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Baby names

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

Original poster

Campbell

83 replies

Ryanstartedthefire2 · 16/05/2023 11:57

Thinking of calling my son Campbell. Its a family name. It's quite serious and grown up so he will probably be called Cammy.

What does everyone think?

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Hugasauras · 18/05/2023 06:51

I'm in NE Scotland and know three Campbells. One shortens his name to Cammy, the other is Cam and the other is too pompous to have a nickname Grin Totally normal name here.

Piggywaspushed · 18/05/2023 06:47

SargentSagittarius · 18/05/2023 05:10

I mean, don’t most Scottish clans have a bloody history? God knows, mine does.

Ermmm... none more notorious than the Campbells.

SargentSagittarius · 18/05/2023 05:10

I mean, don’t most Scottish clans have a bloody history? God knows, mine does.

SargentSagittarius · 18/05/2023 05:07

I’m from the other side of the world - we do have quite strong Scottish links (you should hear my brother’s name!), and I knew lots of Campbells growing up.

I hadn’t heard it in years, although I now have a colleague with the name.

I really like it, and didn’t think of the soup.

Go for it - although I definitely prefer Cam as a nickname.

mathanxiety · 18/05/2023 04:58

The only Campbells I know are girls, but I'm in the US.

I think it works well as a boy's name, particularly in Scotland. I prefer the NN Cam to Cammy.

useitorlose · 17/05/2023 13:35

My sister's FIL was Campbell and it's BIL's middle name too. They're Cornish. He would be around 95 if still alive.

I had an Australian hairdresser for many years, also called Campbell. It's a name for all generations, to me.

Original poster
Ryanstartedthefire2 · 17/05/2023 09:33

user1492757084 · 17/05/2023 05:07

Campbell is a fine name.

I like Cam and even if a soup connection is made that is quite fine too.
Who doesn't love soup?

Thanks.

Yes! I like Soup so I don't actually see that as a negative.

Someone said it reminds them of meatballs. I get that connection too and I don't hate it.

I'm very hungry these days.

OP posts:
ApolloandDaphne · 17/05/2023 09:12

I like it. It is my DHs middle name. I also like Cameron and would have used it if we had had a boy. In Scotland it would not even register as unusual.

Modda · 17/05/2023 09:00

Shhhquirrel · 16/05/2023 21:40

Could you condense it?

😂😂😂

Fleur405 · 17/05/2023 08:24

I quite like it but I am Scottish. Hate Cammy though… maybe because I went to school with one I didn’t much care for!

Campbell much less common as a first name than Cameron but by no means unheard of and as previously noted it is very very common to use surnames as first in Scotland (Murray, Fraser, Gregor, Cameron, Bruce). I think if you have the family/Scottish connection then it’s nice and he can explain that if he does get asked.

I would never in a million years make any sort of personal association with the Glencoe massacre

GoneTillNovember · 17/05/2023 07:10

Crawford was also on my list and vetoed by DH.

DH wanted Cal nn from Calum. I really disliked Calum but loved Campbell so offered that, nn Cal. Cue 9 months of a standoff, then we had a girl 😂

CurlewKate · 17/05/2023 06:23

Don't like Cammy. Love Cam, though.

TallerThanAverage · 17/05/2023 06:09

In the south east of the UK and my best friend at school’s middle name is Campbell, she absolutely hates it so much that she refused to give it to her own children despite her mother’s wishes.

RedRobin100 · 17/05/2023 05:46

Campbell is fine. Very Scottish: No issues. (I’m not Scottish)

Cammy is not fine.

Much prefer Cam or Cal.

garlictwist · 17/05/2023 05:09

It's quite a middle aged man name to me. Cammy is very twee.

user1492757084 · 17/05/2023 05:07

Campbell is a fine name.

I like Cam and even if a soup connection is made that is quite fine too.
Who doesn't love soup?

wildinthecountry · 17/05/2023 01:18

SilentParrot · 17/05/2023 01:07

That makes you sound quite provincial tbh. It's a very old Scottish tradition to use family names as first names. Fraser, Donald, Finlay, Bruce etc. etc.

Show quote history

Oh I know all those names right enough but I've just always known Campbell as a surname . My first born son has good Scottish name in the middle .

SilentParrot · 17/05/2023 01:07

wildinthecountry · 16/05/2023 23:25

Do be honest it's a surname not a christian name .

That makes you sound quite provincial tbh. It's a very old Scottish tradition to use family names as first names. Fraser, Donald, Finlay, Bruce etc. etc.

wildinthecountry · 16/05/2023 23:25

Do be honest it's a surname not a christian name .

wildinthecountry · 16/05/2023 23:22

TomatoSandwiches · 16/05/2023 11:58

Souper 👌

😅

Radiodread · 16/05/2023 22:51

Cam is great, don't have strong preference for Campbell or Cameron. If he isn't living in Scotland he will have many instances of having to correct people who get his first and surname muddled up.

I don't like Cammy as a diminutive at all. I think it sounds twee, a la Chummy from Call the Midwife...

NooNooNotSoGreat · 16/05/2023 22:42

I think the folk saying soup must not be Scottish

I am most definitely Scottish.

redbigbananafeet · 16/05/2023 22:32

I think the folk saying soup must not be Scottish m. It took me to about the 4th jibe to work it out. Campbell is a great Scottish name and like most boys' a surname too. Cam and Cammy are usually Cameron but they work well for Campbell too

Piggywaspushed · 16/05/2023 22:25

Oh, Crawford, yes! That was the other one.

NooNooNotSoGreat · 16/05/2023 22:24

I'm Scottish and not a fan though I generally like surname type names but I find Campbell to have a very unattractive sound. It also reminds me of the soup, and meatballs and the Billy Connolly clip where he was making fun of posh Scots with names like Campbell and Crawford.

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