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Baby names

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

Original poster

Naming your daughter a boy's name, yes or no ?

181 replies

Momto2girliess · 12/06/2021 20:45

My sibling named her baby girl a classic masculine name ( Think John, Robert , Thomas). I am never going to say anything to her. I am just curious to know people's opinion on it.

She always wanted a boy.This is baby girl n°5. Do you think it is a bit strange to name your girl a very masculine name?

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MajesticWhine · 12/06/2021 22:19

It's not fair on the child who will soon figure out she was intended to be a boy. Cruel.

cheapskatemum · 12/06/2021 22:18

I always wondered when Sydney became a girl's name. It was the name of the middle aged, male vicar that confirmed me & now it's the name of my friend's granddaughter.

FelicityPike · 12/06/2021 22:10

My grandpa had a sister who had a very male name. She was born in 1908. Huge hooha when she got married! In the press & everything.

TheRebelle · 12/06/2021 22:09

I think Hilary, Tracey and Stacey were originally male names that are now exclusively female but Christopher is a bit weird for a girl, for a start it’s a bit dated nowadays isn’t it? And there are already several feminine versions.

MrsDoctorDear · 12/06/2021 22:03

Is she in the UK? It might not be as bizarre in some countries.
How do you even tell people you have a niece called Christopher?

Lightswitchesoffatnight · 12/06/2021 22:00

Dear God!

ScottishBlanket · 12/06/2021 21:59

I think you get used to females having males names and vice versa. I know males (all European/South American) called Mindy, Alison, Caron (like Karen) and Andrea. It’s not that weird once you get your head round it. There’s also names like Sandy, Kelly, Lindsey, Hilary. And you do quickly get used to Elliot (girl in scrubs), Andy, Ryan etc on girls. But it’s the initial surprise/confusion that would be an issue

Serpenta · 12/06/2021 21:58

I always think nigella and thomasina's parents DEFO wanted boys.

Agree completely. The other sister is called Horatia...

Terrazzo · 12/06/2021 21:56

Guarantee she’s not gonna consider calling her future son Arabella is she 🙄

cricketmum84 · 12/06/2021 21:54

Christopher - oh my that's a bit odd!!

I always think nigella and thomasina's parents DEFO wanted boys.

I have a unisex name that's more used for boys and I love it. However I would have been reaching for the deed poll if it was bloody Christopher!

ScottishBlanket · 12/06/2021 21:49

I think it’s a terrible idea-agree that it’s sexist and would be a lot of awkward explaining.
But it is odd that some names are associated with males and some female-they are just sounds. Dave sounds very similar to Maeve yet one sounds very feminine one very masculine. Same with John and Joan etc.
Just thinking about the sounds, some male names sound very pretty and like they could be girls names if the associations were different. Christopha could easily be a girls name. I also think Dennis could have been a pretty girls name. There is a girl called Elliot in scrubs and this sounds nice and girly.
But these sounds/names are so strongly associated with males that it would be really silly to call a girl them.

Jade308 · 12/06/2021 21:48

@cakebythepound1234 wonder if we know the same person?

ufucoffee · 12/06/2021 21:47

It's attention seeking from the parent. Poor child.

Serpenta · 12/06/2021 21:46

Geraldina is pretty bad

JaninaDuszejko · 12/06/2021 21:45

In Scotland they used to name girls after their fathers by giving them horrific monikers like Donaldina or Jamesina.

I like that tradition and have a niece with a very Scottish 'ina' name. Nothing wrong with Georgina or Geraldina etc.

HappyGirl86 · 12/06/2021 21:43

This is a joke surely?

Serpenta · 12/06/2021 21:41

Jamesina isn't as bad admittedly as Donaldina or Hughina.

TatianaBis · 12/06/2021 21:40

I like Jamesina. It's quaint. No different to Christina or Josephine.

But Christopher is just odd.

ChrisOnTheBeach · 12/06/2021 21:40

Oh come ON @Momto2girliess

Christopher for a girl?

I doubt the registry office will even allow it, as it's so incredibly ludicrous.

Serpenta · 12/06/2021 21:30

Christopher! Wow, that's very peculiar. Nicknames will be fine but any time she has to tell people her full name she'll get all the Confused faces.

I agree with @SirSamuelVimes that this trend only ever goes boys names for girls, never the other way.

In Scotland they used to name girls after their fathers by giving them horrific monikers like Donaldina or Jamesina.

TatianaBis · 12/06/2021 21:23

What a strange thing to do.

I guess she can be Chris, Chrissie, Christa.

ofwarren · 12/06/2021 21:21

This can't be real?
She called her DAUGHTER Christopher??

bubblebath62636 · 12/06/2021 21:21

Jesus why on earth Christopher?

I also assumed James!

sadmummy12345 · 12/06/2021 21:19

F

Pinchoftums · 12/06/2021 21:17

I agree with @siblingrevelryagain
Love a unisex name. Christopher isn't unisex.

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