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Baby names

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

Original poster

Boris?

57 replies

EssentialHummus · 06/01/2017 19:08

I want a Russian-ish name, but most seem really over-used (Ivan, Alexei, Sergey...).

I love the name Boris but will everyone hear it and think "... Johnson"? I wouldn't have minded pre-Brexit

If his father is anything to go by, he'll be blonde, loud and talkative Hmm

DH is Russian, I'm Jewish. Something that reflects both cultures would be great, but there are few cross-over names. Boris is a solid "Jewish intelligentsia" name in Russia (I'm told), plus I think it's not common without being too out there, and works in Russia and here in the UK.

Surname will be similar to Mikhailov.

Thoughts?

The other names I'm keen on are Nikolai and Mikhail. Lev would work well in both cultures, but the only Lev we know is a total ladypart and that's putting me off.

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Original poster
EssentialHummus · 07/01/2017 12:07

Oh fuck I forgot about Yeltsin.

The Artyom we know is also a %^&. I like Pavel but the NN (Pasha) puts me off. Bertrand* are you put off by Johnson or something else, out of interest?

horatio that is an incredibly helpful website - thanks!

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BertrandRussell · 07/01/2017 12:02

Maybe in 5 years Boris Johnson will be forgotten.

But this baby is being born this year. Do you actually want to spend the first year of your baby's life dealing with oh so funny jokes from people who think they're comedians, sniggers from rude people and forced face straightening from polite people?

GinIsIn · 07/01/2017 11:53

I think that Boris Johnson has ruined the name for at least a decade, I'm afraid....

SingaSong12 · 07/01/2017 11:52

I would first think of Johnson but that is today. Some years ago would have been Becker or Yeltsin. If you love the name go for it as you never know what will happen. Another popular Boris may become famous.

EmpressOfTheSpartacusOceans · 07/01/2017 11:49

Nikolai is lovely.

BertrandRussell · 07/01/2017 11:47

You cannot, seriously, call a baby in the U.K. Boris.

Mikhail is good. I know a Pavel, known as Pav. Artem?

There are loads of brilliant Jewish names. Adam crosses 3 cultures well.

But honestly, not Boris.

1horatio · 07/01/2017 11:45

Btw, I have no idea how reliable this site is, but whilst the main focus is about the surnames their first names are listed as well... maybe you'd find something you like?

www.jewishgen.org/Belarus/misc/JewishEncycRussia/a/index.html

1horatio · 07/01/2017 11:41

essential

Thanks :)

Let's hope DH doesn't veto it...

MarmiteDoesYouGood · 07/01/2017 11:39

Totally Boris Johnson.

Niko is an awesome shortened version if you go for Nikolai.

Original poster
EssentialHummus · 07/01/2017 11:37

I'm not in the "name stealing" camp at all horatio - go for it!

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1horatio · 07/01/2017 11:29

hummus

I really like it and just put it on our list... (I didn't even think of it before your thread, tbh. Is this bad mumsnet etiquette? A bit like 'stealing' a name? I hope it isn't...)

Rainatnight · 07/01/2017 11:18

Sorry, Johnson Sad

Original poster
EssentialHummus · 07/01/2017 11:16

Hmm - not as bad as I thought but not great either. I'm not sure I can imagine walking into a baby group and introducing little Boris.

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1horatio · 06/01/2017 23:52

I really like the name Boris.

SausageSoda · 06/01/2017 22:47

^^ agree, Nikolai is great.

Raines100 · 06/01/2017 22:44

Johnson- sorry.

Love Nikolai, and there are some great shortenings- Nick, Nico, Kolya, etc

Hairstylisttoboris · 06/01/2017 21:47

It's a good name :)

Borisisback · 06/01/2017 21:46

I like it. My baby is known as baby boris. It's not his real name tho.

Alb1 · 06/01/2017 21:45

I thought Johnson, and after his brexit actions 'doing a Boris' was even added to the urban dictionary and that sticks in my mind. I thought the other names you mentioned were lovely though

reuset · 06/01/2017 21:42

It's going to be synonymous with Johnson for a while yet I'm afraid. If that doesn't bother you then use it.

SausageSoda · 06/01/2017 20:53

Another one whose immediate thought was Johnston, sorry. Regardless of that bafoon I don't like the name Blush

Jooni · 06/01/2017 20:51

Don't like Boris, sorry. I don't think it's forever linked to Johnson though, even though he's an obvious connection.

Love Nikolai, Mikhail and Lev though. Levin maybe, if you know an unfortunate Lev.

Feodor? Matvei? Artem? Kirill?

TheDowagerCuntess · 06/01/2017 19:56

Sorry - first reaction was 'Johnson'.

TheDowagerCuntess · 06/01/2017 19:55

My first reaction was Boris (hard to believe I thought he was alright as mayor; I think he's a tool of the first order now).

However, people will soon lose the buffoon association, and see him as Boris in his own right.

Besides, his peers won't have the same associations as we do.

Ilovecaindingle · 06/01/2017 19:50

Every spider in our house was called Boris!!

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