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Baby names

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

Boris used our boys names - HELP

91 replies

Maybelatte · 03/05/2020 08:02

Obviously lighthearted to an extent but Wilfred was the only boys name DH and I agreed on and now I feel as though we can’t use it because people will draw parallels. We’re not Bojo fans at all so it’s honestly the last thing we want!

We liked Rupert until I remembered Murdoch and it put me off. We already have two DS’s called Edward and Jude to give you an idea of taste. We’re set on Clementine for a girl so hopefully it’s a girl Grin.

I’m due in July- HELP!

OP posts:
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Aber9 · 03/05/2020 10:06

I’d still use it. It’s not like it’s a name that isn’t familiar in any other context. I think I’d regret not choosing the name I wanted for something that everyone will have forgotten before long.

You might get a couple of comments to start with, but I’d just have a stock response e.g. “I know, as if he hadn’t already done enough, he had to go and use the name we’d already chosen” and before you know it, you’ll just be firing out that stock response without even noticing.

Bumsnet1 · 03/05/2020 10:05

Tarquin

YetiAnotherNameChange · 03/05/2020 10:03

Agree- if you like it that much, use it. Nobody will associate it with Boris in a few weeks anyway.

87Callista · 03/05/2020 10:02

Don't worry about it no one will think twice about it.

toastofthetown · 03/05/2020 09:55

I’d still use it. Wilfred has been rising sharply and heading for the top 100 for years. If Boris’ son was called Melchior, I could see a more lingering reference point. I know someone who didn’t call their daughter Florence because of David Cameron’s daughter and now regrets not using it slightly, because with hindsight it would have been a non issue.

pilates · 03/05/2020 09:53

Just use it if you like it.

Lordfrontpaw · 03/05/2020 09:50

I was at school with a Walter and no one every bullied him. He was a school bully!

HaveAtEm · 03/05/2020 09:45

I was holding my breath waiting for someone to spout out 'Ptolemy' as an alternative...😂 I wasn't disappointed👍

Nobody in real life, (unless they are SERIOUSLY, SERIOUSLY POSH, then go for it!) would consider using this for their child! They would be setting them up for a lifetime of teasing, which is just sad!

Lordfrontpaw · 03/05/2020 09:44

I just thought ‘Wilfred Owen’ and don’t think I’ll start thinking ‘Boris’.

midsomermurderess · 03/05/2020 09:35

It's a reasonably popular middle class name, just the sort of thing a woman the age and class of Symonds would choose. It's not inextricably linked to them.

KindnessCrusader · 03/05/2020 09:34

So funny, I have a Rupert and when Boris's Son was born I said to my friend 'they better not use Rupert'. She has a Wilfred Grin

sixswans · 03/05/2020 09:29

Rupert is a lovely name! don't worry about Murdoch, he's ancient. And it goes nicely with your other DC's names

Lordfrontpaw · 03/05/2020 09:28

Just use the name you want.

DS has almost the same name (Including middle names) as a royal child (we got there first) and only my sister pointed it out.

Spanneroo · 03/05/2020 09:26

Our 4mo is called Wilfred (Wilf)

He's a twin and, had the twin been another boy, he'd have been Douglas. We also had Walter and Samson on the list

wintertime6 · 03/05/2020 09:25

I would still go with Wilfred if that's the name you like. I think Boris's child won't be seen or heard very much in the media, unlike royal children who are talked about quite a lot and pictures released etc. I wouldn't be surprised if in a few months time a lot of people have forgotten what Boris's son is called.

emilybrontescorsett · 03/05/2020 09:25

I don't think people will automatically think of Borris' son. If use it if you like it.
People call their sons Freddie and my fist thought a are Fred West and Freddie Gruger!

DodgyTrousers · 03/05/2020 09:20

Ridiculous post.

So what if the PM has used a name you also like .

Biscuit
Chloemol · 03/05/2020 09:18

Wilfred can be shortened to wilf , Fred, Freddie, Wilfie , Will, Willie or any other combination. However if you like it use it

SpillTheTeaa · 03/05/2020 09:17

Barnaby?

dottiedodah · 03/05/2020 08:54

I see what you mean ,but no one "owns" a name and these things happen a lot .When I was born ,a famous family named their daughter the same name as me .Mum was always being asked if I had been named "after" her ,but I was a few months older!

zigaziga · 03/05/2020 08:50

I don’t think it matters all that much and it’s a nice name.

Alfred I’d have the same concerns over as you. Yes, it can be Fred or Freddie and you can make sure you never use the nickname Alfie but they’re inevitably going to become Alfie and that’s not ideal.

Thewheelsarefallingoff · 03/05/2020 08:47

How about Wilbur?

MamaTo7 · 03/05/2020 08:43

What about Wesley or Wyatt? I don't think it matters. I have an Arabella which is Donald Trumps grand daughters name (I can't stand him, sorry.) But it's never been associated with that and I still love her name just as much. Smile

Reginabambina · 03/05/2020 08:36

Are your friends and family boris fans? Or maybe daily mail readers? I had no idea that they’d even name their child yet let alone what name they chose. Surely most people don’t?

Missmonkeypenny · 03/05/2020 08:35

I have a Reuben Jude Smile Other suggestion for him were Eli and Kit