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Baby names

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

Original poster

Does my son have an awful name?

231 replies

tabithamay · 15/11/2018 07:53

I’ve done a similar thread on Nameberry but wanted other people’s opinions. I have a 17-year-old DS who’s started his second year at college, and we chose Ernest Leopold as a first and middle, after my DH’s great-grandfather. Recently, he’s become very aware of it as people are telling him how ugly/old-fashioned/frumpy/strange it is. What do you think?

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Original poster
tabithamay · 15/11/2018 12:03

@moredoll I think it’s that Ernest is the name on the register, and the name on his admission papers, etc. Leopold can be removed, but since his name is Ernest, legally that’s what has to be on the ID badge.

OP posts:
moredoll · 15/11/2018 11:58

Then if he prefers Ernst shouldn't he have the name badge say that?

Original poster
tabithamay · 15/11/2018 11:55

@moredoll I chose bad wording, apologies. He’s contacted administration to have it changed.

OP posts:
marshallzumarubble · 15/11/2018 11:53

It's just ahead of its time. It is currently in the top 300 names, within ten years it will be in the top 100. It's already jumped 880 places in the last 14 years!

I know three Ernests under the age of 6 - two are Ernies and one is a Nes.

Kids are cruel which sucks right now but by the time he is in his late twenties it will be a like being a 30 year old Alfie now - a bit out of place for his age but a really normal name in general. If he likes the name, regardless of what his college friends think, then he needs to brazen this out and own his name. If he hates it, again, regardless of what his classmates think, then he can start to think about what he wants to do next. He's 15 years ahead of the curve, that's all.

Ihaventgottimeforthis · 15/11/2018 11:50

lebkuckenlover my thoughts exactly!!

When we were all growing up did we ever take the piss out of someone just because of their name? Says a lot more about the person being the bully doesn't it.

moredoll · 15/11/2018 11:45

as for the ID badge ...I’m organising for it to be changed.

I mean this kindly. Why are you doing this? He's 17. Let him sort his own name badge.

GingerbreadBlob · 15/11/2018 11:44

Love it!

lebkuchenlover · 15/11/2018 11:39

Hopefully all those parents on this thread who find the name so awful are encouraging their kids to be more open minded than themselves..?!

Monday55 · 15/11/2018 11:39

which does not **

Monday55 · 15/11/2018 11:38

I think youre asking the wrong age group OP. You should be asking people whom were born after the year 2000. Majority of people on this forum are from a generation where that name is acceptable and popular. Therefore, they will give you a thumbs up which has does not project the views of your sons peers.

lebkuchenlover · 15/11/2018 11:36

What's wrong with Ernest?! Confused

It's a classic strong name. I can't see what could possibly be tease worthy about it. Especially after 17 years..?

moredoll · 15/11/2018 11:35

DS

moredoll · 15/11/2018 11:34

Honestly?
Ernest is very old-fashioned and also has a grating sound. I don't like it.
If I were your DD I'd introduce myself as Leo.

diddl · 15/11/2018 11:34

Awful.

One or the other would have been bad enough-but both together!

NameChange30 · 15/11/2018 11:33

"Ernest is miles better than Jaxon, Brandon, Jayden, Davron, Hunter, Pax and Tyle."

Sure, they're the only other names to choose from Hmm

sizeofalentil · 15/11/2018 11:29

I love these names - going to add them to my (imaginary/future) 2nd baby name list on the back of this thread.

Chwaraeteg · 15/11/2018 11:24

I think it's beautiful but slightly eccentric.

bobstersmum · 15/11/2018 11:20

I like it! Both my ds have old names too.

SausageSimon · 15/11/2018 11:17

It's old fashioned but I love it. He may not be a fan now (teenagers never like anything, including their name! I always wanted a fashionable name and now love my traditional one) so I think it's just a case of when he's older he'll appreciate it!

Far better than the trendy names that are about nowadays

MollyHuaCha · 15/11/2018 11:15

Ernest is miles better than Jaxon, Brandon, Jayden, Davron, Hunter, Pax and Tyle.

llangennith · 15/11/2018 11:11

Good that school is changing his OD badge.
I can't imagine giving a baby Ernest as his first name. If you want to honour a relative make it the middle name. Do you actually like the name you gave your son?

MERLYPUSSEDOFF · 15/11/2018 11:04

Many years go we had a kids with a classic name in our Scout troup. (it is very unusual name at the time. George). He was not a fan, but like your son was very knowledgeable in a particular area - lexicography and all things wordy. He became known as 'Lex'.
Everyone now knows him as Lex some 20 years later.

FishCanFly · 15/11/2018 11:02

its a fine name. I guess every kid at some point wishes they had another name.

IsadoraQuagmire · 15/11/2018 11:00

Both names are lovely.

amusedbush · 15/11/2018 10:59

I'm not sure "Peter" is any more modern or easier to use.

My cousin has an 18 month old called Peter and when she sent a text to announce his birth there was a collective "baby PETER?? HmmGrin" among the family. Obviously nobody has said anything to her but it's a pretty unfashionable name these days!