Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

The name Chester - am I the only one who’s told everyone the baby’s name/bought personalised things and now I’m having second thoughts

120 replies

Namesfordays · 08/12/2022 18:32

So I’m due next month and pretty early on in the pregnancy we settled on Chester. I’m a teacher and wanted a name that I hadn’t come across and was a little bit different. But now I’m worrying that it’s chavvy.
Please can you share your opinions on the name

His middle name is James (after my dad) and I do love the sound of Chester James but I don’t want to come across pretentious with a double barrelled name.

we like a few other names but they have been taken by relatives and friends and dogs lol
including; Arlo, Ralph, Charlie and Vinnie
We do also like Reuben

Any advice would be lovely!! (It’s our first baby and it just feels like the worlds biggest decision)

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
B1993 · 08/12/2022 19:53

This was me a few years ago! Also a teacher and found naming our son an almost impossible task! Lots of names I liked had associations with children I'd taught so I wanted to avoid those. In the end, we settled on DS' name as it wasn't popular at the time so assumed I wouldn't come across it often, if at all... it's now quite common and I've met at least 3-4 kids with the same name and of a similar age to my son 🙈🙈

If you like Chester (which, I do too), go with that 😊

WhichWitchIsTheWitch · 08/12/2022 19:51

It’s more of a cat/dog name than a child. Plus Chester draws listings by illiterates on Facebook.

SavingKitten · 08/12/2022 19:48

MerryChristmasToYou · 08/12/2022 19:39

@SavingKitten , well the name has been around for a long time as a name for a city.

And also people. Including a US president.

ReadtheReviews · 08/12/2022 19:47

It's the name of a queen bee's son at school so hard to divorce from that. Oh god it's also Tom Hank's son who thinks he is a rapper called Chet Haze!!!
Fester, vest, best, chest, chestnut. No, not great.

Charlie
Cormac
Harlan
Rory

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 08/12/2022 19:45

Dorisbonson · 08/12/2022 19:41

Sorry I don't hang out in Essex so I don't know. Unfortunately names colour perception so I wouldn't use a name like that.

I really don't think it is a "normal common name" as you suggest

It's currently the 87th most popular boys' names, so not exactly rare or unusual...

names.darkgreener.com/#chester

TimmyMeatballs · 08/12/2022 19:44

I don’t like the name, it sounds like a dog or cat name to me. Chester-James doubled barrelled would be much worse.

But you’ll find that if you pick an unusual name, it’ll generate stronger opinions than a common name.

If you are having second thoughts, please don’t feel you have to stick to a name you don’t like just because someone’s given you a blanket with it on or something.

Dorisbonson · 08/12/2022 19:41

Sorry I don't hang out in Essex so I don't know. Unfortunately names colour perception so I wouldn't use a name like that.

I really don't think it is a "normal common name" as you suggest

Aquamarine1029 · 08/12/2022 19:40

Chester the Molester. Hard pass. Kids in school can be very cruel.

MerryChristmasToYou · 08/12/2022 19:39

@SavingKitten , well the name has been around for a long time as a name for a city.

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 08/12/2022 19:38

I don't think if you want your child to have a serious future in a professional workplace you should give them a name that undermines that ambition.
Chester - honestly, it will not help your child, if you are keen for them to do well why on earth would you pick such a name?

I'm not wildly keen on Chester but this is a bit silly.

SavingKitten · 08/12/2022 19:37

Dorisbonson · 08/12/2022 19:33

Chester was my sister's cats name.

I don't think if you want your child to have a serious future in a professional workplace you should give them a name that undermines that ambition.

Chester - honestly, it will not help your child, if you are keen for them to do well why on earth would you pick such a name?

So many parents trying to be original - it's sad. There are lots of names that won't hurt your child's life you can pick from - look for one of those.

Bizarre post. Chester is a normal common name that has been around for a long time. Not exactly comparable with calling him ‘Chicago’ like you imply.

MissHavishamsMouldyOldCake · 08/12/2022 19:37

Reception teacher here. I like the name Chester and the 'long version Winchester'.

I would have to stifle a giggle upon meeting a little Winchester. Is it not a bit much? Grin The kind of name that an American romance novelist might give to their upper class 19thc English hero.

SpottyBalloons · 08/12/2022 19:36

Pollywoddles · 08/12/2022 19:10

Call him CJ as a nn

Is it not Chest of Drawers? I wouldn’t associate Chester with that.

@Pollywoddles It is chest of drawers, but so many people misspell it that 'chester drawers' has become a running joke. I would change the name OP.

Dorisbonson · 08/12/2022 19:35

Sorry, I don't know your background so that is presumptuous of me. Maybe Chester fits your outlook.

Dorisbonson · 08/12/2022 19:33

Chester was my sister's cats name.

I don't think if you want your child to have a serious future in a professional workplace you should give them a name that undermines that ambition.

Chester - honestly, it will not help your child, if you are keen for them to do well why on earth would you pick such a name?

So many parents trying to be original - it's sad. There are lots of names that won't hurt your child's life you can pick from - look for one of those.

Newuser82 · 08/12/2022 19:28

Chester is a gorgeous name. I like all of them possibly with the exception of vinnie. We changed our mind on the name very late on and we had been given personalised things. I felt dreadful but I haven't regretted the decision at all.

BrewandBiscuit · 08/12/2022 19:24

It was my childhood pony’s name. He was a very naughty boy!

drpet49 · 08/12/2022 19:20

I don’t like it and sounds chavvy to me

seething1234 · 08/12/2022 19:20

Spenn · 08/12/2022 18:57

Chester is the name of a character in an interesting comic strip. It's also shortened from Charlie Chester in rhyming slang.

I'm sorry it's the first thing I thought of too.... Chester the Molester

MerryChristmasToYou · 08/12/2022 19:17

is your surname Dawes?

DisneyGirl2329 · 08/12/2022 19:17

Reception teacher here. I like the name Chester and the 'long version Winchester'. I've never taught a Chester (in 12 years). Someone will always have a an opinion on the name you choose. It took me ages to settle on a name for my little boy. I also panicked after I'd named him whether it was the right decision. Don't worry OP, you stick to your guns. Congratulations on your pregnancy x

nothingmuchaboutjerry · 08/12/2022 19:15

It's my dogs name, he shared his birthday with Chester from Linkin Park. So, I like the name both for animals and humans.

carefulcalculator · 08/12/2022 19:13

I'm not going to comment on the name because who cares what I think, but you have time to change it and absolutely should if you are not happy with it.

This is why you should never announce before you stick it on the birth cert!!!

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 08/12/2022 19:11

Not chavvy

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 08/12/2022 19:10

My friend has a Chester and it really suits him.