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Baby names

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

Original poster

Dominic

32 replies

PippaWater · 19/09/2022 19:22

My DH has his heart set on the name Dominic for DS2. It was his fave for DS1 but because of my reservations we didn't go with it. Now we have found out we are having another boy, I'm really trying to set my issues aside, because I don't have a strong emotional pull to any other alternative name, so it seems crazy to deny DH a name he loves for an alternative that neither of us are passionate about.

My reservations are:

  1. Its a big name for a child and will therefore definitely get shortened from day 1 to Dom or what makes me cringe most, 'Dommy' and noone will ever actually call him Dominic.
  2. I still remember the Big Bad Dom domestos adverts so I hear that in my head and imagine I'm not alone in that.
  3. Recent politician associations.
  4. I think with our surname as well, we would want a 1 syllable middle name, and not one beginning with a J as I don't like the "DJ" initials idea, but no one syllable middle names are jumping out for me.

Can you help me get on board... Or find an alternative name that we might both love?

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17caterpillars1mouse · 24/09/2022 17:28

There are alot of Dominik's in my two dds school (Catholic school with large polish population) and they all go by Dominik not Dom. Its primary school though so maybe it might get shortened in secondary but then they are not little anymore and it's their name so...

YesitsBess · 24/09/2022 17:26

I absolutely love it, however it is forever associated with me with ‘Dominic the Christmas donkey’. Which has had a weird resurgence of late.

Cuppaand2biscuits · 24/09/2022 17:20

Just to say, it won't necessarily be shortened, I know Thomas's and Alexander's who have made it all the way through primary school without having their name shortened by anyone.

Jayneisagirlsname · 24/09/2022 17:17

I love it. My dd would've been Dominic had she been a boy. I like Dom as an affection nickname but I don't think it's inevitable.

Luredbyapomegranate · 24/09/2022 17:12

I like it, don’t think it’s a big name

One I know has always been called Nic/Nico if that helps. I also know a couple who are usually Dominic, with just the occasional Dom when people are feeling nicknamey I know half a dozen and never heard Dommy!

ChagSameachDoreen · 22/09/2022 18:55

Dominatrix.

IsThePopeCatholic · 22/09/2022 11:53

I don’t like it. It sounds rather prim and holy.

PoxyAndIKnowIt · 22/09/2022 11:35

pandora206 · 22/09/2022 11:29

My son (now 30) is Dominic and I still love the name and he likes it too. It does get shortened to Dom by close friends and family sometimes but at work (and previously school/college/university) he has always been Dominic.

I don't think associations with today's politicians will last over the years.

Snap!
I also have a 30-year-old Dominic. I think it's an excellent name.
And, OP, no one has ever called him Dommy!

catinboots123 · 22/09/2022 11:30

I LOVE IT!! it's by best friend's son's name and it's suited him from a baby to the lovely big man he is today

pandora206 · 22/09/2022 11:29

My son (now 30) is Dominic and I still love the name and he likes it too. It does get shortened to Dom by close friends and family sometimes but at work (and previously school/college/university) he has always been Dominic.

I don't think associations with today's politicians will last over the years.

KirstenBlest · 22/09/2022 11:21

Dominic Grieve would put me off. Former tory MP who tried to stop Brexit. He's still the MP for what was a tory safe seat (a much younger Tony Blair stood for election there). other than that, he seems ok
You can try to avoid having your name shortened but it will still happen. I can think of a Jo who I'd only heard of as Jo. When i met her the first thing she said was a firm 'I'm Joanna not Jo'. How was i to know.

Short names often get lengthened.

midsomermurderess · 22/09/2022 10:54

I like it. I think primarily of Dominic Grieve. Not all names will be shortened. You can, he can, choose that.

MuchuseasaChocolateTeapot · 22/09/2022 00:18

I like the name Dominic and Drew but our surname begins with D so they were out. I settled on Benedict in the end but we didn’t get to use it (girl!)

DuchessOfSausage · 20/09/2022 10:03

Every Dominic I've met is known as Dom.
Dominic Cummings, Raab, ...
A No from me.

ButterRose · 20/09/2022 09:10

It's true that most reactions to the name seem to be pretty positive and if your not set against it then by all means use it I just couldn't get past the nickname Dom plus I don't love the name but in full (Dominic) I don't mind it. We decided on something completely different, Rhys which we both really like short sharp sweet and simple, it could work as a middle name for you Dominic Rhys Surname. All the best whichever name you choose 🙂

Original poster
PippaWater · 20/09/2022 05:58

@finallychangedmyusername @User6761 thanks for the middle name suggestions, I think a one syllable or short two syllable middle can work OK.
Like Dominic Luke and also Dominic Liam...

@ButterRose it does tend to be a name that men like which also makes me think it must be a decent name for a male to have! I'm not set against it, I can see all the positives to the name, and we have been through a gazillion other names and I honestly have no strong contender for an alternative. What are you thinking of for 1st names?

I think I'm mostly stuck on the nicknames when he is a baby and toddler, and the negative associations and perhaps even with those I'm more worried about family and friends reactions. It's been great to see positive reactions to the name for the most part here, it has made me feel better.

OP posts:
Original poster
PippaWater · 20/09/2022 05:43

Thanks for all the replies.
@NannyR those are all the positives that I and DH see with the name too. And the characteristics that are on our list for a name, which is why I do feel I just need to overcome my more minor concerns. Thanks!

OP posts:
ButterRose · 20/09/2022 04:10

Damien is an alternative or I don't mind Denver. What exactly does your DH love about the name? Maybe that would be a good starting point to find one you can both agree on

ButterRose · 20/09/2022 04:06

Op I understand where your coming from my DH loves love's the name Dominic and I'm the same as you I've came around to saying ok to it for a middle name but not a first name I feel we both should love the name of our child....it's up to you really but if you are set against it I would keep looking for an alternative that you both love. You can't choose nic names/ shortenings they just happen and the inevitable is Dom or something similar you could push for Nick but school friends etc will make their own minds up

GlowingBear · 19/09/2022 22:53

I love Dominic, I have one and he gets called Nico.

finallychangedmyusername · 19/09/2022 22:28

I really like Dominic. It's recognisable but not super popular. Some short middle name (non-J) suggestions:

Dominic Luke
Dominic Ross
Dominic Seth
Dominic Max
Dominic Rex
Dominic Leo
Dominic Heath
Dominic Paul
Dominic Eli
Dominic Rory

User6761 · 19/09/2022 21:35

I like it. A friend's son is Dominic - almost always called his full name. There are actually two others in his class (Catholic school).

I think it goes with both short and long middle names....e.g.
Dominic John
Dominic Thomas
Dominic Alexander

Kittybelle123 · 19/09/2022 21:33

Dominic is a great name - I have two very good friends named Dominic, one does go by Dom, the other is very much Dominic. I also have friends with younger Dominics (16 and 18) and it fits them just as well. It seems to be a name that transcends the ages.

Having said all of that OP, if you are not comfortable with a name, perhaps you have something you and DH could come to compromise on? You should never feel unhappy with your own child's name.

Heartbreaktuna · 19/09/2022 21:28

Personally it feels clunky and 'uncool',.as much as a name can be. Similar to Wayne

DramaAlpaca · 19/09/2022 21:19

I really like it

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