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Baby names

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

Original poster

Adair

66 replies

rattlinbog · 10/02/2023 21:27

When we were expecting DS 3 years ago I floated the name Adair on here and many people said it reminded them of a particular Johnny who isn't necessarily what we'd want.
We absolutely love the name and are considering it for DS2. DH is Scottish and I'm half-Scottish. It's the Scottish form of Edgar. Could I have your thoughts?

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arlequin · 24/05/2023 10:26

@droghedalady are you Irish? Perhaps different there?

arlequin · 24/05/2023 10:22

droghedalady · 24/05/2023 08:28

Too much association with the terrorist Johnny Adair. It would be the first thing I would think of and I would assume you were of that ilk.

Why would you assume I was of that ilk?

droghedalady · 24/05/2023 08:28

Too much association with the terrorist Johnny Adair. It would be the first thing I would think of and I would assume you were of that ilk.

KnickerlessParsons · 23/05/2023 22:59

Ifulikepinacoladas · 10/02/2023 22:47

My first thought was Red Adair, the guy that was famous for putting out oil rig fires (why my brain retains that info....)
I like it😊

Me too.

arlequin · 23/05/2023 22:56

Just resurrecting this as due date draws near!

Original poster
rattlinbog · 25/02/2023 11:14

@DaveSpud yes!

Think we might go for Adair 😬 😬

OP posts:
DaveSpud · 19/02/2023 22:02

rattlinbog · 10/02/2023 21:27

When we were expecting DS 3 years ago I floated the name Adair on here and many people said it reminded them of a particular Johnny who isn't necessarily what we'd want.
We absolutely love the name and are considering it for DS2. DH is Scottish and I'm half-Scottish. It's the Scottish form of Edgar. Could I have your thoughts?

I quite like it. I'm Scottish and only heard of it as a surname but I like names that are a wee bit different so I vote you go for it!

Btw, do you like the Corries?

gogohmm · 19/02/2023 13:53

First thought was red Adair, that's was his surname though. I don't dislike it as much as some of the names people suggest here but I would back it up with a very ordinary middle name to give your child the option of a regular name

Original poster
rattlinbog · 19/02/2023 13:46

Offleyhoo · 11/02/2023 02:21

Red Adair for me too, which is not a bad thing. Having said that I can't imagine calling a toddler Adair.

Think nickname would be Addy 😊

OP posts:
GoldDuster · 11/02/2023 18:54

I'm just getting doing it for a dare.

Original poster
rattlinbog · 11/02/2023 18:49

@HoratioNightboy 😊

OP posts:
HoratioNightboy · 11/02/2023 14:05

I like it OP, and has had occasional use as a first name in Scotland since 1770 so it does have a bit of history.

EvelynBeatrice · 11/02/2023 13:53

I like it. Mind you, I prefer Glen and Murray as slightly less commonplace Scottish boys names.

GogLais · 11/02/2023 12:23

@Ihatethenewlook , The actual name is fine in my case, but not the Welsh spelling.
I don't understand this comment. Is it something like Cai, Ceri or Cerys that looks completely straightforward but will be said as Kay, Serry or Serees/Serris if you don't know the C is a K sound?

HoldingTheDoor · 11/02/2023 10:06

I like many Surname type names but not this. It makes me think of Red Adair as others have mentioned but also Mad Dog Adair, which could also be an issue in parts of Scotland. Personally I'm not a fan. I don't find it a particularly attractive name.

Original poster
rattlinbog · 11/02/2023 09:07

Btw the surname thing isn't too much of a bother... In Scotland many surnames are patronymic i.E after the first name of the origin bearer's father, which is why there's so much crossover between first and surnames.

OP posts:
Original poster
rattlinbog · 11/02/2023 08:50

Wow such mixed feelings!

Thanks all

OP posts:
kirkandpetal · 11/02/2023 07:48

I'm Scottish and live in Scotland and the only Adairs I've come across are surnames.

That said, I think it would works, there are plenty of strong surnames that can be both a forename and surname....Cameron, Blair, Murray etc

I do love the name Alasdair though, it's slightly softer.

Riapia · 11/02/2023 07:44

Nickname Red.

LightHousePanda · 11/02/2023 07:39

I'm not familiar with it and I'm Scottish. Much prefer Alasdair.

WombatBombat · 11/02/2023 07:34

I love it and have it on the list for poss DS2, however DH is Aussie so might have to strike it off!

UnleashMyPicasso · 11/02/2023 07:25

I like it, not sure it would work outside of Scotland

WarriorsComeOutToPlayay · 11/02/2023 06:10

I haven’t heard it before. I don’t know if it’s because I am unfamiliar with it but it sounds like a random unfinished sound rather than a name if that makes sense.

AlwaysLatte · 11/02/2023 04:08

I've always disliked names that sound like something else - in this case I can't get past 'a dare'

Fleur405 · 11/02/2023 03:17

I’m Scottish and have never heard this as a first name. Honestly I thought it was an Irish surname. I think if you particularly wanted a link to your Scottish heritage there are a whole host of better options but if you just like it as a name then it’s fine.