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Baby names

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

Original poster

My DH keeps shooting down all my name suggestions, are they really that bad?

343 replies

Awhimsy · 12/03/2025 00:28

We may be expecting a child soon, so we have been stewing upon possible names. My recommendations have been Campbell if it's a girl (Not exactly as tribute to our insignificantly small Scottish heritage, more-so because I just really like the sound of it!) and Renn if it's a boy. Are these bad? I've thrown around the idea of Casimir, or Cassidy, but none of them seem to stick with him, is this a me issue?

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Anrom19 · 12/03/2025 01:25

My middle name is Campbell , not even ‘outing’ because I’m not sure that anyone other than my parents know . I hate it , although I get the reason behind it .

ParrotParty · 12/03/2025 01:24

Awful. Get him to suggest some, then if you don't like them try to find some names with common sounds or themes to both preferences.

Original poster
Awhimsy · 12/03/2025 01:23

PerfectPennyKilledMyHusband · 12/03/2025 01:19

Elspeth has the same number of vowels as Campbell...

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Perhaps that was incorrectly spoken, my apologies! A better criticism would have been that Elspeth is a bit harder to find NNs for, the P sound seems a bit harsh to me too, but that might just be the way I talk

OP posts:
Bowies · 12/03/2025 01:23

Suddenly wanting cream of tomato soup!!

pleasedonotfeedme · 12/03/2025 01:20

Please don’t call a poor child Campbell. You wouldn’t call the kid Baxter’s or Heinz! (Presumably 🤣)

Isobel, Elizabeth, Iona - all lovely. What about Ruari for a boy?

BettyBardMacDonald · 12/03/2025 01:19

WetBandits · 12/03/2025 00:31

Campbell? Are you expecting a child or a tin of soup?

Lol, exactly. Griiiiiiim.

PerfectPennyKilledMyHusband · 12/03/2025 01:19

Awhimsy · 12/03/2025 00:50

I'd consider Elizabeth Renn, but Elspeth does not have enough vowels. Renn being a tribute name does mean I can't exactly change it to the bird name, but I do admit in typeface Elizabeth Wren is a bit prettier.

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Elspeth has the same number of vowels as Campbell...

ReadingSoManyThreads · 12/03/2025 01:19

I like Renn for a boy - reminds me of this masterpiece:

f

Campbell for a girl's first name is dreadful. So many Scottish girl names you could pick from, so why choose a boy's name or a surname or street name?

Jaggy1 · 12/03/2025 01:18

Awhimsy · 12/03/2025 00:50

I'd consider Elizabeth Renn, but Elspeth does not have enough vowels. Renn being a tribute name does mean I can't exactly change it to the bird name, but I do admit in typeface Elizabeth Wren is a bit prettier.

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Elspeth has the same amount of vowels as Campbell.

ClairDeLaLune · 12/03/2025 01:18

Awhimsy · 12/03/2025 00:39

He really liked more "classical" names like Elizabeth or Claire, they were a wee bit too tame for my taste though, Campbell is a distant family member's last name, and I suggested that as a more "classic" alternative.

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Campbell is a surname. It would be beyond awful as a first name for a girl. Please don’t do that to your child.

Needspaceforlego · 12/03/2025 01:16

You definitely can't call a girl Campbell, any more than you'd give her any other male name like Nigel.
What about Isobell, or Carrie? Lots of Campbells end up as Cammy.

Bowies · 12/03/2025 01:16

I prefer DH’s names (sorry!)

The suggestions you gave are a bit odd, have you always liked them or could it be hormonal blip you (and more importantly they) will regret?

Campbell might ok as a boys name, Wren is ok, better than Renn anyway, but not overly keen.

I’m sure you’ll come to an agreement eventually. Sometimes good to wait til nearer the time.

PinkArt · 12/03/2025 01:14

The problem with a name like Campbell is less the name itself and more that you're bestowing the gift of hearing 'like the soup?' on that child for the rest of their life. Different is lovely but aim for 'oh what a gorgeous name' different rather than 'like the soup?' different.

Mumtobabyhavoc · 12/03/2025 01:07

DottieMoon · 12/03/2025 00:46

Awful!

And your suggestion is....?

Mumtobabyhavoc · 12/03/2025 01:05

LordBuckley · 12/03/2025 01:02

Forget Cassidy, unless you want kids at school to call her Butch.

How old are you? Who would even know that now?

Cassidy is lovely and so is Renn (boy or girl).

LordBuckley · 12/03/2025 01:02

Forget Cassidy, unless you want kids at school to call her Butch.

ArcticBlue · 12/03/2025 01:02

Campbell is a male first name in Scotland if that has any bearing on anything. Went to school with one, one of our workmen recently had it, have a friend who's brother is Campbell too so not uncommon, I'd say they are all around mid 40s, can't think of any young ones I know though I'm sure there are quite a few around.

Would also say I'd expect Renn to be a girl... Probably not helpful, sorry.

Original poster
Awhimsy · 12/03/2025 00:50

HallidayJones6779 · 12/03/2025 00:47

I like this.

not keen on Campbell. I think Wren could be nice for a boy or girl (prefer Wren to Renn)

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I'd consider Elizabeth Renn, but Elspeth does not have enough vowels. Renn being a tribute name does mean I can't exactly change it to the bird name, but I do admit in typeface Elizabeth Wren is a bit prettier.

OP posts:
merrymelodies · 12/03/2025 00:50

Maybe it's a hormonal thing? When I was expecting my DC, I came up with all sorts of unlikely names... Auberon was one.

HallidayJones6779 · 12/03/2025 00:47

Renamed · 12/03/2025 00:42

Elspeth Wren

sounds okay

I like this.

not keen on Campbell. I think Wren could be nice for a boy or girl (prefer Wren to Renn)

DottieMoon · 12/03/2025 00:46

Awful!

WellsAndThistles · 12/03/2025 00:46

Awhimsy · 12/03/2025 00:40

well to be fair me and my husband do come from different families 😂

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As someone from a small Scottish village we had one family a couple of streets over where that wasn't the case 😂.

WellsAndThistles · 12/03/2025 00:43

All of them are awful sorry! Don't name your daughter after condensed soup 😂!

So many lovely Scottish names to pick from...

Renamed · 12/03/2025 00:42

Elspeth Wren

sounds okay

TomatoSandwiches · 12/03/2025 00:42

DappledThings · 12/03/2025 00:41

There's nothing classic about giving a girl a surname as a firstname

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It's an American thing isn't it? Not a style I find endering at all.