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Baby names

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

Original poster

Oban - anyone familiar with this name?

71 replies

CornerOfTheSky · 04/03/2020 12:09

This name is on our potentials list for boys, because it's one of few that we both agree we like, going purely by the sound of the name, and that it means little bay, rather than any particular connection to the place in Scotland or being big fans of the whisky.

Could anyone confirm the pronunciation? If my research is right, I think it's pronounced Obe-un, a bit like Open with a b, and the emphasis on the Oh syllable, rather than saying it like Oh-BAN or Oh-BEN?

Would appreciate the input of any Scottish mumsnetters, Twitter seemed a bit disparaging of Oban the place,...is it a bit like naming your child Blackpool?

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Snugglepumpkin · 04/03/2020 13:00

Oban is a brand of whisky.

It's a quite nice single malt scotch.

Bit like naming your child Sherry.

Thisismytimetoshine · 04/03/2020 12:59

What if you’d been told it was pronounced differently to how you’d imagined op? Confused
Literally baffled at someone claiming to love a name when they don’t even know what it sounds like??

PineappleDanish · 04/03/2020 12:56

It's not a name, it's a place. Better than Paisley although that's not saying much.

Whatsyourflava · 04/03/2020 12:56

Sounds like a nightmare to have a name that’s so difficult to pronounce and that most haven’t heard of.

eddiemairswife · 04/03/2020 12:54

Strange that you like a name that you don't know how to pronounce.

Elllicam · 04/03/2020 12:50

I really like it and I live in Scotland.

Chilobster · 04/03/2020 12:48

What about Cumbernauld?

claracluck71 · 04/03/2020 12:47

Great with a splash of water!

IHaveBrilloHair · 04/03/2020 12:45

Like Pp said, Oran is much nicer, or Struan maybe?

JKScot4 · 04/03/2020 12:44

I know a toddler Oban, child of climbers.

RaininSummer · 04/03/2020 12:42

Not ever heard it as a name but I actually like it. Makes me picture a rugged outdoorsy chap with a bit cabled jumper (will take a cold shower now).

user1493494961 · 04/03/2020 12:39

Of all the names to choose from, you agree on one that isn't actually a person's name and you're not sure how to pronounce it.

halcyondays · 04/03/2020 12:35

Never heard it used as a boy’s name. Maybe people will think you conceived him on a weekend away in Oban.

Isthistrueor · 04/03/2020 12:33

It’s like Open with a B. I wouldn’t use it personally.

Mesmeri · 04/03/2020 12:32

As above. I quite like Oban, but I never heard of it as a person's name. Reminds me of Urban (popular Slavic name, pronounced oor BAN) but I wouldn't use that in the UK either cos everyone would think city street...

Thisismytimetoshine · 04/03/2020 12:31

I’m not familiar with the place, but it doesn’t have a particularly pleasant sound... I’d associate it with a brand of washing powder or something.

mistermagpie · 04/03/2020 12:28

Oban isn't like Blackpool but there are nicer places. Is not as bad as Paisley for a girl!

mistermagpie · 04/03/2020 12:27

I live in Scotland, have the most Scottish-named children you could think of and wouldn't consider Oban. Yes the town is pronounced a bit like Open with a b, but it's not really a person's name - I've never met a single one.

I know an Oran which is similar?

IHaveBrilloHair · 04/03/2020 12:24

Um, well it's better than Dumbarton.

Pollaidh · 04/03/2020 12:23

Obe-un with emphasis on the obe.

There are probably nicer Scottish places to name your child after, but it's ok. Better than Ardrossan!

Whitelisbon · 04/03/2020 12:17

Tbe town is pronounced like open, but with a b, as you suspected.
It's a bit of a shithole though, sorry! Not as bad as naming your child Blackpool, but not great.

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