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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:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
duringthewarrodney · 20/09/2023 21:50

Assuming your surname isn't Healey/Allegro/Montego etc., then why not. Your baby, your choice - the heck with what MIL or anyone else thinks.

CountessWindyBottom · 20/09/2023 21:51

Oh @Martha300 . I'm sorry, but I'm a long time devotee of Hunsnet and Austyn is the type of name that would garner lots of traction. It's a brand of car and spelling a name to be 'different' is never a good idea. I'd rethink my options. Congratulations on your pregnancy.

mycoffeecup · 20/09/2023 21:52

Poor child, not only are you lumping her with a boy's name, she'll spend her life saying 'no, not with an I, with a Y, yes I know, very unusual....'

L0bstersLass · 20/09/2023 21:52

Give her a unisex name if you like, but the least you can do is spell it properly.

ZadocPDederick · 20/09/2023 21:54

Putting the y in doesn't give it a feminine touch. Think of names like Mostyn that are still masculine. If you must, go for Austen.

SingingKlingon · 20/09/2023 21:54

Who cares what anyone else thinks! Especially your mother-in-law! How dare she give an opinion.

She had her chances with their kids. I would not let her have any say in the middle name. Start as you mean to go on. Letting her have a say in the name is the road to madness!!

This is you and your husbands baby. . Fuck what the MIL wants.

COPPER3 · 20/09/2023 21:55

As soon as she is at school her name will be shortened to Oz or Ozzy. Always think of what your child's name will be on the playground. If you still like it, then go for it...

AlexaCanYouHearMe · 20/09/2023 21:55

It's a boys name.

CherryCokeFanatic · 20/09/2023 21:57

It’s giving porn star vibes to me. Many change vowels for a y.

littleripper · 20/09/2023 21:57

I know a 7yo Austin and his life is marred by Austin Powers jokes, even now. That theme tune is the bane of his life, that and "GROOOVVYYYY BAAAABY"

LoisLane23 · 20/09/2023 22:01

We have a boy Austin, it's a great name and we rarely meet others at
School etc, but it frequently gets spelled Austen as it is, no one has ever managed a 'y'. I agree although I obv love the name it feels very male however you spell
It. (And in reality no one ever mentions Austin Powers. His generation don't even know what it is!!) ultimately if you come in a site to ask you possibly have a little doubt?

Letsgetouttahere2023 · 20/09/2023 22:04

Don't do it. Its tacky and made up spellings age very badly.

WednesdayLounge · 20/09/2023 22:09

It's awful. I'm sorry you think it's not. Mil is right.

MasterBeth · 20/09/2023 22:12

Is your surname Allegro or Maestro?

lb1211 · 20/09/2023 22:13

Austen for a girl is so cool! Everyone will assume the mum and dad are bookworms though, maybe OP isn't going for that effect?

Either way your MIL is not the one that gets to decide the name!

StuckintheUSA · 20/09/2023 22:17

This is why you should never discuss names with family members or friends...

If you like Austyn, go for it. I'm sure she'll grow into her name. It means 'great'. So, hopefully she'll do great things in life.

And every name is 'made up'.

Viviennemary · 20/09/2023 22:20

It's a totally dire name for a girl. Quite ugly. And even worse with that outrageous spelling. Please don't.

Ilefttownonsaturday · 20/09/2023 22:20

How about Aster? It's a flower but not very feminine and similar to Austin?

https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/aster

Fallingthroughclouds · 20/09/2023 22:20

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

Surely Cameron is equally as masculine. Please don't name your daughter after a shit Tory prime minister.

Mirabai · 20/09/2023 22:21

Austen with an e for a girl is ok. It wouldn’t be my choice but I thoroughly approve of people named after famous writers.

Fallingthroughclouds · 20/09/2023 22:21

Names are really personal, go for what you like. For my two penny's worth I think Dylan is just gorgeous.

jays · 20/09/2023 22:21

I love it!

tolerable · 20/09/2023 22:21

Its your baby. you do what you want.
the end.

FunnysInLaJardin · 20/09/2023 22:22

if you like

stonedaisy · 20/09/2023 22:23

Love the name

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