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Baby names

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

Family strongly dislike baby name

108 replies

Abc986 · 06/05/2022 18:33

Im 30 weeks pregnant with my seccond, its a boy again, which my family made it very ovious they wanted a girl and was disapointed when i revealed its a boy.

After weeks and weeks of discussing names with my partner we finally settled on Reggie a couple of weeks ago, kept it to ourselves untill we knew it would stick and now its stuck we have been telling family.

Very few family actually like the name and my family have been very strongly against it. Saying its a drug gang name, i cant name my child that. Then going on to suggest other names. I firmly tell them no Reggie is what we have settled on and that will be his name. To which i get the response you will change your mind when you see him so what about this name.

Its really upsetting me and im due to go to a siblings birthday party tomorow and i really dont want to go as i know the topic of names will be brought up.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Classica · 06/05/2022 23:14

PrettyMaybug · 06/05/2022 23:08

@SynchOrSwim

Arty, creative, hipstery types? I've only seen it used by people who like 'ard names like Kane, Rocky and Mason. I think they like the Ronnie/Reggie/gangster association.

This. ^

There's nothing 'arty' or creative about the name Reggie, and I agree, it's not a middle class or upper class name either.

And yes of course people are going to think of Reggie Kray. So what if all the Kray twins stuff was 50-60 years ago, that makes no difference. The same as if you called your child Nero. Emperor Nero was an evil man who murdered 1000s of people including his own family members. It was many centuries back, but people still know who he is. Ditto, Genghis, Adolf etc etc...

The fact that the Krays 'notorious years' were over half a century ago means naff-all. The first thing I thought of when I saw Reggie, was THE KRAYS, and I wasn't even born when they ruled London's East End!

Also, who cares if it's (supposedly) in the top 50 boys names. It's still not a great name to call a child!

that was quite the tantrum.

PrettyMaybug · 06/05/2022 23:08

HairyBum · 06/05/2022 23:07

Reggie is a great name. I also like Rex Ronnie and Rory.

If pushed, tell your family you’ve decided not to discuss baby names with them. Then don't discuss your baby names with them! You don’t need their approval. Naturally people have different and changing tastes. They will get used to what ever your baby name you decide upon. Tell them post birth

Rex and Rory sound like names you'd give to 2 dobermans.

PrettyMaybug · 06/05/2022 23:08

@SynchOrSwim

Arty, creative, hipstery types? I've only seen it used by people who like 'ard names like Kane, Rocky and Mason. I think they like the Ronnie/Reggie/gangster association.

This. ^

There's nothing 'arty' or creative about the name Reggie, and I agree, it's not a middle class or upper class name either.

And yes of course people are going to think of Reggie Kray. So what if all the Kray twins stuff was 50-60 years ago, that makes no difference. The same as if you called your child Nero. Emperor Nero was an evil man who murdered 1000s of people including his own family members. It was many centuries back, but people still know who he is. Ditto, Genghis, Adolf etc etc...

The fact that the Krays 'notorious years' were over half a century ago means naff-all. The first thing I thought of when I saw Reggie, was THE KRAYS, and I wasn't even born when they ruled London's East End!

Also, who cares if it's (supposedly) in the top 50 boys names. It's still not a great name to call a child!

HairyBum · 06/05/2022 23:07

Reggie is a great name. I also like Rex Ronnie and Rory.

If pushed, tell your family you’ve decided not to discuss baby names with them. Then don't discuss your baby names with them! You don’t need their approval. Naturally people have different and changing tastes. They will get used to what ever your baby name you decide upon. Tell them post birth

CuriousCatfish · 06/05/2022 23:07

I'd prefer Gary over Reginald.

LoveSpringDaffs · 06/05/2022 23:05

SpiderinaWingMirror · 06/05/2022 20:03

Honestly, you will have to hoik up the big girl pants and ignore them.
You and dh like the name, it's not like you are calling him Gary.

It's exactly like calling him Gary.

NOT their decision.

user375242 · 06/05/2022 23:05

Reggie is very popular at the moment and in the top 50 boys names in England and Wales. Your family is just out of touch. The golden rule is never to tell people before baby is born.

CuriousCatfish · 06/05/2022 23:04

It's not a bog standard name where I live. I obviously don't live in MN land though.

Classica · 06/05/2022 23:03

PrettyMaybug · 06/05/2022 22:59

Agree with @CuriousCatfish I can't imagine why anyone would call their child Reggie, or why any child would wan to be called that.

Because people have different tastes?

Some people like names like Rupert and Wilhelmina and I think 'yuck' but I also think they should choose those names if those are the ones they love. Isn't that what we all do? Confused

Neolara · 06/05/2022 23:01

I'd say this is possibly a generational thing. I think a lot of people my age (50s) and older will definitely associate Reggie with the Krays. However, it may not have that association for lots of younger people because they don't know the reference. But that's why names come in and out of fashion.

PrettyMaybug · 06/05/2022 23:00

*want

PrettyMaybug · 06/05/2022 22:59

Agree with @CuriousCatfish I can't imagine why anyone would call their child Reggie, or why any child would wan to be called that.

Classica · 06/05/2022 22:52

It's just a bog standard name these days. It's not a name I'd pick but I'm baffled by people having such an extreme reaction to it. Very MN though I suppose.

What are your kids called?

CuriousCatfish · 06/05/2022 22:50

Spotthedog91 · 06/05/2022 22:44

@CuriousCatfish well you're a dick aren't you.

I can't imagine a teenager being happy to be called Reggie, let alone Reginald.It is a very MN name though.

It's an awful name.

iknowthismuchis · 06/05/2022 22:47

I know a couple of 5 year old Reggie's and we live in a very middle class area. I'd never made the link the Krays. It's quite a popular name now.

Spotthedog91 · 06/05/2022 22:44

@CuriousCatfish well you're a dick aren't you.

CuriousCatfish · 06/05/2022 22:41

I'm not surprised really. Reggie is a horrible name.Poor kid.

WeasilyPleased · 06/05/2022 22:40

Yummm Reggie Yates....much better association. Its no one's choice but yours and dh's. Tell them to back off. Or pretend you've chosen a really hideous name and then announce Reggie when he's born. (I am not brave enough to suggest one)
They'll be relieved!

Neverreturntoathread · 06/05/2022 22:39

Aw, little baby Reggie, that’s so cute!

Hesma · 06/05/2022 22:39

Tell them, “ if it’s good enough for Jessica Ennis Hills baby then it’s good enough for mine!”

user65342 · 06/05/2022 22:33

The only people who are entitled to an opinion on baby names are the two people there at conception, just say their view is neither wanted or relevant and if you would like 'advice' you will ask.

WimbyAce · 06/05/2022 22:24

Not keen on the name Reggie myself although I know it is popular. Golden rule though, don't get into the name discussion until baby arrives and you have 100% decided then it's too late for others opinions. We didn't mention either of ours until they were all done and dusted and presented the name is........

ladygindiva · 06/05/2022 22:21

My mates brother is called Ian. My neighbour has a Ted. My brothers mate is called Peter. All serial murderers names but until I read this thread and gave it some thought, I'd never associated their names with murderers. It's preposterous to associate reggie with just the krays, there are lots of reggies, it's a fairly everyday name.

Classica · 06/05/2022 22:15

omg move that drama dial up to 10.

Are people really that obsessed with the Krays? How retro.

Anyway, any normal person after about two days would surely just associate the name with the child.

Time40 · 06/05/2022 22:11

Your family are being rude, and there's nothing wrong with the name Reggie. But I'd go with Reginald, and use Reggie for a nickname.