Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Name Koa for a boy?

135 replies

Soph903 · 05/03/2024 09:47

Hi, we are due our baby boy soon and love the names Koa, Oakley or Arlo but so far Koa seems to be the favourite. We like more of the unusual/less common names what does anyone else think? Any name suggestions? Thankyou.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
FayCarew · 06/03/2024 13:59

@TheOriginalEmu , also cai isn’t pronounce ‘kigh’ it’s an ‘Ah’ U.K. the first part of the diphthong.
That makes no sense at all.
Cai rhymes with high and sigh.

Kai is a ‘regular name’ too.
I didn't say it wasn't. I said it was a bit 'rooney'.

Topseyt123 · 06/03/2024 13:41

Certainly not my cup of tea. Awful.

TheOriginalEmu · 06/03/2024 13:37

FayCarew · 06/03/2024 10:58

@louderthan , I wouldn't count on it.
@TheOriginalEmu , you are contradicting yourself.
@user1492757084 , oaken makes me think of lumpen.

In what way? I’m saying no one has been teased for having what people here consider a unique name, the only times I’ve heard it even mildly was for really classic names Nicholas and Sarah.

the mumsnet trope of ‘everyone will tease kids with a name I consider ‘yoonique’ and ‘having a name that’s not your heritage is wrong’ is not the case in the real world for most people.

TheOriginalEmu · 06/03/2024 13:35

FayCarew · 05/03/2024 15:17

@TheOriginalEmu , Do all the Sarah’s and Adam’s ans Eve’s and Noah’s have to be hebrew?
Those are names of Hebrew origin from the English version of the Bible so the comparison isn't the same.

You probably have a name that was fashionable in the UK when you were born. Michelle, Suzanne, Nicole or Danielle probably. Koa is significantly more unusual.

@FlatWhite2 , Cai (pron. Kigh) is a regular Welsh name. The Kai name looks a bit 'rooney'.

Edited

None of the above. My name is very French and unusual in my age group. I’ve never known another my age.

also cai isn’t pronounce ‘kigh’ it’s an ‘Ah’ U.K. the first part of the diphthong. Kai is a ‘regular name’ too.

booktokbear · 06/03/2024 11:11

I love Koa, go for it.

FayCarew · 06/03/2024 10:58

@louderthan , I wouldn't count on it.
@TheOriginalEmu , you are contradicting yourself.
@user1492757084 , oaken makes me think of lumpen.

TheOriginalEmu · 06/03/2024 10:36

SoOutingWhoCares · 05/03/2024 16:45

Teacher of over 20 years. Kids with unusual (read Yoonique) names are constantly teased and there's only so much we can do to stop it (ie we're not on school buses, in toilets, observing every single child on break and lunch).

Edited

I also have worked with school kids for 20 years and no one has ever done that here. The only kids I’ve known teased were called Nicholas (knicker less) and Sarah because Sarah was another kid’s grandmothers name and this kid decided to pick on kid Sarah by calling her a nana. 🤷🏼‍♀️

louderthan · 06/03/2024 08:59

Oakley is better.

louderthan · 06/03/2024 08:59

Terrible. If you want a really unique name go for Brian, Martin, Kevin or Peter. I guarantee there won't be another one of those in nursery...!

user1492757084 · 06/03/2024 08:41

In order of preference ..
Oaken - another less familiar, but old, name
Oakley - a recognised name and quite popular
Koa - fine if you love it
Arlo - too popular

Original poster
Soph903 · 06/03/2024 01:59

Thanks for everyone's replies, we don't specifically want a 'cute' name, I've obviously worded the post wrong, i would class more common names like Noah, Oliver etc as 'cute too'. I think everyone has their personal taste in names too. We would like more of a unique name than very popular names ideally but obviously not completely ruling them out. Koa is still our favourite we don't feel like it's much different to other K names like Kai and Kian.

OP posts:
aleahhh · 06/03/2024 01:31

Asa also has a similar vibe to me?

In comparison Arlo is so, so dull, and Oakley I agree with PP is chavvy.

aleahhh · 06/03/2024 01:30

I really like the name Koa. I know a little Koa from baby group and the parents are not Hawaiian, it didn't seem strange to me at all. It's also Kian Egan's son's name.

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 06/03/2024 00:56

Please do not give a child a ' cute ' name, a child is a person - one day that person will be an adult.
Kittens and puppies are ' cute '
People's names are not.

Arlo and Oakley are so so so used these days, certainly not ' unique '

RogueFemale · 06/03/2024 00:44

Really don't like the name Koa (or the other two). If you really must give your son a daft first name, then at least give him a normal middle name he can use as an adult. Fingers crossed for him...

AliceMcK · 06/03/2024 00:23

My DCs small primary schools has had 3 Oakley since my DCs have been going. Arlo is also popular too. I know a lot of Polynesians so Koa dosnt sound too bad to my ear but can see others being unsure.

I’ve just written in another post that there are so many names now and acceptance with them. If you like it go for it.

Babla · 06/03/2024 00:16

Sorry, can you explain why this is? Why would they be ridiculed if their surname is Lambert? I don't get it!

Koa La

crumblingschools · 06/03/2024 00:15

If you want a cute unique name change your own name, don’t saddle your child with it.

Babla · 06/03/2024 00:15

Sounds like a soft drink

Pinkiepromise789 · 06/03/2024 00:05

You're trying too hard to be unique..

Being honest here, I would immediately judge you.

You have zero connection to the name, or understanding of it.. same as Coda..??

How old are you? 10? As another poster said, get a hamster maybe?

mrstea301 · 05/03/2024 21:59

DrJoanAllenby · 05/03/2024 10:15

It's an awkward sounding name especially if you are just ordinary British films with no foreign heritage.

If your surname is Lambert then the child will be ridiculed.

What's wrong with Noah if you like the sound?

Sorry, can you explain why this is? Why would they be ridiculed if their surname is Lambert? I don't get it!

Spendonsend · 05/03/2024 21:39

I prefer Koa.
Oakley and Arlo are names I come acrooss quite often. Both nice enough though.
What about Cody

EddieVeddersfoxymop · 05/03/2024 21:33

Ummmm, sorry, its a no from me. I play a guitar that's made of Koa wood.........😬

Manintheorthopaedicshoes · 05/03/2024 21:31

Awful.

TM1979 · 05/03/2024 21:30

Is Koa an actual name? Or just a sound you like? I think you need to think long and hard about your child’s future with a ‘cute’ name. Get a hamster and call him Koa if you like but please give your child a proper name that won’t result in years of embarrassment.