Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

What do you think of Robin? And even if you like it, would it be odd for us to use it?

38 replies

MuffinMclay · 12/02/2008 13:28

To put this in context, it was FIL's name. MIL, GMIL would be thrilled if we used it.

I don't mind it (although I prefer it as a girl's name, Robyn). I hate any abbreviations of it (like Rob) though.

But part of me thinks it is a bit unlucky (FIL died of cancer in his '50s). Plus, it is the name of dh's boss, and he feels it would be weird going into work and announcing the baby's name both to said boss and to colleagues, given that it is quite unusual.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
mollymawk · 03/03/2008 17:04

I think it's very sweet but would never use it, for the same reason as your DH - it is the name of my former boss! And nice though he was I would rather not have a mini version of him about the house.
(am impressed at moljam's bravery in allowing DCs to choose baby's name...)

StealthPolarBear · 03/03/2008 16:58

or Redbreast

But other than that, I like it!

bookwormmum · 03/03/2008 16:56

Or Hood .

Desiderata · 03/03/2008 16:56

I think Robin's fine, as long as your surname isn't B'stard.

bookwormmum · 03/03/2008 16:53

That's my bro's name .

he did go through a stage of calling himself Robbie or Rob though.

mazzystar · 03/03/2008 16:43

Not very keen, has associations for me of Robin's Nest 70s sitcom with much ineptitude and also the slightly strange boy who used to live next door.

Middle name will make everyone jsut as happy.p0

slinkiemalinki · 03/03/2008 16:40

PS good name, another Lynley Dodd fan!

slinkiemalinki · 03/03/2008 16:40

No but then is my ex's name. I think of it as a bit of a soft/soppy name but he was a bit of a girl!

When I lived in the US for a while people found it amusing as is only a girl's name there! I would use it as a middle name if you want it that much,and find something you love.

WanderingTrolley · 14/02/2008 10:10

Great name - everyone can spell it, it's usual but not over-used, 'Rob' is cool for a teenager, only to be avoided if your surname is Hood (or Banks - I think there's a radio DJ with that name...)

DH can tell boss 'we've called him Robin, after my father' to avoid looking like he has a weird crush on his boss.

Kewcumber · 14/02/2008 10:08

I work with a Robin - he's lovely.

serenity · 14/02/2008 10:06

I had a friend at school called Robin (well actually her name was Natalie, but everyone called her Robin) and I always thought it was a lovely name - unusual without being too OTT. I wouldn't worry about it being the Boss's name either - I pinched our cleaners name at work for DS2 because I liked it so much, no one really linked the two and I've left since

Sunshinemummy · 14/02/2008 09:59

It's one of those names that is tainted by someone I know for me. A really strange boy in Edinburgh that we know through friends has the name so that puts me off it.

Sorry.

Madlentileater · 14/02/2008 09:57

when DS1 was born (he's now 19) this was on our list, we eventually decided against it, preferred something else BUT the mw (imagine a small bossy scottish woman) said, 'Och, I'm so glad you didna call him Robin, Robin's such a poofter's name'!!!!...was only later we thought of the snappy response, 'that's funny none of the poofters we know are called Robin.' Anyway I think it's a fine name!

lemonstartree · 14/02/2008 08:57

Lovely name - uncommon but everyone 'knows' it; easy to spell ! Would have used it for one of my boys but our surname has a lot of 'n's so it didn't sound right

TheFallenMadonna · 13/02/2008 21:43

Than a girl.

A boy then a girl would just be confusing...

TheFallenMadonna · 13/02/2008 21:43

I think it's a lovely name. Much prefer it for a boy then a girl.

Bink · 13/02/2008 21:40

My fantasy boy/girl twins (I'm too old to have any more now, so they won't happen & dh's inability to pronounce the girl's name it doesn't matter) are Robin and Catriona.

bluefox · 13/02/2008 21:34

One of dds friends is called Robin. It really suits him and is a lovely name.

moljam · 13/02/2008 21:24

robin is my ds2 middle name.ds1 chose his first name and as the middle name we had planned for him seemed 'too big' for him dd chose robin as middle name.i love it.

CantSleepWontSleep · 13/02/2008 21:21

Do you and dh agree on it? If so, given your previous attempts to agree on a name, and the fact that he will be here any day, then go for it!

I have actually suggested Robyn as a girl possibility to dh, but promise to remove it from my list forthwith if you select it!

No sign of labour yet I take it?

verylittlecarrot · 12/02/2008 14:20

ledodgy

I love robin
but I did used to go out with a 'banks'

AdamAnt · 12/02/2008 14:09

Robin is a lovely name. I know a gorgeous Robin...Mmmmmm

MyEye · 12/02/2008 14:06

in that case, if you only 'don't mind it', I'd choose something else

Original poster
MuffinMclay · 12/02/2008 14:03

I don't think it can be a middle name for us - all or nothing. SIL used it as a middle name for one of her dcs and this caused some upset to MIL. It reeked a bit of a token gesture rather than liking the name

I'm not naming the child for MIL's benefit (heaven forbid!) btw, but family feelings would have to be taken into account in the context of this name.

OP posts:
Ledodgy · 12/02/2008 13:49

I think it's nice as long as your surname isn't Banks.