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Baby names

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

Original poster

thoughts on Berwyn

36 replies

Mlc2022 · 31/05/2022 21:20

Me and my DH really like the name Berwyn (pronounced bear-win) but we have had mixed reactions. We love the name Bear and Bear will be his nickname but i think Berwyn is a better full name especially when his an adult. It is a very uncommon name but we really like it, just don't want my child to be picked on for an unusal name!

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DropYourSword · 31/05/2022 21:39

I would have assumed it was pronounced burr-win rather than bear-win.

I think Bear is cute.

But honestly, if you don't want your child to be picked on for having an unusual name, the best way to avoid that is by not giving them an unusual name.

HalfBrick · 31/05/2022 21:37

You've got to pronounce the r! Ber (like the start to error) wyn. Not seen on anyone under 50 as a pp said so would be cute on a little boy. If you're outside Wales you'd probably get a lot of bur-wyn like Irwin.

FfeminyddCymraeg · 31/05/2022 21:36

As a Welsh person I wouldn’t say Bear-win.

I’d say Beh-or- wen. I wouldn’t even consider it close to Bear 🤷🏼‍♀️

BestIsWest · 31/05/2022 21:35

I’d pronounce it Ber - wyn with the Ber almost like Bear but shorter and with a rolled ‘r’.
I’ve never heard it with 3 syllables.
I like it.

Babayagadreamhome · 31/05/2022 21:33

You forgot the rolled R in the middle, OP. Adore the name though!

To a previous pp - Wyn is masculine, Wen is feminine.

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 31/05/2022 21:31

I'd be giving it 3 syllables too.

BlueKaftan · 31/05/2022 21:29

Anwen or Bronwen

SummaLuvin · 31/05/2022 21:29

Unappealing and clunky.

I would also make the incorrect assumption that its was a girls name based on the 'wyn' ending. This might be a me issue. It also might not bother some parents, I have a unisex name myself and it doesn't phase me I am frequently assumed to be a man based on name before people meet me, but thought it worth mentioning.

I don't think it would cause bullying, but I'm very much of the opinion that while names can be used as ammunition by bullies, they are very rarely the route cause and a child won't be picked on because of their name, especially in modern days where there is a much wider variety of names than just Emily, Hannah, James, and Daniel. Worth remembering that kids can make any name into a cruel nickname if they want "psycho Sarah" was in my school and it's hard to imagine a more popular name for the time.

Sofiatheworst · 31/05/2022 21:27

It’s the name of a prison

YellowHpok · 31/05/2022 21:27

I love the name Berwyn, but its not pronounced Bear-Wyn.

Its more Beh-Oh-wen. Kinda. Definitely three syllables though.

It's not even remotely unusual in Wales. I know at least 3 and they are all in their mid 50s.

KeyErro · 31/05/2022 21:27

Really don't like it, but I think Bear is an unpleasant sound and it's not improved by another syllable.
You're the ones who'll be saying the name hundreds of times a day though so if you like it then go for it.