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Naming twins, big issue

44 replies

magnolia99 · 03/04/2017 03:26

My partner and our son will be moving to the UK in a few months (intent is to raise DC's in London, husband was born in France & raised uk) and I will be having twin daughters a few months after that. I myself am dutch/ greek but raised abroad.
Our son has a very 'out there' kind of name - I didn't see the issue until an English colleague baulked. We had planned what we thought was a lovely sibset with cute nicknames that was totally acceptable in the expat-y, sligthly nutty environment where we are now, but since the comment, are rather worried this won't go down well in England, where everyone I know is called George/Edward/Grace. The kids will likely be heading to London preps in a few years and I would hate for them to stand out awfully. Basically, how crazy is too crazy for you Brits?

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DaisyBlameless · 03/04/2017 13:21

Why on earth did your colleague baulk?

Very normal names imo.

HeteronormativeHaybales · 03/04/2017 13:17

You can't have Cali and Ali! Lis and Albie?

Your names themselves are fine, though I prefer Athena and Beatrice.

magnolia99 · 03/04/2017 08:25

Thanks for all the friendly comments, sorry to disapoint anyone who was expecting something more akin to "candida saskatchewan Camembert McTiddlyWink" - I do find it funny that both Elektra and Octavius raised no eyebrows... maybe I can push for more outlandish ones next time around Wink

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Monkeymarbles · 03/04/2017 05:31

Gorgeous names (and yes Theodore is very popular so whoever balked must've not been out where any under 5's are for a long while).

Teensy bit disappointed, thread title led me to hope for something a bit more out there. J-peg and Wee-wah possibly....

flumpybear · 03/04/2017 04:58

I think those names are absolutely fine!! T-rex lol my DS would LOVE that nickname!!

I thought you were going to say his name was something crazy like Saucepan or Shakespeare lol - i actually know a couple of Theo's (older) and a girl called Teddy - the twins names are cute too

HeyCat · 03/04/2017 04:20

Theodore is a very popular name in London, not "out there" at all.

Calista is unusual, but pretty, easy to spell and say, and people will recognise it because of calista flokhart.

Albertine....is a bit more out there. I'm British and have never met or heard of one. I don't personally like the sound of it. However people will be able to spell and pronounce it no problem.

soundsystem · 03/04/2017 04:15

Lovely names! I'm in London and there are quite a few little Theodores round here...

magnolia99 · 03/04/2017 04:11

Elpth - I LOVE Otti as a nn... Hmmmm... We may have to do some thinking here! Honestly with the amount of long, 'telegraph birth anouncement' type names I like I'll end up with enough kids for a football team.

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elpth · 03/04/2017 04:08

Sorry cross post re Cali and Ali.
Forgot to add: I love that Teddy's initials almost spell ThOR too!

elpth · 03/04/2017 04:06

I think those are lovely names OP. Not too unusual or out there either. I know a Calista, two Ottilies (my favourite), a Beatrice and a Teddy.
But I agree with a previous poster that Cali and Ali would be too similar and confusing. So either go with Bertie or how about Albie? Or would you consider switching the names around a bit? I think Calista and Ottilie would be fab names for twin girls, nn Cali and Otti? But then I'm biased as DH ruled out Ottilie and I'm still bitter.

magnolia99 · 03/04/2017 04:00

Mackerel - I think we'll go for Cali and Bertie, I have a few Danish friends with a similar name who are nicknamed bertie, berta, etc. Maybe Albi? Not sure. Don't want to have Cali & Ali together though - I'm quite particular on them having their own identities so I avoided matchy names (I think pregnancy makes me turn into a midwestern life coach so bare with...)

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MrsNuckyThompson · 03/04/2017 03:57

Not too out there at all!

MackerelOfFact · 03/04/2017 03:55

Cali and Ali is going to get a bit confusing, isn't it?

But no, none of those names would be deemed weird in London.

magnolia99 · 03/04/2017 03:49

Husband requested the rex - the little Dino doesn't quite get it yet but I hope he'll forgive the Octavius part when he gets to be called T-Rex at school Grin

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Mouthfulofquiz · 03/04/2017 03:47

I'd be calling your son T-Rex! Best nickname ever!
I like your name choices, very nice for the girls.

Brown76 · 03/04/2017 03:43

They sound good to my ear. Am based in London, we know two Teddy's but haven't encountered either of the girls names.

magnolia99 · 03/04/2017 03:42

Diane - thank goodness, very pleased to hear. To be fair, husband is the sensible one - otherwise i'd of had a "constantine montague st john" or something

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DianeSelwyn · 03/04/2017 03:37

Calista and Albertine are fine, normal names. As is Theodore. Not nutty or 'out there' at all.

magnolia99 · 03/04/2017 03:29

Son is Theodore Octavius Rex (nn Teddy),
Daughters were to be Calista Athena Otilie (nn Cali) and Albertine Beatrice Elektra (nn Ali/Bertie)

Please be gentle Smile

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