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Baby names

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Original poster

I've done something awful

86 replies

Jux · 17/02/2018 18:40

My cousin (many years younger than I) has had her 2nd baby, a boy. While she was pg, I had joked that she could call a boy Harbottle - this is something I occasionally suggest on threads here.

This is what she has decided on. Blush She has sent me a thank you card for suggesting the name, and the invitation to the christening confirms the name. I have rung various other cousins, expecting to be laughed out of court for taking it seriously, but they all confirm it too.

I guess there is nothing much I can do, except hope that it's an elaborate joke at my expense and I shall not discover the true name until the priest says it at the ceremony.

The middle name is to be Barrington. I am between laughter and tears! The poor little mite wouldn't have a chance at a comp, but perhaps luckily will be going somewhere like Eton. Maybe it'll be normal there?

OP posts:
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UpstartCrow · 17/02/2018 22:41

I confidently predict Harbottle Barrington will marry one of the Smythe daughters, and they will double barrel.

NewYearNiki · 17/02/2018 22:35

Just realised you probably won't have heard of Harbottle & Lewis unless you're a solicitor.

NewYearNiki · 17/02/2018 22:34

Is the surname Lewis?!

PinkAvocado · 17/02/2018 22:33

I’ve just realised that an anagram of Harbottle Barrington is ‘you can’t recreate Balonz’. Who’d have thought?!

PinkAvocado · 17/02/2018 22:30

None of the women work=don’t use the Internet. Yeah.

CrochetBelle · 17/02/2018 22:28

none of the women work I can assume fairly safely that they don't use the internet much

Eh?
I don't work....
... yet here I am.

Ellie56 · 17/02/2018 22:26

Harbottle Barrington? Yeah right Grin

LuluJakey1 · 17/02/2018 22:25

Harbottle is a tiny village on the edge of the Cheviots in Northumberland. It is beautiful.

I've done something awful
Mrsmadevans · 17/02/2018 22:22

I think l really like it tbh

NooNooHead1981 · 17/02/2018 22:22

I know it isn't quite the same but I call my bump Herbert at the moment and shorten it to Herbie or Herb. I actually really like it and am quite fond of the name, but I think my family and friends would be laughing behind my back if I called my baby that.

Harbottle is quite a cool name, in a kind of child's imaginary friend way. I had an imaginary friend when I was very young that I called Ollow Boaktree, as I couldn't say Hollow Oaktree. Harbottle Barrington is kind of no worse than that... Wink

I'm sure the name will be shortened to Harry if they are really serious about naming him Harbottle...

KurriKurri · 17/02/2018 22:16

You'd better become 'Generous Cousin Jux' - you owe this kid big time Grin

Original poster
Jux · 17/02/2018 22:16

Well I do quite like Harbottle, myself, but dh wouldn't countenance it, and anyway we have a girl.

Honestly and truly, not one of that branch of cousins have a computer in their house, and as none of the women work I can assume fairly safely that they don't use the internet much. Some do have smart phones, but most don't, just phones which make calls and text - and they mainly use the landline anyway.

Well, I shall not find out the truth of the name until the Christening, I suppose. I was feeling quite bad about it, but I don't any more, so thanks for that!

OP posts:
QueenStreaky · 17/02/2018 22:10

Harbottle is a lovely little hamlet in Northumberland, not far from Rothbury. Just sayin'.

PhelanThePain · 17/02/2018 22:08

Show us the christening invitation OP.

diddl · 17/02/2018 22:06

"she could call a boy Harbottle - this is something I occasionally suggest on threads here."

What a hoot you are!

AskBasil · 17/02/2018 22:04

I like Barrington because of that song, Here I Come

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 17/02/2018 21:59

Before I opened this thread. I though you were going to say you'd drowned a little kitten. The titles a bit dramatic, isn't it.

Lashalicious · 17/02/2018 21:58

He’ll end up being good ol Harb!! About as unposh as you can get.

The “girls” don’t go on the internet or own a computer or smartphone?

Kinda hard to believe. Did your cousin marry a lord of the manor and they’re in one of those mini castles featured in the house mags at Christmas where the wife is up on a ladder draping ribbons across the 16 foot ceiling with original plaster moldings?

Thistlebelle · 17/02/2018 21:57

Oh come on OP. You were doing so well until you said they didn’t have computers or use the internet...

Iceskatingsnake · 17/02/2018 21:54

I’d get this deleted in case the DM or some other rag decide it’s funny/bonkers enough to do one if their cut and paste Jobs on. If these are the actual names involved then it’s hugely outing.

Dafspunk · 17/02/2018 21:46

Not the type to go on the Internet???

AWaitressInACocktailBar · 17/02/2018 21:42

Snootiest, not smoothest!

AWaitressInACocktailBar · 17/02/2018 21:42

They don’t use the internet?? OP I think you’re massively romanticizing what “posh” people live like. Trust me from experience that the poshest, smoothest people you can think of all own and use smartphones. (When I say “experience” I’m not referring to myself or my family. But I’ve had occasion to meet many seriously posh folks. They’re odd in a lot of ways but they’re lnot characters from an old-fashioned TV show.

IamPickleRick · 17/02/2018 21:34

I think she’s winding you up. Barrington is a name that we use to take the piss as well so I just can’t see this being true.

brizzledrizzle · 17/02/2018 21:33

PinkAvocado, he might be transgender and adopt the pinny though, all is not lost.

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