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Baby names

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

Original poster

Honest opinions

38 replies

salharg · 13/07/2022 20:36

On the name Franklin is it naff? For me too American/Surname but it is DP favourite name. I am trying to sway him towards Francis nn Frank as I prefer older names and Franklin seems too modern

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PancakesWithCheese · 14/07/2022 13:41

Out of the two I prefer Franklin to Francis. Francis is just wet and so blah.

jossysgiant · 14/07/2022 09:50

As in Franklin Graham nutty right wing Trump supporting.Islam hating. evangelical preacher

Starbeach · 14/07/2022 09:37

GoAround · 13/07/2022 20:41

I think of FDR. So on that basis yes it does sound American but it’s not a last name nor is it modern.

It is a last name I know of at least two Franklin families (not related)

SummaLuvin · 14/07/2022 08:50

I like Frank best of all the names you suggested - clean, simple, strong, elegant... however, threads on it recently indicate mumsnet are not on the whole keen on it.

I quite like Francis, even though I prefer Frank.

I do not like Franklin, to me the 'Lin' seems like an unnecessary flourish that isn't needed. That being said, I wouldn't call it 'naff' it's just not my taste.

SpaceJamtart · 14/07/2022 08:00

I like it,
Franklin is a turtle to me but its a better name than Francis, which always seems a bit drippy
And I know Frank is a fairly normal name but I really can't imagine looking at a newborn and thinking "ah yes, baby Frank"

PoleFairy · 14/07/2022 07:50

I like it. It DID start as a surname (Benjamin Franklin) but has been grasped as a first name since. I think of it in the same group as Sidney, Stanley, Ralph, Walter, Leonard.

I just googled 'most popular US baby names in 1800s' and Franklin was just outside the top 100 at 125. I definitely think of it as being more American but not 'modern'.

MysticCT · 14/07/2022 07:42

I really like it , it's much better than Francis.
I know one and he gets called Frankie as a nn.

user1477391263 · 14/07/2022 02:34

I like it!

TreePoser · 14/07/2022 02:10

I think it sounds very American, nothing wrong with that but I would choose Francis.
Have read people say they find that wet though. Frankie could be a nn for Francis though.

How much money is a benjamin?

whatausername · 14/07/2022 01:41

It sounds surnamey, trendy and somewhat ugly (purely my opinion, my beautiful will be someone else's horrible)

Annoyedwithmyself · 13/07/2022 23:42

Sorry but not a fan..Francis is lovely but Franklin sounds a bit weak to me.

Dic · 13/07/2022 23:40

Sorry but awful.

DogsAndGin · 13/07/2022 22:19

It’s cool and Franky is a great nn

RosesAndHellebores · 13/07/2022 22:18

Sorry OP but I don't like it. Don't much care for Francis either and that was a family name. For me it's in the Reggie, Vinnie camp. Not classic but of their time, rather like: Trevor, Malcolm, Darren, Kevin.

BiscuitLover3678 · 13/07/2022 22:13

I don’t really like it and it make and think of a turtle

Luredbyapomegranate · 13/07/2022 22:12

As in Franklin D Roosevelt. I presume it was a family surname for him.

it’s ok but Francis nn Frank is much nicer.

Cotswoldmama · 13/07/2022 21:23

It makes me think Franklinstein. I really like the name Frank though, I think it's cute.

HuntingoftheSnark · 13/07/2022 21:17

My daughter had a series of books about a turtle called Franklin. They were very good. The name will always remind me of a US president and a green, endearing turtle but it's a strong name.

Runningdownthehill22 · 13/07/2022 21:13

The only Franklin I know is a hamster 🐹

Lalosalamanca · 13/07/2022 21:05

Franklin is too american and surname sounding. Frank is my preference .... actually I love Frank and considered this for my own!

Whichjobnow · 13/07/2022 21:03

I just googled 'famous people named Franklin' and most of the top 100 were born in the 1800s. So definitely not too modern! I like it.

Katjolo · 13/07/2022 20:58

Lovely name

popcorndiva · 13/07/2022 20:57

Yep straight away think Roosevelt. I would assume they would mostly be known as Frankie

Selinna · 13/07/2022 20:56

I agree with you that Francis is much nicer. Francis sounds solid and classic to me, due a revival. Franklin sounds too American and wannabe-cool.

AmandaMirandaPanda · 13/07/2022 20:54

I prefer it to Francis, and you can definitely get Frank or Frankie either way. But I'm pretty sure it is derived from the surname, in case that bothers you. There's also a Peanuts character called Franklin.