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Baby names

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

Original poster

Sky or Hazel for a boy

132 replies

toastofthetown · 29/01/2023 14:19

I like Sky and Hazel for boys, and was wondering what the general opinion was on their usability. Sky has been consistently used for boys in England and Wales, albeit fewer than ten babies a year, though Hazel has never registered as a boys name. I do like softer boys names generally and many like like Rowan, Robin, Sacha which are also well used for girls. For these names, I don't like them as girls names.

These aren't names I'm seriously considering using, mostly as I like other names more and it's a no from my husband anyway, but just wondered what other people thought of them

OP posts:
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TheBirdintheCave · 29/01/2023 14:51

They're nature names so sure, why not? I really love the idea of Hazel for a boy. If Rowan and Robin can be for a boy or girl then why not Hazel?

Buffypaws · 29/01/2023 14:51

I love Hazel for a boy. I love Watership Down. It’s true it won’t work on a man though.

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 29/01/2023 14:51

I think Willow is very much a girls' name now. I wonder though if there was a smattering of baby boy Willows born in the late 80s after the film of the same name.

Toddlerteaplease · 29/01/2023 14:51

I met a baby boy called Skye last week. The general consensus among my colleagues, was what were the parents thinking. Poor baby will have to explain himself, his whole life. Don't do it

DuckbilledSplatterPuff · 29/01/2023 14:50

Everyone at school will call him Sky TV.
I've only ever heard of Hazel as a girl's name. Sorry OP.

boingboingboingboing · 29/01/2023 14:49

I don't think I'd say 10 per year is slow and steady - against the number of boys born every year - about 300-400 thousand - 10 boys named Sky is 0 really.

StrychnineInTheSandwiches · 29/01/2023 14:49

I actually know a boy as well as a grown man called Sky. So that one doesn't stand out too much to me. But you cannot call a boy Hazel. It would not be fun for him.

strawberriesarenot · 29/01/2023 14:45

Rufus is nice.

Original poster
toastofthetown · 29/01/2023 14:40

LydiaBin · 29/01/2023 14:30

Why would you want to call your son a name that no one else has ever used for a boy? What's the difference between Hazel and Rose, or Willow, or Lily?

Interestingly, I also like Willow for a boy, and as with Sky there are a small but steady number of boy Willows born. Maybe Willow is more accessible as Will is an obvious nickname.

I'm not really wanting to call my son Hazel, as I said in my OP there are other names I prefer anyway and I wouldn't want to give my child a name which is burdensome or controversial, so they probably wouldn't be on my final list anyway. Just wanted to see what other people though and if anyone else would see the appeal, or if it's just me.

OP posts:
Dillydollydingdong · 29/01/2023 14:38

Ridiculous! Your poor boy will be ridiculed and bullied unmercifully at school. Have you ever heard the song "A boy named Sue"? Just pick an ordinary name ffs!

Imogensmumma · 29/01/2023 14:37

That would be very mean of you to call your son Sky or Especially Hazel! Don’t do it

Rowan or Robin , or Lee, Cameron are much better choices

twilightcafe · 29/01/2023 14:37

Girl's names.

Berlinlover · 29/01/2023 14:37

Both completely ridiculous names for a boy.

newtb · 29/01/2023 14:37

Hazel's a girl's name

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 29/01/2023 14:36

Or a Mel? I worked with an engineer called Mel and he was so nice and I loved his name.

catinboots123 · 29/01/2023 14:36

Do you hate your unborn child?

Hungrycaterpillarsmummy · 29/01/2023 14:35

Sorry no I don't like either.
What about Lindsay?

kitsuneghost · 29/01/2023 14:33

He will not thank you when he is getting bullied at school

viques · 29/01/2023 14:32

Both awful choices. Why do you think there are so few/ no other boys registered with those names.

There must be a reason. ……………🙂

You don’t have to find “soft” names for boys to please yourself, just a name that will suit someone from birth to dotage.

Incidentally I think you would have similar responses had you said you want to call your son “hard” names like Iron or Butch.

LydiaBin · 29/01/2023 14:30

Why would you want to call your son a name that no one else has ever used for a boy? What's the difference between Hazel and Rose, or Willow, or Lily?

BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 29/01/2023 14:27

Neither, imo. I'd use Hazel for a girl, and Sky for a dog of either sex.

CatOnTheChair · 29/01/2023 14:27

Rowan or Robin are a thousand times better for a boy. Sacha is better. Sky and Hazel are firmly in the girl's domain these days.

DPotter · 29/01/2023 14:27

Hazel is a girl's name - I've known several over the years and just can't see a fully grown man carrying this off. I like it for a girl myself
Sky is just trying toooooo hard

CouldOfIsntRight · 29/01/2023 14:26

I’ve only ever known girls/women called sky & Hazel & I’m not keen but definitely not liking either name for a boy.

KirstenBlest · 29/01/2023 14:26

Skye and Hazel are more typically girl's names. Skye is nice but I'd probably only use it for a dog.
I think Hazel in Watership Down might have been a boy rabbit, but would need to check.
Robin and Sacha seem more like diminutives of Robert and Alexander/Alexandra, but both nice.
Rowan is unisex but I either think Rowan Williams, Rowan Atkinson or Rowan Pelling.