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Baby names

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

Original poster

Callum or not?

64 replies

MissingEngland · 21/08/2018 18:24

My three week old is unnamed. The only name we agree on is Callum BUT I’m getting mixed feedback from UK friends about it being chavvy / associated with naughty boys. Lots in internet data on that topic but all circa 2009-2012. Does this name still have reputational problems? Must we move on?

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Original poster
MissingEngland · 23/08/2018 00:06

We just tallied your responses into positive/ negative and Scottish Wink. 2/3 in favour.

OP posts:
buttercup54321 · 22/08/2018 22:36

Very nice.
Cameron
Keiron
Caleb
Clive
Craig
Kaiden

Youvegotafriendinme · 22/08/2018 22:16

I know one callum. He’s Scottish and a bit of a git

ReginaPhalange89 · 22/08/2018 21:54

I like it . I don't associate it with a chav or a naughty child. I'm in Scotland .
If you both like it you should go with it, especially if you're not even in the uk

museumum · 22/08/2018 21:51

I read that Calum is the Scottish version of the Irish Colm and that Callum is the anglicised.
Certainly I know people in this part of Scotland consider Calum more Scottish than Callum.

savingmysanity · 22/08/2018 20:26

My DH is a Callum & my brother is a Calum, both are university educated, never been in trouble in their lives and are both very sweet natured and kind.

RosettaStoned · 22/08/2018 20:21

To me it's just a (nice) name and judging someone on a name is a bit silly really.

If you like it go for it. It doesn't matter what some census says.

MsPavlichenko · 22/08/2018 20:17

Actually Calum is Irish spelling and Callum Scottish.

My Dad was a Calum, though Scottish and was relatively rare when I was growing up. I have a Calum now in his late 20s. Was amazed when it surged in popularity.

My Calum is lovely.

pinkhorse · 22/08/2018 20:13

I am in Norfolk.

Original poster
MissingEngland · 22/08/2018 20:10

What region @pinkhorse ?

OP posts:
foxtiger · 22/08/2018 15:12

I've never heard of it having a bad reputation but I'm afraid I do dislike the Callum spelling. Calum is much more traditional.

Sophronia · 22/08/2018 04:29

I prefer the Calum spelling.

AnnieTheAlpaca · 21/08/2018 22:49

It's boring and stuck in the 90s. There are much nicer names than Callum.

Sandstormbrewing · 21/08/2018 22:39

The only thing that makes people think a name is a 'naughty boy name' is prejudice.

Or experience of a large number of Callums!

Itchytights · 21/08/2018 22:32

Awful name.

Whalebird · 21/08/2018 22:30

What about Malcolm? Similar sounds (they're related names), relatively unusual, bit Scottish, cute for a child and appropriate for a grownup.

DramaAlpaca · 21/08/2018 22:25

It's lovely. A perfectly normal & very nice Scottish/Irish name.

The only thing that makes people think a name is a 'naughty boy name' is prejudice.

Blarblarblar · 21/08/2018 21:58

Go Calum (one L) it’s more Scottish and I know only lovely boys and men with that name.

Gibble1 · 21/08/2018 21:47

My Callum was 1 of 5 in his preschool. I’ve seen them all grow up and none of them are naughty!
They are all quiet and shy and quite well behaved on the whole.
Although very popular, the name is generally used by the middle class families here in the South West. Mine is 14 now.
Racking my brains though, I have met 2 Callum’s who were really very naughty. But I met their parents and siblings and they weren’t much better 😬

MrsMolehillMountain · 21/08/2018 21:23

When my DS was at primary school, he had 4 Callums in his class!
At secondary school he also knew at least half a dozen other Callum.
However, it seems to be less popular nowadays?
When DS was born in the late 90s, Callum was very popular so you may not get that same level of popularity now which is a good thing!
A lot of people probably think it's chavvy because it's such a popular name and therefore we all know of at least one naughty Callum! That's just what happens when names are common- people see good kids and bad kids with that name.
I think it's lovely

FunkeMonkey · 21/08/2018 20:51

I don't like Callum. Spoilt toddler crosses my mind when I think of the name

Whyiseveryonesoangry · 21/08/2018 20:49

I know a 20 year old Callum who has caused his parents no end of grief since he was around 12 or so!

MalachisMum1 · 21/08/2018 20:39

Another Scot here. I work with young people and know s few lovely Callum's. No negative connections x

Lobsterquadrille2 · 21/08/2018 20:32

I like it. DD is friends with a Cullum and I like that too.

firsttime17 · 21/08/2018 20:26

I really like it!!x