Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Nancy?..

92 replies

babyfish2 · 03/01/2021 12:41

What's your opinion on the name Nancy? I'd like to know if anyone associates it with anything in particular and just a general consensus!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Isadora2007 · 03/01/2021 23:29

Lovely. And a bit different without being naff and modern

thinonice · 03/01/2021 23:18

Very North American/Canadian old fashioned name.

june2007 · 03/01/2021 23:00

Yes I love it. I think the "Nancy boy" thing was an issue in the 90,s not sure abut now. (Now have Skunk Anancy in my head.)

CaffiSaliMali · 03/01/2021 22:59

My Nain and Taid used to have a lovely cat called Nansi (Welsh spelling). I loved that cat so positive associations for me.

In my 30s and not familiar with it being a homophobic slur.

Therealone · 03/01/2021 22:56

I love it

cafedesreves · 03/01/2021 22:53

It makes me think of David Cameron's daughter. I'm not overly keen.

SnoozyBoozy · 03/01/2021 22:47

My grandmother is called Nancy and she's 91. Personally, I really dislike it in a small child as it's so old fashioned, but I guess it's better than Edith or Edna?

That said, people may well hate my children's names, so I wouldn't worry too much about what other people think. I would never say anything to anyone about their or their children's names in real life though.

Chilldonaldchill · 03/01/2021 22:42

I really like it - mostly because it's the name of the pirate in Swallows and Amazons.
I do know one - she's 17 now - she's very feisty, a brilliant dancer and clever too. So I think of it as a strong name.

Original poster
babyfish2 · 03/01/2021 18:40

Thanks everyone! I'm in my early twenties so I've really never heard of 'Nancy boy' etc, really interesting, I would've been none the wiser! It's the only name we're loving at the momentSmile

OP posts:
Crimblecrumble1990 · 03/01/2021 18:19

I love it. I have heard of Nancy boy etc, but that insult is so so dated and will not be making a comeback. Go for it!

Cam2020 · 03/01/2021 18:19

It definitely was homophibic slur too, although you probably have to be over 35ish to know that, so it'll be irrelevant to your baby. Placebo had a song called Nancy Boy!

daisypond · 03/01/2021 18:16

I rather like it, but I wouldn’t use it. I do think of poor wretched Nancy from Oliver Twist, so that puts me off. Also the homophobic slur -Nancy boy etc.

Cam2020 · 03/01/2021 18:16

I don't like it because it reminds me of the film of Oliver! and that rendition of As Long as He Needs Me. I love the book Oliver Twist, but that film still overshadows Blush

Camdenish · 03/01/2021 18:13

I love it.

I associate it with the Arthur Ransome, Swallows and Amazing books. The character Nancy was awesome. Her “real”name was Ruth but she was a pirate and pirates are Ruthless!

nancywhisky · 03/01/2021 18:05

lovely name!

Original poster
babyfish2 · 03/01/2021 18:04

Thanks everyone! Really appreciate all of the comments.

We have a Freddy already and think Nancy goes quite well. I'd not heard of it being associated with homophobic slur so will have to do some research into this.

I think people would have the same opinion on my sons name regarding it sounding more so like a nn. We didn't decide to use Frederick on his birth certificate as we simply didn't like it, he can obviously still refer to himself as Frederick as he gets older, should he want to!

OP posts:
IamnotwhouthinkIam · 03/01/2021 16:22

It has a cute, pleasant sound but I wouldn't use it as a given name myself. I associate it most with the tragic woman in Dickens "Oliver" personally, as I don't know any in RL. But even if I didn't, to me it is either more a nn (for classic Anne or Frances); or very trendy and will likely date quite badly - as Nancy is both part of the trend for retro/vintage names (like Ivy, Ada etc) but also part of the nickname trend too (see Evie, Ellie etc). Sorry to be negative, OP.

inquietant · 03/01/2021 16:09

@grapewine

It's dated, and I was going to mention this It's also an old fashioned homophobic slur, which most younger people won't be aware of but I can remember being used.

So I wouldn't.

I had forgotten this but this would deter me too.
grapewine · 03/01/2021 16:04

It's dated, and I was going to mention this It's also an old fashioned homophobic slur, which most younger people won't be aware of but I can remember being used.

So I wouldn't.

Joiningthegossip · 03/01/2021 16:01

It's my daughters name and she gets so many compliments, our other daughters name doesn't as much.

Some family thought I was joking when I suggested it when I was pregnant and for some reason I was a little nervous to use a less common name but pleased we used it.
I love it!

Disorganisedfish · 03/01/2021 16:00

I just don’t see it on a small child, or as some one up thread said, on a teenager. It’s nice in fiction but not real life (In my opinion!)

TinyJJ · 03/01/2021 15:59

Love it! It's my daughter's name who's 4 and we have only had lovely comments about it. It's still not very common either and she's the only Nancy in her school year. My Nancy loves her name 😊

SwayingInTime · 03/01/2021 15:58

I have one and wish so much I had given her a ‘proper name’ too. In my head it’s short for Agnes but DH hated it. It just doesn’t suit her as a teen.

Spidey66 · 03/01/2021 15:56

Although I also think of Oliver and Nancy Spungen, I do still really like it. And I'm someone who (if I'd had kids) would have ruled out names with negative associations. (For example I know Reggie is getting popular again. I hate it and one of the reasons is the Kray twins,)

DramaAlpaca · 03/01/2021 15:51

Hate it. It was originally, as someone has said, a diminutive of Ann/Anne. I don't think Nancy from Oliver is a particularly good association, tbh. It's also an old fashioned homophobic slur, which most younger people won't be aware of but I can remember being used in the 70s. It's a big no from me.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.