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Baby names

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

Original poster

Name shared with a building.... Ok or not?

36 replies

Sharri1 · 18/02/2018 14:28

We have been really struggling to think of a boy's name for our baby (due in April). We finally decided on Albert (Albie), but then realised that with our surname (Hall), he would be named after a building!

Would love to know whether people think this is a definite no no or not?

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HamishHugh · 22/02/2018 18:16

I wouldn’t.

Thistlebelle · 22/02/2018 17:08

Why on earth did you even need a thread for this? Clearly it’s a terrible idea.

There’s two very nice boys names that are complete unusable with our surname, we didn’t even discuss them.

UsernameInvalid66 · 22/02/2018 17:01

When I was a kid I knew an adult called Norman Church. I didn't really get it at the time, but my mum thought it was hilarious. Sadly, I think there will be people who make the connection and laugh, though hopefully not to his face.

I was about to suggest Arthur until I saw your response to it upthread. For what it's worth, I know of 2 young Arthurs and none of them are shortened. I think Art may be more of an American thing (and if you actually live in America, you probably wouldn't get many Albert Hall comments anyway.)

Original poster
Sharri1 · 22/02/2018 11:59

I think I will avoid all 'Berts'. Not keen on Alfie.

Told some family members about Albert, and they hated it, so maybe a good job we didn't go with it! Not that you can ever ease everyone.

OP posts:
DetectiveDog · 21/02/2018 12:03

I think Alfie’s a good alternative as suggested further up.

Bobbiepin · 21/02/2018 11:56

Came on here to say hope it's not the gherkin but Albert hall is almost as bad!

BertrandRussell · 21/02/2018 11:47

I honestly think any "Bert" name would be a problem anyway- "Bert Hall? Not short for Albert by any chance heh heh heh!" Everyone will think they are the first person to say it!

masktaster · 21/02/2018 11:38

What about another "Bert" name?
Robert, Gilbert, Cuthbert...

FeistyColl · 20/02/2018 20:34

You may find you end up with an Albert ...It was the nickname of a friend of mine actually named Miranda (Hall).

Original poster
Sharri1 · 19/02/2018 12:53

RosieCotton, it's very annoying when names are ruled out because of the surname, but good that you found an alternative.

SoupDragon, I also like Arthur, but I don't like Art/Arty, which he will no doubt get called.

Thinking of maybe keeping it simple now, with Edward (Ted) or Jacob (Jake/Coby). Disappointed by how common they are though 🤔

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 19/02/2018 08:31

Glad you’ve taken it off your list! You only need to read the “most unfortunate/funniest names you’ve come across to realise that people can be twats about names like that.

Arthur and Alfred are similar names as a previous poster suggested. I particularly like Arthur.

RosieCotton · 19/02/2018 08:18

I'm also a Hall. DH grandfather is Albert Hall. I seriously debated it but we settled for my grandfathers name of Alban instead. X

RavenWings · 18/02/2018 16:13

Albert Hall 😂 The poor child! Thank God you've gone off it.

drspouse · 18/02/2018 15:51

I was at school with one. He goes by his middle name...

MrsMozart · 18/02/2018 15:27

Yikes! No.

Whwhywhy · 18/02/2018 15:23

Annette curtains is also out in case you’ve any cousins.

BertrandRussell · 18/02/2018 15:21

My first boss was called Albert Hall. People commented on it all the time. Don’t be daft.

ChocolateCrunch · 18/02/2018 15:18

Archie Hall or Alfie Hall sound much better.

englishnose · 18/02/2018 15:14

Squashyhat same 😂

What about Arthur (Artie) or Alfred (Alfie)?

pipilangstrumpf · 18/02/2018 15:13

Is this a joke Grin

ineedamoreadultieradult · 18/02/2018 15:08

No

squashyhat · 18/02/2018 15:08

I came on this thread hoping it would be Shard

pluginbaby00 · 18/02/2018 15:07

Such a shame as both names are good in their own right but it's a definite no. You can't knowingly set him up for years of being the butt of everyone's joke.

DramaAlpaca · 18/02/2018 15:06

One of my dad's friends is called Albert Hall. He's in his 80s and has been teased about his name all his life. Poor man.

cakeglory · 18/02/2018 15:03

What about Alfred (Alfie)? People are less likely to make the connection. Albert Hall is a great name for a sitcom character though Grin