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Baby names

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

Original poster

What do you think: Wesley or Julian?

86 replies

amitymama · 24/04/2008 17:33

These boy names are not extremely common but also not 'out there' where I'm from but I wondered what their popularity and associations are in the UK? There have been names I liked that my (English) DH informs me are too poncy or too common or too weird so I wanted to run these two past some other UK natives for perspective.

DH likes both names but thinks one might be considered odd and the other too popular. What do you think?

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Tatties · 28/04/2008 14:06

I love Julian

seeker · 28/04/2008 14:05

Lucius Malfoy.

theclangers · 27/04/2008 23:11

Wasn't Julian Sands an actor?

WinkyWinkola · 27/04/2008 23:09

Julian every time.

TakeMeHome · 27/04/2008 23:08

Julian = wasn't he the boring one from Famous Five?

Original poster
amitymama · 27/04/2008 21:35

I love the Princess Bride, that's why I like that name. I never realised it was WesTley, not Wesley. Not sure it makes that much of a difference, really.

OP posts:
janeite · 27/04/2008 20:18

The character in "The Princess Bride" is Westley, not Wesley. It is a fab film however and he is very dishy indeed!

I don't know who Wesley Snipes is, so hadn't made that connection.

Bectheneck · 27/04/2008 02:26

I think the Julian = camp thing might have started with the characters Julian and Sandy (played by Kenneth Williams and Hugh Paddick) from the 50s radio show, Round The Horne. They were two very camp men who spoke in 'polare' (gay slang). Here's a youtube clip about them

For what it's worth, at first glance I wouldn't have chosen either name but now I've read through the thread I think I prefer Julian (nice shortened to Jools/Jules or Jude) although Wesley is kind of cool too. They're the sort of names that grow on you I think.

Tortington · 27/04/2008 02:02

they sound v.limp wristed to me

Clary · 27/04/2008 01:30

which one is popular I wonder?

Wesley make sme think of Wesley Snipes, well worth avoiding any film with him in (easier now he's in jail)

Julian - well, I knew one at Uni he was very Posh. Maybe it's due for a renassance.

{oh yes Julian Clary! That's not me nor the reason for my name, honest}

barking · 26/04/2008 21:16

I urgently suggest you watch my very favourite film
The Princess Bride and you will see a Wesley there

wesley

pantiesandsussies · 26/04/2008 21:09

btw dd is 13. Wesley is a normal lad, but Westtley is like a wet weekend.

pantiesandsussies · 26/04/2008 21:08

dd went to primary school with a Wesley and a Westley. Everyone I know thought the Westley lad was called Wesley ... until the mam came up and informed us his name was WesT(ttt) ley

RustyBear · 26/04/2008 21:06

DS's second name is Julian - I agreed to it in a weak moment after he was born beause DH liked it & I'd chosen his first name - we both regretted it very soon after registering him, but didn't get round to changing it within the year. He has totally dropped it & uses his first & third names -it's only his passport & bank account that use it.

hatrick · 26/04/2008 21:02

This reply has been deleted

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chocolatemummy · 26/04/2008 20:56

I had the same prob, I was going to use Sebastian because I like Seb, luckily I had a girl lol

B1977 · 26/04/2008 20:55

Wesley makes me think of Buffy, actually, but now you mention Snipes - yuk!

B1977 · 26/04/2008 20:54

I like Julian, would shorten to Jules not Jools as Jamie Oliver's wife is called Jools and it now seems to be normal as an abbreviation for Julia, rather than Julian.

PuppyMonkey · 26/04/2008 20:54

EEk. Please don't call your baby Julian . It's not that it's poncey, tis just... naff. Like calling a baby Trevor or Craig.

And Wesley... Snipes. Enough said.

helenelisabeth · 26/04/2008 20:48

My best friend's DH is called Julian - he is the most stunning man I have ever met! (don't fancy him though!) So go for Julian! Also gorgeous boy called Julian in DD's class - not poncey at all!

seeker · 26/04/2008 12:56

I wish I had your clear, focussed rationality on the subject, amity - but I suspect you might be alone!

Original poster
amitymama · 26/04/2008 12:51

seeker, I don't plan to have a c-section but if I had to have one, I'd just hope the person was competent, no matter what their name. I just I just think we attach too much meaning to names and assign people personality traits they probably don't even have based on our preconceptions of what people with that name 'should' be like. Seems a bit silly to me, but I realise that this is the reality we live in. c'est la vie.

BTW, those who said Julian sounds camp...is that because of Julian Clary or something/someone else I'm not aware of?

Thanks!

OP posts:
EffiePerine · 26/04/2008 12:39

I like Wesley a LOT and Wes is a nice shortening.

Beauregard · 26/04/2008 12:38

Sorry i dont like either of them.For some reason they conjure up images of a snivelly geek.

seeker · 26/04/2008 12:27

amitymama -the same apply to girls. I think you ought to think about the adult you are naming as well as the baby. There is a very good news reporter whose first name is Kylie - and I have to remind myself to take what she says seriously every time. And would you REALLY want to have your c-section performed by Chardonnay or Fifi Trixiebelle?

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