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Baby names

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

Original poster

Too old man for a baby?!

62 replies

Midgely23 · 06/08/2023 14:14

My DP wants to call our DS Frank after his grandad. I have had some positive comments but mainly negative. Is it too harsh / old man for a baby?
I do not like Francis or Franklin so it would be just Frank or pick a different name but my DP has his heart set on Frank

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user1492757084 · 07/08/2023 10:51

To be frank - Frank is a nice name.

continentallentil · 07/08/2023 09:42

Orangepeg · 07/08/2023 09:38

Frank is 192, Frankie is 65th!

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It’s a bit like Isabel//Isobel/Isabelle/Isabella though - you have to take all the Francis/Franklin/Frankies and Franks together (because they are pretty much all going to end up being called Frank) to see how popular it really is.

mosiacmaker · 07/08/2023 09:41

I like Frank and you can always call him Frankie when he’s small?

continentallentil · 07/08/2023 09:40

It’s very popular right now.

Orangepeg · 07/08/2023 09:38

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 07/08/2023 08:13

You’ve misread the graph. It’s at #192, not #92!

Regardless, Frank is a great strong name (although I also prefer Francis). Frankie is a sweet pet form while he is little and will fit in nicely with all the Alfies and Freddies.

Show quote history

Frank is 192, Frankie is 65th!

Highlyflavouredgravy · 07/08/2023 08:26

It's bloody awful
Aa is reggie,alfie, albie etc
Just so ugly

Jayneisagirlsname · 07/08/2023 08:23

I love Frank, probably because I taught the most wonderful, sunshiney little one (who is now 8). I've had a lot of Frankies but he was the only Frank (so far!).

Daffodilwoman · 07/08/2023 08:21

If you don’t like it then don’t use it. It’s that simple.

Donotshushme · 07/08/2023 08:20

It's just such an ugly name. Frankie is ok as the ie ending saves it, but Frank... no. Middle name territory.

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 07/08/2023 08:13

nameXname · 06/08/2023 16:37

OP As others have said, it's popular at the moment. Well within the top 100 England and Wales names: https://names.darkgreener.com/#frank

Pefectly good name and certainly not too 'old man' (all babies, with luck, will end up as old people) but much prefer Francis.

You’ve misread the graph. It’s at #192, not #92!

Regardless, Frank is a great strong name (although I also prefer Francis). Frankie is a sweet pet form while he is little and will fit in nicely with all the Alfies and Freddies.

Barleysugar86 · 07/08/2023 01:20

I know a baby Frank- I think it's definitely come back to modern again! Go for it OP :)

Daisybuttercup12345 · 07/08/2023 01:04

Frank is fine 🙂

DisforDarkChocolate · 06/08/2023 19:20

I know of a fairly recent Frankie, I think I prefer Frank or Francis.

I've very much against family names though so it would be a hard no from me.

shoopshoopdedoo · 06/08/2023 19:18

I really love the name Frank!

Beenhereforever1978 · 06/08/2023 18:26

It's a lovely name, every old Frank was a baby once and yours will be an old man one day!

Derrymum123 · 06/08/2023 18:24

Prefer Francis to be honest. Frank seems a little 'aged' for a baby/toddler. OK when a teen/adult.

SiouxsieSiouxStiletto · 06/08/2023 18:21

I know a couple of baby Franks. If you like it go for it.

KirstenBlest · 06/08/2023 17:36

Just Frank is fine. Not too old man at all. Not hugely popular but they'll be registered as Frank, Frankie, Francis, Franklin etc

It's not a favourite of mine, but I like Francis as a middle name.

AllPlayedOut · 06/08/2023 16:56

Frank is such a harsh ugly name. I can't imagine inflicting it upon a lovely newborn. It'd be a middle name only.

Fivebeanchilli · 06/08/2023 16:54

Frank isn't that unusual.
I know 2 in their early 20s (one has a twin called Edgar, the other has a brother called Alfie).
I know lots between the ages of 11 and 4.

Random789 · 06/08/2023 16:52

I like Frank. Unusual without being too 'out there' or try-hard.
Also, sounds the same as an admirable human characteristic.

Only problem would be whether you personally like it, or would just be tolerating it for your DH's sake.

RosesAndHellebores · 06/08/2023 16:42

Hmm. My great grandfather and his son were Frank and Frankie respectively but both had Francis on their birth certificate. Frank is a short form/nn for me as Mike is for Michael, Tony is for Anthony and Nick is for Nicholas.

Mrsjayy · 06/08/2023 16:41

I think its up there with Reggie and Freddie, Frank(ie) is a great name.

SpringIntoChaos · 06/08/2023 16:39

I had a Frank in my class last year (Year 2) and there's another in our Reception this year. I think it's cute 🤷‍♀️

ScottishIceCream · 06/08/2023 16:38

Go for it. In five years you probably won't be able to move for baby Franks!

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