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Baby names

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

Original poster

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.

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SabrinaThwaite · 20/09/2023 12:36

From your list I once knew a female Riley, but that was in the USA.

Sprite, Elf or Imp for a middle name?

crastinatelikeapro · 20/09/2023 12:40

I don't love it on a girl but think the spelling Austen would be nicer, the -yn looks like you're trying too hard.

I love Dylan from your options.

I knew a girl named Ashton.

Mrburnshound · 20/09/2023 12:43

Austen is actually really lovely. Austin if you must, Austyn is a no no - looks awful and sounds the same.

Riley and Taylor are cute. If you like male names as female then MacKenzie (assume you are american as you couldnt use that in scotland), Morgan, Aubrey, Rory (short for Aurora)

Sammykins1982 · 20/09/2023 12:45

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darkspotontimber · 20/09/2023 12:46

No.

And it looks misspelt. And this fashion for making a name ‘unique’ by mis-spelling it, is going to age really badly (ps, there is nothing ‘unique’ about flowing a trend).

Barleysugar86 · 20/09/2023 12:46

The Austen suggestion is genius... it reads feminine and gives the sound you want.

I think this makes a lovely name.

Olika · 20/09/2023 12:52

I don't like it and it feels misspelled

Lelophants · 20/09/2023 12:53

Surely Austen after Jane Austen? Great name. Not keen on Y.

MerryChristmasToYou · 20/09/2023 12:58

The Austen suggestion is genius... it reads feminine and gives the sound you want.
If Brontë can be a name, then why not Austen?
Or Trollope, Hardy or Dickens?

Deadringer · 20/09/2023 13:00

Oooooh behave.

Stripeypyjamas · 20/09/2023 13:02

I wanted Austen (big fan of Jane) but husband vetoed it. Stupid husband!

mrssunshinexxx · 20/09/2023 13:04

Really don't like it

Hazelnut9 · 20/09/2023 15:43

I don’t normally like masculine/surname type names for girls but I actually like Austyn, although as others have suggested, I prefer the spelling Austen.

MrsTerryPratchett · 20/09/2023 15:44

YukoandHiro · 20/09/2023 09:07

"No such thing as a unisex name except in very limited cases"

So there is such a thing, then.

Usually names that don't originate in the UK though. UK names float to girls from boys. Because once girls start being called something, they become 'girly' and therefore tainted.

It really is just bog standard sexism. IT'S SO CUTE when a girl is called James but calling a boy Sarah is CRUEL. Why is that if it's not sexism? It's not even hiding.

KayEmAy · 20/09/2023 16:58

I like the feminine touch of Austen (as in Jane Austen) more than the y

Also for what it's worth I know an equal amount of female/male Austins :)

ChildrenOfTheQuorn · 20/09/2023 17:08

MrsTerryPratchett · 20/09/2023 15:44

Usually names that don't originate in the UK though. UK names float to girls from boys. Because once girls start being called something, they become 'girly' and therefore tainted.

It really is just bog standard sexism. IT'S SO CUTE when a girl is called James but calling a boy Sarah is CRUEL. Why is that if it's not sexism? It's not even hiding.

Show quote history

Agreed.

Just awful. Awful. I hate boys names on girls, surnames as first names, and misspelt names. So you've hit the tacky trifecta imo.

moistclam · 20/09/2023 17:11

Awful.

CantGetABreak · 20/09/2023 17:22

I like Austen but not Austyn

Saxendi · 20/09/2023 17:23

You asked for honest opinions,
Austyn a really poor choice for your child's name.

THEDEACON · 20/09/2023 17:38

I hate the name but like your Mil It's no e of my business

SparklyShoesandTutus · 20/09/2023 17:42

She will forever have to say her name and then spell it for people. Correspondence will be repeatedly sent with incorrect spelling, even when she uses an email signature.
I say this as someone who's name whilst not uncommon is not spelt in the most common way and it has annoyed me for my entire life (since I could write/spell my name)

theduchessofspork · 20/09/2023 17:45

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?

This makes a bit more sense

Austin with a y is pretty awful all round, it’s a cheesy name anyways.

How about Arran which is genuinely unisex??

BettyBallerina · 20/09/2023 17:46

I just think you’re saddling her with a lifetime of spelling out and correcting her name. Austen as in Jane is nicer. At least then when she’s asked to spell it, she can say ‘as in Jane’ (although there are plenty of people who get that wrong and spell it Austin).

AnneValentine · 20/09/2023 17:48

Whatever name you choose please spell it in the obvious way. There is nothing fun about a name that’s made weird by the spelling and there’s nothing fun about spelling your name every single time you have to give it ever.

I work in a secondary, I cannot tell you how many kids with weird names change them / correct the spelling.

CurlewKate · 20/09/2023 17:48

It's not a unisex name.