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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.

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TheOriginalEmu · 05/03/2024 13:22

CurlewKate · 05/03/2024 11:13

Please don't have "cute" in your mindset-you're named bf an adult. And don't give him a name that will force him to say "No, no Polynesian connection at all-my mum just thought it was cute" for the rest of his life.

Why can’t you have a name from outside or your culture? Do all the Sarah’s and Adam’s ans Eve’s and Noah’s have to be hebrew?
I have a French name, I’m not French nor do I have any French heritage. On the few occasions I’ve been asked I just say ‘no, no French heritage’ and that’s that. It’s a total non-issue.

Geebray · 05/03/2024 13:04

Gibs0nGirl · 05/03/2024 10:45

To me it reads like one of the 'K' names - Kai, Kaylen, Kayden, etc. Could be one of the Rooney's kids names.

Yup.

FayCarew · 05/03/2024 12:59

@SoOutingWhoCares , that's a separate issue, but a valid one.

TenThousandSpoons · 05/03/2024 12:53

Arlo is lovely. Not “unique” but definitely the best pick of your options.

Another one who knows “CODA” as child of deaf adults.

SoOutingWhoCares · 05/03/2024 12:43

FayCarew · 05/03/2024 12:38

@Pocketfullofdogtreats , no one bats an eyelid at e.g. Phoebe and Chloe (Greek), Sarah (Hebrew), Richard (German) etc etc,...

But some of those names have been in use for centuries.
Phoebe and Chloe were fairly unusual until the 1980s, but they've been used a lot since.

And there's no recent history of cultural oppression/appropriation with those names either.

Reminds me of the viral youtube video of the middle class white couple wanting to call their boy Demarcus and the black midwife trying to explain why it's inappropriate!

FayCarew · 05/03/2024 12:38

@Pocketfullofdogtreats , no one bats an eyelid at e.g. Phoebe and Chloe (Greek), Sarah (Hebrew), Richard (German) etc etc,...

But some of those names have been in use for centuries.
Phoebe and Chloe were fairly unusual until the 1980s, but they've been used a lot since.

LizardOfOz · 05/03/2024 12:35

Kodiak?

Pinkdelight3 · 05/03/2024 12:31

And in case that sounds harsh, it's because I've got what was a very rare name (although still an actual name) when I was growing up and it was a massive pain in the arse. It's become a bit more common now, though mostly in other ethnicities, but it took me at least four decades to adjust to not disliking it. So have a really good think about his day to day life before saddling your DS with anything too unique.

Pinkdelight3 · 05/03/2024 12:27

I agree with others that unique and cute aren't the best drivers for a good name. Squidge would pass that test but it's a terrible name. And as you say, Koa isn't even cute. It's just a random sound that likely won't suit him later on. Oakley is a surname or sunglasses. Arlo I don't mind. At least it's an actual name. I'd stop fixating on the uniqueness and adding h's (which just shows how he's going to be spending his life telling people how his name's spelt) and factor in a bit more common sense. Your DC will be cute and unique without a tricky name.

Moreteaandchocolate · 05/03/2024 12:21

Koa isn’t to my usual taste but I don’t dislike it.

Other ideas -

Koby
Colby
Cody
Brody
Bohden
Cyrus
Silas
Kai
Cian
Bohdi
Caden

PSEnny · 05/03/2024 12:01

Koa definitely sounds too much like Koala. With no Hawaiian heritage it’s just odd to consider.
Oakley is chavvy and Arlo is everywhere.
I honestly do not understand this obsession of looking for ‘unique’ names.
Call your child whatever you like but know that when people hear their name they’ll inwardly be rolling their eyes as you’re ‘that’ type of parent.

FayCarew · 05/03/2024 12:00

Coda seems like a name for a last child. It's the closing part of a piece of music.
Dreadful as a name.

DontGiveADuck · 05/03/2024 11:52

CODA to me is child of deaf adults, as a pp said. Not a name.

It’s also a film.

11NigelTufnel · 05/03/2024 11:42

I like Oakley. I have heard of a couple, but not loads. It was on our long list for ds2, but didn't make the final name. There are lots of ee ending boys names now, like Charlie, Alby, Alfie etc.

Scirocco · 05/03/2024 11:37

Koa - I'd assume a connection with Hawaii. If he's even slightly chubby or hairy, the koala-based teasing will come out in force.

Oakley - sunglasses.

Arlo - everywhere.

Original poster
Soph903 · 05/03/2024 11:24

We liked the name Koa from early on in the pregnancy and not because we thought it sounded cute, I wouldn't necessarily say it's a very cute sounding name anyway. I think Koa could be seen similar to other 'K' names.

OP posts:
viques · 05/03/2024 11:21

Soph903 · 05/03/2024 10:56

Thanks everyone, making me feel better about potentially using it, can be spelt Koa or Koah?! Any middle name suggestions? Coda is lovely too.

Koah Kola? How cute would that be, especially if you make sure every outfit he owns has likkle furry ears.

Rosiiee · 05/03/2024 11:16

@Himawarigirl I know 2 toddlers named Coda yes! And funnily enough, both are the last child of their family! Not sure if the parents were aware of the musical meaning of the name.

CurlewKate · 05/03/2024 11:13

Please don't have "cute" in your mindset-you're named bf an adult. And don't give him a name that will force him to say "No, no Polynesian connection at all-my mum just thought it was cute" for the rest of his life.

Georgie743 · 05/03/2024 11:09

CODA is a globally fairly well-used acronym for Child of Deaf Adults.

Himawarigirl · 05/03/2024 11:04

Is Coda a name? It’s the additional end part of a piece of music and, as far as I can tell from Google, if it’s used as a name that’s also what the name is seen as meaning. Maybe a good choice for a last child? I agree with others about lack of connection to the heritage meaning Koa is not an ideal choice.

MiltonNorthern · 05/03/2024 11:02

Soph903 · 05/03/2024 10:56

Thanks everyone, making me feel better about potentially using it, can be spelt Koa or Koah?! Any middle name suggestions? Coda is lovely too.

If you add an H it's no longer the word/name Koa, it's just some random letters. Is that what you want? Also, Coda? Not a name, a fairly random word.

Rosiiee · 05/03/2024 11:00

If you and DH prefer Koa (with that spelling) then go for it! I’m sure bub will look like a Koa 😊 sometimes you just know. My older DS was a Liam from 8 weeks of pregnancy and I never changed my mind.

Original poster
Soph903 · 05/03/2024 10:56

Thanks everyone, making me feel better about potentially using it, can be spelt Koa or Koah?! Any middle name suggestions? Coda is lovely too.

OP posts:
CaribbeanCupcake · 05/03/2024 10:48

I actually like it! Tho I don't think it matters what anyone else thinks, it's your baby so go for it if you love it! X