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Baby names

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

Original poster

What do we think of…?

40 replies

York28 · 07/10/2022 18:07

Due our second boy in a few weeks. Didn’t want to use any of the names from our previous shortlist as it felt like we would be giving them second choice, which I know is silly, but as they will get so much stuff handed down I wanted the name list to be new. Blame pregnancy hormones for my reasoning!

Anyway after much searching we have come up with Alfie, Albie and Arlo. What are your thoughts please?

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lljkk · 10/10/2022 06:34

I knew an Albie about 25 years ago (he was almost 30yo then). That was his full name.

I have always liked Alfred but Alfie I don't see appeal of.

mathanxiety · 10/10/2022 06:25

I like Arlo regardless of popularity. Sometimes names are popular because they're great names.

Alfie and Albie - fine if you use Alfred and Albert on the birth cert, and use Alfie and Albie as nicknames. Otherwise, no.

TheBirdintheCave · 08/10/2022 10:23

SummerBummers · 08/10/2022 08:21

I’d go with Alfred or Albert because I struggle picturing a grown man called Albie or Alfie.

my cousin went by Billy his whole life until he reached his mid twenties and reverted to William - it just gives you a few more options.

Same for my former Uncle Bill. Now Uncle William in his late fifties.

...

It doesn't cost anything to give kids the option of a full name :) Alfie and Albie are nicknames for Alfred and Albert.

I'd choose Arlo as it's a full name already.

Billylilly · 08/10/2022 09:12

I never usually comment negatively on name posts but all of these names are so terrible I had to. They would be ‘cool’ names if they were one in a million but they aren’t right now! Sorry.

SummaLuvin · 08/10/2022 09:04

Sorry OP, these names were never going to get the warmest reception here (too popular, not 'proper' names, very twee...). They aren't my personal taste, but they are very popular so clearly a lot of the general public think they are great, and there isn't anything wrong with them that would cause issues or embarrassment for your children.

If it's soft 'A' names you are after these are my favourites.
Alistair
Amos
August

SummerBummers · 08/10/2022 08:21

I’d go with Alfred or Albert because I struggle picturing a grown man called Albie or Alfie.

my cousin went by Billy his whole life until he reached his mid twenties and reverted to William - it just gives you a few more options.

Purplecatshopaholic · 08/10/2022 08:18

All are ok I suppose, just really common

Amdone123 · 08/10/2022 08:12

I don't like them either.
Would you share what other names you had ?
I honestly don't think you're giving your child a second hand name. With all due respect, you're overthinking !

Beachs · 08/10/2022 08:05

Sound like dog names sorry

StampOnTheGround · 08/10/2022 01:57

I like Alfie and Arlo - hate Albie!

DramaAlpaca · 08/10/2022 01:38

I don't much like Arlo, but it's the best of the three.

The other two are twee diminutives which might be fine on a toddler but less so for anyone out of nappies.

Far better to put Albert or Alfred on the birth certificate to give the child options in case he doesn't want a childish name as an adult.

S25 · 08/10/2022 01:22

Quite similar feelings towards these names as the PPs

Arthur
Fletcher
Fraser
Jude
Jack
Harry

XPD · 07/10/2022 23:54

All three are horrendous.

Zizou04 · 07/10/2022 23:23

Alfred is horrendous, don't listen to these people

Luredbyapomegranate · 07/10/2022 23:17

I think they are all overused and a bit meh as PP said.

VeridicalVagabond · 07/10/2022 23:16

Alfie's really really common. My BIL works in a CeX (notoriously grim shops with equally grim customers if you're not aware) and Alfie is literally a running joke there amongst staff because it's heard being bellowed across the shop by some cigarette clutching, pie eyed woman every other day. If a child is screaming in the shop or behaving poorly, it's "an Alfie". So wouldn't be my first choice.

Not keen on the others really either, same energy as Alfie. Arlo is ok I guess.

caitlinrose · 07/10/2022 23:01

Alfie is not my style at all. Alfred is much nicer. Alfie always reminds me of that terrible movie starring Jude Law and it's too cute for an adult, in my opinion. Alfred is cool, though! I also feel like Alfie had its best times already. Starting to feel tired/dated. Most Alfies I know are 10 and older.

Albie is too cute for me as well. I'd rather see Albert. It's okay, doesn't stand out between Alfie and Archie which are/were so common.

Arlo is the best one but always makes me think of the dinosaur and feels a bit hipster.

I would suggest Alfred, Albert instead.

Lilacsunflowers · 07/10/2022 22:19

Alfie and Albie feel so overused and are starting to feel 'dated'.

Arlo is more interesting but has also become quite 'trendy' recently

Mammed · 07/10/2022 22:17

I think Alfie's outdated again now tbh.

I love Albie and really like Arlo, the popularity definitely must depend on location because I only know one Arlo and not a single Albie.

OutofControl3 · 07/10/2022 21:49

I too think there overused names. I'm struggling with names I already have 2 boys and cannot for the life of me think of any name suitable for this baby! It's so hard there's always someone you know of or something gets in the way of picking the right name.

Sparklythings1 · 07/10/2022 21:46

all three are lovely names but I do feel Alfie has been overdone where I stay. Arlo I’ve always loved but Albie is a close second

Lilacsunflowers · 07/10/2022 21:45

I dislike your suggestions especially Albie and Alfie, but thankfully we all have different tastes

KangarooKenny · 07/10/2022 21:27

It’s ok to use names you liked before. Your DS1 doesn’t own them.

Tallulasdancingshoes · 07/10/2022 21:21

I quite like them, but personally wouldn’t use them because they are becoming increasingly common.

alwaysmovingforwards · 07/10/2022 21:19

Arlo sounds a bit common with the dropped h.
Should be Harlow.