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Baby names

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

Original poster

On a scale of 1 to 10 - how much of a bad idea is this name?????

181 replies

coby · 22/01/2008 21:04

1 = not a bad idea at all, it's a wonderful name

10 = what on earth are you thinking???

The name is

Portley (for a boy)

Go on - do you worst

OP posts:
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controlfreakygobshite · 22/01/2008 21:29

phew!
come on coby, tell us your other ideas

cadelaide · 22/01/2008 21:27

She's said she's not doing it

pankhurst · 22/01/2008 21:26

think it doesn't have many benefits really

he will be called "snortley portley" by most of the horrible kids

his mates will call him 'porters'

his partner will call him by his middle name or ben(which is a lovely name though not half as creative as portley)

trixie68 · 22/01/2008 21:26

I really hope I don't offend you but please have a re think.Imagine his school life once he is away from you and the security of home and into nursery/infants etc. there are some terribly cruel kids out here who will pick on anything and make the most of it to their amusement etc. How will it affect him? If he is strong then he could shake it off and tell them to bugger off... but if he is not? You call him what you like but please be aware of what possibly could happen to the poor soul not only at school but in the long term. Sorry.......

lillee · 22/01/2008 21:25

You are not serious? Def a 10 and same score for the funniest thread on here all night!!! DH is threatening to take laptop off me cos i nearly woke DS up laughing so much

LyraSilvertongue · 22/01/2008 21:25

DP says 10 too

Original poster
coby · 22/01/2008 21:25

OK, time to come clean....

Thanks for all your honest opinions - that is what I needed and I knew I could could on you folks

Portly (without the 'e' - I mis-spelt my post, see my profile for apology) is Otter's son in Wind in the Willows. I have mentioned it to a couple of random people today as a possible name for our DS and no-one knew it meant 'stout/fat' . I wanted to check how many of you made the immediate connection as I did.

We do like the name but not it's meaning as fat, and since the vast majority do seem to know the meaning (as I suspected) we will not consider it.

DH is stout, very big built, not fat, just big built so in that sense it would suit him if he turned out to be the same shape I guess but it is a no-no now.

(bugger)...now what?????

OP posts:
Heated · 22/01/2008 21:19

Ha ha

And in case you are serious: 10.

controlfreakygobshite · 22/01/2008 21:19

coby, is this an enquiry about your own chosen name for dc? outrage at a friend's choice? what?

FrannyandZooey · 22/01/2008 21:19

mind you, ds does love this name and refers to himself by it

over the years it got shortened to 'Porters' or 'Porty' but still turns heads when used in public - like this

funnypeculiar · 22/01/2008 21:19

10
Possibly more

LyraSilvertongue · 22/01/2008 21:19
allgonebellyup · 22/01/2008 21:18

10 by the way

LynetteScavo · 22/01/2008 21:18

You just can't

allgonebellyup · 22/01/2008 21:17

oh how amusing

i call my ds Portley when he is looking a little chubby

WanderingTrolley · 22/01/2008 21:17

10

procrastinatingparent · 22/01/2008 21:16

No question.

seeker · 22/01/2008 21:16

20 - 10 doesn't even begin to cover it. Please tell me you are asking "for a friend" and you're not thinking of comitting this crime against humanity yourself!

hanaflower · 22/01/2008 21:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

trixie68 · 22/01/2008 21:15

Imagine calling him in for his tea... PORT LEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEE yer tea's ready!!

Tigerschick · 22/01/2008 21:15

Sorry but I have to agree with pretty much everyone else.
10.
That said, if you really love it then go for it. Something tells me that you are not determined to have it tho, or you wouldn't be asking us what we think.

Chuffinnora · 22/01/2008 21:15

I immediately thought 8 because of the shape!
Sorry.
No, really it is a bad idea and he will hate you for it after 12 years of playground misery.

FrannyandZooey · 22/01/2008 21:14

LOLOLOLOL this is our nickname for ds

you must NOT do it

GetOrfMoiLand · 22/01/2008 21:14

lolol

10

Reminds me of the dozy short kid in the simpsons

themildmanneredjanitor · 22/01/2008 21:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.