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Original poster

How dated is Colin?

270 replies

insidejobb · 03/04/2021 16:30

We are trying to choose a name for our first baby which will be a boy. We are almost set on Colin and have made the mistake of telling other people. Most of them have asked whether we are having a baby or an 80 year old man and making comments about how dated it is. One of my friends even said "who looks at a baby and think it looks like a Colin?"

I like to think it's a very traditional and timeless name and I know comments could be worse but they still get to me.

What are your thoughts on it?

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Chattydoll · 03/04/2021 17:34

I’ll be honest it’s a name that conjures images of elderly men dressed in beige - or Colin the caterpillar. My phone also keeps auto correcting to
Colon :|

JemimaTiggywinkle · 03/04/2021 17:33

I think it’s fine, but it’s definitely the kind of name you should announce post-birth and it will grow on people.

topofthepopsicle · 03/04/2021 17:32

I'd imagine Colin to wear anoraks, slacks and those Velcro shoes you used to see in the back of the Sunday magazine.

It's honestly awful.

campion · 03/04/2021 17:31

It's not timeless but compared to some of the names on here it's less out there.

But your friend is right.

Sparrowfeeder · 03/04/2021 17:30

Ick.

tara66 · 03/04/2021 17:30

Very dated but who know where it will be in 30 years' time?

Jayneisagirlsname · 03/04/2021 17:29

Adding Colin Morgan to the extremely hot Colins list.

I think it does sound old fashioned initially but the sounds are actually quite lyrical when you think about it.

Figgygal · 03/04/2021 17:23

My husbands called Colin
He’s 46
He’s the only one I know

YouAreYourBestThing · 03/04/2021 17:21

You seem to have already made your mind up, so why bother asking?

My opinion, which really doesn't matter a bit, quite clearly, is that it's not a great name, but you can call your baby Vlad The Impaler if that's what floats your boat 🤷‍♀️

Honestly, what does it matter if you've already decided? 🤷‍♀️

Baby Colin though...😢 😖

shallIswim · 03/04/2021 17:21

I like it.
But can't separate it from the eponymous cake which no doubt will still be a thing when little Colin is at school friends' birthday parties.

Egghead68 · 03/04/2021 17:20

I like it. It’s due a comeback.

Mammyloveswine · 03/04/2021 17:18

It's awful!! Sorry OP!

Cheekyweegobshite · 03/04/2021 17:17

@Roselilly36

Awful, please don’t call your lovely new baby boy Colin. *@Cheekyweegobshite* haha I know a dog called Dave
Me too! My next dog is going to be called Nigel. Or Pat.
riromay · 03/04/2021 17:17

Love Colin! Once your baby has this name then all your friends and family will associate the name with your baby so it will be fine !

BungleandGeorge · 03/04/2021 17:16

It’s not quite old enough to have made a reappearance. I reckon it will be back in 15 years time as children often choose names from their grandparents era. I think it’s fine, I would worry a bit about the ‘colon’ Nick name

swampytiggaa · 03/04/2021 17:15

I have warmed to the name since watching It’s a Sin. Colin was so lovely I saw it as a young person’s name 😊

HollyBen · 03/04/2021 17:14

Not my favourite but if you like it go for it.

OneEpisode · 03/04/2021 17:13

Colin Powell is so well known in the US that Americans pronounce Colin Kohl-in. There seems to be an English negative and a Scots and Irish positive on this thread so you can have an American benchmark too?

HoldingTheDoor · 03/04/2021 17:11

It's very dated. Awful name. I'm Scottish and it doesn't make me like it one bit more.

I attended school with a Colin in the 90s and even then it seemed very dated. It's not at all timeless imo.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 03/04/2021 17:11

Kevin's a great name too. Not so keen on Keith or Gary.

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 03/04/2021 17:09

As others have said, names come and go. Back in the early 90s I had a hard job to keep a straight face when another mother told me her new baby was going to be called Audrey. Audrey for me was an old lady name. My mum had friends and colleagues called Audrey, I didn't.

One day at the medical centre the appointment indicator said something like 'Arthur Williams to go to Room 4' and to my utter astonishment the patient getting up was not an 80yo man, it was a toddler with his mum. I'd never met an Arthur before who wasn't 30+ years older than me.

Ronnie, Betty, Stanley, Alfie, Edie, Effie - all old people's names until very recently. Why shouldn't Colin have a resurgence? I hope Nigel will follow. That's another one I like but nobody else does.

SpeckledyHen · 03/04/2021 17:08

OP , people will have an opinion on whatever you choose , so don’t take any notice .
My MIL laughed out loud when we told her our first born was called Charlie , and asked us what he was really going to called!?
I rest my case.

MrsBungle · 03/04/2021 17:08

Very dated. Like Malcolm, Keith and Nigel.

PolarnOpirate · 03/04/2021 17:06

And a 10 year old Ian, actually!!!

Paperyfish · 03/04/2021 17:06

I really like it. Think due a comeback

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