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Baby names

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

Original poster

Is this whacky or cool?

108 replies

brookln · 20/05/2022 00:34

Hi what do you think of a name Easton?
I don't want names that are too known or popular, but don't want anything whacky either.

It's a very fine line and just when I think I've struck a nice balance with a name, I worry if it's not a "safe" name.

Any other ideas welcome Smile
Thank you

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Original poster
brookln · 20/05/2022 05:31

itssquidstella · 20/05/2022 05:20

I don't hate it but I don't love it. Similar vibes, perhaps:

Edison
Wyatt
Tate

I love Tate but husband doesn't.
Wyatt strong association with the Ozark 😀
Edison can't for a reason that's outing but it does sound nice and just the 'vibe' I'm trying to achieve

OP posts:
southlondoner02 · 20/05/2022 05:23

The first thing that sprung to mind was Bret Easton Ellis, author of American Psycho. But as per Sheena Easton, young kids won't have that association

whiteroseredrose · 20/05/2022 05:21

Spartak · 20/05/2022 02:12

Easton is the name of a not particularly nice deprived area in Bristol, one of the most deprived in the UK.

There was lots of gang related violence and drug issues there when I was growing up nearby.

That's what I thought of too.

But the OP isn't in the UK.

itssquidstella · 20/05/2022 05:20

I don't hate it but I don't love it. Similar vibes, perhaps:

Edison
Wyatt
Tate

Original poster
brookln · 20/05/2022 05:06

@mathanxiety love Denver but a friend called their child that. Ansell is a well known condoms and lubricant brand :)
Like the sound of Denzel, wonder if association with denzel Washington is too strong.

OP posts:
Original poster
brookln · 20/05/2022 05:04

@erikbloodaxe you'd be surprised how many first names have originated from surnames.

Is this whacky or cool?
OP posts:
pjparty · 20/05/2022 04:38

Easton 100% is a name! I know a lovely Easton in his mid 20s who's grandfather is also called Easton. He doesn't seem to have any problems with it and really likes his name Smile despite being unusual, it is getting to be a little more common in the US now I think.
Very few people will recognise the deprived down near Bristol connection.

erikbloodaxe · 20/05/2022 04:28

Dylan isn't from a surname

mathanxiety · 20/05/2022 04:24

Oakley is old hat.

How about
West
Denver
Hollis
Denali
Denzel
Ansel
Marshall

Original poster
brookln · 20/05/2022 04:02

@CoffeeBeansGalore I was going for Carter Smile but decided it's already a bit too popular for my liking. Not as original as I want to be ha.

I keep going to Oakley as well! Not sure if that's 'too out there' and can't decide what I'm associating with that name, but I think it's very lovely sounding

OP posts:
Original poster
brookln · 20/05/2022 04:00

PaintingClocks · 20/05/2022 03:24

I think it’s quite normal really, I can imagine it will become common in certain areas soon as very similar names are rising in popularity

That's what I'm trying to 'catch' - a name that isn't yet popular but is lovely sounding

OP posts:
headshoulderskneesandtoe · 20/05/2022 03:48

I know an Easton (not in the Uk but also another English speaking country). It's a lovely name and never heard anyone say anything negative about it. He's a well-mannered, polite little boy so I have only positive opinions on it as a name! Lol

CoffeeBeansGalore · 20/05/2022 03:41

Not keen to be honest, but your baby, your choice. Other suggestions:

Oakley
Tudor
Paxton
Fletcher
Carter
Dashwood
Elliot
Grayson
Wyatt

Rickrollme · 20/05/2022 03:35

I know a little American boy by that name. It is a company that makes baseball bats and apparently the father is a big baseball fan. It’s not to my taste but I admit I prefer more “established” rather than “unique” names.

PaintingClocks · 20/05/2022 03:24

I think it’s quite normal really, I can imagine it will become common in certain areas soon as very similar names are rising in popularity

Rtmhwales · 20/05/2022 03:19

It's a normal enough name where I live in North America. Easton Corbin being a fairly well know country singer.

octoberfarm · 20/05/2022 03:19

I live in the US and know of an Easton out here. I hadn't heard of the name before he was born but I really like it. Definitely a US vibe, but easy to spell and it doesn't feel out there at all once you get used to it Smile Congratulatoons!

SerenaVanDerWoodsenHumphrey · 20/05/2022 02:55

I don't think it's wacky or bad. It's a place name but there are several in the UK and US and at least one in Canada and none of them are internationally famous. Unless someone lives near an Easton they're probably more likely to think it might be a family surname, or just a traditional surname the parents as a first name.

I knew an Easton who went by Easy, which worked for him but might not for someone with a different personality. Apart from that I think it's kind of hard to shorten (which you may not plan to do, but at some point someone will). Eas and East somehow don't sound as good as Wes or West. Although I guess there's E. Or Tony.

ElenaSt · 20/05/2022 02:25

What about Byron?

Not keen on Easton, it is similar to Mason and usually associated with a certain type.!

Original poster
brookln · 20/05/2022 02:14

Thanks @Spartak I've actually heard of that! We're not living in the uk (but another English speaking country) so I don't think we'll have those associations.

And then Bronx is a boy's name these days, and it was a fairly rough area of New York Smile

OP posts:
Spartak · 20/05/2022 02:12

Easton is the name of a not particularly nice deprived area in Bristol, one of the most deprived in the UK.

There was lots of gang related violence and drug issues there when I was growing up nearby.

Fleur405 · 20/05/2022 01:55

It’s a Scottish surname - Sheena noted above being the most famous example. I’ve never heard it as a first name (which I don’t love)

MissedItByThisMuch · 20/05/2022 01:54

It’s not my style but perfectly useable if you like it - there are plenty of Cooper/Hunter etc surname type names around so fits in with those.

Original poster
brookln · 20/05/2022 01:40

@GoodThinkingMax but isnt it like saying 'why name a boy Theo, reminds me of Theodore Roosevelt'? Sheena is from generations ago, I didn't even know who she was and I'm 35 Grin

A lot of first names these days are from surnames. Jackson, Riley, Dylan, Duncan, Finley, Lincoln, mason, Ashleigh, Cameron, Cassidy, Kim, Rose - are all originally surnames. Just a few examples.

OP posts:
GoodThinkingMax · 20/05/2022 01:00

Gives me the earworm
"My baby takes the morning train" a v boring song by Sheena Easton.

It's a surname. There are so many actual and lovely-sounding boy's names. Why this one? It's the name of a small rundown town.