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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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Mumtobabyhavoc · 12/03/2025 15:50

AuntAgathaGregson · 12/03/2025 09:31

Oh, come on, it's a really well known classic film.

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I don't know anyone who has ever mentioned the film,
or, the actors. But, if you say so.... 🙄

Purplecatshopaholic · 12/03/2025 15:46

Being Scottish, I know a few Campbells but it’s defo a boys name. I know a couple of girls called Wren which is quite nice. Quite like Cassidy - Cass - for a girl too.

TheOverstuffedWalrus · 12/03/2025 15:42

You say you may be expecting a child soon. Are you or not?!

I'm not keen on those names, but it's not my child, imaginary or not.

Needspaceforlego · 12/03/2025 15:38

sunnyday2025 · 12/03/2025 14:39

Campbell isn't a first name and even if it was it's sounds very masculine.

Campbell is one of those names that can definitely be first or surname. A same as Mitchell, Grant or Blair.

A fair number of Scottish names can be used as first or surnames. Often dropping the Mc / Mac too like MacGregor becoming Gregor.

sunnyday2025 · 12/03/2025 14:39

Campbell isn't a first name and even if it was it's sounds very masculine.

Louielooiloveyou · 12/03/2025 14:28

Yes it’s a me issue

Needspaceforlego · 12/03/2025 13:52

MissDoubleU · 12/03/2025 13:42

The perfect song for anyone who’s had their hat fly off in the wind.

oh bring back my bonnet to meeee! 🤣

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Yup thats it, many a Friday afternoon song time at school 🏫

MissDoubleU · 12/03/2025 13:42

Needspaceforlego · 12/03/2025 13:32

Honestly I thought it was about a bonnet hat 👒 I always pictured it floating about in the ocean 🤣🤣

I can't ever tell anybody that, I'll never live it down 😂😂😂

The perfect song for anyone who’s had their hat fly off in the wind.

oh bring back my bonnet to meeee! 🤣

Needspaceforlego · 12/03/2025 13:32

Honestly I thought it was about a bonnet hat 👒 I always pictured it floating about in the ocean 🤣🤣

I can't ever tell anybody that, I'll never live it down 😂😂😂

JustGotToKeepOnKeepingOn · 12/03/2025 13:13

I'm not keen on your choices mostly because I'd see Campbell as a boys name and Renn as a girl.

Why not look back through your family tree and see what names there are? Calling your child after motorsport is a very strange thing to do. If you want a link, a link to a person is much kinder.

I find it strange on MN that everyone looks for the most 'out there' name they can find, often forgetting that a baby is a person and will have to live with the name you choose.

thornbury · 12/03/2025 13:11

I can't get my ahead around 'we may be expecting a child soon'. Will you find it on your doorstep or under a bush? Or are you trying for a baby? Because if you're not even pregnant yet, you have LOADS of time to argue about names and hopefully, eventually, settle on one you're both happy with. Finding out the gender halfway through kind of narrows the discussion too.

Onetotwo · 12/03/2025 13:10

HugoYorway · 12/03/2025 11:33

I have a Sloane and always get comments on how nice it is. You're exaggerating. I don't think it's nice.

Bambi is awful.

Okay 😂 people have different tastes, fine not like it but why would I bother exaggerating about it, it’s not that deep!

MissDoubleU · 12/03/2025 13:09

pleasedonotfeedme · 12/03/2025 13:07

Yes, a much older Scots folk song which may well originate in the history of Bonnie Prince Charlie.

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That’s what I figured! Similar to the Skye boat song

pleasedonotfeedme · 12/03/2025 13:07

MissDoubleU · 12/03/2025 12:59

I think it was an older folk song, but popularised by the Beatles. It goes roughly

“My Bonnie lies over the ocean / my Bonnie lies over the sea / Bring back, bring back / bring back my Bonnie to me”

just that on repeat

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Yes, a much older Scots folk song which may well originate in the history of Bonnie Prince Charlie.

MissDoubleU · 12/03/2025 12:59

Needspaceforlego · 12/03/2025 12:31

I thought that was
My Bonnet .....as in Easter Bonnet?
Maybe Bonnie makes more sense 🤔

Edit - Just googled your right, and apparently it's a Beatles number.

Edited
Show quote history

I think it was an older folk song, but popularised by the Beatles. It goes roughly

“My Bonnie lies over the ocean / my Bonnie lies over the sea / Bring back, bring back / bring back my Bonnie to me”

just that on repeat

eqpi4t2hbsnktd · 12/03/2025 12:44

Is Aspen pronounced Ass-Pen?

eqpi4t2hbsnktd · 12/03/2025 12:42

Campbell - soup
Renn - Ren and Stimpy
Casimir - like cashmere but spelt from
Cassidy - Natalie?

These are horrible names.

Needspaceforlego · 12/03/2025 12:31

BunnyLake · 12/03/2025 12:17

I got put off the name Bonnie year’s ago after hearing (maybe not exact words, it was a lot of year’s ago when I was at school).

My Bonnie lies over the Ocean
My Bonnie lies over the sea
My Bonnie lies over my daddy
And now they have little me.

Edited
Show quote history

I thought that was
My Bonnet .....as in Easter Bonnet?
Maybe Bonnie makes more sense 🤔

Edit - Just googled your right, and apparently it's a Beatles number.

Noonecaresifyounamechange · 12/03/2025 12:18

Campbell is a boys name, and a cracking one, it would be like calling a boy Isla.

Elspeth nn; El, Elsie, Ellie,

BunnyLake · 12/03/2025 12:17

MissDoubleU · 12/03/2025 10:10

No, you’re 100% right! I was actually seriously considering having another child and was holding Bonnie so tightly in my heart to use - then my MIL got a new dog and named her Bonnie! 😂 Ended up deciding against trying for a third. I’d have used Bonnibel officially. But you’re right, it’s another not popular name (except for pets) but I got the impression OP was looking for the less popular ones when I made that quick list this morning!

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I got put off the name Bonnie year’s ago after hearing (maybe not exact words, it was a lot of year’s ago when I was at school).

My Bonnie lies over the Ocean
My Bonnie lies over the sea
My Bonnie lies over my daddy
And now they have little me.

BunnyLake · 12/03/2025 12:05

NattyTurtle59 · 12/03/2025 03:28

They are fine OP, but this is MN where only boringly ordinary names are okay. A UK trait I expect, other countries are more accepting of 'different' names.

I know of a few boys named Campbell, but there is no reason at all why it can't be used for a girl. My own name is usually a male name, and I know of girls named McKenzie and Kenzie. I prefer Wren to Renn, but the latter is still okay.

Edited

Speaking as a girl I would seriously hate being called Campbell. It’s horrible for a girl (I don't like it as a first name at all tbh). I think I would actually cry and think my parents must hate me if they gave me, a girl, such an awful name. Might as well call the poor love Grimshaw or Braithwaite. Some surnames should stay that way.

MissDoubleU · 12/03/2025 11:36

Marcipix · 12/03/2025 11:35

Rowan for a girl.
Would Camellia work as a nature name, as a tiny nod to Campbell?

I quite like Renn for a boy, but not Rennie; that is awful.

Rowan is beautiful for a girl. I know a little girl called Rowan (in Scotland too!)

Rennie is cute if you have heartburn I guess!? 😂

Marcipix · 12/03/2025 11:35

Rowan for a girl.
Would Camellia work as a nature name, as a tiny nod to Campbell?

I quite like Renn for a boy, but not Rennie; that is awful.

MissDoubleU · 12/03/2025 11:35

HugoYorway · 12/03/2025 11:33

I have a Sloane and always get comments on how nice it is. You're exaggerating. I don't think it's nice.

Bambi is awful.

Agreed it’s horrible, my point was just about what is normal for a name these days is very different

LuckySantangelo35 · 12/03/2025 11:35

HugoYorway · 12/03/2025 11:11

Probably more popular in Wales, @MissDoubleU .The ones I can think of are ones at school or Bonnie Tyler and Gaynor Morgan Rees. The only English one I can think of is Gaynor Faye.

@LuckySantangelo35 , they do but not in the MNs meaning of NN. Elspeth would probably get Els a lot, but on MN, she'd need to be Ellie, Elsie, Essie, Ethie, Beth, Belle...

True! It’s ridiculous, really doesn’t happen in real life and so twee