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

Julian - What do you think?

62 replies

EmmyInTheSticks · 04/06/2017 11:09

I have a sudden love of this name and feel quite inspired to use it.

I think it ticks lots of boxes - nice nick name with Jules, not too popular, not unheard of, easy to pronounce and has a nice musicality to it.

Downsides - is it perceived as a bit pompous?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
YouWhatMate · 05/06/2017 11:54

Julian is pompous, to me. And really weak. As mumsnet users like to say, "it's a bit wet".

liquidrevolution · 05/06/2017 11:53

Its nice but reminds me of the pompous twat from the Famous Five.

squoosh · 05/06/2017 11:22

To me Julian will always be the overbearing mysoginist racist who leads the famous 5 into peril at every opportunity.

You just know he turned out to be a Ukipper. I bet Dick, George and Anne went NC. Fanny and Quentin probably tried to ditch him too.

Lancelottie · 05/06/2017 11:20

I know a Julian who is a very kind and brilliant musician.

I think it's probably compulsory to be a musician with a name like Julian. Off the top of my head, I can think of three we know well, plus Julian Lloyd-Webber (who we don't).

squoosh · 05/06/2017 11:17

It's a bit wet and it reminds me of the obnoxious twat from the Famous Five.

I prefer Julius.

SuperBeagle · 04/06/2017 21:19

I love Julian.

Jules or Jude for short.

I've only ever known one.

MollyHuaCha · 04/06/2017 19:09

It's a really lovely name - go for it. Smile

Original poster
EmmyInTheSticks · 04/06/2017 19:04

Thank you for the comments. I'm pleased it's overall positive. I like Julius too but I worry it's a bit of a big name to live up to and Julian is a bit safer.

I like that it will work in a lot of languages too. DD's name works well in a lot of Europe and I think Julian probably also does.

OP posts:
LadyMonicaBaddingham · 04/06/2017 17:48

I think it's great, really strong. Also agree that potential for diminutives is good.

Chickenagain · 04/06/2017 17:48

Lovely name - I know two, both ravishing!

2014newme · 04/06/2017 17:38

Oh no the horror of shortening it to jules 😯

YolandiFuckinVisser · 04/06/2017 17:36

To me Julian will always be the overbearing mysoginist racist who leads the famous 5 into peril at every opportunity.

Sometimes I call DH Julian when he comes out with some Enid Blyton phrase in everyday conversation. (I say, you are a brick etc).

2014newme · 04/06/2017 17:32

Like it. Always have, ever since my famous five days. An underused classic

29Palms · 04/06/2017 17:31

I don't think Julian has ever been a popular enough name to be associated with any particular generation.

beachbodyunready · 04/06/2017 17:00

Really think Julian is a name associated with 40 something men. I would not choose it.

29Palms · 04/06/2017 16:56

I like it a lot, but don't like Jules (or, the horror, Jools!) or Jude.
But all the Julians I have known have been called simply Julian.

ifcatscouldtalk · 04/06/2017 16:18

Just think of Julian Clary. Also Jules to me sounds very feminine.

Still I've seen what others have said about my own child's name on hereGrin. Go with whatever you like.

Bloomed · 04/06/2017 16:16

I love it. I know a Julian who is a very kind and brilliant musician.

midsomermurderess · 04/06/2017 16:12

Gruffalo, there was Julian of Norwich.

MikeUniformMike · 04/06/2017 15:16

Don't like it at all. OK for Jools Holland and Julian Clary but otherwise a big NO.

grufallosfriend · 04/06/2017 14:18

Julian is great! Strong, classic and not overused.
Works well in other languages too.

The feminine version sounds completely different and is spelled Julianne, Juliane or Juliana.

Jooni · 04/06/2017 13:59

Love it! Agree that it's underused, but very handsome and cool nickname potential (Jules, Jule, Jude).

AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 04/06/2017 13:39

I'm torn because I like the name, and have a good actor friend called Julian (who goes by Jude in his professional life). However i also know a rotten Julian who made my working life a misery for two years. The name itself I find quite sweet.

MacarenaFerreiro · 04/06/2017 13:36

Great name. Unusual but not weird. Suits a child and adult.

Asmoto · 04/06/2017 13:06

I really like it, although I like Julius even more.