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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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MushMonster · 12/06/2021 21:14

Poor girl

siblingrevelryagain · 12/06/2021 21:14

I have a girl called Frankie, and I love unisex names like Charlie etc

I do like morevtypically ‘male’ names like George or Jamie for a girl, but I think Christopher is a step too far

4amWitchingHour · 12/06/2021 21:13

CHRISTOPHER??

Poor child.

GinAndTonicOnIt · 12/06/2021 21:13

It's awful but at least she can just call herself Chris and pretend she's Christine. Poor child!

cakebythepound1234 · 12/06/2021 21:13

God no, just don't do it. I know someone who's daughter is called Alfie. I have an elderly (male!) relative named Alfie and just cannot associate that name with a girl. The mum says she chose it partly because she likes the nickname 'Fi' - so why not go for Fiona then? Oh that's right, because that wouldn't signal to everyone what a unique and interesting person you are than if you gave your daughter a boys name. that she will inevitably end up hating when she's older and all the other kids called Alfie of her generation are all boys. Just give her one of the many and varied female names that are out there!

clary · 12/06/2021 21:11

@SirSamuelVimes

Yes, it's shit in many ways, but most importantly for me on that in reinforces the idea that male is aspirational. No-one is calling their sons Lara or Jennifer or Maud. It only ever goes one way, because to give a boy a girl's name would be to mark him out as something lesser, whereas to give a girl a boys name apparently makes them cool and strong and interesting.
yes, this.

ppl are calling girls Jamie and Tom but no one is calling a boy Eloise or Millie.

At least Christopher can go for Chris (=Christine)

MandalaYogaTapestry · 12/06/2021 21:11

They could have just called her Chris. It would have been more or less unisex

CallMeCleo · 12/06/2021 21:11

I know a woman called Keir. Yep, as in Hardie and Starmer.

DragonLegs · 12/06/2021 21:11

I wonder if she is going to push them to identify as male.

Anon778833 · 12/06/2021 21:08

Oh god...

Lweji · 12/06/2021 21:07

I hope she's willing to pay for the extensive therapy.

StayCalm99 · 12/06/2021 21:01

I know of a female Daryl but that seems more feminine.

Pyewackect · 12/06/2021 21:00

How bizarre !

StayCalm99 · 12/06/2021 20:59

Odd choice. Christy is unisex and nice. But if she goes about insisting on Christopher it'll be ridiculous
Christobel would have been nice

GreenCrayon · 12/06/2021 20:56

Poor child. Imagine knowing you're such a disappointment at being the 5th girl that she gave you a boys name to show how little you mean and just how much she didn't want you.

I hope your poor niece can afford therapy when she is older, sounds like she's going to need it. Sad

InSpaceNooneCanHearYouScream · 12/06/2021 20:56

CHRISTOPHER?? this is a joke right?

ShinyGreenElephant · 12/06/2021 20:56

Thats a ridiculous thing to do but luckily easily shortened and people will assume shes called Christine

NcagainNC · 12/06/2021 20:54

Wtf

Original poster
Momto2girliess · 12/06/2021 20:54

Juanbablo

No, it's Christopher.

OP posts:
nocoolnamesleft · 12/06/2021 20:53

Might as well call your daughter Internalised Misogyny.

StayCalm99 · 12/06/2021 20:53

No. Dont.you dont have to call her something frilly but do not call a girl john

Moomala · 12/06/2021 20:52

Stupid tbh Hmm

SirSamuelVimes · 12/06/2021 20:52

Yes, it's shit in many ways, but most importantly for me on that in reinforces the idea that male is aspirational. No-one is calling their sons Lara or Jennifer or Maud. It only ever goes one way, because to give a boy a girl's name would be to mark him out as something lesser, whereas to give a girl a boys name apparently makes them cool and strong and interesting.

DinaofCloud9 · 12/06/2021 20:51

Very odd.

Juanbablo · 12/06/2021 20:51

I bet it's James isn't it? This name has become fashionable for girls but I'm not a fan.