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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
RagzRebooted · 08/12/2022 19:10

ImJustNotMeAnymore · 08/12/2022 18:54

Millie Radford called her boy Chester. It's apparently linked to a saying - Chester Chester child molester. There's also Chester drawers. I'd not set my kid up for being potentially ridiculed for life.

My son has a friend called Chester (in 6th form). He absolutely hates his name as got called all the above many many times.
I would not do that to a child.

Mydogatemypurse · 08/12/2022 19:10

ImJustNotMeAnymore · 08/12/2022 18:54

Millie Radford called her boy Chester. It's apparently linked to a saying - Chester Chester child molester. There's also Chester drawers. I'd not set my kid up for being potentially ridiculed for life.

I immediately thought of this.

DramaAlpaca · 08/12/2022 19:10

I detest the word 'chavvy' and am surprised to see a teacher use it.

However, I do know what you mean and tbh I do think Chester is on the, erm, 'downmarket' side of names for want of a better word. I really don't like it at all.

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.

Cantseethewindows · 08/12/2022 19:09

MolesOnPoles · 08/12/2022 18:42

Chester is awful, sorry. James is a great name, so is Charlie. The others on your list are nice too.

As a fellow teacher, I'd be more apprehensive teaching as Charlie or a James than a Chester - I've yet to teach a Charlie or a James who isn't a handful...

OP, I'm not keen on Chester. Have you considered Jasper?

BedTaker · 08/12/2022 19:08

Chester is OK, it always reminds me of that bloke that Scarlet marries in Four Weddings and a Funeral.

Love James, it's such a lovely timeless but not ubiquitous name.

Please don't call your kid Cedric.

BreatheAndFocus · 08/12/2022 19:07

I can’t get past Chester Drawers - sorry. Sometimes nice names can have unfortunate connections like that. Some on my list did, and I didn’t use them for that reason.

Reuben is nice.

dream28 · 08/12/2022 19:05

I liked Chester, but chester chester child molester saying is too much for me.
TBH, some of comments are too rude

did you consider Cedric?

Abra1t · 08/12/2022 19:03

I like Chester.

Geneticsbunny · 08/12/2022 19:01

You can advertise him on Facebook marketplace as a chester drawers.

Dahlia1978 · 08/12/2022 18:59

I like it - although am biased because this was my grandfather's name (short for Winchester!)

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.

SavingKitten · 08/12/2022 18:56

Chester is ok, and James is fine as a middle name, but Chester-James as a double barrelled name deff sounds pretentious

SusiePevensie · 08/12/2022 18:56

Perfectly fine name.

Enko · 08/12/2022 18:55

Chester is a fab name

ImJustNotMeAnymore · 08/12/2022 18:54

Millie Radford called her boy Chester. It's apparently linked to a saying - Chester Chester child molester. There's also Chester drawers. I'd not set my kid up for being potentially ridiculed for life.

Tuvala · 08/12/2022 18:51

I’m not impressed that a teacher judges children’s names as ‘chavvy’.
But FWIW I like the name, it reminds me of Chester Bennington and the pleasant city.

MolesOnPoles · 08/12/2022 18:42

Chester is awful, sorry. James is a great name, so is Charlie. The others on your list are nice too.

puddingandsun · 08/12/2022 18:41

It's lovely! Good luck with the pregnancy

sykadelic · 08/12/2022 18:39

I dont think it's chavvy, but it reminds me of the dog in the Nanny with Fran Drescher