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Baby names

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Original poster

Archie and the connoations

109 replies

inky1991 · 29/01/2023 21:30

So we're expecting a baby boy very soon. My husband and I don't agree on many names but we both really love the name Archie. I have personally wanted that name since I can remember.

As soon as Harry and Meghan announced they'd called their boy Archie, I was pissed off. They got there first as took us a very long time to conceive, and I knew when and if our time came, people might assume we copied them, or it would suddenly become mega over used.

Now I don't really need peoples opinions on the name itself, as I know these kind of names can be marmite on mumsnet as some see them at "cutesy" or whatever.

Anyway I just wanted to know what comes to your mind when you hear the name Archie? Do you immediately think of Harry and Meghan? My husband tells me to get over myself, and that people wouldn't think that, but he's not really up to date with any current affairs especially anything to do with Royal Family. My immediate family have made it pretty clear they aren't keen cause of connotations of H&M.

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midsomermurderess · 03/02/2023 17:59

For me, it's still an elderly Scottish man. I like it though.

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 03/02/2023 17:13

I really love my family but I can’t imagine allowing them to put me off the name that I had always wanted to use and that my DH was happy with.

I don’t especially think of the Sussexes. I’ve been teaching a long time and have taught quite a few Archies so I tend to think of them, especially as they all happened to be quite spirited, lively characters.

ComfortablyDazed · 03/02/2023 15:59

ICantFoolMyself · 03/02/2023 14:50

The title of this thread sounds like a band from the 50s ...

"Archie and the Connotations"!

You’re at least the third person to make that ‘joke’.

ICantFoolMyself · 03/02/2023 14:50

The title of this thread sounds like a band from the 50s ...

"Archie and the Connotations"!

007DoubleOSeven · 02/02/2023 22:41

Yes Beatrice was the youngest of Queen Vics 9 children

ShittyPeasantsFromHampshire · 02/02/2023 22:38

Well Zara certainly isn't (I'm sure Queen Victoria had a Beatrice amongst her many kids though). But you were saying that Archie/Archibald being a very old and traditional name shouldn't make it an unusual pick for a royal baby. I'm just saying that old it may be but it's never been the kind of name that would have been used in royal circles.

I think Meghan and Harry just like names that are mainstream. I'm sure there are many Archie and Lily sibling sets in the UK right now.

Original poster
inky1991 · 02/02/2023 22:21

ShittyPeasantsFromHampshire · 02/02/2023 22:12

Archibald isn't a traditional name for royal babies though...

Neither is Zara or Beatrice!

OP posts:
ShittyPeasantsFromHampshire · 02/02/2023 22:12

Archibald isn't a traditional name for royal babies though...

Original poster
inky1991 · 02/02/2023 22:10

Find it surprising lots of people were shocked by H&M's choice for Archie. The name Archibald is very traditional, and Archie is just the modernised, shorter version. As much as it irritated me at the time, it did actually make sense to me.

It's not like they called him Tyler or Jamal is it.

Names are so divisive though, and there'll always be people that hate it. I think it's a good mix of middle class/traditional and cheeky chappy. However there'll be others who see it as common/chavy 🤷‍♀️

I very much appreciate everyone's comments on this 🙂

OP posts:
LadyKenya · 02/02/2023 19:57

Suprima · 29/01/2023 21:43

No, I think of the extremely common boy’s name Archie

I was surprised when h and m used it

This. I would have expected them to choose a rather nicer, traditional name.

Dragonsandcats · 02/02/2023 19:54

I don’t know any little Archie’s- none in my dc’s primary. I wouldn’t think of H&M either.

helloelsie · 02/02/2023 19:51

"I have personally wanted that name since I can remember."

This is all you need to focus on
Use the name

Rockmehardplace · 01/02/2023 23:08

I thought Archie battersby, then H&M, then the 3 Archie’s I know under 12.

if I had a boy now, on my list would be Joseph, Aaron, Fraser, Struan.

xprincessxjanetx · 01/02/2023 22:52

I don't think of H&M at all when I hear the name Archie.

My first thought it poor Archie Battersby. After that I start to think of the inventor in balamory.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 01/02/2023 22:37

Archie is too well used to be associated especially with Harry and Meghan, so go for it if that's your only worry imo. I also personally don't think popularity matters as such - as even the number one name is now given to less than 1% of boys (so gone are the days when there were 3 or 4 of a name in every class); but I must admit a name dating badly would concern me more - and the only difference between Archie than say, William or George is that it's more likely to date. Many names date to an extent, but Archie could risk being the Gary or Barry of 40 years time imo (to use similar "ee" ending nickname type names for example) as Archie's risen so sharply in the last 20 years or so.

Is the only way to avoid dated names to call your child a classic name like Henry, Tom, George etc? Those names are fine but also really over used and not too exciting either IMO.

There are lots of popular classic boys names that have always stayed in the top 100 that are less well used now than those names (or Archie) but which are still very well known - think Joseph, Daniel, Alexander, Charles, David, Michael etc. Or the alternative is to look outside the top 100 at names that are still well known but have never (or very rarely) been that popular as they are unlikely to date either but might sound more "exciting"- Evan, Owen, Nathaniel etc.

Or if you like the sound of Archie, how about Zachary? Sorry if it's already been suggested but it has a some of the same sounds as Archie and is less likely to date (as hasn't risen quite as suddenly) - plus gives him more trendy nn options as a bonus, unlike Archie (Zach is very similar to the ubiquitously popular Jack).

Kanaloa · 01/02/2023 06:43

Archie is a really common name. I’ve looked after loads. To me it’s in the same category as George or Harry or William - if you met a child named George nobody would say ‘oh like Prince x’ because they are such common names that they aren’t really associated with one specific persons.

MrsMikeDrop · 01/02/2023 06:38

MuckyPlucky · 30/01/2023 17:13

🤣 🤣 🤣

Show quote history

👏👏👏👏

plumduck · 01/02/2023 06:37

My first thought was Archie - like Harry and Meghan, but don't let that bother you. I think because you posted "and the connotations" in your title I was immediately thinking of it.

If you love the name please use it

Catnary · 01/02/2023 00:38

Your “immediate family” are being utterly ridiculous. Are they seriously trying to tell you that they would allow the fact that your child has the same name as Harry and Meghan’s son to colour their relationship with him and you? I mean, it’s not as if H&M have personally harmed or insulted your family in any way, they are just some minor Royals who are all over the news at the moment. How silly.
Yes, many people will be vaguely aware that H&M have a son called Archie. The percentage of those people who would somehow look down on you for also using this very popular name is probably in single figures, and you will never meet most of them!

Use the name and try to put all the noise about Harry and Meghan into perspective. You’re letting media noise cloud your judgment. Your DH has the right idea.

Remaker · 01/02/2023 00:28

It’s a very common name and I was surprised that H&M used it. Not regal at all but I guess that’s not what they were going for.

I wouldn’t really think of them in connection to it. Lillibet on the other hand…

Laureatus · 01/02/2023 00:21

Sorry if someone's already linked it, but re popularity, DarkGreener shows that between 1996 and 2021 in England & Wales, Archie has steadily increased in popularity from 192nd to 9th!

names.darkgreener.com/#archie

inquisitorgeneral · 31/01/2023 09:09

I was surprised when H&M chose this name. It's so British and I was expecting them to go with something with more of an American flavour.

I suppose you would have to weigh up how much you love the name Vs possible comments about H&M's son. It is a very popular name so that dilutes the celebrity baby connotation a bit.

Laureatus · 30/01/2023 22:52

It got really popular before H&M's Archie was born. I always think it's sad most people just use Archie and aren't brave enough to use Archibald. When I was little, my best friend was an Archibald known as Archie, and he was the only one ai ever knew until all these babies started appearing! 🤣

JeepersCreepersWheredYaGetThosePeepers · 30/01/2023 18:54

Just use it or something similar'ish like Alfie

CharitySchmarity · 30/01/2023 17:59

I heard of my first Archie about 15 years ago (he was a toddler then so maybe 17 or 18 now) and I've heard of several more over the years since then. I think it was fairly well established as a fashionable name before that Archie came along. It's certainly not the first association I think of (that would be a character in a series of books I like, who is not a child). I suppose it's possible that much younger people who were naming children around the same time as the Duke and Duchess might be more likely to think of it, but I don't think so. It's not really rare enough for that.