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Baby names

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

Original poster

Are there any names that you just can't imagine on a baby?

212 replies

TheNameNerd · 22/08/2022 12:13

Each to their own but I just can't picture a baby Frank. It seems such a harsh sounding adult name for a baby especially a newborn yet there have obviously been a lot of baby Franks but somehow I have a mental block when picturing it.

Does anyone else feel this way about a name?

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SummerLobelia · 22/08/2022 12:46

siblingrevelryagain · 22/08/2022 12:44

Brian
Brenda
Gertrude
Wayne
Steven
Terry
Diane
Sue (although Suzy seems ok)

I have a girl Frankie and it totally works (and yet I hate the name Frankie for a boy 🤷🏻‍♀️)

It's odd isn't it about name/sex reactions. I love the name Rowan for a girl but dislike it for a boy. I've often wondered at myself about how odd that is!

ThistleDoo · 22/08/2022 12:46

TheNameNerd · 22/08/2022 12:30

Oh and Margaret. I can't imagine a newborn now, called Margaret.

But tbf, a MN baby Margaret now would be 'christened Margaret, nn Gara/Argo/Pearl'.

There must once have been primary school classes full of little Terrys, Raymonds, Shirleys and Joyces. It's quite hard to imagine when names abruptly drop out of fashion after a particular generation, but I guess they'll be coming back in when they're 'we called him Roy Barry Arnold after his grandfathers' names.

fufflecake · 22/08/2022 12:44

Bruce

siblingrevelryagain · 22/08/2022 12:44

Brian
Brenda
Gertrude
Wayne
Steven
Terry
Diane
Sue (although Suzy seems ok)

I have a girl Frankie and it totally works (and yet I hate the name Frankie for a boy 🤷🏻‍♀️)

margegunderson · 22/08/2022 12:42

You're all incredibly unimaginative. All those names are currently unfashionable but they'll come back

lisavanderpumpscloset · 22/08/2022 12:42

Doris and Boris

SummerLobelia · 22/08/2022 12:41

*Frankie

SummerLobelia · 22/08/2022 12:41

I know a baby Frank and a baby Franklie (although the latter is a toddelr and a girl).

We recently at work had a contractor in his early 20s called Virgil. I found that surprising.

caitlinn · 22/08/2022 12:41

I have a 7yr old called Garry, there aren't many his age I know of

MaryJoLisa · 22/08/2022 12:40

I worked with a toddler Barry last year. That's a bit jarring for a newborn I think. I also worked with a 2yo Edna. By the end of the year it was just the best name ever, fabulous child, but I did have a bit of an eyebrow raise when I saw her name on my list initially.

Wowitshot · 22/08/2022 12:39

I can absolutely imagine a chunky little Frank or Frankie.
I can’t imagine baby Colin.

SurpriseSurprise · 22/08/2022 12:39

Steve
Joyce

PuppyMonkey · 22/08/2022 12:38

Barry.

HSKAT · 22/08/2022 12:37

Julie
Carol

poptupper · 22/08/2022 12:36

Martin but I don't think it suits an adult either, one of those name that's should cease to exist in my opinion

DFOD · 22/08/2022 12:35

Lorraine

Geraldine

Deborah

DFOD · 22/08/2022 12:34

Mildred
Marjorie
Deirdre

Vinylloving · 22/08/2022 12:34

Geoff
Roger
Trevor
Gerald
Marjorie
Carol
Deidre

TheDuchessOfMN · 22/08/2022 12:33

Derek
Barbara
Dennis
Tracey

DFOD · 22/08/2022 12:33

Derek
Nigel
Roger

starrynight21 · 22/08/2022 12:30

Adult Franks would have the christian name Francis. I'm old enough to know a few Franks and it was always a nickname, not a regular name.

Original poster
TheNameNerd · 22/08/2022 12:30

Oh and Margaret. I can't imagine a newborn now, called Margaret.

OP posts:
HSKAT · 22/08/2022 12:30

Dawn

Echobelly · 22/08/2022 12:29

Derek, Bernard, Sandra, Sheila, Karen

bruce43mydog · 22/08/2022 12:28

Alan