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Original poster

Names like Percy

81 replies

MonkeyBirdy · 30/06/2021 06:10

We're expecting a boy and I'm having such a hard time finding names I love. Like they're all ok but nothing really stands out. Then DH suggested Percy (with Percival on the birth certificate) and after an initial wtf reaction I think I really love it.

It has everything I like in a name - classic, not too common, nice to say, 2 syllables (so it fits with the rest of our names - I don't know why but this is a big deal for me).

I think it's due a comeback...

I know about Percy pigs. They're a nice sweet though! Plus we don't live in the UK and they're not really a thing here.

Is Percy really that awful? If you think so can you suggest some similar names.. he'll hopefully end up going to a posh school unless we have some financial catastrophe so I'm not concerned about the name being too public school.

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Chilldonaldchill · 04/07/2021 12:42

My first thought is Harry Potter and he's not a great character in that (but redeemed by the end).
I'm not a fan but I think that's because I'm not a fan of any of the old man chic names that have been so prevalent in the last few years. If I never met another young Stanley, Archie, Ronnie, Alfred I'd be very happy.
I'm a fan of names others would consider posh (Rufus, Rupert, Hector, Hugo, Benedict, Rafe, Lucian etc) and I don't think Percy or Percival fit into that category.
Having said all of that, I don't think it's a horrid name and, if you love it, I would go for it.
A quick straw poll of the 2 teenagers currently in my house confirms Percy Pigs, Percy Jackson and Harry Potter and no awareness at all of penis slang - and a "that's quite a cool name" from the eldest.

user1745 · 03/07/2021 22:26

For me it's in the same "niche" as:

  • Clarence
  • Bertie (Albert/Bertram)
  • Stanley
  • Bernard/Bernie
  • Freddie (Alfred/Frederick)
  • Leonard

I wouldn't use Percy in the UK just because of the sweets but if you're not in the UK, it's probably fine. It's certainly not an awful name!

LostInTheColonies · 30/06/2021 23:35

Peregrine / Perry would be a great alternative!
Montgomery / Monty
Rupert
Gregor
Dickon (getting a bit Secret Garden but not the posh bit 🤣 and wound probably lead to teasing but such a great name)

Happenchance · 30/06/2021 23:34

I like Percival but not Percy.

Other 2 syllable suggestions:
Herbert nn Herbie
Jovan
Edgar
Lucious
Jonty
Peris (nice but similar to Penis)
Lucian
Douglas nn Dougie
Linus

TotorosCatBus · 30/06/2021 23:08

Might be a sign of my age but I thought of Percy from Thomas the Tank Engine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ListoffThomas%266Friends_characters

Lots of similar names in the link.

TheVanguardSix · 30/06/2021 22:37

Or Monty?
Bertie?

TheVanguardSix · 30/06/2021 22:34

Barnaby/Barney
Digby

Squiz81 · 30/06/2021 22:28

I like Percy.

Other suggestions for similar names…

Wilf
Edmund
Arthur

SeanChailleach · 30/06/2021 22:19

The Percy in Harry Potter isn't really a sympathetic character.

stellarfox · 30/06/2021 22:04

I really like it but asked about it recently on here and got similar feedback. I think it’s quite a classic, handsome name. I don’t think his peers would know the penis reference. However the fact that so many hate it has put me off!

Dinosauraddict · 30/06/2021 21:37

I like Percy (and Percival).

ScribblyBaller · 30/06/2021 20:56

"Percy, do you want a pint, mate? Just no

That gave me the giggles Grin

polkadotpixie · 30/06/2021 20:45

Honestly I think it's horrific, sorry. When you're naming a boy I think it needs to be something you can yell across a pub without people thinking WTF?! "Percy, do you want a pint, mate? Just no 😩

wanderedlonelyasacloud · 30/06/2021 20:41

@TheSunShinesBrighter

Percival is in the same league as Cyril, Stanley, Bernard, Desmond, Horace and Earnest. There is a reason why they haven’t made a comeback!

Different generation perhaps but names like Lynda, Janice and Jeanette are similarly unpopular for babies...

I know 3 Stanley's under the age of about 4!

Other name suggestions:
Felix
Rufus
Rupert
Barnaby
Orson
Roland
Augustus
Bartholomew
Clarence
Montgomery (Monty)
Ralph (as in Raif)

AmIPeriOrAreYouJustAnnoying · 30/06/2021 20:37

Sidney

AmIPeriOrAreYouJustAnnoying · 30/06/2021 20:36

It's a penis name.

How about:

Stan
Archie
Teddy
Henry
Alf
George
Albie
Otis

????

TheSunShinesBrighter · 30/06/2021 20:33

I know various Stanleys. It’s a Notting Hill name.

I was actually going to follow ‘I work in a high school and am yet to come across a Stanley’ with
But maybe that’s because I don’t live in London...
I thought I would get shouted at so stopped myself! 🤣

Chunkymenrock · 30/06/2021 20:10

Seymour, Gilbert?

iloveautumn3 · 30/06/2021 20:08

No I was born late seventies given a very old ladies name. All the girls I went to school with were Sarah's Rebecca's lauras. I suffered piss taking at primary school and secondary school and still occasionally in the work place. I vowed to never do it to my children and I didn't. I absolutely hate my name.

TatianaBis · 30/06/2021 19:58

My mums cat when she was a kid was called Percy Peregrine Pericles Patch.

TatianaBis · 30/06/2021 19:57

I know various Stanleys. It’s a Notting Hill name.

I like Perceval as it’s a very ancient name. Could you call him that nn Val? Peredur is the Welsh original.

If you like Celtic myths what about Merlin? I quite like Gawain too.

Or if it’s the Edwardian vibe you like - Edgar, Lionel, Sebastian, Orlando, Benedict, Conrad, Caspar, Hector, Gabriel.

mommybunny · 30/06/2021 19:54

@Hothammock I have thought if I ever had a male cat I would name him Admiral Percival Fitzwallace and call him Percy for short.

Aquamarine1029 · 30/06/2021 19:51

Percy is horrible.

WatchingTheRaindrops · 30/06/2021 19:49

My immediate reaction was it sounds like Percy pig?

Hothammock · 30/06/2021 19:45

Percy is a great name. My cat is called Percy, and when he is naughty I call him percival.

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