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Baby names

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

Original poster

Bear

58 replies

ginger9495 · 21/06/2022 16:55

Me and my DH both love the name Bear, which will be so cute as a baby, but we are worried people will think it is a silly name for a man. I like it for an adult just as much, but just curious to peoples opinions? By the time he is an adult it might be such an unusual name maybe?

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heavyistheheed · 21/06/2022 18:53

Awful.

bakewellbride · 21/06/2022 18:51

@Gnusmas when I took my son to baby rhyme time a few years ago there was a Fox. The mum loved putting him in jumpers with foxes on but I can't see that going down well at secondary school! Poor boy.

Oneforposy7 · 21/06/2022 18:50

Terrible first name, cute nickname.

SpaceJamtart · 21/06/2022 18:50

When I hear Bear I think more
'bare naked' or
'bear with me' or
'grin and bear it'
'bear down'
Before I think of the nickname for large hairy gay men, then maybe the animal

Gnusmas · 21/06/2022 18:48

It's an animal, not a name to be given to a human being. He's not going to be a little baby for long, he'll eventually go to secondary school. Can you imagine the teasing he'll get for being called Bear. Have it as middle name if you must but not as a first name. Why would you call your baby after an animal?

bakewellbride · 21/06/2022 18:45

Awful. I used to work as a supply teacher and trust me a lot of children really don't like having these unusual names. It's not fair on the children.

frydae · 21/06/2022 18:45

Bear is not a name it is an animal.

Orphlids · 21/06/2022 18:41

I generally rather like names with this sort of feel, but I’m afraid I really do not like Bear. It’s not the meaning I don’t like, but the sound of the word. It’s more like a sound than a name, and not even a pleasant sound. It’s like a bleat. Baaaaaaa. And I know very few men who would want a name considered ‘cute’. Imagine you’re naming a man rather than a baby, because they are little for such a short time.

Galt · 21/06/2022 18:40

Why not a middle name? You can then call him by it but he'll have a first name for jobs/adult hood if he wants when he has that choice

Berlinlover · 21/06/2022 18:36

It’s a completely ridiculous name.

ChagSameachDoreen · 21/06/2022 18:34

Daft name.

Marylou62 · 21/06/2022 18:33

Does anyone watch Dr's? There's a character who is called Bear.. I cringe a bit if I'm honest...

MajorCarolDanvers · 21/06/2022 18:31

It is a silly name for a man. Or anyone past nursery age.

Sorry.

roarfeckingroarr · 21/06/2022 18:30

My baby's nickname is bear and I call him by it most the time rather than his name, but I think it's a bit unfair for a proper name that goes on your CV, job applications etc

Chaoslatte · 21/06/2022 18:30

Definitely not, far too twee. Use it as a nickname and give him a real name.

JLwac · 21/06/2022 18:29

It's awful.

ClocksGoingBackwards · 21/06/2022 18:27

It’s awful. I don’t even think it sounds right on dogs, and I know a couple. I just can’t see it as any different to naming your child Giraffe, Rhino, Penguin or any other random animal. Your child will be a human, not a bear.

TheWayoftheLeaf · 21/06/2022 18:18

I know you can't predict that I mean based on your and H frame

TheWayoftheLeaf · 21/06/2022 18:18

I'd just check - is he likely to be a skinny or short man? Might be a bit embarrassing to be called bear if you're not big and strong. Calls attention to what they're not.

Etinoxaurus · 21/06/2022 17:36

It’s lovely but as pp have said, not really a name. You could nickname him Bear with given name:
Bruno
Rupert
Bjorn
Edward
Theodore (Teddy bear)

🐻

Paddingtonsmarmlade · 21/06/2022 17:25

Edward or Theodore with the nickname bear.

Glitterspy · 21/06/2022 17:25

It’s like calling boys Blue. It’s a nice nickname or a name for a pet.

DotDotDotDotDot · 21/06/2022 17:24

The name Orson means “bear cub”, so Bear could be a cute family nn for that. Sorry I agree with pp, once celebs like Cheryl use a name it does make it a bit naff as a full name in my opinion.

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 21/06/2022 17:22

Use it as an endearing nickname - do not put it on a legal document imo

viques · 21/06/2022 17:20

I think the fact that Cheryl ColeWhateversheiscallednow called her child Bear tells you all you need to know about it as a name. Use it as a nickname, but don’t dump the poor child with it as a legal name.