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Baby names

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

Original poster

"Girls" Names For Boys?

65 replies

Jossina · 20/05/2019 00:18

I've just read a fantastic article www.kaseyedwards.com/the-subconscious-bias-of-unisex-baby-name-trends/ that made me think what "girl" names I think would work for boys. They are:

Grace
Natalie
Abigail
Kathryn Katharine
Rachel
Dora
Deborah

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ErrolTheDragon · 20/05/2019 07:49

I don't think any boys/men would thank their parents for calling them any of those names, op.

Yes - the question is why. I don't know any reason other than the shame of boys being seen as 'girly'. 'Girl' names being seen as weak (even the ones which don't end in 'ie' sounds)

Everyone know who Marion Morrison was?

Original poster
Jossina · 20/05/2019 07:49

junebirthdaygirl Mon 20-May-19 07:32:32
Jude, Harper, Dara, Pat, Jo, Frances Frankie Toni ...have seen some star recently with James for girl

Yes, but if that star had a son would she ever consider naming him Elizabeth?

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Original poster
Jossina · 20/05/2019 07:47

Loopylou17 It has nothing to do with girls. It's about how people think of boys. That they need to be masculine and anything associated with being feminine is wrong. That if a boy is named something like Grace (which bellinisurge calls "dainty") he'll be bullied and thought girly. Why? Grace means: simple elegance or refinement of movement. Courteous goodwill. In Christian belief the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings. How are any of those things something a boy can't represent and still not be respected? Misogyny and the obsession with making boys be non feminine hurts women because it devalues things that are considered feminine.

OP posts:
Fifthtimelucky · 20/05/2019 07:33

Shirley was originally a male name. Charlotte Bronte changed that by using it for one of her heroines.

junebirthdaygirl · 20/05/2019 07:32

Jude, Harper, Dara, Pat, Jo, Frances Frankie Toni ...have seen some star recently with James for girl

Homebird8 · 20/05/2019 07:19

Kim
Robin
Mackenzie
Brooke
Troy
Dion
Alex

All common for both sexes where I live.

YoureAMeanOneMrGrinch · 20/05/2019 07:13

My son has a name people would probably think is a "girls name", but he can pull it off.

bellinisurge · 20/05/2019 07:01

Artemis is a female name - Artemis Fowl. That's it. Can't think of any other. I'm sorry, I live in a world where it makes it much harder for a boy with a dainty girl's name like Grace. I know a few women with boy's names and have female cousins with gender neutral names. Sorry, MN. Not the other way around. Not unless they choose it themselves in later life.

bellinisurge · 20/05/2019 06:45

Download the song " A Boy Named Sue".

Loopylou17 · 20/05/2019 06:38

Very interesting article. Maybe the solution is not to call our boys girl's names but to give out girls girl's names so they don't think they have to be a boy to have any value in society

Taytotots · 20/05/2019 01:21

Sue?Grin

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 20/05/2019 01:15

I don't think any boys/men would thank their parents for calling them any of those names, op.

weddingplannc · 20/05/2019 00:42

I think all virtue names can work for both genders; say this all the time.

Helenluvsrob · 20/05/2019 00:29

Let me be the first to say the wrestler known as big daddy is /was called Shirley.

Proseccofuelled · 20/05/2019 00:20

Not sure I can see a boy called Catherine

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