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Baby names

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

Original poster

Struggling for boy names. Found one but the meaning is crap!

62 replies

Horehound · 05/07/2021 13:47

We don't know yet if having a boy or girl but we settled on a lovely girls name super quickly. So I suggested Cameron for a boy and DH quite likes it.
I then researched the meaning and it means "bent, crooked" lol
So now I feel that's a bit shit considering our first DS is Arthur and means bear, courageous and also the connotations with King Arthur etc.
Name meanings mean something to me.
I'm so torn because it's the only name we've both been quite happy with but then find out it means crooked and bent...hmmm

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Happenchance · 06/07/2021 21:26

@Horehound Does your dad live up to his name?

Peeteea · 06/07/2021 20:59

Cameron is possibly also derived from crooked river/stream in gaelic-bears are often found in rivers catching their food and are excellent swimmers. Nice little connection there to think about as your first child is Arthur! If your dad’s name is a water themed name, it could also be a nice connection to him as well.

Let us know how you get on :)

Original poster
Horehound · 06/07/2021 16:52

@Happenchance

Douglas nn Dougie? It means black water, which sounds deep and mysterious.
That's my dad's name Smile
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Original poster
Horehound · 06/07/2021 16:51

@TheRosariojewels

I like Cameron as I used to know a very nice one, so has positive associations. He was known as Cammy which I like.
So is the only Cameron I know and he is so happy and lovely!
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Happenchance · 06/07/2021 15:19

Douglas nn Dougie? It means black water, which sounds deep and mysterious.

TheRosariojewels · 06/07/2021 14:19

I like Cameron as I used to know a very nice one, so has positive associations. He was known as Cammy which I like.

Idiotathome79 · 06/07/2021 11:39

Ethan means strong and firm
Everett is strong as boar

Original poster
Horehound · 06/07/2021 11:37

Earthy and wild...love it :)

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TaraR2020 · 06/07/2021 11:36

Also possibly means crooked hill or stream, so I think you should go for it, it's earthy and wild

SingingSands · 06/07/2021 11:34

It is better to bend than break. Cameron is a strong name, if you like it then go for it!

Original poster
Horehound · 06/07/2021 11:30

Ah I see @Seanchailleach! Well nice theory :) thank you

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Seanchailleach · 06/07/2021 11:17

@horehound you won't see it anywhere on Google. It's my theory. I don't have funding for a PhD though.

There is a new Oxford Dictionary of Irish Surnames out this week, but it's priced at £150 which I can't justify. I expect they'd repeat the crooked story.

Original poster
Horehound · 06/07/2021 11:14

Uft Cameron is such a nice name isn't it?

Wait and see, I bet next week we will find out it's a girl (I know it can be a girl's name but we have already picked a girl's name we love)

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FlamingVictoria · 06/07/2021 11:12

My friend has an Arthur. He also has Noah and Joseph. :)

I think Cameron is lovely too.

ClaudiaWankleman · 06/07/2021 11:10

I like the name Cameron, and I don't think anyone really cares about the meaning now.

Even if they did, I can't see what is so bad about 'bent/ crooked'. Yes, it doesn't mean 'blessing to the family' or 'exuberantly generous' but it's not particularly offensive is it?

Ninkanink · 06/07/2021 11:07

@Horehound no I don’t think it’s too much at all. Two really strong names with history and heritage attached. I think they go very naturally together.

Original poster
Horehound · 06/07/2021 11:04

Samuel is a lovely name. Does it get shortened to Sam?

With our last name that would sound like Sand Pit unfortunately.

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LadyDanburysHat · 06/07/2021 11:01

@Horehound we went with Samuel, but it is a family name. Not my naming style at all.

Original poster
Horehound · 06/07/2021 10:58

Btw @LadyDanburysHat what name did you choose over Cameron? I'm interested to know :)

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Original poster
Horehound · 06/07/2021 10:53

Not keen on Camden @Aquamarine1029 but thank you for suggesting it. Think it just reminds me of too many nights out on London haha
@Happenchance I like the name Ernest but i've already suggested to DH and he said no :(
@thebattleofschrutefarms not keen on Dylan, Zachary I do like but again I have suggested this to DH and he didn't like it. Maybe I have a DH problem lol I also said about Callum and again was a no.

So Cameron and Benjamin really are the only two names we do agree on and Cameron especially so. It was just the meaning that put a dampner on it.
@Seanchailleach see I'm not seeing that anywhere I Google?! But I like that gentle hero sentiment for sure :)

Our last name is a tricky name to get a first name flowing well from...P**t so maybe longer is better? Not sure

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Seanchailleach · 06/07/2021 10:33

OP Cameron doesn't mean "crooked nose". That's a post hoc rationalisation, intentionally mischievous. It's repeated as fact by people who haven't stopped to think who would call their baby that? Cam is Modern Irish/Gaelic for crooked but this is an ancient name.

A much more likely origin of the name is the ethonym Cambrian. A British Celtic language was spoken throughout Britain and there were several groups who called themselves Cambrian - it's where you get the Welsh name for Wales, Cymru, as well as the county Cumbria. As a given name, it reflects a sense of ethnic pride, and as a surname it's a simple description - Cambrian James, like Roman James, or James the Scot, etc.

My guess is that cam is more often the word caomh, meaning friend, comrade, gentle, kind, and may be so in this ethonym. Is the name means "gentle hero", which is a lovely meaning.

toffeebutterpopcorn · 06/07/2021 10:28

I’m Scottish and I didn’t know what it meant. And I’ve never heard of Camden as a name.

One of my sisters has a name that means something along the lines of ‘gods gift’ and we mercilessly took the Mickey when we were kids and she was being a brat.

thebattleofschrutefarms · 06/07/2021 10:19

I'd go for Cameron anyway, I'm assuming most people won't know the meaning?
I like Benjamin, Oscar and George (biased as my son is one of these).
What about Dylan, Zachary, Calum/Callum?

Happenchance · 06/07/2021 10:00

@Horehound it's the type of nickname that I would have come up with as a child, though kids will always find something to take the mick out off.

Other suggestions:
Conall (means strong wolf)
Ernest nn Ernie (means serious, warrior)
Simeon (means to hear, to be heard; reputation)
Jared (means ruling, commanding and rose)
Gideon (means great warrior and One who has a stump in place of a hand).

Aquamarine1029 · 06/07/2021 00:09

What about Camden? It's Scottish and means "winding valley."

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