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Baby names

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

Original poster

Is Lewis considered a downmarket name in SE England?

68 replies

CaptainChristmas · 17/12/2017 16:07

Just that really!

I didn’t think of Lewis as ‘downmarket’ at all, but I’ve seen a couple of threads on here lately where people have said things like; it’s downmarket / it’s one of those names teachers doesn’t like seeing on their class lists / “dated and chavvy” (not my words).

I am not from SE England, but live there now and am wondering how it’s perceived in the area. I know it shouldn’t matter, and nor would it if we were totally set on it, but as we’re umming and ah-ing anyway, I just thought I’d ask.

TIA

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FadedRed · 17/12/2017 18:19

This place amazed me at times.
Innocuous thread about a name, and within a few replies we have a teacher who judges the 'naughty children' based on their parent's name choice, and the most successful British racing driver in the history of the sport dismissed as a 'sleb', instead of feted as an inspirational role model.
Lewis is a good Scottish/Welsh name IMO.

Veterinari · 17/12/2017 18:17

Many Celtic origin names are considered ‘chavvy’ in England. I suspect it says more about the judgers than the namers

Original poster
CaptainChristmas · 17/12/2017 18:04

I’m not keen on Logan or Linus, but thank you for the suggestions Smile.

OP posts:
Tour · 17/12/2017 18:02

Logan is a similar Scottish name used less.

Original poster
CaptainChristmas · 17/12/2017 17:39

Oooooh @bonnie. You might be on to something there... Maybe people think it’s sleb inspired, which I think people do think is a bit downmarket.

OP posts:
BonnieF · 17/12/2017 17:37

My perception would be that if the family were not Scottish, the boy would likely be named after Lewis Hamilton (who, incidentally, was named after the athlete Carl Lewis). Naming children after celebrities might be considered 'downmarket' by some.

Smoliver · 17/12/2017 17:30

I only know one Lewis, who I grew up with at school. He wasn't a "chav" or naughty at school from what I can remember and he now teaches Biology to Secondary school children.

Long story short, I think it's a good name for a boy - not down market at all!

whoareyoukidding · 17/12/2017 17:04

what about Linus? Similar but also traditional

QueenAravisOfArchenland · 17/12/2017 16:49

No, not at all. It's a classic, neutral Welsh/Scots name.

DancesWithOtters · 17/12/2017 16:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
CaptainChristmas · 17/12/2017 16:39

We aren’t Scottish, but we lived in Scotland for a few years after we graduated, so I have a soft spot for Scottish names! I think of Lewis as a classic, Scottish name, so neutral really rather than up / downmarket or trendy / dated.

Lewis is one of the only names we both like, but we aren’t 100% set on it.

OP posts:
lovingmatleave · 17/12/2017 16:31

Wow at the teacher who has preconceptions about kids based on their name! I'd hate to think a child entering school has a teacher like her.

Greenshoots1 · 17/12/2017 16:25

not any more. 30-40 years ago, maybe

LockedOutOfMN · 17/12/2017 16:23

I'm from London and think it's a lovely name that's not downmarket. I knew a few young boys named Lewis and they all have a Scottish parent or grandparent.

overmydeadbody · 17/12/2017 16:22

Yes.

Original poster
CaptainChristmas · 17/12/2017 16:21

Nowhere near Lewes! Good point though.

OP posts:
Sashkin · 17/12/2017 16:19

Depends on what part of SE England. If you're nowhere near the town (Lewes), it’s fine.

I once had a colleague called Caburn, after the prominent hill fort south of Lewes. I thought that was a pretty nice name, though again it would be a bit weird if you still live in the area (he didn’t).

userabcname · 17/12/2017 16:17

I'm in the SW and personally I don't like it, sorry. I'm a teacher and it's very much a naughty boy name to me.

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