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Baby names

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

Original poster

Atticus, is it too much?

216 replies

yorkshiregirl29 · 18/12/2018 13:59

We LOVE the name Atticus but we've been getting lots of negative feedback.
What are your opinions?

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StitchingMoss · 19/12/2018 20:58

Awful. Pretentious. Just no!

April2020mom · 19/12/2018 20:54

As a teacher I’m not keen on the name sorry. Maybe you should use it as a middle name instead? Aren’t there any other reasonable alternatives?

allwalkedout · 19/12/2018 20:44

I love it. I almost used it for ds but my dd had another name she wanted for her brother. It fits very well with our social circle and nobody batted an eyelid when I mentioned the name.

bananapuddles · 19/12/2018 20:39

Love it and is our oldest's name. Never had any negative comments.

[Now just wondering who I know IRL from this post]

greenpop21 · 19/12/2018 20:39

I love the character in the book so I see the attraction. Don't think I would choose it but it's way better than some I've heard recently.

Orangecake123 · 19/12/2018 20:29

Name your child what you want and don't care about what others think.

Personally I really like it.

motortroll · 19/12/2018 19:48

Love it! I'd use it 😃

StarsAndWater · 19/12/2018 19:42

I love it. I wanted it for DS but xH refused.
I am glad now, as it was before Go Set a Watchman came out and Atticus Finch now has very different connotations as a character for me.

Choccywoccyhooha · 19/12/2018 19:26

It's a beautiful name. I would definitely go for it.

amysaurus87 · 19/12/2018 19:25

I love it! I wanted to call my little boy Atticus, but husband disagreed, we compromised and it's his middle name now.

We get a lot of comments on how unusual it is.

NottonightJosepheen · 19/12/2018 19:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

abcriskringle · 19/12/2018 19:01

I'm not near London and know of a couple of little boys called Atticus! Also it's hardly pretentious - I'm an English teacher and To Kill A Mockingbird is on our key stage 3 syllabus (top set year 8 / mid to lower set year 9) so it's hardly highbrow literature for heaven's sake (if said book is even your inspiration - it may well not be! - I love the name and actually quite dislike To Kill a Mockingbird). Also do be aware mn is very conservative when it comes to name choice. If you like it then go for it OP!

canibehereifimnotamum · 19/12/2018 18:57

I love this

Skyejuly · 19/12/2018 18:42

Bit of a 'try hard'

grumiosmum · 19/12/2018 18:18

As a PP said, it depends on your background.

I know two men called Atticus. Both posh. I think it's a nice name.

Not so great if you are living on a council estate though.

WisdomOfCrowds · 19/12/2018 18:05

I love it and was coming here to say 100% yes go for it... Then I read the Twaticus comment. From someone who spent their entire secondy school life being called smelly Ellie, I have to say no. With deep regret though because its a gorgeous name.

WinterfellWench · 19/12/2018 17:56

Not a fan sorry.

StormTreader · 19/12/2018 17:52

"Your child, your choice."
hmm that's yes and no though, isn't it?

It's not just "your [thing]" we're talking about here like it's a pet cat, its a person who will have to live every minute of every day of their lives with the results of that choice.
You could argue that you love the name "Biggus Dickus" because you love Monty Python - would that also be "Welp - your child, you choice!"?

ItIsChristmasTime · 19/12/2018 17:49

I think it is Downton Abbey that has encouraged the recent surge in popularity of Atticus, not To Kill A Mocking Bird or Go Set The Watchman.

masktaster · 19/12/2018 17:49

I know a 2/3 year old Atticus in the West Midlands.

Not my cup of tea, but if you like it, go for it. DS has a (real, but not currently "on trend") name that raises eyebrows, but it suits him and DP and I are more than happy with it.

user1499173618 · 19/12/2018 17:46

Atticus is pretentious and attention-seeking. If that is a characteristic of your family and social circle, go for it - Atticus will fit right into your family brand ;)

Beeziekn33ze · 19/12/2018 17:42

Your child, your choice. Personally I like it as it suggests humanity and tolerance, I take that from the lawyer father in To Kill a Mockingbird. And no, I have no intention of reading Go Set a Watchman.

To all the doom merchants suggesting how a young Atticus will be teased and bullied, if someone wants to bully you they don't need an excuse. Everyone's name should be respected whatever its source.

Over 30 years ago my friend Giovanni was told 'We can't use that name, we'll call you John!' by the nuns who should have been welcoming a 5 year old into school in a strange country.

SarahSissions · 19/12/2018 17:38

Strong and beautiful, go for it. I can't help but think most of the people who say he'll be bullied are the sort of inverted snobs who would be doing the bullying...

TheCag · 19/12/2018 16:27

(I'm nowhere near London either).

TheCag · 19/12/2018 16:26

I know a 3yo Atticus, I think its lovely.