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Baby names

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

Original poster

Hamish or Murray

65 replies

pjparty · 22/01/2025 10:50

Trying to decide on a name for our second son, who is due soon.

Our first is called Angus, and we are Scottish (if that wasn't obvious Grin)

DH and I love both and just can't make the final call.

I maybe have a VERY slight preference for Hamish but I worry that Angus and Hamish are a extremely stereotypical and predictable sibling set, DH isn't concerned about this and pointed out that they are individuals so we shouldn't be thinking so much about how they sounds as siblings.

Any views would be helpful!

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theduchessofspork · 26/01/2025 16:58

Hamish - great name and I like it with Angus

Murray falls into the surname Ryan, Jackson, Harris, Jenson school of naming for me, which I don’t like and although I know it’s more established in Scotland, tends to have a naughty boy vibe

LostittoBostik · 24/01/2025 19:49

I love the name Hamish. I wanted it if we had a boy but DH objected as we're not Scottish.

In the end we had girls. But love it. That would be my pick.

applemelons · 24/01/2025 19:46

I’m sorry but Hamish reminds me of a hamster.

Mirabai · 23/01/2025 22:56

Hamish all day. Never met one who wasn’t really goodlooking.

Needspaceforlego · 23/01/2025 11:38

If it's something like Murray Black, it doesn't matter but if it's Murray Brodie it could be either way round so I'd use Hamish.

CoffeeBeansGalore · 23/01/2025 10:59

Another lovely Scottish name is Finlay.

SnowFrogJelly · 23/01/2025 10:47

Hamish 🩵

NoGwenItsABoxingDayTrifle · 23/01/2025 10:42

Hamish is a such a lovely name!

Original poster
pjparty · 23/01/2025 10:24

Thanks everyone! Surname starts with a B.
I hadn't thought about both Angus and Moray (pronounced Murray) being local authority areas Confused

OP posts:
Needspaceforlego · 23/01/2025 00:25

Oh Op i couldn't split them i like them both.

My only comment about Murray is if you have a surname which can also be a first name like Murray Gregor it could be a bit confusing Gregor Murray which way is it, especially on forms that go by surname.

I've a friend who complained about his name being like that.
But I accidentally gave my DS one of those name. I'd never thought our surname could be a first name- until I was at a kids group

MajorCarolDanvers · 23/01/2025 00:22

I prefer Murray

MirandaBlu · 23/01/2025 00:17

Love Hamish!

In Scotland, I think these are an unremarkable pair. If you live elsewhere, or expect to, experiences may vary. Hamish seems more likely to be mispronounced (living in the USA and working in tech, my brother Hamish got a lot of calls for "hay-MEESH") than Angus or Murray, but that wouldn't make me not use it.

When someone said Murray is a place name, the only thing I could think of was Murrayfield Stadium. I think of it as a surname, although used as a first name for quite some time.

Kiwirose · 22/01/2025 21:34

Hamish

it is lovely

rainingsnoring · 22/01/2025 21:19

I love the name Hamish and tried and failed to persuade my Scottish friend to use it! I think it's a very cool name. I also like Struan which someone else mentioned above.

SometimesMaybe · 22/01/2025 20:36

I like all those names - though prefer Moray to Murray. Hamish is fabulous but think it's a bit twee alongside Angus. What about a Scottish name that's not quite so tartan and shortbread when put alongside Angus -
Craig
Innes
Alexander
Calum
Finlay
Lewis (though also a place name so maybe a bit much)

Purplecatshopaholic · 22/01/2025 20:25

Hamish is awful, such an ugly sounding name. I really like Murray. It’s a bit more unusual and less cliched too. Yes, I’m Scottish.

whatsinanameeh · 22/01/2025 20:17

Ken what? I've not met a Murray for years, any age, but knew a great one 30 years ago in school.

Get yourself a Murray, never heard of a bad one Grin

Perplexed20 · 22/01/2025 20:14

I love Hamish. I would have loved to call ds that but we're English (dh is technically 1/2 scottish) and it wouldn't work with our surname

Firsttimebabymummy · 22/01/2025 20:11

Doublethecuddles · 22/01/2025 13:03

Hamish, one of my favourite names

Agree

Springflowersmakeforbetterhours · 22/01/2025 19:30

I would like to add we had a Hamilton also who went by Hami.. He was cool and Hami wasn't to be nasty!! He was just Hami!!

CoubousAndTourmalet · 22/01/2025 18:50

Another Hamish the cat here...

Yvie2020 · 22/01/2025 18:23

You'll have had your tea Hamish?
My dcat is called Hamish and he's gorgeous...

Katela18 · 22/01/2025 18:21

I have a 2 year old Hamish!

I still adore the name and he suits it so much, love Hamish and Angus together too

spilltheteapot · 22/01/2025 18:20

Murray! I think it’s a fantastic name. Masculine, unusual (in England, I don’t know about Scotland) and just GREAT. I hope you choose it!