Name Koa for a boy?

Sorry it's a bit too 'try hard' for me. My first thought was koala when I saw it. I'm not a fan of any K names but if you like it, go for it. Arlo is my favourite of your list.

I think Kian from westlife has a son called Koa and a member of no doubt definitely does! I think it's alright, better than Oakley!

Me too

I actually quite like Koa, but it does make me think of Koala.
Don’t go for Arlo if you want something unusual, that’s everywhere.
I don’t like Oakley and don’t think it’s that unusual either.

They are not names
Why do you want to use such ridiculous words for your child. Is it just to be different? I am genuinely interested as to why you would do this

My friend has two boys and a girl and the boys are Oakley and koah!! I think koa is a nicer spelling and prefer it to Oakley. Don't think it matters anywhere other than mumsnet that you're not Polynesian

After working in education for over 20 years kid’s definitely get picked on for their names. Best case they get a nickname that they don’t mind but worse case is that they get the piss taken for years. Don’t risk this being your child. If you want your child to be called Koala for years then go for it. He might like it, it might be endearing or it will be the bane of his life. I wouldn’t risk it.

Names do change or cycle over time. I didn't go to school with a single George, Arthur or Elsie, but the country is teeming with them now as people use their grandparents names. Æthelstan, Æflgifu etc were very popular in the middle ages, but would be considered out there now. All adds a bit of interest to history if nothing else.

It's the traditional wood that ukuleles are built from.

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).

I used to be a child and was teased about my name but not in front of the teachers.

@LizardOfOz I have also worked in schools and have definitely heard children being teased because of their name.

I'm a teacher and in 15 years I have NEVER heard of a child being teased for their name.
At the very very most they are given a nickname they don't like based on their name eg Alex but they prefer Alexander. Or a nickname their parents don't like eg they're John Paul, not JP but the child themselves doesn't care

And we talk to their classmates and that's the end of it.

@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'.

Oakley - awful and I hate this name. Doesn't sound like a name for a person.

Arlo - very common now and don't personally like it as seems more suited to a dog

Koa - not keen on it

I don't know what's happening these days. what's wrong with normal names like John or Paul or whatever is appropriate depending on cultural background

why do we feel the need to make a statement with our children's names? they are their own people. if adults like eccentric names so much they should change their own names

My first thought was Koala. When you give your child a name you have to picture them as a 50 year old using it. I prefer Arlo to Oakley any day. Oakley is namby pamby.

I know a Korean Koa and he's a surf dude so it's suits him. Oakley being sunglasses (and a dog's name) also screams that you want a cool, surfy, hang 10 son. If you live in Cornwall, maybe. If you live in Croydon, probably less so. I always worry about boys with 'cool' names who come out shy and nerdy. It's a lot to carry.

Sorry but it sounds like a cross between a snake and a fish

I've never heard of it and it sounds like another made up one to me (appreciate it's not if used elsewhere in the world)

Nope. I immediately thought of koala and that's what he'll get at school.

"unique" names are over rated, especially when they have potential for being turned into an unfortunate nickname

he will be called koala within five minutes of starting school

arlo also can be twisted quite badly

Oakley is ok...

I like Koa & hear of parents calling their children similar names like Crew, Cree, Kai etc all the time. I don’t think you need to be of a certain heritage to get away with it but maybe older people will think so.. I personally wouldn’t go with Arlo as it seems super common. Hudson is cute and has a similar vibe.. don’t want to put you off but the Rooney’s called their kids really similar names so take a look at those, think they’re Cass, Kai, Klay?

Koa is lovely @Soph903 if you like it. Use it!