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Baby names

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

Original poster

Please hear me out...ALFIE

57 replies

FridaRose · 15/12/2021 22:28

I know it reached #4 about 13 years ago, it’s overused, it’s too cute.. but

⁃	we live un Aus so it never reached that peak here after eastender’s character in the UK. But I do feel a bit squeamish imagining telling UK friends and family the name and they prob roll their eyes
⁃	It’s the only name DH and I both love, after searching for over 6 months. I love the flow of L and F together that I just can’t find with any other name 
⁃	I don’t mind the ‘cutesy’ element of it - it’s cute and cheeky, and I would love my son to be like that (even as an adult). I <span class="italic">can</span> easily imagine a successful barrister named Alfie - I think it sounds handsome without appearing too serious (and boring)? My DH has a ‘cutesy’ name and he is a tall, handsome and very successful - having a ‘cute’ name suits him and makes him appear even more adorable? I think it adds charisma.

I do like the idea of a slightly unusual, cool name, but the problem is I love a lot of popular names - that’s why they’re popular! And I’ve just been going round in circles.

Baby boy is due in 8 weeks and I cannot find a name we both love (searched baby name boards on here for about two years..)

Still a no?

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JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 16/12/2021 09:29

Why not register him as Alfred and use Alfie. It gives more options, he could go by Al, Alf, Fred, Freddie, Red etc if he prefers in later life.

You never know how popular a name will be in future or what connotations it may have in future.

Kokeshi123 · 16/12/2021 08:30

I don't like it, but it's your baby! You don't have to beg for approval on here.
Just bear in mind that he'll probably go as Alf once he's a teenager.

Original poster
FridaRose · 16/12/2021 08:23

Alfred i just associate with Fred the frog Blush I can't call my child that name just sounds awful to me:(

Good point about giving a kid some more options of his name. For that reason I was thinking to give a middle name that can be shorted to just initials, for example Alfie Carter, so he can choose to be called AC for example, if he hates Alfie?

Sorry if it sounds awful i just can't find a name I love so throwing ideas.

OP posts:
wingsofabird · 16/12/2021 06:56

Alfie is a lovely name
Not so keen on Alfred either
Alfie's usage is falling in charts in uk consistently every year since it peaked in around 2008
About to leave top 20
I don't know any
Here's the graph of official numbers:

names.darkgreener.com/#alfie

slapmyarseandcallmemary · 16/12/2021 06:41

It's my son's name. He's 4 and a half. I've only met one other child called Alfie since he was born. I love the name, it suits him completely. Call your child what you want.

Starryskiesinthesky · 16/12/2021 06:35

I think if you like it you should use it but I would go for Alfred. You might not like the other names but it's to give Alfie who hates his cutesy moniker other options in the future!

RedRobin100 · 16/12/2021 06:32

@bhsjaoiremansjdleoo

You're massively overthinking it, just go with a name you like, it really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.
This
Mumdiva99 · 16/12/2021 06:32

Just use the name you love.

I called my son Archie.....because at the time it wasn't popular and Alfie was. And then Archie got incredibly popular!! So don't over think it as you can't predict the future.

Junac · 16/12/2021 06:22

I know you’ve already said no to it but I must say I think using Alfred circumvents some of the U.K connotations.

Buytoomuchonebay · 15/12/2021 23:25

I have an Alfie
It’s cute and he really suits it
I know of one other Alfie
Both mainly get called Alf or in our house walf for some reason
Just go with the name you love-I have another son who has an uncommon but marmite name and I give zero fucks if anyone else hates it-I love it and that’s all that matters

DramaAlpaca · 15/12/2021 23:22

It will always be a No for me as I can't get past its cutesiness.

However, I think you'll regret it if you don't use the name you love. You've found a name you both agree on, so go for it.

whatausername · 15/12/2021 23:21

You love it, your DH is onboard and it's not embarrassing. That's all the essentials met. Congratulations on wee Alfie!

alexdgr8 · 15/12/2021 23:19

@CrispAndFrosty

Why not name him Alfred and give him the option of a more formal name to fall back on? No harm, surely. And rather less dated.
agree. alfred much better. alfie to me is that obnoxious character from the film of the same name, played by michael caine.
CakesOfVersailles · 15/12/2021 23:18

@FridaRose

easier to get away with a "cutesy" name as an adult if you are tall and good looking - what if your child grows up short and dumpy?

@CakesOfVersailles having charisma is more than looks..a charming, kind, intelligent person will always be attractive to people.

Yes, but you said it added charisma to your tall, handsome, successful husband.

It might not add charisma to a man who doesn't have those qualities.

Original poster
FridaRose · 15/12/2021 23:16

@Kite22 oh really, maybe you're right and it's getting overused here. I don't know many children in Aus so didn't think it popular, checked statistics it doesn't seem to be tending? DH said it's not too popular whatsoever Confused

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Kite22 · 15/12/2021 23:12

I personally quite like it as a shortening, not so sure as a full name.

Funny you saying it isn't popular in Aus though.
I only know 3 little boys in Aus, and one of them is called Alfie Grin

Crackery · 15/12/2021 23:10

Go for it! You don't need to justify it to anyone.

But just thought I'd mention my grandad was Wilfie, NN from william if you're looking for other lf names...

Original poster
FridaRose · 15/12/2021 23:02

easier to get away with a "cutesy" name as an adult if you are tall and good looking - what if your child grows up short and dumpy?

@CakesOfVersailles having charisma is more than looks..a charming, kind, intelligent person will always be attractive to people.

OP posts:
Original poster
FridaRose · 15/12/2021 22:56

@Bettybantz

I’m dying to know what DHs name is? I’d love to hear how it’s played out for him professionally.
Charlie Smile
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CakesOfVersailles · 15/12/2021 22:48

Personally I would definitely not use it as a full name. I live in NZ so similar name trends to Aus.

I would consider it short for Alfred but you said you don't like Alfred.

If you are dead set on it I guess he can go by Al when he's older if he finds his name cutesy.

I think it is easier to get away with a "cutesy" name as an adult if you are tall and good looking - what if your child grows up short and dumpy?

CrispAndFrosty · 15/12/2021 22:44

@ThirdElephant

It's not massively objectionable. It's up there with Archie and Albie- the cutesy but fairly popular ie names. I don't think they're very hate-able.
Ooh I don't know, one of those names you mention is like nails down a blackboard to me! But yeah, all these names are normal to the generation being born now.
Bettybantz · 15/12/2021 22:43

I’m dying to know what DHs name is? I’d love to hear how it’s played out for him professionally.

ThirdElephant · 15/12/2021 22:40

It's not massively objectionable. It's up there with Archie and Albie- the cutesy but fairly popular ie names. I don't think they're very hate-able.

Original poster
FridaRose · 15/12/2021 22:40

Definitely mumsnet isn't a real world.
It's just sometimes I have an idea then I look back and think 'what was I thinking' Blush

Really don't like Alfred and I don't like Fred or Freddie and Alfred sounds very similar.

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Luredbyapomegranate · 15/12/2021 22:40

It’s a nice name. I’d suggest going for Alfred as a full name which gives him a less cutesy option for later, but it’s a solid choice.