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Baby names

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

Original poster

My wildcards: Aubrey or Barnaby?

37 replies

Mybobowler · 26/10/2021 12:38

Baby boy due soon. We have a shortlist of very boring normal/common names to choose from when he arrives (think Harry, Charles/ie, William etc) but I fancy having a couple of wildcards up my sleeve. Our daughter has an uncommon-but-not-weird name and I like that it's fairly unusual.

So, tell me, am I a hormonal mess or are Aubrey and Barnaby good options?

(And yes, I know Aubrey is increasingly used for girls but that doesn't bother me at all. It annoys me that the go-to "gender neutral" names are usually traditionally boys' names (Frankie, Sammy, Stevie, Jamie etc) rather than the other way around)

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PricklesTheHedgehog · 28/10/2021 09:06

Aubrey. I've never heard it used for a girl though.

Darceyhemingway · 27/10/2021 17:52

I prefer Aubrey for a girl. I absolutely love Barnaby

Choccorocco · 27/10/2021 07:21

Aubrey is quite dashing but I prefer Barnaby, called Barnes for short.

SaltySheepdog · 27/10/2021 07:13

Adore Barnaby. Austin might go well, like Aubrey

TheWestIsTheBest · 27/10/2021 05:46

Barnaby is dreadful, Aubrey is worse.

Aphrodite31 · 27/10/2021 05:39

Aubrey

BrunoJenkins · 27/10/2021 05:22

LOVE Aubrey! Barnaby not so much, but Barney as a nickname is cute.

CakesOfVersailles · 27/10/2021 05:20

I like Aubrey and do think of it as a boys' name. I don't mind Barnaby (but don't like it as much as Aubrey).

Shasha17 · 27/10/2021 05:04

@Mybobowler

Ahh there we are, I knew these would divide opinion! I'm always interested to know why people don't like certain names, so this is helpful!

Actually I agree that Aubrey is a bit of a wet name (you'd think that would really put me off), but I don't mind the feminine associations. I'm interested that some people are incredulous about a boy with a feminine-sounding name, but no one bats an eyelid at a girl called Charlie, Sam, or Alex (to name but a few). Obviously I'm not going to choose a name for my son purely to make a point about the fallacy of so-called gender neutral names, but it is interesting! Does anyone still use Hilary or Evelyn for boys?

On Barnaby, I'm OK with Barny as a nickname but probably wouldn't use it myself - the purple dinosaur is a strong image! I also use it a lot in the "the next door neighbours are having a barny again" context.

In any case, I think it's highly likely that this little boy will end up with a perfectly ordinary and unremarkable name. But it's nice to think of a few slightly left-field options.

Have you seen the reactions on this board when someone suggests a boy's name for a girl? MN HATES boy's names for girls! (Me included!)
Lockdownbear · 27/10/2021 00:54

Aubrey, sounds good to me.
Barnaby, sounds very pompous, will get shortened, Barny become Barny bear 🐻

Molehillfromamountain · 27/10/2021 00:50

I love Aubrey, I definitely think boys name. It also think of the character in the series Bones Smile

Anoisagusaris · 27/10/2021 00:48

Both awful.

Original poster
Mybobowler · 27/10/2021 00:46

Ps slightly facetious example with Hilary - have there been any baby Hilarys of either sex born in the last forty years? Maybe it's due a comeback?!

OP posts:
Original poster
Mybobowler · 27/10/2021 00:44

Ahh there we are, I knew these would divide opinion! I'm always interested to know why people don't like certain names, so this is helpful!

Actually I agree that Aubrey is a bit of a wet name (you'd think that would really put me off), but I don't mind the feminine associations. I'm interested that some people are incredulous about a boy with a feminine-sounding name, but no one bats an eyelid at a girl called Charlie, Sam, or Alex (to name but a few). Obviously I'm not going to choose a name for my son purely to make a point about the fallacy of so-called gender neutral names, but it is interesting! Does anyone still use Hilary or Evelyn for boys?

On Barnaby, I'm OK with Barny as a nickname but probably wouldn't use it myself - the purple dinosaur is a strong image! I also use it a lot in the "the next door neighbours are having a barny again" context.

In any case, I think it's highly likely that this little boy will end up with a perfectly ordinary and unremarkable name. But it's nice to think of a few slightly left-field options.

OP posts:
lljkk · 26/10/2021 23:46

I can't stand them... but it doesn't matter. Child will make whatever you choose their own.

Wildcards that (I don't mind &) might also suit your tastes:

Alfred, Raymond, Emmet, Gerald, Jeremy, Wyatt, Vaughn, Stuart.

VanillaAndOrange · 26/10/2021 23:41

I quite like Barnaby, don't love Barney as a short form but could live with it if that was what he preferred.

Sorry but I don't like Aubrey at all. I definitely think of it as a boy's name, no problem there, but I can only picture someone older and kind of pompous and humourless. Maybe if it became popular for little boys the association would fade, but I think it would be a bit difficult for a child to live with right now.

pilates · 26/10/2021 17:33

Barnaby, quite like Barnie too

KirstenBlest · 26/10/2021 17:30

Barnaby

TyrannosaurusRights · 26/10/2021 16:49

I like both. Aubrey might have the edge for me

StormyCornishSeas · 26/10/2021 16:21

I really like Barnaby nm Barney

Thefaceofboe · 26/10/2021 16:02

Our DD is 5 weeks and was going to be Barnaby if she was a boy Smile

user1493494961 · 26/10/2021 16:01

Really like Barnaby, dislike Aubrey.

HoldingTheDoor · 26/10/2021 15:39

They're both very wet.

Tillymintpolo · 26/10/2021 15:38

Aubrey is awful

GiveMyHeadPeaceffs · 26/10/2021 15:34

I love Barnaby but then I know two Aubreys who are middle aged men that aren't particularly pleasant so that would be an firm no on that name!

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