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Baby names

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

Original poster

I just threw a baby name book across the room - argh!

238 replies

Somerville · 18/07/2017 20:56

Stupid baby name book, where the boy section is missing one syllable names.

Well... there are a few that are short for something (Matt, Nick), which I dislike on their own, and having a longer name on BC defeats the purpose.

And a few more that are just... not very dashing interesting.

Oh and others that don't fit our other essential criteria - which is not ending with the letter L and being able to work okay in both France and Ireland as well as UK.

Indulge me for a moment that the issue is my baby name book and not our (unfortunately, wholly necessary) criteria, alright?! Any ideas?

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OhTheRoses · 19/07/2017 22:11

I do enjoy Cap'n Ross of a Sunday evening Smile. Perhaps not George but could Dwight do it? nn Ennis. Or Drake, nn Duck.?

NameChange30 · 19/07/2017 22:10

Well look at this beauty, thanks spinassienne Grin
Wikipedia tells me Beau was his nickname. His name was actually George Bryan Brummell.

Seriously though... has anyone suggested George yet? Although it's a bit too royal for my liking. And not as dashing as Max or your other favourite.

I just threw a baby name book across the room - argh!
SleepFreeZone · 19/07/2017 22:09

Seb - Sebastian

spinassienne · 19/07/2017 22:04

Look up Beau Brummell Another, that was just about Jane Austen's day :-)

7to25 · 19/07/2017 21:53

Ross

AmyGardner · 19/07/2017 21:50

Jay as a nn for James. Know a couple of people who use this.

spinassienne · 19/07/2017 21:42

My french dh and I seriously considered miles which people would know how to pronounce because of miles Davis. In the end we went with.n Irish name and have had loads of compliments. And I know little Finns in Paris who get on just fine fwiw.

NameChange30 · 19/07/2017 21:38

I'm a big fan of Jane Austen, so I've heard of "beau" as a synonym for male suitor, but never heard of it in any other context in English.

The grammar geek and Francophile in me is mortally offended by its use as a female name!

lazycrazyhazy · 19/07/2017 21:31

To be fair in English Beau for a man has been around for a long time though I read that is began as a NN.

Laura1206 · 19/07/2017 20:54

Owen

Lemondrop99 · 19/07/2017 20:49

I knew a female Bo, with that spelling. B-O. I'm sure that'll go down well at secondary school Hmm

NameChange30 · 19/07/2017 19:32

Wyf In France! Shock

(Sorry for double post btw, must have been a technical glitch.)

WyfOfBathe · 19/07/2017 19:11

One of my FB friends announced the birth of their DAUGHTER Beau... I definitely spluttered. A lot*

I have taught multiple female Beaus (I really want to write Beaux) - including an English speaking child IN FRANCE. It's hard to resist the urge to rename them Belle and gift their parents a grammar book

NameChange30 · 19/07/2017 19:10

One of my FB friends* announced the birth of their DAUGHTER Beau... I definitely spluttered. A lot.

*Not an actual friend so I don't see them and luckily don't have to keep a straight face in their presence.

Original poster
Somerville · 19/07/2017 18:50

I love reading passive-aggressively polite replies to out-there baby name announcements on FB. Grin I just don't want to get too many of them ourselves.

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 19/07/2017 18:41

One of my FB friends* announced the birth of their DAUGHTER Beau... I definitely spluttered. A lot.

*Not an actual friend so I don't see them and luckily don't have to keep a straight face in their presence.

NameChange30 · 19/07/2017 18:40

"The next time I'm bored I plan to pretend I've fallen for the name Beau, just to watch DH splutter."
Grin

MikeUniformMike · 19/07/2017 18:38

I like Guy.

Original poster
Somerville · 19/07/2017 18:38

The next time I'm bored I plan to pretend I've fallen for the name Beau, just to watch DH splutter. Grin

Honestly, Em, every single person who knows our surnames has looked dubious while saying some variant of "Oh well, at least you'll be able to give him a really short first name."

I'm not saying we won't brazen out giving him a longer name than is ideal. We might.
But it's nice to have Max on the list too. Smile

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 19/07/2017 18:36

"I know an adorable baby Beau but is it used as a name in France?"

No! Of course not. Belle isn't either.

lazycrazyhazy · 19/07/2017 18:35

I know at least 4 little Maxes and several Rafes. Both good names but fashionable. I know an adorable baby Beau but is it used as a name in France? Several people have mentioned Guy which is a strong name and due a resurgence, I think. Obviously works well in France too. Re Hugh I don't think of Grant as have known some nice Hughs, don't let one actor put you off.

MikeUniformMike · 19/07/2017 18:27

I think that Max Somerville Nomdefamille sounds great.
I don't like Beau as a name.

NameChange30 · 19/07/2017 18:23
joannegrady90 · 19/07/2017 18:12

Beau is perfect op

NameChange30 · 19/07/2017 18:08

I had another thought... I wonder if a 3/4 syllable first name might actually sound better with the 3+4 syllable surname - it might balance it out. If you picked a longer name with a one-syllable shortening/nickname, the shorter version would still be used everyday. He'd be like his siblings then.