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Baby names

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

Original poster

Cecily on a boy?

157 replies

AnneBoleyn6 · 03/09/2021 23:25

So my wife really likes Cecily for a boy (usually pronounced Sess-ill-lee, but comes out more like Sess-lee when talking fast).

I love the name Cecily, but I don't know about it for a boy. We both don't really like Cecil. We do like traditionally girl names on boys, though.

I just am not completely sold. What do you think? Can you help me love it?

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BlankTimes · 04/09/2021 14:28

Shirley, Marion, Lindsey, Lesley (f) Leslie (m)

Tigger85 · 04/09/2021 13:15

Unless you want him to be mercilessly bullied go for a unisex name instead. Ashley, Jesse, Casey, Taylor, Alex, Robin, Charlie.

ShippingNews · 04/09/2021 13:04

the only Cecily I know is Cecily Strong from SNL, so most people wouldn't immediately know it was a girl name?

You might not know it, but everyone else knows that it's a girls name. And a very girly- girly name too. Don't do it.

Peanutsandchilli · 04/09/2021 11:01

Most people wouldn't immediately know it was a girl's name?

Are you alright?! 99.9% of people know it is a girl's name and you'd get judged to hell and back as parents.

Please don't give your son a girl's name.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 04/09/2021 10:30

Not feminine enough, silly. The OP might consider Balonzetta, Balonzina, or Balonz-Mae, though?

Wasn't Tina Turner's birth name Anna Mae Balonz? Grin

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 04/09/2021 10:29

I'm reminded of this Tim Vine joke:

A friend of mine was invited to a fancy dress party and told me he'd decided to go as a Mediterranean island. I said "Don't be Si-cily!"

LargeBouquet · 04/09/2021 09:28

@SylvanianFrenemies

Would you consider Balonz as an alternative?
Not feminine enough, silly. The OP might consider Balonzetta, Balonzina, or Balonz-Mae, though?
ZoyaTheDestroyer · 04/09/2021 08:32

7/10, very good etc, OP.

lunar1 · 04/09/2021 08:31

If you like girls names for boys, swap your own to a feminine name. Society would not be kind to your child.

MyOtherProfile · 04/09/2021 07:44

@SylvanianFrenemies

Would you consider Balonz as an alternative?
Excellent suggestion.
diamondpony80 · 04/09/2021 07:19

So cruel. Don’t you think about the child’s future life - school, teenage years, applying for a job? I can’t even think why you would do something like that to a child. On a lighter note, it reminds me of that Johnny Cash song “A boy named Sue”!

SylvanianFrenemies · 04/09/2021 07:17

Would you consider Balonz as an alternative?

ApolloandDaphne · 04/09/2021 07:10

Please don't call your son Cecily. You will set them up for a lifetime of teasing and taunting.

Superpancakes · 04/09/2021 07:04

Not Cecily but a vote for Cecil here, fantastic name!!

Newnameday · 04/09/2021 07:03

If you like girly names for boys, Jesse?

seriousandloyal · 04/09/2021 07:03

Definitely not! Poor little boy, I feel sorry for him already!

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 04/09/2021 07:02

Put his name (!) down to join a local boxing club. He's probably going to find it useful at school. Wink

EmeraldGreenVelvet · 04/09/2021 07:01

the only Cecily I know is Cecily Strong from SNL, so most people wouldn't immediately know it was a girl name?

What a ridiculous statement. I don't know any Arabellas or Gertrudes or Marjories but that doesn't make any of them acceptable for a boy.

AuntieStella · 04/09/2021 06:55

I've known boys called Sacha

Well, as it's a boys name across all of eastern Europe (like Charlie here, can occasionally be a Charlotte but when toy hear it you'd expect a bloke).

Names usually transition from girls to boys - if you want a couple of recent ones, try Shirley (Big Daddy, the wrestler) or Marion (John Wayne)

Or Jean (ie John with a French accent, not a singuiar trouser)

Doomscrolling · 04/09/2021 06:49

How to telegraph “We Wanted A Girl” in one easy stroke.

Givemethatknife · 04/09/2021 06:47

@reprehensibleme

Aye. Right.
I really do hope pp is right and you are kidding.

Cecily is an increasingly popular girls’ name. No you can’t use it for a boy. He will end up calling himself Cecil anyway, so no point if you don’t like that. (Shortly before he disowns you, I imagine.)

YanTanTethera123 · 04/09/2021 06:43

🙄
Poor kid.

reprehensibleme · 04/09/2021 06:38

Aye. Right.

OhWhatFuckeryIsThisNow · 04/09/2021 06:35

@Plumtree391

Why not Margaret? That would be equally interesting.
I actually do know of a male Margaret.
miltonj · 04/09/2021 05:56

No