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Baby names

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

Original poster

Idris?

57 replies

hungrycat101 · 03/01/2023 17:23

Looking for some opinions on the name Idris.

My Mum is Welsh.
My Dad is English.
My boyfriend's family are English.

We live in London. This is our first child.

We both really like the name Idris.

My worry is, will we constantly be explaining that we have a Welsh connection and needing to justify the name choice?

Or am I hormonal and panicking unnecessarily!

Thanks in advance for opinions!

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jjeoreo · 03/01/2023 21:48

Fabulous name, I actually didn't know it was Welsh - I thought it was an Arabic name.

CastleTower · 03/01/2023 20:44

Awesome name.

Idris Davies was a working class Welsh poet, a great namesake.

SoShallINever · 03/01/2023 20:16

The coolest name ever. Totally love it.

PedantScorner · 03/01/2023 19:40

Oh, hark at me, I should have typed:

Idris is a name that was known but hardly used until recently, apart from in North-West Africa, where it's a grandad name, but gaining popularity in the muslim community.

PedantScorner · 03/01/2023 19:39

@VladmirsPoutine , The only downside is that others will not immediately get the pronunciation right.

It's a name that was known but hardly used until recently, apart from in North-West Africa, where it's a grandad name, but gaining popularity in the muslim community.

WhatDoYouWantNow · 03/01/2023 19:38

Idris Elba............... gorgeous

Thatboymum · 03/01/2023 19:37

I really don’t like it sorry I thought it was a girls name until I read previous posters

Els1e · 03/01/2023 19:36

I like the name. Good choice.

VladmirsPoutine · 03/01/2023 19:35

@PedantScorner Thank you! I've never come across the name and I admit it's lovely!

Cats23 · 03/01/2023 19:27

I know 2x Idris.
Both Welsh and I only think of it as a Welsh name.
I live in West Wales.
My son has a v.Welsh name and very much has to pronounce often as it looks like it could be pronounced 'Aiden', though the Spelling we have doesnt. Idris is really easy to pronounce and spell so I'd go with it.

Laquila · 03/01/2023 19:26

We know an Idris, never really thought about it before my actually his mum might have Arabic heritage. Lovely name. Cader Idris is beautiful!

PedantScorner · 03/01/2023 19:26

@VladmirsPoutine ,EM-riss

ofwarren · 03/01/2023 19:26

I quite like it
What nicknames to people get from Idris?

VladmirsPoutine · 03/01/2023 19:24

Is it 'emmrheese'?

VladmirsPoutine · 03/01/2023 19:23

@Rhi86 Can you tell me how Emrys is phonetically pronounced?

Rhi86 · 03/01/2023 18:57

I love Idris, but we ended up not going with it because I felt like Idris Elba owned the name (which I know is silly!). We went with Ivor in the end. I do also like Emrys which was suggested by someone above.

Spidey66 · 03/01/2023 18:57

I like it, but didn't realise it was Welsh. My first thought like others was of Idris Elba.

tabbycat985 · 03/01/2023 18:54

If it helps, it would remind me of the Shadowhunter books as they live in a place named Idris but it would be a fleeting thought, the actor would never cross my mind!
I think it's absolutely beautiful!

KirstenBlest · 03/01/2023 18:51

It's gaining popularity. Many will think you named him after Mr Elba.

IdealisticThinker · 03/01/2023 18:49

Idris is a typically west African boys name and a beautiful one. Most people think of the actor yes but I am sure there are other boys called Idris out there who arent west african or have any connection. Speaking as a person with a name that often gets questioned where it comes from and no particular story. I can tell you that it's never bothered me and I like its uniqueness personally. Do what you feel is right for your child.

Twoinapod · 03/01/2023 18:41

My daughter has a very welsh name and we live in England. Not encountered any problems. Idris is a great name, easy to spell and pronounce. Definitely go for it.

Spanielsarepainless · 03/01/2023 17:50

I love it. It's easy for the English relations to pronounce. I don't see why you should ever explain.

VladmirsPoutine · 03/01/2023 17:46

Don't do it unless you want to spend your lives explaining you weren't motivated by your love for the actor. He's a great man but I don't think many people would get the Welsh connetion.

Longdarkcloud · 03/01/2023 17:40

I really like Idris. Short and punchy and with a great heritage. The Welshness may be one quarter but behind that your son has many generations of greatgrandparents. Just do the maths. 2 gt grandparents, 4 2xggrandparents, 8 3x grandparents. and that’s only 5 generations.
If people ask just say, Welsh heritage on maternal side. After all as with most ethnic groups in Great Britain there are more people living outside the countries of origin than are currently within GB.

toastofthetown · 03/01/2023 17:40

Idris is also a name in Arabic so I wouldn’t necessarily assume an Idris was Welsh, especially outside of Wales.

Idris Elba is the strongest association most people have with the name Idris.