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Baby names

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

Austyn for a girl?

322 replies

Martha300 · 20/09/2023 01:06

Me and DH both love unisex names and Austyn happens to be our number one name for DD at the moment. Mother in law absolutely loathes the name and suggests we give her something more traditional and feminine for a girl like Catherine or Eliza etc. but we’re both set on Austyn. But to be fair we will give her a traditional middle name, so she’ll be something along the lines of Austyn Elizabeth or Austyn Marie to satisfy mothers in law’s wishes. We’ve decided on the spelling Austyn as opposed to Austin for a feminine touch. Other names we loved but decided against are Logan, Dylan, Robyn, and Riley.

Now, DH isn’t 100 percent sure if Austyn is the right name as Austyn was my idea first so we would like to hear your honest opinions on our chosen name.

OP posts:
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MrsTerryPratchett · 20/09/2023 01:11

No such thing as a unisex name except in very limited cases. Using boys' names for girls is just plain old sexism. Because being called a boys' name is a promotion for a girl and being called a girls' name is a demotion for a boy.

Adding y instead of i is just misspelling. It's not 'feminine'.

But if you like it, use it. None of MIL's business.

Barleysugar86 · 20/09/2023 01:15

If you are both happy with it go ahead. I feel like its a boys name when I hear it, and the spelling feels made up. But people get used to things and they very quickly become normal.

My daughter is Charlotte but just goes by Charlie and it doesn't seem to have hurt her to have a 'boys name'.

MrsTerryPratchett · 20/09/2023 01:16

My daughter is Charlotte but just goes by Charlie and it doesn't seem to have hurt her to have a 'boys name'.

She has two options (at least). Very different to just giving a boys' name.

melmonroe · 20/09/2023 01:16

Spelling it Austyn doesn't make it suitable for a girl, it just means it spelt incorrectly.

Austin is a spectacularly crap brand of cars or the state capital of Texas.

That said, I wouldn't take any notice of anyone else regarding names.

comfyshoes2022 · 20/09/2023 01:31

Highly personal, but I do not like the name, I’m afraid.

Imogensmumma · 20/09/2023 01:41

Eurgh tbh I agree with your mother in law and loathe it. Not only are you are giving her a unisex name - one that isn’t really unisex as most people associate it with a male- but giving it a different spelling so she will be an “individual “

Ashley/Ashleigh
Alex - then can have Alexandra on BC so she can choose when she’s older
Cameron
August

Are other alternatives

MissBattleaxe · 20/09/2023 01:49

I don't like it and the spelling is contrived and Younique. If you must then why not Austen as in Jane Austen?

SiobhanSharpe · 20/09/2023 01:49

You're giving a weirdly spelled surname/male name to a baby girl?
Like Austin Powers or Austin Healey, only worse because of the mis-spelling.
And horribly sexist too. Poor girl.

HazelDean · 20/09/2023 01:53

It is a no from me - it is just a bit too odd with the spelling. I like gender neutral names but not this one...

bleuclair · 20/09/2023 02:04

I don't like the name for a girl, but that spelling even less, which looks like you (or rather your parents) didn't know how to spell it.

Also Austin Powers. Though that might be the appeal for you, unless it's the old car.

DameWhiskers · 20/09/2023 02:05

I agree with @MrsTerryPratchett in that 'Austyn' is a misspelling rather than a feminine version of 'Austin' or 'Austen'.

A possible option could be 'Avery'?

TheM55 · 20/09/2023 02:06

Austin is an old family name for us, and I like it; going back 100 years, it was short for several generations of Augustine, which is a right mouthful. (all male). I don't see any issue with you customising it either, as long as you accept that a) on paper, they will probably think she is a boy, b) plenty will spell it Austin which will become irritating c) she might hate being called a boys name - and it is not an "unpopular" name for boys either these days, so it might be the equivalent of your calling your daughter "sean" (80s) or "shaun") I know two Austins, both boys, but Billies and Charlies have faced the same. Of your other 4 names, only Robyn is the one I have heard a girl called (as opposed to Robin), Logan, Dylan and Riley are definitely boys names in my view. I'd agree with a second name, and I'd agree with ignoring MIL if you are settled on it.

MariePaperRoses · 20/09/2023 02:10

Austin is lovely.

Austyn with a y isn't.

Spartak · 20/09/2023 02:28

You could always use Marina or Allegro as a middle name.

TheShellBeach · 20/09/2023 02:38

It's a mis-spelled surname, OP.
I am not keen on it.

ImustLearn2Cook · 20/09/2023 02:44

If you change your mind about Austyn a few more unisex names that I have known both girls and boys to have:

Morgan
Frankie
Remi
Jamie
Taylor
Jordon
Alex

ImustLearn2Cook · 20/09/2023 02:49

A few more just came to mind:

Terry
Drew
Charlie
Remy

nearlywinteragain · 20/09/2023 03:02

Don't give her a mangled spelling of a name.
It will be perfectly unique enough to have a surname/male name without it being misspelled as well.

Gingerkittykat · 20/09/2023 03:09

Austin, ok but please do not spell in Austyn.

Redwinestillfine · 20/09/2023 03:13

Sorry op, i'm with everyone else - don't do it!

WaltzingWaters · 20/09/2023 03:23

Going against the grain here but I actually quite like it! And I usually don’t like boys names for a girl.

sashh · 20/09/2023 03:26

Sorry but it makes me think it is an Australian tin company.

TealSapphire · 20/09/2023 03:37

I dislike unusual names and spelling but I actually really quite like Ausytn!

TealSapphire · 20/09/2023 03:38

And I think you should choose whatever middle name you want. Your MIL has had her chance to name her own children.

MerryChristmasToYou · 20/09/2023 06:20

Middle name suggestions:
Minnie
Princess
Allegra
Rover
Texas
Healey
Seven
Cambridge
Powers
Jane

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