Is 'Isambard' child cruelty?

SnuggleBuggleBoo · 2023-10-10T18:59:23+00:00

Ever come across one in real life?

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Diymesss · 18/10/2023 07:03

There’s one in my son’s nursery. His parents seem incredibly posh

Daisybuttercup12345 · 18/10/2023 00:10

It's awful! However Brunels father was called Marc?

PumpkinsAndCoconuts · 16/10/2023 15:59

Britinme · 10/10/2023 20:09

Sorry but I do think it's child cruelty. My DH has a very unusual first (and middle) name. I'm not going to post it because it's so unusual that you could Google it and out him. He constantly has to spell it and explain it, and that gets old and tedious very very quickly. The shortened version is also unusual enough that it is constantly misheard by people who have never heard this name before, to the extent that in a coffee shop he just leaves the misheard version alone. It is a long-running name in his mother's family, which is why he got it in the first place.

I think Isambard is simply going to get called Izzy at school anyway, and probably at home by everybody except his mother after a while, so think if that's a name you like.

Being very identifiable / easily to google comes with its own set of issues IME.

I am also very easy to google and it isn´t always ideal tbh....

But Isambart isn´t that rare. As long as OP´s surname isn´t particularly unusual it probably won´t be that much of an issue.

RogueFemale · 16/10/2023 01:39

Ruthietuthie · 12/10/2023 12:32

There are two in our small neighborhood. I quite like it. And, because of the Kingdom Brunel connection at least it is recognizably a name for most people who hear it.

I had forgotten IKB's middle name. Kingdom is rather a good name.

BlowDryRat · 12/10/2023 12:58

No, what a great name!

Reugny · 12/10/2023 12:57

itsmyp4rty · 12/10/2023 11:40

Could you imagine being down the park and calling out 'Isambard, Isambard, time to go home now Isambard?'

To be fair when I'm in the park and people shout names I'm not sure if they are calling to a child or a dog.

Reugny · 12/10/2023 12:56

AirFryerFrequentFlyer · 12/10/2023 04:22

I just think what if he's utterly shite at maths/science but is forever associated with one of the greatest engineers? That would be tough for a kid to cope with at school getting teased for that.

Due to the name he will ensure he isn't. 😂

Ruthietuthie · 12/10/2023 12:32

There are two in our small neighborhood. I quite like it. And, because of the Kingdom Brunel connection at least it is recognizably a name for most people who hear it.

AgenceGrateau · 12/10/2023 12:24

I had this on my list. Perhaps fortunate I had a DD...I'd totally use it, nn Sam, could be perfectly ordinary if you wanted it to be. I love it though!

Latenightreader · 12/10/2023 12:04

gotomomo · 11/10/2023 07:29

@GirlFromTheBackstreetsOfNever

Interesting you also have met a Chardonnay - I knew sisters called Chardonnay and Merlot - mum proudly told the other mums she wanted something classy (was was very young, too young to purchase said wives when they were born) it took a lot of willpower not to laugh.

I personally would not saddle a child with isambard but mine do have traditional bible names

I ran a course attended by a small girl named Rioja. I was desperate to ask whether her sister was Chardonnay.

TheaBrandt · 12/10/2023 11:56

No one would bat an eyelid in Hampstead to be fair

itsmyp4rty · 12/10/2023 11:40

Could you imagine being down the park and calling out 'Isambard, Isambard, time to go home now Isambard?'

zozueme · 12/10/2023 11:35

RedToothBrush · 11/10/2023 12:44

Wayne and Kevin have NEVER been fashionable. People might like them, but they've never been fashionable.

Honestly if you were growing up in the 70s and 80s did you ever think that Wayne or Kevin was a good name? They were shit names even then.

Show quote history

Kevin was in the top 20 in the 50s and 60s. So presumably it was considered fashionable then even if it isn't anymore? Wayne was top 40 and Peter used to be top 5. Fashions change 🤷‍♀️

AirFryerFrequentFlyer · 12/10/2023 04:22

I just think what if he's utterly shite at maths/science but is forever associated with one of the greatest engineers? That would be tough for a kid to cope with at school getting teased for that.

AirFryerFrequentFlyer · 12/10/2023 04:17

gotomomo · 11/10/2023 07:29

@GirlFromTheBackstreetsOfNever

Interesting you also have met a Chardonnay - I knew sisters called Chardonnay and Merlot - mum proudly told the other mums she wanted something classy (was was very young, too young to purchase said wives when they were born) it took a lot of willpower not to laugh.

I personally would not saddle a child with isambard but mine do have traditional bible names

Sincerely hoping this is wines not wives

Mojodojocasahaus · 12/10/2023 04:07

It’s long isn’t it. Be prepared for shortening.

Is, Sammy, Bardy, Bruno (as in Brunel) sound much better being yelled by the football coach across the pitch when he’s 10.

What about Monty, Archie, Wilf?

marmite2023 · 12/10/2023 03:59

Check out the band The Men Who Will Not be Blamed for Nothing. They have a great and catchy song about Isambard Kingdom Brunel (he built a bridge and he built it well)

bleuclair · 12/10/2023 02:09

OP didn't return to the thread after their first post.

RogueFemale · 12/10/2023 02:08

EmmaPaella · 11/10/2023 13:06

This is an interesting article - had no idea there were French Kevins! The is/was class prejudice about the name in the UK too.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/05/kevin-french-name-national-mockery

Fascinating!

RogueFemale · 12/10/2023 02:04

susey · 11/10/2023 18:17

We were not brave enough to go with it as a first name so our son has Isambard as his only middle name!

I love it. But I think it would take a strong personality to pull it off as it's so unusual and you can't guarantee when naming a baby.

I now wish we had gone with it really....I think even Sam would be fine as a nickname!

I believe that a strong name helps to form a strong character.

susey · 11/10/2023 18:17

We were not brave enough to go with it as a first name so our son has Isambard as his only middle name!

I love it. But I think it would take a strong personality to pull it off as it's so unusual and you can't guarantee when naming a baby.

I now wish we had gone with it really....I think even Sam would be fine as a nickname!

flustereddriver75 · 11/10/2023 18:07

He could change it to Sammy if he wanted something ordinary.
Go for it if you love it.

WotNoUserName · 11/10/2023 13:18

When I was talking names of my future grandchild with my children when they were younger Isambard was on the list. I approved, I like unusual names, and IKB was a great man. Another was Balthazar, which I also love.

And another was Roger. The child that wanted to name his child that has been disowned and banished from my house. 😜

bleuclair · 11/10/2023 13:18

Though I don't think OP ever returned after their initial post. I asked a question very early on...

bleuclair · 11/10/2023 13:18

LolaSmiles · 11/10/2023 08:20

It wouldn't be my choice, but it's got nick name potential.

I wouldn't say it's child cruelty, but I think with more unusual names it's worth considering what's typical around you. If your social circle has lots of Atticus, Montgomery, Bartholomew, Persephone style names then it's unlikely to stand out much. If your social circle is all top 10s Oliver's, Amelia, Isla, Noah then it might.

I agrée with this. Only you know how it will stand in your social setting, OP.

It's very little used in the UK, with very few babies registered with the name Isambard.