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

Barney or Barnaby (nn Barney)?

54 replies

PurpleFlower1983 · 28/03/2021 18:43

DH and I have been round the houses for boys names and are now seriously considering Barney, I know about the dinosaur, Rubble, Gumble, dog’s name etc. but for those of you who don’t mind the name, would you for for the name Barney on its own or Barnaby (nn Barney).

We already have DD2 who is Matilda nn Tilda.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Flymetothestars · 04/05/2021 18:09

Barnaby! What a great name!

ElizabethTudor · 04/05/2021 17:52

Barnaby nn Barney.
Great name.

Edenember · 04/05/2021 17:43

Definitely Barnaby, it’s fab and that way he has options.

BradPittsLeftTit · 04/05/2021 16:55

@PurpleFlower1983 I know this thread is a month or so old but just wanted to say our DS who is 2 is called Barney. We've NEVER met another Barney and his nursery have said they think he's their first (just incase you were after an unusual name)

The thing that I wanted to say that surprises me the most is just how many people comment on his name. If he catches someone's eye whilst toddling about at the park, I'll get asked his name: and I would say 80% of the time I get a comment along the lines of 'oh that's such a lovely name' 'oh what a happy name' or something. I'm not exaggerating - I get it all the time!

And so many people comment on how it suits him: smiley, funny, gregarious, outgoing, confident, friendly-he just sums up 'Barney'. So if you do go for Barnaby, I reckon Barney will be a wonderful nickname!

But I'm obviously biased!!

Original poster
PurpleFlower1983 · 29/03/2021 19:31

We’re quite liking Barnaby so he has some options.

OP posts:
Chilldonaldchill · 29/03/2021 09:12

Barnaby.
I know a couple, neither of them posh, just standard middle class. Both go by Barney day to day.

skeggycaggy · 29/03/2021 07:51

Barnaby is great.

I can’t imagine someone being bullied as posh for being called Barney. My kids are at school with such a wide variety of names, not much stands out these days!

Original poster
PurpleFlower1983 · 29/03/2021 07:45

[quote Drunkenmonkey]@PurpleFlower1983 my DH is Irish and he felt that Barnaby would sound ridiculous over there and all his family would laugh at it, I think maybe it comes across as quite posh English.
I think it's fine over here though, but possibly depends where he would go to school.
I would be a bit concerned about sending a Barnaby to an inner city state school, but a fairly middle class area would be fine. Just my opinion of course. It's a lovely name.[/quote]
We live in the North in a town with a mixed catchment right now - middle/working class so would probably get away with it just about but definitely not posh!

OP posts:
Drunkenmonkey · 29/03/2021 07:36

@PurpleFlower1983 my DH is Irish and he felt that Barnaby would sound ridiculous over there and all his family would laugh at it, I think maybe it comes across as quite posh English.
I think it's fine over here though, but possibly depends where he would go to school.
I would be a bit concerned about sending a Barnaby to an inner city state school, but a fairly middle class area would be fine. Just my opinion of course. It's a lovely name.

AlwaysLatte · 29/03/2021 07:19

Barnaby is lovely. I'm not sure why a PP said he would get teased though.

Original poster
PurpleFlower1983 · 29/03/2021 07:15

We feel like it’s a brave choice but not too out there just yet.

OP posts:
Original poster
PurpleFlower1983 · 29/03/2021 07:14

@Drunkenmonkey

We had this same debate. In the end DH felt Barnaby was a bit too push and I was concerned Barney was a bit too comical/nicknamey, so we went with something else. If I was choosing on my own I would have gone with Barnaby, I think it's a great name, but equally I think Barney would be fine too.
We’re slightly worried about this too, DH sounds posh but in reality is a former actor who was taught it, I’m Northern so not posh at all! Grin
OP posts:
IllNeverLetGoJack · 28/03/2021 22:51

I love Barnaby! I know one who is about 5yo and it's very cute. Barney is better as a shortening imo.

Drunkenmonkey · 28/03/2021 22:41

Posh not push!

Original poster
PurpleFlower1983 · 28/03/2021 22:28

Thanks for the advice everyone! Food for thought! Smile

OP posts:
Drunkenmonkey · 28/03/2021 21:45

We had this same debate. In the end DH felt Barnaby was a bit too push and I was concerned Barney was a bit too comical/nicknamey, so we went with something else.
If I was choosing on my own I would have gone with Barnaby, I think it's a great name, but equally I think Barney would be fine too.

partyatthepalace · 28/03/2021 21:07

Barnaby or Barnabas nn Barney.

Good to have options. I like it.

Flymetothestars · 28/03/2021 20:10

Barnaby! That way you get both options!
Love it and love Matilda too. You have great taste

Violetlavenders · 28/03/2021 19:51

Barnaby!

ProperVexed · 28/03/2021 19:43

I have a Barnaby but he has almost always been called Barney. He is now 23. Great name for a little chap, teenager and man. He has never been bullied because of his name and never had reference to a purple dinosaur. He has, however, met many dogs with the same name!
He loves his name and tells me that it is a good one for attracting young ladies!

PandaFluff · 28/03/2021 19:31

(Nn Barns)

PandaFluff · 28/03/2021 19:30

Barney

Thefaceofboe · 28/03/2021 19:22

We have decided on Barnaby if our baby is a boy :)

Dinosauraddict · 28/03/2021 19:19

Barnaby is lovely!

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 28/03/2021 19:09

Barnaby is nice (nn Barney if you want). Barney sounds more cartoony/comical to me.