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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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LaPufalina · 13/09/2018 02:43

Love it Smile
DH called my bump Alan as we didn't find out the sex (but guessed boy), but she came out as a girl last week! My beloved late grandfather was Alan, and I quite liked the idea of calling a baby boy "Big Al" as a nickname! His inspiration was Alan Partridge though HmmGrin

flourella · 13/09/2018 02:17

It's a nice-sounding word, but looks more attractive spelled Allen, I think. But I might be biased about that because my dad is called Allen.

Alan James is a good name, OP!

TheDowagerCuntess · 13/09/2018 02:07

Go for it - as a PP says, you're ahead of the curve.

DS has a name that everyone's beard of, but is a generation out of synch. He's the only one I've ever met with it, and is known by a diminutive which has a fairly 'current' feel. He can use the full version when he's older.

I was given a really old-fashioned name. I'm named after my grandmother and it was just way too soon. My parents dithered over it, and rationalised that I could always use my middle name if I absolutely hated it. Nobody else had my name growing up (except one girl who had it as a middle name and was embarrassed to admit to it! 😂), and I've never met another one my age.

It's now one of the most popular baby names going (think: 'necessary on a bike', the line everyone came out with when I was growing up).

So, yeah, go for it.

It's nice having a name as an adult that feels current, rather than one of the usual names of my generation, many of which sound a wee bit tired now.

SleepWarrior · 13/09/2018 02:03

Afraid I also like it Grin

If you look at the name long enough then you can see it without the less favourable associations... And it's a nice name.

Just be prepared for a few sniggers from other parents at the school gates. The kids won't care though so it'll never be the sort of name that he would get picked on for. Winner. AJ is a perfect back up too.

TheMythicalChicken · 13/09/2018 01:59

I like it, it's kinda cool Grin.

kettleonplease · 13/09/2018 01:49

oh my gosh PLEASE don't do that to a poor innocent baby!!!

UpOnTheDowns · 13/09/2018 01:43

Alan? When Balonz is still available???

NameChangedNow · 13/09/2018 01:36

Alan is nice. I knew a lovely little Allen a few years back.

Original poster
Heavystream · 13/09/2018 00:24

I think we’re decided on Alan James! I honestly thought I’d have everyone telling me I was being stupid and it’s an ugly name but it seems like most people really like it!

OP posts:
Bouncingbelle · 12/09/2018 23:56

I would never have thought of using Alan but the more I say it in my head, the nicer it sounds! Plus it's simple, easy to spell, easy to say, uncommon but not weird and won't date. Do it!

I would avoid middle names beginning with D though as to me that just sounds like you are saying "Al and Ugless" . Alan James or Alan Joseph are great though,

comethefonbridget · 12/09/2018 23:16

I've heard somewhere that popular baby names skip generations as people dislike names that are associated with their parents' generation. That's why 'old fashioned' names like Alfred (Alfie), Ethel, Mabel, Bertie, etc are now in fashion again, as they're now seen as cute. Very few people our generation are called them as our parents saw them as old fashioned. So names like Alan will probably come around again in the next generation when our kids are grown up, so when he's an adult he'll have a super cool name!

DramaAlpaca · 12/09/2018 23:16

I like Alan James. It's my cousin's name, mind you he must be around 70 now Grin

I know a five year old Alan too. I was a bit surprised when I heard his name first but it's grown on me.

Sophronia · 12/09/2018 23:10

I like Alan Douglas and Alan James

highheelsandbobblehats · 12/09/2018 20:54

I met a toddler Keith a few years ago. I quite like Alan. The 'old' names are back. There's Arthur's, George's and Fred's galore at my DC school. My eldests teddy that he's had since birth is called Alan though, so I do have sentimental attachment to the name. Alan James is bloody lovely.

MikeUniformMike · 12/09/2018 20:52

I like Douglas too.
Alan Douglas Stream and Alan Stream sound good.

MikeUniformMike · 12/09/2018 20:51

Alun is nice but will be pronounced Alan and will look like he has parents who can't spell. Alun is pronounced Al-in.

MikeUniformMike · 12/09/2018 20:49

I really like the name Alan.
Not keen on Colin but Dennis and Brian are good.
I also like Philip.

Original poster
Heavystream · 12/09/2018 20:49

I do really like Alan James! He could be AJ aswell if he ends up not liking Alan.

OP posts:
Mokepon · 12/09/2018 20:46

I know an 11 yo Alan.
If you like it, use it.
It's a perfectly decent name.
I know several cool Als. But short for Alasdair or Alexander not Alan Smile.

auntyflonono · 12/09/2018 20:45

Alan Laurence
Alan Christopher
Alan James
Alan George

LynetteScavo · 12/09/2018 20:45

I do know a child Alan...apparently it works in English and Spanish.

It's not awful.

A few years ago I posted on a baby name thread that Marvin wasn't that great...I've changed my mind about Marvin, and I my change my number d about Alan.

Oh, and I went to school with a good looking Alain. He pulled it off well.

sproutsandparsnips · 12/09/2018 20:39

Alun or Aled?

lapuslazuli · 12/09/2018 20:39

I'd prefer Melvin (not too keen on it being spelled with 'y')

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 12/09/2018 20:38

That's very strange that there's two Jason's and a Darren in the same sports club.

I haven't heard of a boy being called Jason for about 35 years, let alone two of them and with a Darren 🧐

Inmyownlittlecorner · 12/09/2018 20:28

There’s an Alan in my DDs year 1 class!