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Baby names

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

Original poster

Marley and Kennedy

35 replies

AliceBeckett · 11/02/2020 16:40

I'm due for twin girls in late March, both these names are ones i really like and suit their surname and my husband likes them, but i've heard other people they sound too pretentious or try-hard. What do you think?

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user1471449295 · 12/02/2020 19:37

I see them as surnames. Not first names

Thefaceofboe · 12/02/2020 19:26

@PaulHollywoodsSexGut haha yep! I’d never heard Ottile until I joined mumsnet!

Ricekrispie22 · 12/02/2020 06:23

Cassidy

HeronLanyon · 12/02/2020 03:26

I’m in the U.K. I was going to say I agree 100% with those ‘others’. To my ear/eye they are both strong/hard/brash names. Also I’d not be sure whether Male/female.

BUT you are in the us ! They do seem very ‘American’ to me (surnames as first names etc) so cultural difference and all that, eh?

Anyway congrats and good luck op.

Ritascornershop · 12/02/2020 03:11

I’m in Canada and while I’ve heard them on girls, I don’t like them. Marley sounds like a dog’s name, or a dog’s surname, and Kennedy is a surname. Sorry, I’m not keen. I think they sound very American, so unless you’re in America I’d avoid.

Jossina · 12/02/2020 01:28

I think they're mostly girls names in the USA. If they have meaning for you go for it. Be prepared for a lot of questions about Bob and politics.

Astronica · 12/02/2020 00:28

I agree with pp that if you're in US they work fine. They're not a style of names that appeals to me, but I have come across both as girls. They do seem to be more mainstream girls' names in the US. Not something I'd choose but they sound okay as a pair and are perfectly usable.

GordonBennett20 · 11/02/2020 23:40

I think that as you're in the USA they're fine OP

Marley is generally seen as a boys name in the UK and youd never come across someone called Kennedy over here which is why people arent so keen I would think.

PrettyyGood · 11/02/2020 23:11

They're male names really. And so ugly sounding. I'm not saying you have to give your girls pretty names but surely you can do better than these two?

DramaAlpaca · 11/02/2020 22:56

They are surnames. I hate surnames being used as first names, especially for girls. Sorry.

AHintOfStyle · 11/02/2020 21:06

I know sisters called Madison & Kennedy.
Wouldn't have been names I would have considered but they really suit them and are beautiful little girls.

PaulHollywoodsSexGut · 11/02/2020 20:45

You forgot “Ottilie” @Thefaceofboe Grin

Purplecatshopaholic · 11/02/2020 20:44

I love them. Go for it. If you both like them that’s the main thing anyway

LouisaJenny · 11/02/2020 20:40

I like them.

Thefaceofboe · 11/02/2020 20:37

No point asking on mumsnet op unless you want to call them Amelia, Olivia, Isla, Ava or Eva Blush

Thefaceofboe · 11/02/2020 20:36

I really like both the names together... I think kenny is a really cute nn too Smile

Valkarie · 11/02/2020 20:21

You might be better off asking on a more American site. Mumsnet is very geared towards people who like posh UK names that aren't in the top 50. If you like the names then go for them, it is you that will be using them.

BobbyBlueCat · 11/02/2020 19:34

Male names.
Or dog names.

Both sound awful, but Kennedy is the better of the two.

Maduixa · 11/02/2020 19:28

Doesn't Kennedy mean "ugly head"?

Not ugly in the sense that someone is not attractive - it actually means a head misshapen by wearing armour, in the role of a fighter. Cinnéidigh/Cennétigs was the father of Irish king Brian Boru - a lifelong fighter. All very noble, but not a reason to give the name to a 21st century American child!

richele4 · 11/02/2020 19:27

it's a no from me. sorry op

PaulHollywoodsSexGut · 11/02/2020 19:21

Dog names, I really am sorry OP.

FickleTickle · 11/02/2020 19:19

Doesn't Kennedy mean "ugly head"? Would you do that to your child?

Maduixa · 11/02/2020 19:17

I don't think they are mostly male. I think Kennedy sounds like a surname - and I personally wouldn't use a surname as a baby's first name unless it was a family name (for example, your own maiden name, or one of your child's grandmothers' maiden names, or similar further back ).

I think of Marley (Marlie, Marli, Marly, Marlee) as a normal(ised) girls' first name, though - even though it may be derived from a surname. Kennedy isn't, especially with the US history of Kennedy. It's a family (sur)name for me but I still would not use it as a first name for a baby.

percheron67 · 11/02/2020 19:04

Absolutely dreadful. Makes them sound like a firm of Builders!

emmathedilemma · 11/02/2020 18:36

I think they’re the opposite of pretentious! I know a female Marley and she’s cute but it’s not a name I’d personally choose and with Kennedy I’d think they were boys.

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