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Baby names

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

Original poster

Barnaby, Otto or Gus

61 replies

kirkgate · 20/03/2024 17:17

What 'feel' do each of these names give you? These would be names on BC, no lengthened versions.

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Leah5678 · 30/03/2024 15:31

Otto is the only one I like.
Gus sounds like an old man's nickname. Barnaby just sounds kind of foolish in my opinion

Causewerethespecialtwo · 30/03/2024 15:28

Sorry I hate all of them 🙈

TheIcecreamManCometh · 30/03/2024 15:26

Barnaby - old-fashioned, bear
Otto - German ancestry
Gus - shortening of Fergus/the fault is in our stars/gusset

Not keen on any of them tbh
Prefer Barney/Oskar/Angus/Guy

WhatTheFuckIsThat · 30/03/2024 15:00

All of those names are horrible -

Otto = a Dachshund
Barnaby = posh
Gus = a nickname

Babyroobs · 30/03/2024 15:00

All a bit pretentious especially Barnaby unless shorted to Barnie which is not quite as bad.

Sundaysunshine21 · 30/03/2024 14:58

I like Barnaby, but it would likely become Barney. I don’t think of it as particularly posh like some are saying.

I keep hearing Otto everywhere but it wouldn’t be my choice. That’s entirely personal opinion though as it’s just not to my taste, nothing wrong with the name at all.

Gus isn’t one I’d have thought of, I quite like it though.

oneinamillieon · 21/03/2024 20:41

barnaby is awful imo, otto isn't as bad but i'm not keen on it
gus is okay but i think august, augustus, or angus would be better as a "real" name and gus as a nickname

Whatwouldnanado · 21/03/2024 19:27

Not keen on any of them. Fergus, Angus, Alex all smart and similar.

brieandbacon · 21/03/2024 19:23

My nephew is Otto. Not just a German name. We are Polish. It's a great name and really suits him.

salamithumbs · 21/03/2024 18:21

Berlinlover · 21/03/2024 14:54

None but I live in Ireland where nobody would dream of naming their child any of those names.

Unless you're Vogue Williams 😏 I'm in Ireland too but I actually like Gus!

WotNoUserName · 21/03/2024 16:08

I have a Barnaby (Barney) and we are very far from being posh. I'm not sure what try hard means either. I chose the name because I loved it, not because I was trying hard to be cool or posh or anything.

He's nearly an adult and it suits him just as much as when he was a cute baby and toddler. I know a few adult Barneys and I they're getting on fine in life. Also know a few toddlers, and some dogs and cats!

Obviously I'm biased and think it's the best name. Though I do love Gus, or Angus or Fergus.

RuthW · 21/03/2024 15:58

Barnaby - nice but can't get the song out of my head

Otto - nice if you don't mind popular

Gus - no, unless it's Angus.

supercalafragilisticexpealidocious · 21/03/2024 15:49

Well this thread has reminded me not to ask for baby name advice on MN that's for sure! I love all three and don't consider any of them posh or snivelling etc.

There's loads of Hugo, Rupert, Felix etc these days. They are all a lot posher to my ear (not that it's a bad thing!).

Berlinlover · 21/03/2024 14:54

None but I live in Ireland where nobody would dream of naming their child any of those names.

ElasticElsa · 21/03/2024 14:07

Gus, great name

BioHive · 21/03/2024 14:06

Otto - Malcom in the middle
Gus - better call saul, cold and Machiavellian character

Chaoseverywhere · 21/03/2024 14:00

Gus - indigestion pain
Barnaby- weak and dribbley
Otto - uses a blue biro

fuzzygrey · 21/03/2024 13:56

But don't like Angus

fuzzygrey · 21/03/2024 13:56

Love Gus

pambeesleyhalpert · 21/03/2024 13:55

I love all of tbese so much. Prob

Gus
Barnaby
Otto

But I love them all

PurpleChrayn · 21/03/2024 13:19

Barnaby - rheumy-eyed snotty posh boy.
Otto - same but less snotty.
Gus - pus.

pinkmushroom5 · 21/03/2024 11:46

I think they all sound posh and a bit cringey, but Otto is the least bad.

SorrowsPrayers · 21/03/2024 11:45

I've got a Barnaby ( Barney) and Angus (Gus).
Great names for little boys and grown men. They both love their names.
Otto is lovely as well.

AlwaysGinPlease · 21/03/2024 11:22

Oops Barnaby even

AlwaysGinPlease · 21/03/2024 11:21

Barbary. I really love the name!