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

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?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
TwoRobins · 12/03/2025 07:59

Nothing new to add - they are all awful. Especially Campbell. Campbell's Meatballs.

Newmumhere40 · 12/03/2025 07:58

Awhimsy · 12/03/2025 01:23

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

Show quote history

What would the NN for Campbell be!? Camp? 😂😂😂😂 Bell!?! Elspeth, you have El, Elle, Ellie, Ella, Beth....

SleepyDormouse59 · 12/03/2025 07:58

I know a Scottish man called Campbell. I think it would be very unusual for a girl. I think Renn is ok, but for a girl.
I like the Elizabeth Wren suggestion.

HeBeaverandSheBeaver · 12/03/2025 07:58

I knew a boy Campbell. It suited him. However it's unusual for sure

Cassie is ok
Renn is ok

However if dh hates them move on

My dh wouldn't even entertain fairly normal holly or rowan which I loved choosing a name is very hard when two people are involved. lol

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 12/03/2025 07:57

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.

Show quote history

Elspeth has the same number of vowels (and syllables) as Campbell.

Newmumhere40 · 12/03/2025 07:55

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?

Oh Lord no...Campbells soup!! Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Renn should be Wren. No no no, totally agree with your husband.

theressomanytinafeysicouldbe · 12/03/2025 07:54

I like Renn, but for a girl. I like Cassidy. Also Bonny, Senga, Ida, Beck

What about Jock for a boy? Or Andrew, Robert, Brodie - Sorry, these are my brothers names, all Glasgow born and bred. There is also a Blake in the family and a Rory, Logan.

Bluenotgreen · 12/03/2025 07:54

melonalone · 12/03/2025 05:20

They sound stupid. You say the names he likes are too “tame” for your taste, but it doesn’t sound like you have any taste at all. Give your child a “tame” name and let them grow up to be whoever they want to be. Plenty of opportunities in life for tacky/racy things, names aren’t one.

Show quote history

I’m afraid I agree with this.

Dial it down.

diddl · 12/03/2025 07:52

anotherside · 12/03/2025 07:51

Ren and Stimpy!

I don't think it's twins😂

anotherside · 12/03/2025 07:51

Ren and Stimpy!

ICanTellYouMissMe · 12/03/2025 07:50

Good for you @ThatsNotMyTeen but that wasn't my point.

Jade520 · 12/03/2025 07:50

Please don't call you child Magnolia - what a mouthful. Why don't you use Campbell for a boy? I'd have thought it was a boys name - or is that not the case? I love Iona, very pretty. Renn is a made up name so although i like the sound of it I'd definitely give that a miss.

Joystir59 · 12/03/2025 07:48

Your name choices are so bad they make me think you secretly hate the thought of bearing a child.

suah · 12/03/2025 07:47

Awhimsy · 12/03/2025 00:36

Well, my DH actually liked Renn a lot, I originally suggested it as sort of an homage to him getting his dream job (Being a part of a German race team, they call Motorsport "Rennsport" over there)

Show quote history

You do know Renn just means run in German?
’yes darling we named you after a random word in a language we don’t speak’
Awful

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 12/03/2025 07:46

Awhimsy · 12/03/2025 02:15

I like the boy’s name Oliver, for girl’s names I’ve discovered I like some tree species names a lot. eg Aspen, or Magnolia.

Show quote history

This is a person. Don’t lumbar your potential child with a name they will grow to hate because they will get teased and bullied about it throughout school days. I had that. Changed my name as soon as I went to uni.

DrummingMousWife · 12/03/2025 07:45

Oh please don’t call a girl Campbell. If she is beautiful and engaging she will be forever hindered with that name.

wildthingsinthenight · 12/03/2025 07:44

Awhimsy · 12/03/2025 01:23

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

Show quote history

NNs could be El ...Ellie.. Ella

Thisismetooaswell · 12/03/2025 07:44

If you're not even pregnant yet I wouldn't worry too much about it for now

RosesAndHellebores · 12/03/2025 07:42

ICanTellYouMissMe · 12/03/2025 07:22

This is a very English attitude. There are plenty of Campbells up here and it's very unremarkable.

It's part of the Scottish tradition of giving the mother's maiden name as a first name, about which many of you are ignorant and incredibly snide.

I actually think it's pretty cool for a girl, but she will always and constantly be mistaken for a boy, so have a think about whether you'd really want to do that to her.

Show quote history

Yes, but this child won't be in Scotland and I don't believe the op was a Campbell.

Lindsay for a boy is far better than Renn which sounds like Wren which I have only seen used for a girl.

It all.sounds a little premature as I don't believe the op is pregnant.

@Awhimsy what about Scottish names like: Mhairi, Catriona, Hamish, Gregory? It's interesting that you and your DH are on such different pages. Do you generally have similar tastes for other things.

Flubadubba · 12/03/2025 07:42

If you like Renn, how about Wren for a girl?

Rooroobear · 12/03/2025 07:40

This is defo a wind up. The more the op replies the more I’m convinced it’s bull shit

poppymango · 12/03/2025 07:38
  • I don't like Campbell at all, but maybe Cameron for a girl instead?
  • Renn looks ugly, but Wren is nice and might make a nice middle name - only for a girl, though.
  • Casimir is awful, sorry. Sounds like a villain from a bad fantasy novel.
  • Cassidy could be nice for a girl, Cass or Cassie for short.
  • Aspen is ugly and immediately makes me think of two things: asp vipers, and aspic. Also there's a real risk her name will be shortened to "ass" by her classmates. Please don't.
  • Magnolia - not a fan of the full name, but I have a memory of an old movie where there's a character called Magnolia and her friends call her Noli. Not the worst on your list!

Honestly, I'd start from scratch and go through names from the top 100 with your DH, and pick ones that you both like. Maybe with a couple of wildcards thrown in (literary characters or something). You may have to settle for your favourite names being middle names, but that may be no bad thing in the long run.

midlifeattheoasis · 12/03/2025 07:37

Yes, I agree with your husband, they are all awful.

Nonrienderien · 12/03/2025 07:36

Awhimsy · 12/03/2025 02:15

I like the boy’s name Oliver, for girl’s names I’ve discovered I like some tree species names a lot. eg Aspen, or Magnolia.

Show quote history

Aspen,🤔Now, would that be ballpoint or felt tip.

With all due respect OP,in this post with the exception of Oliver (a lovely boys name) things can only get better.

Onlyvisiting · 12/03/2025 07:33

Awhimsy · 12/03/2025 02:15

I like the boy’s name Oliver, for girl’s names I’ve discovered I like some tree species names a lot. eg Aspen, or Magnolia.

Show quote history

Oliver is nice.
Rowan is fairly unisex and a bit Scottish

Willow
Aspen
Hazel