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Baby names

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

Original poster

Magnus

107 replies

HashB · 05/05/2024 09:33

What’s your impression of this name?
My husbands reaction was, ‘but we’re not Scottish’ which threw me as it’s always sounded rather Viking to me. This is mainly the reason I haven’t thought about it too hard - I love it but to me it’s always felt a bit out there, a bit of a crazy choice that will have people giving each other side eye behind our backs.
I’ve never met one or heard of one.
Thoughts?

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loverofalmonds · 05/05/2024 15:06

KeinLiebeslied54321 · 05/05/2024 10:03

You could say that about ANY given name though.

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indeed.

And i curious about this one

loverofalmonds · 05/05/2024 15:05

KeinLiebeslied54321 · 05/05/2024 10:16

What's your point?
@HashB did start a thread to ask for views. You seem intent on giving yours several times.

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huh?

it was an exchange between two posters that I commented on. ie it wasn’t me that originally made the private schooling comment! 😆

Nicebloomers · 05/05/2024 12:32

Magnus nn Gus is a great choice. Works through all ages and is recognisable without being common. Love it.

littleburn · 05/05/2024 12:16

I like it! Magne is also lovely.

Princessfluffy · 05/05/2024 11:28

It's a rubbish name for anyone who is not BIG

Mitsky · 05/05/2024 11:24

It’s on my boys name list (but I’m of scandi origins in England), I prefer the slightly softer Swedish way of saying it but that wouldn’t be replicated here. Also I love the nickname Gus.

pendlepeanut · 05/05/2024 11:15

Wow, the dislike on this thread is taking me by surprise, so I am commenting in favour of the name. I have a three year old Magnus. We live in England. My partner and I absolutely love his name. It's unique without being unusual, easy to spell, never gets misheard and any time we introduce our son to people they comment how great his name is (and I can tell this is a genuine reaction, rather than a subtle grimace and a polite response, if you know what I mean). Magnus suits our little boy perfectly in both his physical appearance and temperament and I couldn't be happier with his name. I say, do it!

zump · 05/05/2024 11:02

Love it. Gus for short.

Gleepbleepable · 05/05/2024 10:54

The more I think about it the more I like it.

Waitingfordoggo · 05/05/2024 10:43

KeinLiebeslied54321 · 05/05/2024 09:59

There's lots in Orkney, it's very popular. 😬

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Yes, so I gather! I think it’s a solid, strong name.

If I met a little Magnus now, I might assume the family had some connections to Scotland or Scandinavia but I don’t think it matters if they don’t. All names came from somewhere originally and many of the names that are popular now in the UK aren’t British or Anglo-Saxon.

Ioverslept · 05/05/2024 10:41

It sounds Latin to me, I know a Magnus, he'a a lovely guy.

Biomic · 05/05/2024 10:38

My Norwegian friend has a son called Magnus, I think it's lovely.

RuthW · 05/05/2024 10:28

Lovely

ItsYourColdDayInTheSun · 05/05/2024 10:26

@HashB We've had good reactions to it, but then I guess most people wouldn't be rude to our face about it if they didn't like it.
His brother has a very obscure AngloSaxon name, so Magnus is quite tame in comparison. I like that he is the only one at his nursery and doesn't have to be differentiated with a last name initial. I was the only one with my name growing up, but my husband was one of probably ten or so in his school year and he didn't want that for our kids.
Either way, choose a name you love, people will soon get used to it.

Original poster
HashB · 05/05/2024 10:18

JungDove · 05/05/2024 10:00

I like it, Manus is used in Ireland. Never came back strong like magnus.

An older man's name, but personally I could see it coming back.

Again, I didn’t really know of Manus’ use as a name until Motherland and for a full series I thought she had names her son ‘Manners’ 😂 rather ignorant of me…

OP posts:
useitorlose · 05/05/2024 10:17

I know one, he's Swedish and around 40. It's a Nordic name for sure, but can certainly be used in the UK if you like it.

KeinLiebeslied54321 · 05/05/2024 10:16

loverofalmonds · 05/05/2024 10:08

absolutely

but i am not going to start a thread on mumsnet asking for views on it!

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What's your point?
@HashB did start a thread to ask for views. You seem intent on giving yours several times.

Original poster
HashB · 05/05/2024 10:15

ItsYourColdDayInTheSun · 05/05/2024 10:01

I might be biased because I have a Magnus, but I love it. We're in England if that helps, and certainly not posh.
He mostly goes by Gus/Mags.
I don't think it's a very 'out there' name compared to a lot of the kids I've met recently.

Amazing! What sort of reactions do you get to it? (If any).

I’m comfortable with people just not liking a name. There’s no name loved by everyone and I don’t want a popular name anyway, but I do want one that’s recognisable as a name, that we like, and that won’t saddle the little one with a life time of weird reactions and teasing.

Like another poster said, it’s always had slight Viking, fantasy vibes to me too. If that’s not the general consensus (putting aside people’s general dislikes) then great.

OP posts:
AsYouMightBe · 05/05/2024 10:12

JungDove · 05/05/2024 10:00

I like it, Manus is used in Ireland. Never came back strong like magnus.

An older man's name, but personally I could see it coming back.

Ed Byrne has a son called Magnus, I just remembered.

loverofalmonds · 05/05/2024 10:08

KeinLiebeslied54321 · 05/05/2024 10:04

We all have likes and dislikes.
Maybe people think your name is ghastly to be lumbered with.

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absolutely

but i am not going to start a thread on mumsnet asking for views on it!

KeinLiebeslied54321 · 05/05/2024 10:04

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

We all have likes and dislikes.
Maybe people think your name is ghastly to be lumbered with.

ItsYourColdDayInTheSun · 05/05/2024 10:04

@loverofalmonds He's only 18 months, so you'll have to come back to me in a few years on that one.

KeinLiebeslied54321 · 05/05/2024 10:03

loverofalmonds · 05/05/2024 10:02

more importantly

does he love it?

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You could say that about ANY given name though.

KeinLiebeslied54321 · 05/05/2024 10:02

ItsYourColdDayInTheSun · 05/05/2024 10:01

I might be biased because I have a Magnus, but I love it. We're in England if that helps, and certainly not posh.
He mostly goes by Gus/Mags.
I don't think it's a very 'out there' name compared to a lot of the kids I've met recently.

No offence meant, but to me 'Gus' or ''Mags' sounds posher than 'Magnus'. I also think 'Thorf' sounds posher than 'Thorfinn'....maybe just me. 😬😬😬

loverofalmonds · 05/05/2024 10:02

ItsYourColdDayInTheSun · 05/05/2024 10:01

I might be biased because I have a Magnus, but I love it. We're in England if that helps, and certainly not posh.
He mostly goes by Gus/Mags.
I don't think it's a very 'out there' name compared to a lot of the kids I've met recently.

more importantly

does he love it?