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Baby names

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

Original poster

Tristan and Tristram

60 replies

17caterpillars1mouse · 23/02/2018 16:09

What are your thoughts. I like both but think i prefer Tristram. My mum thinks it's awful though, it is really that bad? Do you know any Tristram's or Tristan's?

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SuperBeagle · 23/02/2018 20:10

Tristram is awful. It's so difficult and clunky to say. It ends up coming out like "tris-drum".

Tristan is marginally better, but still not fantastic. It also doesn't have posh connotations here; if anything, the opposite.

PanannyPanoo · 23/02/2018 19:09

I know one of each. worked with them as children they would be in their 20's now.
Both lovely boys from wealthy families. Like all unusual names you only need to know one for it to stop feeling unusual.
I think Tristan is easier to say.

mrsfuzzyboots · 23/02/2018 18:16

Cosmoa you’re actually right Grin - it’s from an 18th century novel, where the father of the title character wants to call him Trismegistus but the mother and the curate get it confused with Tristan and he ends up being christened Tristram and consequently is condemned to a life of woe!

OllyBJolly · 23/02/2018 18:15

Has Tristram Hunt been forgotten about already?! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tristram_Hunt

Very posh but likeable.

mrsfuzzyboots · 23/02/2018 18:12

Makes me think of Tristram Shandy and the whole point there is that Tristram isn’t a real name. However it’s from the 18th century and these days there are far stranger names out there than Tristram... Plus it’s a great tribute to a great novel. Personally I do prefer Tristran but if you like it then go for it!!

Starryskiesinthesky · 23/02/2018 18:11

Both sound really wet to me.

mondler · 23/02/2018 18:07

I've never heard of Tristram and its making me think of trams! But if you like it go for it.

I've known a couple of Tristan's and like it as a name.

Cosmoa · 23/02/2018 18:03

Tristam just looks like a typo.. Like someobe misheard the n for an m..

I know it's a name in it's own right but I still feel like it's because someone spelt Tristan wrong once 😂

CotswoldStrife · 23/02/2018 16:42

There will be a few people who have come across Tristram as it is the name of a character in a previous A level text (The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy). The book is not an easy read, tbh, and may influence opinion on the name!

alpineibex · 23/02/2018 16:36

I knew one Tristram.

I thought his name was Tristan and he just spoke funny. Blush

TheOrangeOne · 23/02/2018 16:35

it's a nice name although a bit confusing with Tristan

MikeUniformMike · 23/02/2018 16:34

Tristram was the boy in George and Mildred.
Both names are ok and have different meanings.
I wouldn't use either.

aRespectableBureaudeChange · 23/02/2018 16:33

I've only known conceited Tristans in my time - so don't like at all.

Tristram seems to only fit with an irritated, through gritted teeth expression on face and sounds 'clipped' - I can't seem to say with a pleasant demeanour (also somehow reminds me of colostrum ...)

Rhyming element I don't like too: prissy trissy etc

(Sorry, but you did ask)

filga · 23/02/2018 16:33

Tristram is one of my favourite boys names, by I couldn't persuade DH to go with it.

chloesmumtoo · 23/02/2018 16:31

Tristan I like, Tristram I don't and have never heard of it.
Yes I know an adult with the name Tristan (female)

pipilangstrumpf · 23/02/2018 16:30

Tristan is lovely

Pooshweens · 23/02/2018 16:29

Neither for me, sorry

BrutusMcDogface · 23/02/2018 16:29

Tristan. I know one who's about 7, and I went to school with one (I'm in my mid thirties). Tris is a good diminutive.

FairiesVsPixies · 23/02/2018 16:28

I prefer Tristram.

goose1964 · 23/02/2018 16:27

Tristram

Imisscheese · 23/02/2018 16:27

If my DD had been a boy and was going to be Tristan. I think it's a great name.

goose1964 · 23/02/2018 16:27

Tristan is more mainstream, if you call the baby you'll get people either saying like Shandy.? Or calling him Tristan anyway.

ChocolateCrunch · 23/02/2018 16:27

Tristan

CottonSock · 23/02/2018 16:26

I know a Tristram... nobody calls him that

xLeanne128 · 23/02/2018 16:26

Tristan