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Baby names

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

Alabama???

109 replies

Amandawest447 · 21/04/2022 15:43

I’ve been looking around for names and I do prefer what some people would call “weird names”. I’ve come across Alabama, I know a lot of people don’t like place names on Mumsnet but im falling in love with it for a little girl. Travis barker named his daughter Alabama years ago and I think that’s how the name came into the mainstream. I do also like other state/city names like Memphis (which would be for a boy) For a girl there’s also Georgia which is obviously a state but that is more of a classic old name that has been used for decades as appose to a “trendy name” like Alabama. I also adore the nickname “Bama” I would just like to hear peoples thoughts as I don’t know how a name like this would work in England because people here tend to stick to old fashioned names like Lily, Elsie etc? Middle name will be rayne

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Chaoslatte · 22/04/2022 13:18

Blone · 21/04/2022 21:42

@flashpaper

How do you pronounce Alba @Blone? I think Alba is lovely, but I assumed there was only one way to pronounce it??

I don't like Alabama. I don't like the "bam" sound. Alaska is nicer.

It should be pronounced like al-ah-bah not al-bah

In what language?

iPreferBooks · 22/04/2022 13:05

unfortunately reminds me of the Sweet Home Alabama meme
knowyourmeme.com/memes/sweet-home-alabama--2

Luredbyapomegranate · 22/04/2022 08:57

LightDrizzle · 21/04/2022 17:12

Sorry, I think of lynchings and the Birmingham church bombing. Not great associations.

Yes exactly. It’s a strange place to name your child after.

Honestly OP it sounds very low rent and will give a bad impression. There are lots of names between that and Elsie - Georgia is nice, also just off the top of my head - Sienna, Sophia, Adela, Cassia, Fernanda, Marina, Tamara, Natalia, Sacha, Selena, Serena, Sabrina, Rosaria, Rosanna, Diana, Estella, Safina, Philippa, Cliona, Seraphina…. There are hundreds.

Blone · 21/04/2022 21:42

@flashpaper

How do you pronounce Alba @Blone? I think Alba is lovely, but I assumed there was only one way to pronounce it??

I don't like Alabama. I don't like the "bam" sound. Alaska is nicer.

It should be pronounced like al-ah-bah not al-bah
DelphiniumBlue · 21/04/2022 20:15

Check the lyrics to the Alabama Song.."Oh show me the way to the next whisky bar /to the next little girl" etc. Not what you'd want sung at your child.

MrsMariaReynolds · 21/04/2022 20:06

🤔 Uh, have you actually been to Alabama before, Op?

Let's just say there's a reputation there.

emmakenny · 21/04/2022 20:04

Trash

Chaoslatte · 21/04/2022 19:50

Indiana is weird because it’s such a nondescript state. It’s like calling your child Northamptonshire.

cigarettesNalcohol · 21/04/2022 19:38

Well Travis Barker got away with naming his daughter Alabama because... well, he's a well known famous drummer/musician/producer etc - but for us "every day" people I think it will be met with raised eyebrows to say the least. Having said that, I'm very traditional with my names but weirdly I like Alabama.

If you like it go for it but I would say from experience, the names that are more "out there" such as Alabama, initially sound cool but when revisited a few years later make you cringe so just make sure you've given yourself enough time to think about it.

ronjobbins · 21/04/2022 19:27

No no no ..... look up ‘Alabama Foot Rot’ in dogs.

AuntieStella · 21/04/2022 19:15

Is it Sarah Palin who called her daughter Bristol <snigger>?

Yes. And doesn't it sound wrong in Britain?

I don't think Alabama really works as a name - not the best state to associate yourself with.

ladydimitrescu · 21/04/2022 19:15

@Crunchymum

DD1 would have been Indiana..... if everyone I ever mentioned it too hadn't hated it.

Still love it.

Alabama - just no.

Ditto - if I ever had another girl she would be Indiana!
Skinterior · 21/04/2022 19:14

What about Alba or Elbe? A bit of a similar sound but much less likely to cause people to be rude.

Handsnotwands · 21/04/2022 19:05

AmberLynn1536 · 21/04/2022 18:11

I wonder if Americans call their children Shropshire, Cumbria, Somerset, Wiltshire etc. I know Devon is quite popular. Alabama is awful.

Is it Sarah Palin who called her daughter Bristol <snigger>?

MindPalace · 21/04/2022 19:03

Agree, the first thing I think of with Alabama, is the history of slavery. I wouldn’t want to be called that.

DramaAlpaca · 21/04/2022 19:03

Good lord, no. It's dreadful.

MadameCholetsDirtySecret · 21/04/2022 19:03

comealongponds · 21/04/2022 18:22

It’s awful. As PP said the state has lots of negative associations of racism, slavery, far right etc

This ☝️

Chaoslatte · 21/04/2022 19:01

AmberLynn1536 · 21/04/2022 18:11

I wonder if Americans call their children Shropshire, Cumbria, Somerset, Wiltshire etc. I know Devon is quite popular. Alabama is awful.

I heard of a child called Preston and was a bit wtf. And my family member’s child is called Wells which just makes me think of Cathedral City!

UserError012345 · 21/04/2022 18:59

This isn't for real.

thebeespyjamas · 21/04/2022 18:30

TulipsHere · 21/04/2022 18:30

Bama like Obama?

No, bama like in Alabama, the state.

thebeespyjamas · 21/04/2022 18:30

Fennellathewitch · 21/04/2022 18:29

Just makes me think parents probably thought Trump was great, and yes they voted him in Alabama.

No, they like Quentin Tarantino.

TulipsHere · 21/04/2022 18:30

Bama like Obama?

thebeespyjamas · 21/04/2022 18:30

AmberLynn1536 · 21/04/2022 18:11

I wonder if Americans call their children Shropshire, Cumbria, Somerset, Wiltshire etc. I know Devon is quite popular. Alabama is awful.

Remember The Nanny? The little boy was named Brighton.
Yes, AMericans love anything to do with Britain and names like that.

Fennellathewitch · 21/04/2022 18:29

Just makes me think parents probably thought Trump was great, and yes they voted him in Alabama.

Antarcticant · 21/04/2022 18:29

Just reminds me of the song. Wouldn't choose unless I had a cherished association with the place.