Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Is this a bit brave?

80 replies

newroundhere · 30/07/2016 01:39

DS1 was born 3 days ago and we still need to agree a first name. Most of the names we like are quite traditional / conservative (James, Alexander, Benjamin, Adam, Thomas) and the middle name is definitely going to be Robert.

However, DH and I both randomly like the name Torben, which is of Danish origin - no family links, we just like it. We're worried that it's a bit unusual - will people know how to spell / pronounce it, does it sound a bit trendy, are we brave enough to go for something out of the ordinary...??

So, any thoughts on Torben? With Ben as the nickname? Thanks! Smile

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
dippywhentired · 30/07/2016 06:59

I think it's nice, and I like traditional names usually. If you wanted something similar, but English, how about Tobyn?

CatNip2 · 30/07/2016 06:34

I think it's lovely, and now you gave posted it on MN there will be 100 little boys called it do not that unusual Grin

Seriously, it's very nice, unusual and with the Ben option and a sensible middle name, go for it!

blitheringbuzzards1234 · 30/07/2016 06:34

Torben sounds reasonable but would your child complain/ever forgive you for giving him a name that he has to explain every time he has to mention it? It could get tiresome after a while.

My friend has an unusual Polish name which is pronounced differently to how it's spelled. She has to explain it so often it's annoying to her. When her baby sister was born she begged her mother to give her an English name so she was given an English first name with Polish middle name.

SkydivingFerret · 30/07/2016 06:20

Torben not torrent!

scoobyloobyloo · 30/07/2016 06:18

I am a big fan of original names which are still names but really don't like Torben. Round these parts Tors relate to the peaks of the moors which I always think of as dark, wet and gloomy. I also know two grown up Tors and I find it a really awkward name for an adult.

BUT! If we all went for the same names, the world would be a very boring place!

SkydivingFerret · 30/07/2016 06:18

I really doubt your son will spend his life telling people where he's from. I know of an adult torrent and nobody questions his name, it's just his name

elpth · 30/07/2016 06:13

It's a fab name. The only thing that jumped out at me is Torben is one letter off being an anagram of Robert so Torben Robert is maybe an odd combination. But if you don't mind (or even like) that fact you should totally go for it!
We strongly considered Torin which has a similar feel and means chief which may work better with Robert?

JudyCoolibar · 30/07/2016 06:02

It's OK, but you and your son will spend your lives having people ask if you're Danish or Scandinavian.

ShanghaiDiva · 30/07/2016 05:56

I like it - like pp said it sounds both traditional yet cool.

JingleJangleJudy · 30/07/2016 05:54

I like it too. As I read your post I thought James Alexander was lovely yet reading the thread, Torben was growing on me. The meaning makes little bear, or Mama's little bear seem adorable. Smile

CaptainWarbeck · 30/07/2016 05:43

I really like it and I'm not usually a fan of out there names. It sounds traditional and having the option of Ben is a good compromise. Plus I like Tor too.

Mel0Drama · 30/07/2016 05:39

I think you've hit the name jackpot. It's not popular but sounds solid, almost traditional yet cool.

Ladybirdturd · 30/07/2016 05:31

Love it!

Wincarnis · 30/07/2016 05:18

Lovely name, go for it!

LauderSyme · 30/07/2016 04:37

Torben is a lovely name! And really not that outlandish; as you say, it does somehow have a solid traditional feel, which prevents it from being weird or trendy.
I've just googled it's meaning and it's great!
Thor's bear... The bear of the Thunder God... Imagine all the wonderful pet names you could spin out of it for him! Smile

crabb · 30/07/2016 04:17

Love it! And Tor would be a very cool NN.

Motherfuckers · 30/07/2016 04:10

I like it too.

Pikette · 30/07/2016 04:08

If you like it then go for it, I don't think it's that out there. I have friends that I have been unsure of their choice of name at first but now I can't imagine them as anything else and have come round to the names myself! We named our little boy Hugo and I nearly didn't do it as was worried what people would think but now I don't care and glad we stuck with it and didn't get put off by others!

Original poster
newroundhere · 30/07/2016 03:38

Thanks for the feedback so far!

Lucy I agree, that's why pretty much all of our choices were traditional. Torben is a bit left field but it somehow sounds quite traditional somehow Confused

In terms of the nn we thought Ben might give him an option if he hated having an unusual name.

OP posts:
Longlost10 · 30/07/2016 03:36

I love it, smart, unusual, but not outlandish in any way, and he will have a choice of two cool nicknames, Tor, or Ben

TealLove · 30/07/2016 03:30

No I prefer your first options.

MephistoMarley · 30/07/2016 03:30

I wouldn't call him that but use Ben. If you are going to go for torben then call him torben. Shortening it to Ben seems a bit pointless to me, cal him Ben if that's what you want to cal him!

dontmakemedothis · 30/07/2016 02:14

I like it!

Don't like Ben as a nickname though :S

VioletBam · 30/07/2016 02:10

I like it. And if he gets Tor for short I like that too!

Haggisfish · 30/07/2016 02:06

I like it and can say it fine.