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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 · 21/08/2018 20:25

Thanks for you feedback, everyone. I should have made my original post a little more detailed but that’s what comes of one handed posting while breastfeeding :)

I do know it’s a good name in Scotland. I seem to run into issues with it in the south west of England which is where I’d return to one day. Currently I live in North America where the name is unheard of!

OP posts:
TopBitchoftheWitches · 21/08/2018 19:56

Lower social class? Compared to which social class?

Sandstormbrewing · 21/08/2018 19:54

I've never met a nice one. The young ones I know are naughty and the old ones are rough. All that I know and know of are generallyerally lower social class, which some would consider 'chavy' I guess.

TopBitchoftheWitches · 21/08/2018 19:54

Clearly my son is an exception, the boy has only just got his first gf. He is at college and doing really well.

Perhaps you should look at the parents of these children before casting aspersions on a name.

Moominfan · 21/08/2018 19:54

The only Callum I've ever met was such a sweet natured lovely boy so my view is very bias. But yes nice name :)

Halfahunnerstillastunner · 21/08/2018 19:45

I'm also in Scotland (if you couldnt guess by my username Smile) and frankly you can't throw a stick 5 feet here without hitting a Callum there's absolutely loads of them around of all ages.
It's too normal to be a "chavvy" or "naughty" name here but it is very very popular in my area.
Calum with one L is less used but in my opinion nicer and more in keeping with the traditional roots of the name.
If you both love it, use it!

SoupDragon · 21/08/2018 19:39

It probably just means you’re prejudiced.

userabcname · 21/08/2018 19:37

I'm a teacher and have taught surprisingly few Callums (given it's one of my cousin's name and there were 5 of them in his year at school - he is 20 now). It's not a naughty name here. I like it.

BossWitch · 21/08/2018 19:31

Ps. Taught all of those names. All "naughty" to give the understatement of the year! Kagan was the nastiest - she cut off another girl's hair in the middle of the locker area. Lovely lass.

Hepzibar · 21/08/2018 19:31

I'm also in education and safeguarding. Callum, Calum, Kallum as others have said, a naughty/troubled boy name.

Connor, Conor, Konnor, Brandon, Dylan, Dillon same.

It's sad because they are nice names but unfortunately the Kevin, Keith, Darren, Sharon, Tracey of their time.

swizzells2003 · 21/08/2018 19:30

I have a Callum - we got told the same .... all naughty. Decided to go for it anyway as my DH loves the name.
Go for what you love

BossWitch · 21/08/2018 19:28

Nominative determinism is a thing. If having the surname Baker can increase the likelihood of you going into cookery, why couldn't having the name Kaiden, Jayden, Kagan, Kai, etc increase your chances of being naughty?

TopBitchoftheWitches · 21/08/2018 19:26

Chavvy?
How on earth have you come up with that?

SoupDragon · 21/08/2018 19:21

The whole “naughty name” thing is rubbish.

Do people really think a name has any bearing on behaviour?

SoupDragon · 21/08/2018 19:20

I’ve only ever met lovely Callums.

museumum · 21/08/2018 19:17

I’m in a naice area in Scotland. Calum (one L) is traditional and not chavvy.

pipilangstrumpf · 21/08/2018 19:13

Whatever happened to "if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything

I assumed the op is looking for honest opinions before she makes the important decision of naming her son.

deptfordgirl · 21/08/2018 19:12

Hate names being branded that but it does have that association unfortunately.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 21/08/2018 19:10

I've work in a primary school for ten years and have never met a Callum who hasn't been a lovely boy. If you and your partner like the name, that's all that matters. Everyone else can mind their business and suck it up. Whatever happened to "if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything", for goodness sake also anyone using that horrid word should have their opinion immediately disregarded

BossWitch · 21/08/2018 19:08

Bit chavvy. Bit of a naughty boy name. Less so if the one L spelling though.

TopBitchoftheWitches · 21/08/2018 19:06

My 17 yr old is a Callum, he's polite, nice, friendly and helpful.

Tbh I don't know of any other boys with the same name.

Katjolo · 21/08/2018 19:04

Nice name. Not chavvy in my opinion.

Cbeebiesrehab · 21/08/2018 19:03

Seems a little dated to me but if you like it, go for it!

Peachbubble · 21/08/2018 19:02

I like it. The Callum I know is a sweet little chap!

kenandbarbie · 21/08/2018 19:00

If you live in Scotland / are Scottish then I think it's fine.