it. I would assume he had Scottish family. I'm of with dc3 and although we both love the name we are English/Irish and kibd of feel like frauds if we used it!

It's great go for it!

Original poster
DefinitelyMaybeBaby · 26/08/2015 18:04

Thanks all, that is helpful. The scottish connotations are strong! I am Scottish, DH is English, we used to live together in Scotland but are now in South England. Baby will be raised here and so I imagine have an English accent, I wonder if he will have to explain he is half Scottish a lot.
I wanted a scottish name, and this was DH's suggestion, he loves it, and I do too but then sometimes I think it's "too scottish" which seems ridiculous when that was something I wanted in a name! Someone on baby names thread recently coined the phrase "a hairy-arsed highlander name" and I think Hamish falls in that category!

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OnMyShoulders · 26/08/2015 18:03

Love it. If DD had been a boy, she would have been Hamish. I am Scottish.

GrannyAch1ng · 26/08/2015 17:26

Yep, as far as I would think about it at all, I'd assume some sort of Scottish connection. Other than that I really like it and haven't come across any children called Hamish in my part of South East England.

SirChenjin · 26/08/2015 17:21

They are ten a penny up here, so I wouldn't think anything tbh. If you were outside Scotland I would think you had some connection to that part of the UK.

MyNameIsSuz · 26/08/2015 17:16

I like it, and wouldn't assume you were Scottish! I know it is a Scottish name but both the Hamishes I know are English. I wouldn't find it any odder than a Sean who wasn't Irish.

SmugairleRoin · 26/08/2015 17:15

I'd assume he was a hulking great Scottish man, possibly out garroting haggis with his kilt. Exaggeration - but yes I'd be thinking very Scottish! I'd be very surprised if there was no close Scottish connection!

manicinsomniac · 26/08/2015 15:47

I quite like it but then the only one I've ever known was so lovely that that might be the reason I like the name.

I'd definitely assume you and/or you partner were Scottish though

Dollyemi · 26/08/2015 14:56

Love it

Pipbin · 26/08/2015 14:55

I would expect the child or the parents to be Scottish.
It's a lovely name but I would find it odd if no one was Scottish.