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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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pinkhorse · 21/08/2018 18:57

Chavvy and on the naughty boy list where I am

AtticaRose · 21/08/2018 18:44

I've met only lovely Callums. I like it.

You could use the Irish spelling Colm (Col-um) maybe.

EmmaC78 · 21/08/2018 18:40

I like Callum but am.in Scotland so as others have said is very popular here. No one would give a second thought to a baby Callum.

pipilangstrumpf · 21/08/2018 18:39

I'm not keen, sorry. It did feature on a 'naughty name' list on bbc a while ago.

Dontrocktheboat · 21/08/2018 18:38

Calum (? Spelled like that usually) has always been quite a traditional, 'nice' name in Scotland I think - in a similar vein to Fraser. I prefer that spelling to Callum and also wonder if the naughty association is more recent and not so much in Scotland.

I know a Calum aged about 8, who is a lovely and polite boy.
Am not massively keen on it but mainly as I find it a bit dull/ dated.

lardass88 · 21/08/2018 18:33

I have a callum. He's early 20's now

VioletCharlotte · 21/08/2018 18:32

I love the name Callum and was on my list when I had DS.

daisypond · 21/08/2018 18:30

I know a couple of adult Calums - both are super, educated, nice men. Both are Scottish.

BellaGoth · 21/08/2018 18:30

I have a Callum... I read the same things as you OP but decided it was nonsense so went with it.

He's turned out to be autistic so yeah... Behaviour isn't great. I don't believe the name caused it though.

Original poster
MissingEngland · 21/08/2018 18:29

Keep it coming. My friends are so divided I can’t tell so I’m increasing the survey to the marvellous mumsnet. I no longer live in England but we may move back so don’t want to give the poor dude a name that’ll tarnish him! (It’s a great name where I live now.)

OP posts:
sodabreadjam · 21/08/2018 18:28

It is a traditional name in Scotland. Always popular. No particular associations. Would be like asking if all boys called James are naughty.

Sallygoroundthemoon · 21/08/2018 18:26

It is a bit chavvy I'm think but if you like it go for it.

wombatsears · 21/08/2018 18:26

I'm a teacher. This is such a naughty boy name! Sorry OP.

YeTalkShiteHen · 21/08/2018 18:25

I know two Callums, one is a little shite and the other is lovely. No idea about the negative connotations, I’m in Scotland so it’s a pretty common name tbh.