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Original poster

Opinions on Calvin

60 replies

Sunshine202341 · 02/06/2023 22:44

I am currently 35 weeks pregnant with our baby boy. I have realised that picking boys names is much tricker than picking girls names. One name that we quite like is Calvin. What is your opinion on it?

Obviously name will be a surprise to friends and family so keen to get some other opinions.

We want something different but not super unusual.

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Lion1618 · 05/01/2026 22:18

I really dislike it, and the nickname Calv which is what my brother-in-law goes by. It's probably a fine name really but the association with him is too strong.

Fruityxx99 · 04/01/2026 03:59

I like it! Nickname Cal also sounds pretty cool!

Pettenell · 03/01/2026 06:27

I don't like it. It has heavy vibes, religious vibes, and even American vibes (as it seems more commonly used there.)

Bones75 · 03/01/2026 04:06

Calliopespa · 02/01/2026 22:47

Truthfully Calvinism is the first thing I think when I hear it, then maybe Calvin and Hobbes or, in fact, more likely Calvin Klein underwear.

I'm not a fan. but someone else was considering it recently so perhaps it is making a comeback and it clearly has its audience.

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Calliopespa · 02/01/2026 22:47

Sunshine202341 · 03/06/2023 16:25

Any religious link was lost on me as I know very little about Protestantism. I guess the question is whether ‘Calvinism’ is really something that the majority of people care about or even know about. Perhaps only a minority would even get this?

It seems like every boys name has some sort of issue which is why we have struggled to pick one!

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Truthfully Calvinism is the first thing I think when I hear it, then maybe Calvin and Hobbes or, in fact, more likely Calvin Klein underwear.

I'm not a fan. but someone else was considering it recently so perhaps it is making a comeback and it clearly has its audience.

armt · 02/01/2026 22:39

@Sunshine202341did you go with Calvin in the end? X

ofcourseitispet · 19/06/2023 20:01

I like it alot. Cal is also a cool shirt version

drpet49 · 19/06/2023 19:59

Don’t like it at all.

SarahSmith24 · 19/06/2023 19:53

Amazing name go for it

Original poster
Sunshine202341 · 14/06/2023 11:08

HeadlessGummyBears · 12/06/2023 16:44

As PP suggested, you could have Callum or, inspired by Titanic, maybe Caledon.

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Thanks for the suggestion. We want something a little different and Callum is a bit too popular for us. I know at least 3! In terms of the nerdy feedback I’m not sure what makes a name nerdy, but nothing wrong with being a nerd anyway! 🤷‍♀️🤣

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HeadlessGummyBears · 12/06/2023 16:44

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 06/06/2023 22:59

Calvin is not my cup of tea, sorry - it always reads either a bit nerdy or religious to me. A real shame because it's nickname Cal is the opposite - very cool indeed Grin I wish I could think of a nice full version for Cal!

As PP suggested, you could have Callum or, inspired by Titanic, maybe Caledon.

peaceinourtime · 10/06/2023 22:13

Calvin is a nice name. I know of one who would be in his late twenties now. Also Cal is fabulous nickname. Go for it.

WeeSquishy · 09/06/2023 09:51

It’s a lovely name, we’re seriously considering it aswel.
I wouldn’t listen to anyone making the religious connection. I think you’d have to be a full time biblical scholar for it to be anywhere on your radar

ladymalfoy45 · 09/06/2023 07:20

He needs a cuddly tiger toy.

Original poster
Sunshine202341 · 09/06/2023 07:17

SarahDee31 · 08/06/2023 20:39

Love Calvin! It was top of my list before we found out we were having a girl! I say go for it, there will always be someone who doesn't like the name you pick, no matter what it is. And it looks like most people here love it.

Yes we have definitely found that every single name in existence has a drawback or some kind of ‘problem’ if you look into it which is why it’s always tricky to pick one. We really like it and it’s very high in our list! We like that it’s a little different without being very unusual or hard to pronounce. Has a nice ring to it.

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Original poster
Sunshine202341 · 09/06/2023 07:13

TrashyPanda · 09/06/2023 06:54

Calvinism - dour Protestantism. drab and unpleasant.

enough people making the religious connotation on here to show that connection is a real thing!

After a lot of research I have now come to the conclusions that loads of names have either biblical or religious links and people still use them who aren’t religious in any way. I doubt people think Calvin Klein is a Protestant brand or that Calvin Harris is a Protestant DJ.

Appreciate the feedback anyway, always good to hear from a mix of opinions. I don’t think this factor will be a major consideration for us though.

OP posts:
TrashyPanda · 09/06/2023 06:54

Calvinism - dour Protestantism. drab and unpleasant.

enough people making the religious connotation on here to show that connection is a real thing!

Daffodilwoman · 09/06/2023 06:41

I don’t like it but it seems the majority of posters do. Reminds me of Harris or underpants.

salamithumbs · 08/06/2023 23:24

I like it! Thought it was such a cool name when I was small because of Calvin in S Club juniors 😂

SarahDee31 · 08/06/2023 20:39

Love Calvin! It was top of my list before we found out we were having a girl! I say go for it, there will always be someone who doesn't like the name you pick, no matter what it is. And it looks like most people here love it.

Sapphire387 · 08/06/2023 19:01

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 06/06/2023 22:59

Calvin is not my cup of tea, sorry - it always reads either a bit nerdy or religious to me. A real shame because it's nickname Cal is the opposite - very cool indeed Grin I wish I could think of a nice full version for Cal!

Callum?

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 06/06/2023 22:59

Calvin is not my cup of tea, sorry - it always reads either a bit nerdy or religious to me. A real shame because it's nickname Cal is the opposite - very cool indeed Grin I wish I could think of a nice full version for Cal!

Mamoun · 06/06/2023 20:18

I like Calvin

Another name I have been thinking about recently is Lewis.

CatLoaf · 06/06/2023 20:15

Interested in these opinions! It's an option I'm seriously mulling over as well - with just a couple of weeks to go... 😳

SoShallINever · 06/06/2023 20:14

Pants.

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