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Baby names

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

Original poster

Oaken

105 replies

bananamilkshakes · 22/01/2023 14:40

Yes it is from frozen but I'm sure no one will care about that. I know someone with a girl called Oakah, so I'm considering Oaken for a boy.

I really like how it has a nature sound but also sounds quite solid. And can't be mispronounced easily.

Thoughts?

OP posts:
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MrsTerryPratchett · 22/01/2023 18:01

Twoinapod · 22/01/2023 17:56

No one’s heard of being a Helen Hunt? How bizarre, especially given the attitudes of many on here.

Berkshire Hunt, not Helen.

As in, "you seem like a right Berk using a woman's name as an insult".

Twoinapod · 22/01/2023 17:56

No one’s heard of being a Helen Hunt? How bizarre, especially given the attitudes of many on here.

MrsTerryPratchett · 22/01/2023 17:54

For clarity @bananamilkshakes I think you are using the emoji immodestly 

And @SirChenjins I now have Waiting in Vain as an ear worm.

SirChenjins · 22/01/2023 17:51

MrsTerryPratchett · 22/01/2023 17:45

Is Helen the new misogynist mot de jour?

At least Karens are off the hook.

And PP confirming my theory that 90% of the time only twats use the crying/laughing emoji.

😂🤣 for when someone's face actually looks like this: 😠🙄 or 😐

I imagine so, but I’m waiting for poster to enlighten me and either own their misogyny or come up with a completely innocent explanation for their odd use of Helen in this context.

MaxiPaddy · 22/01/2023 17:49

bananamilkshakes · 22/01/2023 17:45

😂 wow ok you guys are brutal!

I don't like Oakley, it sounds American. Oak on its own is just too "tree". I actually like that it means "of an oak" - to me that says, natural, solid, good quality somehow haha.

I do think you're all very conservative. How is it different to Rowan etc?

And yes I am actually thinking of a teenager when I think of it - oaken isn't really a babyish name is it. I can't see him getting teased, my god people have all sorts of names now and Oaken wouldn't even register!

I don't know GOT but I do like Thorin as well although I think it will get mispronounced

It's the Hobbit, not Game of Thrones.

If you're going to use the name of a famous character (that is not at all hard to pronounce, and actually is a name), at least get the right book series.

Original poster
bananamilkshakes · 22/01/2023 17:46

MrsTerryPratchett · 22/01/2023 17:45

Is Helen the new misogynist mot de jour?

At least Karens are off the hook.

And PP confirming my theory that 90% of the time only twats use the crying/laughing emoji.

😂🤣 for when someone's face actually looks like this: 😠🙄 or 😐

Good point re the faces 😬

I'm quite liking the shift from Karen to Helen even though I like the name Helen. Helen seems more like an upmarket Karen to me

OP posts:
Original poster
bananamilkshakes · 22/01/2023 17:45

😂 wow ok you guys are brutal!

I don't like Oakley, it sounds American. Oak on its own is just too "tree". I actually like that it means "of an oak" - to me that says, natural, solid, good quality somehow haha.

I do think you're all very conservative. How is it different to Rowan etc?

And yes I am actually thinking of a teenager when I think of it - oaken isn't really a babyish name is it. I can't see him getting teased, my god people have all sorts of names now and Oaken wouldn't even register!

I don't know GOT but I do like Thorin as well although I think it will get mispronounced

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 22/01/2023 17:45

Is Helen the new misogynist mot de jour?

At least Karens are off the hook.

And PP confirming my theory that 90% of the time only twats use the crying/laughing emoji.

😂🤣 for when someone's face actually looks like this: 😠🙄 or 😐

Rowen32 · 22/01/2023 17:35

Broken oaken, no its not for me

DillDanding · 22/01/2023 17:28

PacificallyRequested · 22/01/2023 14:45

You're joaken, right?

😂

Don’t afflict your child with a stupid name.

FayCarew · 22/01/2023 17:26

Boaken, Broaken, Soaken

DurdleSnore · 22/01/2023 17:08

Pemba · 22/01/2023 14:59

Isn't it an adjective like 'an oaken door'? It just sounds wrong anyway. Well all the 'Oak..' names sound weird, wherever did they come from?

Best used as trade names for flooring, furniture brands etc. There are lots of lovely nature names, this is not one of them

Yes, my mind went to furniture too. Sorry OP.

SirChenjins · 22/01/2023 17:01

This reply has been deleted

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Helen? Do share.

Twillow · 22/01/2023 16:13

Oaken coffin...

Twoinapod · 22/01/2023 16:11

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

CatNutsRoastingByAnOpenFire · 22/01/2023 15:55

I thought this was going to be about a furniture brand or store.
How about Acorn or Sideboard?

AmandaMirandaPanda · 22/01/2023 15:51

Oaken (as a word, leaving aside names for a moment) is an old adjective meaning made of oak. It doesn't imply imitation oak or laminate. Most people now would use "oak" as both a noun and an adjective: we want to put oak floors in our new house is standard, although we want to put oaken floors in our new house is not wrong. I think oaken may be more familiar in the USA, for example the "old oaken bucket", which is a famous football trophy.

It's frustrating that despite the popularity of tree names - Rowan, Ash, Aspen, Willow, Ivo(r) - there's no clear way to honour "oak" that doesn't feel awkward. Oakley has its own energy, being used a lot in the USA to honour sharpshooter Annie Oakley, and then kind of spawning Oaklynn and such.

If I felt a strong call to name a child after oaks, I might look at the Hebrew (Alon, Elon) or Gaelic (Daragh, MacDara, Adair).

SirChenjins · 22/01/2023 15:43

Twoinapod · 22/01/2023 15:21

Yeah and this was a lovely thing to say 🙄🤦‍♀️

Show quote history

Not on par with your ridiculous, ironic ‘downmarket’ comment 🙄🤦‍♀️

caramac04 · 22/01/2023 15:34

MaxiPaddy · 22/01/2023 15:01

Shield.

/On behalf of every LOTR fan ever.

This was my first thought

MrsMitford3 · 22/01/2023 15:29

Reminds me of the cheap pine furniture stores always having a closing sale.

Definite no from me. It's awful to give that to a baby/child/person

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 22/01/2023 15:28

Sounds like a yogurt

atotalshambles · 22/01/2023 15:27

I think instead of thinking of a baby - think of a 15 year old instead. I think they would be teased, OP. Sorry!

Timeforachangeisitnot · 22/01/2023 15:26

Sorry OP, my first thought was ‘thick’ as in 2 short planks. I am too old to have watched Frozen so have no context.

How about Darrach? Scots work for oak .

Lost123454 · 22/01/2023 15:25

No

ThePoshUns · 22/01/2023 15:23

PacificallyRequested · 22/01/2023 14:45

You're joaken, right?

Lol!