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Baby names

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

Original poster

Would you consider these boys or girls names

118 replies

J3110 · 16/01/2024 20:52

We are currently set on the name Arlo for our baby boy due next month however I also love the names Sonny and Marley. Would you consider these boys names or girls names. I have personally only met one boy Sonny and no Marley's 🧐

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garlictwist · 19/01/2024 12:18

Arlo makes me think of milk

Marley makes me think of a ghost

Sonny makes me think of a baseball playing kid in 1950s America.

All male.

maybebaby2023 · 19/01/2024 12:10

I would say Sonny is a boy name (only met boy Sonny’s) but Marley is a girl name - I know several girl Marley’s.

PickledScrump · 19/01/2024 12:00

This is now been shared by the mumsnet Facebook page, fair few comments on it there too in case you hadn’t seen OP.

Goodenoughisgoodenough · 19/01/2024 11:08

All sound like boys name to me. I know a Sonny and a Marley, and a couple of Arlos. Don't really like any of them tbh... Arlo, most English people don't pronounce r's much, so it sounds like 'Ahlo;...Sonny sounds like nickname, Marley makes me think of the ghost from Scrooge (or Bob of course)....

Needmorelego · 19/01/2024 11:04

@J3110 I think Arlo goes lovely with your other names.
Forget about Marley and Sonny 🙂
(or save Marley for if you get a dog 😂)

EC22 · 19/01/2024 10:30

Marley could be either.
sonny and Arlo are boys names.

Original poster
J3110 · 19/01/2024 09:09

I’m not too fussed on popularity. I have an Ellis, Evie, Maddison and Nellie. They are all quite popular however not known any others in our small town

OP posts:
emziecy · 19/01/2024 08:39

J3110 · 16/01/2024 21:24

Arlo is definitely our favourite and atm is the name we are going for. Sonny I I like as a nickname so if we did chose that we would find a first name that could have Sonny as nickname for example Harrison, Hudson etc.

Marley I think sounds sweet but I'm unsure if it's a bit more feminine.

I'm unsure why I keep looking elsewhere for names because I do really love Arlo

Ive known a few Sonnys (not keen) and a Marley (its OK) all boys. Love Arlo.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 19/01/2024 07:47

All boys

Caston92 · 19/01/2024 07:31

I know you’ve not asked for an opinion on Arlo but bear in mind it’s in the top 20 baby names so will be lots in his class. I’m a Charlotte and hated being one of 3 or 4 in many of my classes.

Original poster
J3110 · 19/01/2024 07:21

J3110 · 19/01/2024 07:17

I didn't actually ask for any opinions on this thread for Arlo lol. I did say I was set on that name currently. It was Sonny and Marley I wanted opinions on haha. Sonny I did say in comments would be a nickname for a name like Hudson, Grayson, Harrison etc..

I dunno why Arlo gets so many negative comments personally. The only names I really have liked enough this whole pregnant is Arlo, Arley and Arlen, all very similar names.. I'm not fussed if it's a bloody dinosaur cos I have a Nellie who was once an elephant years ago. My child is born in 2024 not 94 so I don't care what the older generation think of the name cos personally I don't want to name my baby Doris which I'm sure everyone here would love 😂

Sorry was meant to type 83 which was the year Nellie the elephant most famous I believe

OP posts:
Original poster
J3110 · 19/01/2024 07:17

I didn't actually ask for any opinions on this thread for Arlo lol. I did say I was set on that name currently. It was Sonny and Marley I wanted opinions on haha. Sonny I did say in comments would be a nickname for a name like Hudson, Grayson, Harrison etc..

I dunno why Arlo gets so many negative comments personally. The only names I really have liked enough this whole pregnant is Arlo, Arley and Arlen, all very similar names.. I'm not fussed if it's a bloody dinosaur cos I have a Nellie who was once an elephant years ago. My child is born in 2024 not 94 so I don't care what the older generation think of the name cos personally I don't want to name my baby Doris which I'm sure everyone here would love 😂

OP posts:
Passingthethyme · 19/01/2024 06:50

Sunny is a girl, not Sonny. Arlo def a boy. Marley a girl or a dog

BreatheAndFocus · 19/01/2024 06:39

Both boys - or male dogs names. Sorry, but I don’t like either of them. Sonny sounds like a reprimand (What ya doing here, sonny boy?” and Marley sounds like a brand of dog food (Marley gravy chunks - full of meaty goodness).

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 19/01/2024 00:09

There's lots of human names used for animals. My daughter's name is used a lot for dogs and cows 😆 she gets a bit miffed about it, but not seriously.

Got to be Daisy, Clarabel or Buttercup Grin

EverleighMay · 18/01/2024 23:40

Unless you are you getting a litter of puppies they're all a no from me.

Mariposistaaa · 18/01/2024 23:39

Myglassishalffullish · 16/01/2024 21:29

I know a Sonny and a Marley.
One is a springer spaniel, the other a golden Labrador.
Stick with Arlo 👌🏻 good luck with your beautiful new baby 🩵

Yup. I consider all 3 of them dog names.
Male dogs though.

Woof!!!

MEK0506 · 18/01/2024 23:26

I have a little boy Marley, never been mistaken as a girl when I’ve told people his name. I love it and have had lots of compliments on his name although reading some of these comments is making me wonder if people are lying to me 😂😂😂

but all of the name suggestions are lovely - go with what you prefer the most!

RightOnTheEdge · 18/01/2024 23:17

Ive never met a human Arlo but the cat next door to me is called Arlo. He is a very gorgeous boy.
I think it's a lovely name and has happy connections for me.

There's lots of human names used for animals. My daughter's name is used a lot for dogs and cows 😆 she gets a bit miffed about it, but not seriously.

Imamumgetmeoutofhere · 18/01/2024 23:01

Sonny boy only. Marley unisex

Mitchlou84 · 18/01/2024 22:55

I like dogs too much to give them such a sickeningly twee name like Arlo, worst of a bad bunch.
Sonny is a cute nickname if given a proper name too
Probably prefer Marley for a girl but I too would be thinking dog/dickens

Moier · 18/01/2024 22:53

My friends Grandson is called Marley

Disasterclass · 18/01/2024 22:46

Arlo - definitely a boys name, very common where I live

Sonny - boy's nickname

Marley- a surname or dogs name

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 18/01/2024 22:09

Sonny - especially when spelled that way - is most definitely a boy's name/generic nickname for a boy. Naming a girl Sonny would be like naming a boy Missy.

I'm still not a fan of generic familiar addresses being used as actual names. Would you want to marry a man whose actual given name was 'Oi Mate' or 'Geezer'?!

Then again, I believe Lassie was actually played by a male dog, so who knows?!