Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Orson

34 replies

garciacherry · 12/01/2025 09:00

What do you think of the name Orson?

I love the meaning of 'bear/ bear cub' and that it's not too popular in the UK... thoughts?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Moreteaandchocolate · 15/01/2025 06:38

TangerineClementine · 15/01/2025 02:05

I know an Orson. His nickname is Sonny.

Orson nn Sonny is nice

DramaAlpaca · 15/01/2025 02:07

Ooof. That is a seriously unattractive name.

TangerineClementine · 15/01/2025 02:05

I know an Orson. His nickname is Sonny.

HeySinnerman · 15/01/2025 01:40

Didn’t Rufus Hound have a brother called Orson? Neigh, I’m thinking of the local boozer.

Twixtmasjigsaw · 14/01/2025 17:05

@KIlliePieMyOhMy

Yep - I went immediately to Mork as well. Aaah good times... 😁

TheFormidableMrsC · 13/01/2025 17:36

Oh I loved Orson the band! Saw them live several times. I'm not sure for a child though.

MassiveSalad22 · 13/01/2025 17:34

It’s not for me. I know one who must be about 5. Orson. Hmm. It just makes me think of horrible Orson from Desperate Housewives and I don’t like the ‘Or’ sound - just makes me think awful, oral, awww (whiney), arson, arse.

GrimDamnFanjo · 13/01/2025 17:30

I really like it but check it works with your accent and cant be misheard as "our son"

AKettleOfDifferentFish · 13/01/2025 17:27

Orson Cart...

If that doesn't bother you though it's a nice name, and I like the "bear" meaning. It's the male equivalent of Ursula

HugoYorway · 13/01/2025 17:25

I thought Arson too, @JingsMahBucket ,and who are you to call other pp idiotic. OP asked for opinions.

Omgwhatthehell · 13/01/2025 17:14

This was on my list for DS, but DH wasn’t super keen.
I think it’s great. Not popular, but not obscure or too try hard in my opinion.

fairytailcat · 13/01/2025 17:10

I always think of the pig on Garfield and Friends

Holdonforsummer · 13/01/2025 17:09

I like it! You’ll never please everyone!

Geranyums · 13/01/2025 17:05

I like that it's well known and yet underused, but i don't think it actually sounds nice

Catandsquirrel · 13/01/2025 16:54

For me, it's in the useable but not very appealing category but that's just my taste. A bit vacuum cleaner brand-y.

Turophilic · 13/01/2025 16:48

Nanu nanu

WartOrNot · 13/01/2025 16:46

I know a 6yo Orson. I've not come across any others in RL.

Arson has never crossed my mind. Nannu-nannu, OTOH...

(Showing my age Grin If you don't get it, it doesn't matter. Anyway, it was nice.)

LetMeGoogleThat · 13/01/2025 16:40

Makes me think of The Middle, Orson was the name of the town.

JollyGreenSnake · 13/01/2025 16:24

Welles.

RainbowConnection1 · 12/01/2025 21:29

KIlliePieMyOhMy · 12/01/2025 09:04

Mork calling Orson.
Yes, I'm that old.

Me too! First thing that came to mind.

MadamePeriwinkle · 12/01/2025 19:23

KIlliePieMyOhMy · 12/01/2025 09:04

Mork calling Orson.
Yes, I'm that old.

Yep that's where my brain went too.

It's a nice name though.

Original poster
garciacherry · 12/01/2025 12:08

Thanks all so far, sounds like mixed opinions... I don't think 'arson' is really going to be a problem though. And I'm not too worried about 'awesome' (hopefully, he will be awesome, so can just roll with that 😅)

OP posts:
Bienemaias · 12/01/2025 09:54

I like it, but I find it quite difficult to say.

How about
Quentin
Otis
Tristan
Reuben

Moreteaandchocolate · 12/01/2025 09:50

MarchingInto2025 · 12/01/2025 09:24

My friend has an Orson. Never once been called or misheard as Arson. Several times friend had to correct people who thought he called awesome though 🤣 it mainly gets very positive responses and I only know the one so not very common.

Awesome was my first thought! There are worse words it could sound like! 😁 I quite like it - unusual but familiar.

MarchingInto2025 · 12/01/2025 09:24

My friend has an Orson. Never once been called or misheard as Arson. Several times friend had to correct people who thought he called awesome though 🤣 it mainly gets very positive responses and I only know the one so not very common.