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Baby names

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

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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. 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:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

QueenOfGaviscon · 17/02/2018 21:31

You should be reported to Aunty Ester for simply suggesting such a name

PinkAvocado · 17/02/2018 21:30

This is true, 64BooLane because as a male, he will go on the computer and not walk around in a pinny and perma smile.

brizzledrizzle · 17/02/2018 21:29

Harbottle is an ancient name which goes right back to the early years of schooling in this country, I believe it comes from the Latin or possibly Greek, I forget the exact meaning but something tells me that it is related to school vacations.

64BooLane · 17/02/2018 21:27

This is going to stay online forever though, and in fifteen years when anyone looks him up they’ll see it, or he’ll look himself up and see it and be cross with you.

If he exists

WitchesHatRim · 17/02/2018 21:26

If you say so.....

PinkAvocado · 17/02/2018 21:24

None of them own a computer or a smart phone...😂 oh come on!

Original poster

Jux · 17/02/2018 21:22

Yes, it's outing I suppose, but I'm not aware of anyone amongst her friends/immediate family who even goes on the Internet, or owns a computer; they certainly don't have them at home. They're just not the type. Maybe some of the men at work will use computers, but not 'the girls', oh no never.

You have no idea what their lives are like, some would say idyllic but many would say Stepford.

OP posts:

PinkAvocado · 17/02/2018 21:18

She will be having a laugh at your expense. Good for her.

FairiesVsPixies · 17/02/2018 21:16

How are we pronouncing Harbottle? Har- bottle? Ha-boat-lay? Harb-a-Tel??

PatchUp · 17/02/2018 21:10

Harbottle Barrington?!?!?!? I'm crying!!! 😂😂😂😂😂

Me too it must be a wind up if not I'd get this deleted pronto!

howthelightgetsin · 17/02/2018 21:08

Erm ... since it’s such an unusual name isn’t this very thread going to come up if she or someone who knows her googles the name ..?

OrlandaFuriosa · 17/02/2018 21:07

Um, if anyone wikis the meaning they’ll find both its origins, fine, reward, dwelling, but also its alternate, Arbuckle. And if he goes to that sort of school someone will call him Fatty after Fatty Arbuckle. Not good.

Rainbowsandflowers78 · 17/02/2018 21:06

She’s having you on - surely?!

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 17/02/2018 21:03

Are you sure it isn't just an elaborate joke, at your expense, for being a bit of a smart arse ? 😂⭐️

HolyShmoly · 17/02/2018 20:58

Suppose it could be worse, it could be Shilbottle. (An area in Durham that I always misread.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 17/02/2018 19:38

It's not fault she took it seriously.

hairylegsdontcare · 17/02/2018 19:30

Harbottle Barrington?!?!?!? I'm crying!!! 😂😂😂😂😂

Original poster

Jux · 17/02/2018 19:25

I know, Awww, but it really was a joke when I suggested it, and I'm sure she would never even have heard of it if I hadn't said it. He'd probably have been called Barrington, which he could have shortened to Barry easily, but Harbottle??

Mind you, Harry isn't too bad as a short name (though much of the family would look down on it as aping royalty).

OP posts:

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 17/02/2018 19:15

If she suggested she put her hand in the fire would she have taken you up on it.
She's big enough and ugly enough to decide her child's name herself. It's not your blaming or doing

Original poster

Jux · 17/02/2018 19:10

apparently, Soup

OP posts:

SoupDragon · 17/02/2018 19:09

So, his first two names are Harry Barry...?

Original poster

Jux · 17/02/2018 19:09

If he goes to the sort of schools his big sister goes to, he'll be known mainly by his surname I suppose, or is that just in secondary?

OP posts:

Original poster

Jux · 17/02/2018 19:07

Harbottle is an actual name, or it was in Elizabethan times, several centuries ago. Yes they are bloody posh so maybe it's not so bad.

The middle name will apparently be Barrington, that's not the surname. There will be a few other names as well - about 4 more, all family names - but the surname is not particularly strange or posh.

OP posts:

Biscusting · 17/02/2018 19:06

The more I say it in my head the cuter it sounds 😂

Maybe it’ll be shortened to Harb, Harby, bottley,

AfterSchoolWorry · 17/02/2018 18:56

Yeah. She's having you on.

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