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Baby names

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

Original poster

Does this sound silly?

42 replies

Lunapixie · 10/12/2019 17:46

Hi Mums,

We like the name rowan for a boy. But surname is hoban.

Does Rowan hoban sound stupid and too rhymey?

Thanks x

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JesusMaryAndJosepheen · 10/12/2019 18:19

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MissHenty · 10/12/2019 18:19

Yes sorry that combo is ridiculous @Lunapixie but I see you’ve already come around to that conclusion anyway

I also think the popularity of the name Roman is making the name Rowan unusable. Would have been fine up until very recently. There’s 2 Roman’s and a Rowan at the local nursery and it does get confusing. I also agree with PP, prefer it as a girls’ name anyway.

I am loving some of the above suggestions

Raine and River are great names!

Would never have considered Woody until recently but Zoe Ball’s son has really made me see the name in a new light - it’s fab and v unusual

Aquamarine1029 · 10/12/2019 18:14

Raine Hoban
Glenn Hogan
River Hoban

Whatsyourflava · 10/12/2019 18:13

Sorry OP, I think that’s the right decision.

Lyra is lovely btw.

In terms of nature names, they are harder for boys but there is some lovely ones:

Ash
Woodrow/ Woody
Cliff/ Clifford
Oak/Oakley
River
Forrest
Bear (?)
Radley (red forest)
Clay
Raine /Rayne
Fraser (strawberry flower)
Winter
Herb/ Herbie?

Any good?

Original poster
Lunapixie · 10/12/2019 18:08

Thanks everyone. I thought so 😣
It is a shame as we really like the name.

I like nature related names, but nothing to crazy.
Our little girl is lyra.
But cant find any boys we like apart from rowan.
Preferably Would like a 2 syllabul nature related/insipred name.

Any ideas most welcome?!

Thanks xx

OP posts:
Whatsyourflava · 10/12/2019 17:58

Sorry it doesn’t work with that surname but I agree that’s maybe a blessing? Rowan works better as a girls name to me (Probably as the ones I know are girls and my niece has it as her middle name). In Scotland it’s racing up the top 100 lists for girls but doesn’t feature in the top 100 lists for boys.

There’s so many RoMan’s being born at the moment, I’d personally avoid a name so similar, there’s 2 Roman’s in my NCT group (of 8 babies) and there were 2 Roman’s on CBeebies babyclub TV programme yesterday (out of only about 10 babies!). Not surprised when it came out as last years’ fastest rising name. A couple of years ago this wouldn’t have been an issue as both names rare but the confusion now both names are so popular and rising so fast would drive me mad.

Scarletoharaseyebrows · 10/12/2019 17:53

Against the grain, I don't mind it!

PotteringAlong · 10/12/2019 17:52

Too much

TreeMenDos · 10/12/2019 17:51

Too much.

Alexander? Alex Hoban is lovely.

Flymetothestars · 10/12/2019 17:50

Sorry it doesn’t really work. I actually think that’s a bit of a blessing in disguise for you as the name Roman (with an M) was last years’ fastest rising boys’ name and is everywhere at the moment. When there’s so many lovely names I’d try and avoid one that is so ripe for confusion when both Roman and Rowan are so popular at the moment.

How about Ralph or Ronnie or Rupert or Rudy/Rudi if you like R names?

Sherrybabyy · 10/12/2019 17:50

Too much

Atalune · 10/12/2019 17:50

Yes. Unfortunate. Rowan is a lovely name.

Spied · 10/12/2019 17:49

Yep, it does.

MarshaBradyo · 10/12/2019 17:49

Yes a bit too similar

BaggaChips · 10/12/2019 17:48

I think it's a bit of a mouthful tbh.

AnnaSparks · 10/12/2019 17:48

My immediate thought is it will be a mouthful for him if he becomes a newsreader. I probably wouldn’t go for it but if it doesn’t bother you then it’s fine.

kimlo · 10/12/2019 17:47

it does a bit.

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