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Baby names

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

Original poster

To be surprised at friends/family’s baby names

459 replies

AllyCatTown · 08/01/2023 19:03

Anyone else been surprised at what people in their lives have called their children?

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TheCurseOfBoris · 08/01/2023 20:26

My DS has one of the most unoriginal names in English history. It's not a made up name. It's a Classic. Yet I've only met another 2 or 3. I love it.

Hellno44 · 08/01/2023 20:25

SunsetSkies11 · 08/01/2023 20:21

Yea! Family friend gave their newborn son a name I've not heard on a human before. It's usually an object that animals are kept in.

Hutch
Pen

Flipper1234 · 08/01/2023 20:25

SunsetSkies11 · 08/01/2023 20:21

Yea! Family friend gave their newborn son a name I've not heard on a human before. It's usually an object that animals are kept in.

Penn?

tho Kennel or Cage would be more fun haha. Catbed?!

TheWayTheLightFalls · 08/01/2023 20:25

I've heard some absolute clangers (I'm in the thick of the new baby years), but most are down to cultural differences tbh. I've learnt to develop an automatic "Aw, lovely!" reflex. The worst off the top of my head are Serena (you can hear her from three blocks away when she's being delivered to nursery) and Manuel, whose south American parents just stare blankly at the umpteenth person holding back a Fawlty Towers impersonation.

My pet peeve, pun very much intended, is the dog name trend. In my local park people shout out for Rex, Barney, Bo etc, and I don't know anymore whether to expect a labradoodle or a toddler.

FinishYourBrekkie · 08/01/2023 20:24

My cousin just named her daughter Myla. I don't dislike the name, but when I heard it, I instantly thought of Myra ...Myra Hindley.

Reugny · 08/01/2023 20:22

BellePeppa · 08/01/2023 19:48

I always feel people who call their children ghastly old lady names that never sound nice are just trying to be clever and edgy (and quite likely middle class), I never feel it’s done from the heart or they think how that child might feel in the future.

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Lots of so called old lady names are very common in other cultures.

And while they may be fashionable now there are people in their teens and older with those names who are definitely not all middle class.

SunsetSkies11 · 08/01/2023 20:21

Yea! Family friend gave their newborn son a name I've not heard on a human before. It's usually an object that animals are kept in.

Misunderestimated · 08/01/2023 20:20

weedytrophies · 08/01/2023 19:05

Yes. 'Griffin' was misjudged, in my opinion, but of course I'm keeping it to myself!

Why Vern?

IDontWantToBeAPie · 08/01/2023 20:19

I do know some kids with number names and a few with say names (Tuesday, Friday) which I also really like

watcherintherye · 08/01/2023 20:19

IDontWantToBeAPie · 08/01/2023 20:14

My sisters was totally left field and something Mumsnet would hate. It suits baby though and I love it now.

Balonz?

IDontWantToBeAPie · 08/01/2023 20:17

Oh it's not Ty 😂😂 never mind

Baconand · 08/01/2023 20:17

I have people in my circle who have named their children godawful cliche/chavtastic names, but it wasn’t a surprise. The names they have picked reflect the parents and I do a cringe every time I write a card etc.

But I am sure they think the same of DD’s name and ultimately what I think doesn't matter a jot-they can name their children whatever they like. The children themselves are a delight 😊 and I still love the parents despite their appalling taste.

Mommabear20 · 08/01/2023 20:16

DN middle name is eagle 🤦‍♀️ parents have no love of birds, or anything even remotely related so god knows what made them choose that!

IDontWantToBeAPie · 08/01/2023 20:16

Bananarama21 · 08/01/2023 19:26

Il bite and give a clue someone you wear around your neck

I went to school with a Ty back in the 00s. So not too bonkers.

Reugny · 08/01/2023 20:15

purpletowelette · 08/01/2023 19:37

Similar... Dante raised eyebrows. I just smiled.

The DC is living up to the name too. I keep on smiling...

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Dante is the name of the Italian poet/scholar, Dante Alighieri or a Brazilian footballer so the name isn't out there.

I would have said it's bit weird if they aren't Italian but since myself, DP and loads of friends seemed to have chosen names from the top 20 most popular German names for the last few years I wouldn't criticise them.

IDontWantToBeAPie · 08/01/2023 20:14

My sisters was totally left field and something Mumsnet would hate. It suits baby though and I love it now.

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 08/01/2023 20:11

There was an indie act in the early 2000s called Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. I would have a lot of fun with nicknames for that poor kid.

AlbertaAnnie · 08/01/2023 20:11

There is a friend of the family who was named Richard William Cox by his parents who had obviously failed to notice their kid nick names was now Dick Willy Cox 🤣🤣

I also know someone who called their kid Anakin like from starwars - he definitely won’t thank them when he’s older!

ChocolatemilkBertie · 08/01/2023 20:11

No name has surprised me, however when it comes to standard names I’m out of luck unless I copy friends and family because I would say the top 10 girls and boys names have been taken! Not literally but you get my drift.

A couple of middle names have taken me by surprise actually, one was Buffy!

lljkk · 08/01/2023 20:08

Overalls?
Pants... someone should definitely call their child "Pants"

dooneyousmugelf · 08/01/2023 20:02

I was a bit surprised when a cousin named their child the same as one of my DS. The same cousin also named their first child the same name as our other cousin's DS. So 4 children share 2 names. It's not like we're all distant relatives either 😂

quietnightmare · 08/01/2023 20:02

I know a Gerald who is very cute and I am sure he will grow into his name

HundredMilesAnHour · 08/01/2023 20:02

Anisina · 08/01/2023 19:49

I quite like Cape. I think it is actually a name.

According to t'internet, in 2022 there were 6 babies per million called Cape.

Floydthebarber · 08/01/2023 19:58

I love this thread just for the image I know have of people sitting in their living rooms excitedly shouting out items of clothing!

KirstenBlest · 08/01/2023 19:57

Extended family names given to the under 10s are a lot more unusual than the ones given to their parents.

Of the names I thought were a bit too unusual turned out to be popular names, but the names one cousin gave to their children are WTAF.

There's also a Gerald and Geraldina not-twins sibling set but although that was a bit WTAF, they are Gerry and Dina and have been from birth**

**not the actual names but that sort of pattern

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