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Baby names

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

Original poster

Val

30 replies

Bagging · 07/05/2022 13:37

What do you think of it as a boys' name? Like Val Kilmer or Val Doonican?

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Marty13 · 11/05/2022 11:14

I don't think of Val as a girl's name only as in my country there was a famous politician whose first name was Valery. There's also Valentin, etc.

That said I do prefer Ivan with nn Van, I feel like the N makes it more solid and tangible !

Luredbyapomegranate · 09/05/2022 23:42

It’s short for Valentine isn’t it? Which I wouldn’t want.

But really it would make me think of a 75 year old retired art teacher whose full name was Valerie

I don’t think it works as a full name or at all, really

how about Victor?

Autienotnaughtie · 07/05/2022 23:21

GreenClock · 07/05/2022 16:20

I feel that it needs “auntie” in front of it. Loads of my friends have an Auntie Val, born circa 1948.

I had a aunt val born 49 😊

WeasilyPleased · 07/05/2022 22:53

Really dislike it. Sorry OP but it's awful.

MarmiteCoriander · 07/05/2022 20:00

I know a Valerie- who is male, and goes by the name Val.

I'd keep Val as a nn, but I wouldn't choose Valerie or Valentine for a boy, nor just have Val. Sounds harsh and always reminds me of Vlad the impailer! Yes- I realise they are different words.

itssquidstella · 07/05/2022 19:40

I like it. Short for Valentine/Valentino.

Romelo · 07/05/2022 19:23

Love Valentin! Still not keen on Val but Valentin is fab

Roselilly36 · 07/05/2022 19:20

Valery is also a male name.

Original poster
Bagging · 07/05/2022 19:16

@Romelo, Valentin or Valdemar.

OP posts:
Kanaloa · 07/05/2022 19:15

Bagging · 07/05/2022 19:08

@Kanaloa , do you mean nothingy as a boys' name as well as a girls' name?

Yeah to be honest. If it was just ‘Val’ for a girl I’d think that was a but nothingy too. Valentina/Valentine/Valerie on the other hand is gorgeous. But just ‘Val.’ To me it’s like just plain ‘Bob’ or ‘Cal.’ I mean even Val Doonican who you mentioned wasn’t actually just ‘Val.’

Romelo · 07/05/2022 19:11

@Bagging yes I did read the OP, as well as your next reply where you asked another poster what they’d think of a boy with that nickname. Hence my question!

Original poster
Bagging · 07/05/2022 19:08

@Kanaloa , do you mean nothingy as a boys' name as well as a girls' name?

OP posts:
Kite22 · 07/05/2022 19:05

Like pp, I'd assume it was a girl if saw it written down.
Like all the other 'older' ladies names that are coming back round.

Don't like it for a boy at all.

Kanaloa · 07/05/2022 19:04

GreenClock · 07/05/2022 16:20

I feel that it needs “auntie” in front of it. Loads of my friends have an Auntie Val, born circa 1948.

Haha yes I was going to say it just reminds me of the glum ‘hi auntie Val’ they always do on Friday night dinner!

I’m not keen. It just seems a bit nothingy as a first name. Just Val.

WeAreTheHeroes · 07/05/2022 19:03

Van Morrison's actual name is Ivan, Van is a shortening. The name Valerio is a Spanish and, I think, Italian boy's name.

comealongponds · 07/05/2022 19:03

Awful sorry. I had also assumed it was for a girl and came on to say Valerie is pretty

wonkylegs · 07/05/2022 19:02

My mum is a Val (Valerie) but she was named after a male relative Valentine

Original poster
Bagging · 07/05/2022 19:01

@Romelo, did you read the OP?

OP posts:
SpaceJamtart · 07/05/2022 18:56

Depends if its as name on its own or as a nickname, if I saw it on an unofficial list like a birthday party invite list or something I would assume girl and short for Valerie just because of the 'grandma' names being used for babies now

Romelo · 07/05/2022 18:52

not a fan of Val I’m afraid. It’s a real grandma name to me. What would it be short for?

Original poster
Bagging · 07/05/2022 18:35

@GreenClock what would you think of a boy with that nickname? How do you think he would fare in school etc? I think Valerie is uncommon for girls right now so unlikely to meet a girl with the same nickname.

OP posts:
GreenClock · 07/05/2022 16:20

I feel that it needs “auntie” in front of it. Loads of my friends have an Auntie Val, born circa 1948.

OnaBegonia · 07/05/2022 16:16

🤣🤣🤣
@IDontLikeMondays88

OnaBegonia · 07/05/2022 16:16

@IDontLikeMondays88

Van (like Van Morrison) or
Brum

IDontLikeMondays88 · 07/05/2022 15:37

I quite like it.

also what about

Van (like Van Morrison) or
Brum