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Baby names

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

Original poster

Jakub or Kacper? Maybe Olaf?

133 replies

Josie1988 · 26/01/2017 01:16

I know a few Olafs (in Poland) and it's my favourite, but it won't work in the UK, will it? Frozen...

If not, it's between Jakub and Kacper.

Which do you like more? Thanks.

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greeeen · 26/01/2017 10:56

Jakub is my favourite.

MossytheMouse · 26/01/2017 10:54

I think you should go with olaf

MitzyLeFrouf · 26/01/2017 10:52

Just call him Olaf. Does the Frozen thing really matter? Would probably be a positive association for a young child and by the time he’s older Frozen will be ten Disney cartoons ago.

EssentialHummus · 26/01/2017 10:44

I like Kacper, but I'd expect it to be pronounced Casper/Caspar everywhere he goes. I also prefer the Olav spelling to Olaf, bit it sounds like that isn't on the cards.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 26/01/2017 10:40

Olaf is a great name OP. 😄

minipie · 26/01/2017 10:32

I think Olaf will be fine. Frozen fever is wearing off already and by the time your DS is pre school age it will be just another Disney film. Anyway it's not a terrible association.

Jakub is nice and I think people could manage the spelling/pronunciation fine once taught. I would avoid Kacper for all the reasons given.

goldenrachita · 26/01/2017 10:29

If Olaf is your favourite, just use it. There are plenty of little girls who were called Elsa before Frozen came out as it was already a trendy name, and they are all fine! Olaf is easy to write and say for English speakers.

Kacper is a bit awkward for English speakers to say, with clashing consonants in the middle, so I wouldn't say I'm a huge fan. People might end up calling him Casper a lot, out of laziness or habit, so you'd need to be sure that didn't bother you.

Jacub is nice. The spelling is not English but the name is easy for us to say. Noone will find it difficult to say Ya-cob. I know a little Jacub who's always called Kuba- which is a nice abbreviation that I think they also use in Poland?

And I think you should use the Polish spelling, whatever you choose.

MarmiteDoesYouGood · 26/01/2017 09:52

I do not associate Olaf with Frozen at all. It's such a traditional name that it goes far beyond it. I associate it with big strong men, so definitely a good name in my opinion Smile

Elbi · 26/01/2017 09:45

When I was at school (Britain, 90s) kak/kack/cack was definitely a word for poo. The mean kids in my class would almost certainly have dubbed Kacper 'Cack Poo' or 'Cack Pants'... But that was 20 years ago. Hopefully kids are nicer/more open-minded now....? Or maybe the meaning hasn't lasted.

ExpectoPatronummmm · 26/01/2017 07:26

All of those names are so harsh sounding and not nice to say

Wallywobbles · 26/01/2017 04:42

In France Kacper would lead to a whole lifetime of misery.

I do think you need to give a thought to the country you are actually going to live in not just to where you are from.

Fluffybrain · 26/01/2017 04:39

Like all those names. Olaf the snowman is brilliant anyway! I have a son with a 'foreign' name that is not spelt how it is said. I wanted the original spelling. It does not bother me that people ask how to say it. I like telling them where the name originates and the meaning. He likes his name.

lizzieoak · 26/01/2017 04:26

Is it just in North America that kak is sometimes a word for poo? Nicknames can be a minefield, so I can see kids seeing Kacper (sorry,
Can't scroll down nor remember how to spell this) & thinking of poop. But perhaps not in Britain?

Casz · 26/01/2017 03:55

If you live in a part of the country with a large Polish community, you will find most teachers will be able to pronounce your child's name correctly.

However, if you go for Kacper, you and your child will have to keep spelling it out as there are so many possible variations - C or K, c or s, a or e. Why not use it as a middle name if you are really fond of it?

FastWindow · 26/01/2017 03:24

josie I always end up saying on baby name threads- your baby, name the child as you love.

But have a heart for the poor teacher trying to call your child out. And if you are going to live in a country where Kackper has to spell/sound out his name for the next 70 years, then take a leaf out of my book.

Original poster
Josie1988 · 26/01/2017 03:17

I was only wondering Confused

OP posts:
FastWindow · 26/01/2017 03:05

Do *what you want. Olav was our king, thought it might be worth a try if you wanted a variation - there are other countries, you know.

Confused
FastWindow · 26/01/2017 03:02

Only trying to help. Do want you want?

Original poster
Josie1988 · 26/01/2017 02:59

We would go with the Polish variation, so Jacob/Casper/Caspar/Kasper/Kaspar are all out.

OP posts:
Original poster
Josie1988 · 26/01/2017 02:57

Since when was Olav the original? I've only come across Olafs in Poland.

OP posts:
lizzieoak · 26/01/2017 02:56

I think spelling Jacob as people are used to would save your son a lifetime of annoyance. Olav/Olaf is okay, hard to picture for me on a baby, but an okay name. Kaspar or Caspar, sure, Kachpar (?) - No!!

MommaGee · 26/01/2017 02:20

I like Jakub

FastWindow · 26/01/2017 02:14

Then go for Olav, my sovereign, father to my now king Harald. You avoid the Frozen reference by spelling it as it should be. X

EurusHolmes · 26/01/2017 02:09

I prefer Jakub but quite like both.

No to Olaf - frozen has ruined it

Original poster
Josie1988 · 26/01/2017 02:05

They would just ask him how it's pronounced Smile we are in London and most children just say their name first Smile

Really? Olaf is my favourite. If it wouldn't be 'embarrassing' I'd pick it.

Yes, my husband and I are both Polish.

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