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Baby names

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

Original poster

Please knock some sense into me

114 replies

Heavystream · 12/09/2018 18:57

I’ve posted before about a name for DS but nothing seems right. Anyway DH suggested Alan as a joke, and I actually like it!. I’m a big fan of names that everyone knows but just aren’t used anymore, is Alan acceptable? And if it isn’t are there any similar names that are acceptable?

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thismeansnothing · 16/09/2018 21:31

DD is 6 and there's an Alan in her class. I love it

SmiledWithTheRisingSun · 16/09/2018 10:45

Dennis
John
David
Jeff
Paul
Terry

Pieceofpurplesky · 16/09/2018 01:09

In the last few years have taught an Allen, Alyn, Alun and am Alan John known as AJ.

SoyUnPerdedor2 · 16/09/2018 00:38

We know a 2 year old Alan.
Happy little chap. Always does the school run on his scooter.

Actually, know a 4 year old Alan too.
I think he goes by AJ .
Not sure what the J is for. Possibly Jacob.
Alan Jacob.

Rebecca36 · 15/09/2018 23:40

Alan is fine. Your son will bring the name back in vogue. Al sounds good.

NastyCats · 15/09/2018 23:09

I knew a very intelligent, very kind, gentle man with strong opinions who was called Alan. I like it.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 15/09/2018 23:05

It instantly makes me think of Alan the bear from the delightful "I Need a Wee!!!" story! Alan the bear is so cute, so that would certainly put me in a positive frame of mind towards the name!

However, thinking of Alan Partridge does somewhat swing the pendulum back again quite considerably....

DiegoMad0nna · 13/09/2018 14:37

I do agree that objectively, Alan fits better with modern popular names than Colin and Barry. It's the vowely-ness and shortness I guess.

I do kind of like it, OP!! Shock

MamTDM · 13/09/2018 13:36

Has anyone posted this yet?

Original poster
Heavystream · 13/09/2018 13:32

Well I quite like Colin and Craig, a bit of a soft spot for Jeff as well!.

OP posts:
GreatDuckCookery6211 · 13/09/2018 13:10

Alan to me is like Colin, Barry, Jeff and Craig.

finallychangedmyusername · 13/09/2018 12:19

I actually think that Alan fits in quite well with current baby names. It starts with a vowel and has 2 syllables. I could see a class list of Evie, Oscar, Ava, Isla, Ethan, Edward, Aoife and Alan.

I would try and pair it with something a bit more "modern" though - by which I mean something currently enjoying some popularity. I really like Douglas but just feel that Alan Douglas as a combo would be better suited to an older gentlemen (and I know that babies become adults, but still). James as a middle name sadly bores me as I'm sure it is THE most popular boys middle name. How about (using Smith as an example one-syllable surname):

Alan Elijah Smith
Alan Dashiell Smith
Alan Ellis Smith
Alan Zachary Smith (my personal favourite)

flourella · 13/09/2018 12:08

OP, I thought you'd already decided on Alan spelled that way when I commented last night, otherwise I'd have added that my dad Allen is always having to correct the spelling. Even long-standing colleagues and some family members get no closer than Allan! It's quite annoying for me, let alone him.

If you're set on the name (and you should be, because it's great!), I concede that Alan probably is the best way to do it.

Original poster
Heavystream · 13/09/2018 10:55

I’ll go with Alan then. Think we’ll wait until after he’s born to announce to family, don’t think it will go down too well. But I think when you really think about the name it sounds lovely!, every Alan I’ve met is lovely as well so that helps.

OP posts:
BaronessBomburst · 13/09/2018 10:46

Allen looks like a surname though.
Alan is better.

BTW I know a Brian. He's 11.

Original poster
Heavystream · 13/09/2018 10:41

I don’t mind either spelling, but think Allen might make it look less dated. But am open to just using Alan if everyone thinks that’s the easiest for him

OP posts:
TheLastNigel · 13/09/2018 10:39

I like it actually. It's got a nice sound.
And everyone can stop bashing 'Nigel'. It'll be back in vogue soon, mark me...

Cosmoa · 13/09/2018 10:38

Alan James is lovely. Ali and AJ are great nicknames ☺️

AnnieAnoniMoose · 13/09/2018 10:20

If you want to call him Alan, call him Alan.

Allen is a surname and whilst used as a name just makes life complicated.

Sungura · 13/09/2018 10:16

It's pretty. Glad you found a name you love. Just ignore the mean comments; they're from idiots who have no respect. 👎🙅🚫

Katjolo · 13/09/2018 10:15

Lovely name. Super cute for a baby and a nice name for all ages. Go for it!

BertrandRussell · 13/09/2018 10:11

Please consider whether it’s a good idea to use a spelling that he will have to correct every single time all his life.....and go for Alan.

SomeKnobend · 13/09/2018 10:08

Poor little bastard.

Original poster
Heavystream · 13/09/2018 10:02

I do think Allen looks nicer, and it’s maybe a little less obvious than Alan, not sure how considering they’re the same name. So think I’ll go with Allen James.

OP posts:
Izzygrey · 13/09/2018 07:02

I think it will probably be really cool in about 20 years time - you're just ahead of the curve! For now though, it might be a bit.... I don't know how to explain what I mean really, just that it doesn't really seem to fit a child! My dad is called Keith and his brother is called Alan, and every now and then my siblings and I laugh about how it seems strange now that my grandmother once looked upon her tiny, beautiful newborn boys and thought, "Oh, that's a little baby Keith! And this one looks just like an Alan!" At least he will probably be the only one in his class though! And like I said, in 20 years or so when everyone is proudly introducing their little babies Sharon, Alan, Colin, Tracey, etc, you'll be able to feel pretty smug!