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Baby names

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

Original poster

Thoughts on these names

31 replies

ArialAnna · 21/10/2016 16:36

We're in a dilemma over names for our on the way baby boy. I really like Jenson, but my husband thinks it's too closely associated with Jenson Button only. My husband likes Jasper, which I can't stand as I associate it with a dog (a very cute dog, but still)

I want to find something not too out there, but not too common either. (I have a first name that was very popular at the time, and throughout school there were loads of other people of the same name. Being quite introverted I always seemed to be referred to as the 'other XX' which I hated). So I'm trying to avoid anything in the top 30 baby names.

So far the name we've both come closet to liking is Arnold. It's traditional but it doesn't even seem to be in the top 100 for babies now. I like the shortening 'Arnie'. But something is holding me back. Maybe because it could sound a little old fashioned. What are your associations with this name?

The other one we've been thinking is Cedric. But I associate this very strongly with the character of the same name in Harry Potter! (My husband hasn't read all the books so doesn't). What do you associate this name with?

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HappyCamel · 22/10/2016 01:02

I wouldn't worry about the friends with the same names. You and your family
will only associate the name with your baby.

Enkopkaffetak · 22/10/2016 00:52

Arnold and Cedric are lovely names. However I like quirky what I call unusual but not weird names I think they both go under that type.

I dont like Jenson/Jensen mostly due to growing up in Denmark where Jensen is just SUCH a common surname (Think Smith and Jones combined) I like Jasper but if you get dog feelings then thats not a good one.

Reality is though if you go with a unusual but not weird name you are likely to get people saying its horrible. For them it will be as they prefer the top 100 at a push 200 names. Thats ok too. When We announced our son was called Conrad my mothers reaction was " Thats horrible" ffw 13 years and she said " I always liked the name Conrad it is such a strong solid name" She got used to it. Thats what will happen with the names you pick too.

Can I throw Cecil in if you like Cedrick? simply because it is similar and I just love it.

Buntysoven · 22/10/2016 00:31

I like Cedric and really dislike Arnold. Ehat about Jerome?

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 21/10/2016 18:51

I actually do like Cedric.
Joseph
Wilbur
Hudson
Daniel
Dylan
Jonas
Reuben
Benedict
Dominic
Adam

NavyandWhite · 21/10/2016 18:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MotherDuckSaid · 21/10/2016 17:49

Oooooh I LOVE Arnold ! Puts on own list.. !

kiwiscantfly · 21/10/2016 17:19

My first rule when choosing names was no double ups, so no friends names etc. I figure there are enough names out there not to need to share with people we know well.

Also, I love Jenson, maybe spelling it differently could help. I remember reading that JB's parents changed the spelling of the name, this is from his Wikipedia page:

He was named after his father's Danish friend and rallycross opponent Erling Jensen, changing the "e" to an "o" to differentiate it from Jensen Motors.

Good luck!

MiketheKite · 21/10/2016 17:16

If my dd had been a boy, she'd have been Arnold. I like that it's 'endangered' as it is rarely given as a boys name.

That said, if I was to have a boy now i'd choose Sebastian (even though it's fairly popular now) but DP doesn't like it because of Sebastian Vettel!!

I think Jenson is in the top 100 now so I don't think everyone will assume Button

RiverTam · 21/10/2016 17:14

Caspian?

skyyequake · 21/10/2016 17:14

NoCapes my brother is a Kaspar but he was born in March Grin

skyyequake · 21/10/2016 17:12

I wouldn't name a baby the same name as a friend, because I would associate the name with that friend whenever I heard it! I do mean friend though, I wouldn't mind if it was someone at school I used to know,or a colleague from my first job who I don't speak to anymore...

Original poster
ArialAnna · 21/10/2016 17:11

Ha NoCapes, we're exactly the same but the other way round! - DH likes Casper but I vetoed that as to me he's Casper the ghost!

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AmberEars · 21/10/2016 17:08

Personally I'd have no problem naming my DC the same name as a friend.

RiverTam · 21/10/2016 17:06

Your friends have very cool names, all of my friends are just called the usual 1970s names like Sarah and Claire. So I would never name my children 'after' a friend. I don't really matters.

NoCapes · 21/10/2016 17:06

Interestingly lots of our names people said were 'Jewish' too we're not Jewish and didn't really care though

NoCapes · 21/10/2016 17:05

I love Jasper, it was on our list for DS2 along with Zachary (DS's name) Reuben, Finley, Oscar & Thomas
I also like Casper but this was immediately vetoed as DS was due around Halloween and Casper is a ghost Grin

Not Arnold though - really really not Arnold

Original poster
ArialAnna · 21/10/2016 17:05

I'm interested to hear why Arnold is associated with being Jewish? Nothing wrong with that but it hadn't occurred to me before.

OP posts:
skyyequake · 21/10/2016 17:04

I like Jenson but your DP seems set against it... I don't like any of the others sorry!

If you're after suggestions my favourite boys names are Leo and Harrison!

Original poster
ArialAnna · 21/10/2016 17:02

Again we know a Gregory amongst our friends. Or are we being a bit precious about this? Are other people put off by using names of friends, or is this not an issue for you?

OP posts:
Ilovewillow · 21/10/2016 17:00

I love Jasper but I see your point! Arnold is good, if you like the Jewish vibe how about Reuben? If you like the J - Jude?

Thetruthfairy · 21/10/2016 16:57

Gregory?

dalmatianmad · 21/10/2016 16:57

Arnold is awesome!

I like Vinnie and Frank too?

RiverTam · 21/10/2016 16:55

Keir!

RiverTam · 21/10/2016 16:55

If you're just after suggestions, my favourite boys names are Ezra and Keor, which are obviously nothing like what you have in mind Blush.

RiverTam · 21/10/2016 16:54

I prefer Jenson to all the others, and JB's not a bad person to be named after! Jasper is OK, but very Twilight, Cedric I don't like and obviously Harry Potter.

Arnold - for some reason I think of an ageing Lower East Side Jewish dude. I have absolutely no idea why. He'd be pretty cool though. Is this a character in a film??

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