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Baby names

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

Original poster

Please no more Finns or Tobys!

40 replies

akorda · 22/06/2016 20:15

I mean they're great names, but every other child I meet in London at the moment has one of these names. And every mother says "I thought they were so unusual" and seems disappointed.
Well I thought I'd warn those who are considering these names and think they are being unique that they're not and, if they mind about such things, to reconsider.
Sorry, just had to get that off my chest! It's been an irritating day
(and of course please call your child whatever you like!)

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Shemozzle · 15/07/2016 11:17

Finn from Adventure Time I thought.

Florrieboo · 15/07/2016 08:40

We have a lot of Finn's here in Oz, also lots of Hamish's and loads of Archie's

Girls seems to be still in the Emily, Emelia, Milly era.

DerelictMyBalls · 15/07/2016 07:05

We are knee deep in Finns here in SW London but I have never met a Toby. Leo, Oscar, Ethan and Freddie are the super-popular boys' names here.

I'll probably meet a baby Toby today, now I've said that Wink

Pidgythe2nd · 13/07/2016 19:51

Have my very first Biscuit op

Jjspoon · 12/07/2016 22:18

^ scrap my comment... just noticed a whole thread on it lol...

Jjspoon · 12/07/2016 22:14

People have mentioned Oscar... this was what I'm planning to call dc if a boy... I've not come across it on top baby name lists recently?

fionadal · 12/07/2016 21:14

Btw I think the Toby trend may have come from the Cheerios cereal box a year or so ago-I kid you not! I remember there being a Toby and a Lucy on the back for ages. I bet this helped it filter into public consciousness.

Finn I can't explain!

So interesting how name trends work!

fionadal · 02/07/2016 21:51

For OP wanting to use Tobias-just wanted to refer you to this.

Best to choose this name because you like it not because it's unusual!

fionadal · 30/06/2016 21:57

....Or Sophias (a nice-sounding name but OMG are they everywhere at the moment!)

For boys I trip over Teddys and Leos!

ridingalonginanarmytruck · 28/06/2016 19:52

I get your point re: warning people that names they thought were unusual actually aren't...so many people seem to experience this and feel annoyed afterwards.

UntilTheCowsComeHome · 27/06/2016 10:13

We have a good variety of boys' names round here now, but all baby girls seem to be called Ava/Eva/Isla.

When my DSs were little we were over run by Jacks and Harrys.

In fact DS2 has 6 Jacks in his year. He's close friends with 3 of them which is fun when he recounts a story Grin

scottsporridgeoats · 27/06/2016 10:06

Finlay is popular in Scotland
People don't use Toby much as round here it is slang for penis!

MyNewBearTotoro · 26/06/2016 22:41

Oh dear.

People have mentioned both my DD and my DS's names on this thread!

Just name your child something you like - unless you make something up of course they won't be the only child with that name but then sharing your name with someone is hardly disasterous. Me and a close friend share a name and it's never mattered at all.

WalkingZed · 26/06/2016 21:49

Are you secretly expecting twin boys that you want to call these names?

What do you do that every other child you meet is called these names?

prettyFLower23 · 26/06/2016 21:39

Agree heard of 4 Toby's born this year
Other 2016 names firing up in popularity

  • Clara
  • Hugo
  • Elodie/ Eloise
I know of about 12 babies born this year all with these names
lemonjellytrifle · 26/06/2016 20:19

Yup, Toby definitely becoming very common and think Fin has been common for a while. Have also noticed quite a few Reubens around and surprisingly very few Jacks!

For girls, Martha seems to be the new name on the block round here.

cecilelliott · 26/06/2016 14:57

yes, I know loads of baby/toddler Tobys too. Funny how it has suddenly zoomed up in popularity. Theo is also going the same way. Sad how nice names just lose their freshness when overused like this.
As OP said, use it if you want but don't use it because it is an unusual name. The next "Oscar" I reckon

monkeywithacowface · 26/06/2016 00:13

I only know one Toby and as far as I'm aware he's the only one in a school of 400 pupils. There's a ton of Harry's, Louis', George's, Sam, Finlay's though.

IFailDaily · 26/06/2016 00:07

Oh, ok.
Well, welcome new great-nephew Toby.
Sorry, you're not unique, but we're very pleased to meet you anyway xx

EweAreHere · 25/06/2016 23:39

Haven't noticed too many Finns or Tobys, and I work in a primary school. Do know quite a few George, Alfie, and Olivers, though.

Crunchymum · 25/06/2016 23:33

I know exactly none of each (central London here)

NerrSnerr · 23/06/2016 18:05

I know loads of Finley/ Finlays. I also know a lot of Evie and Eves. There are also three Evie-Mays who will be in the same year in school.

MarriedinMaui · 23/06/2016 17:55

It's all william and Charlie here. With Luca and Joshua popular too. Only know one Finn (Age 8) and one Toby (age around 40)

drspouse · 23/06/2016 17:50

The thing that I find odd is that nobody who wants an unusual name seems aware of the existence of name popularity lists.

They do act all surprised that their Thomas or Oliver or Toby or Molly or Sophie isn't the only one in their class.

(Mind you I know one Toby but we do live in a low-Toby area).

I carefully scrutinised the popularity lists before choosing our DCs names.

Mycraneisfixed · 23/06/2016 16:52

Finlay and Toby are both in the Mumsnett top 50.