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Baby names

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

Original poster

Why is Archie so hated on MN?

80 replies

Easelsweetie1788 · 14/03/2025 18:53

When in reality it is actually a very well liked name or is it the fact that popular used names are disliked on MN?

the only Archie I know is a very sweet little boy so no bad connotations for myself. I am
tryjng to persuade DH to let me use Archie if you have not already guessed

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Jiddles · 15/03/2025 03:13

it's twee

pincklop · 15/03/2025 03:12

Archie. Alfie.Freddie .Frankie. They’re all
lovely names. I know a young Archie and on paper he is Archibald. Never been called than because it’s horrible. His name is Archie. But occasionally he gets called full legal name and he’s only 6 but he hates it so much.probably more so that your name is your identity. And the name he is on paper is not him and he will never identify as Archibald no 6 year old will

DramaAlpaca · 15/03/2025 03:04

To me, Archie is both twee and cutesy, and I strongly dislike that in a name, both for boys and girls.

I suppose I'm quite traditional in name choices.

username462025 · 15/03/2025 02:13

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

user1492757084 · 15/03/2025 01:53

Archie is a lovely name.
I like it as a nick name for Archibald and Archer, personally.

Archie seems more nick namey and juvenile than Arch, Archer and Archibald.

In saying that, I know of boys named just Atrchie and they are all great kids.

Disturbia81 · 14/03/2025 20:46

Moreteaandchocolate · 14/03/2025 19:16

Archie is lovely ☺️ Some people don’t like nn’s as full names but times have changed and nn’s on the bc are normal for this generation, so it fits in perfectly with his peers.

All this.
This isn’t 1980, nicknames as names are normal now.

Sunnnybunny72 · 14/03/2025 20:13

TomatoSandwiches · 14/03/2025 19:39

It's a half/nick name to me, like Alfie, Albie, Ollie... I find them a bit naff.

This

Needmorelego · 14/03/2025 19:42

Easelsweetie1788 · 14/03/2025 19:22

I get that it is a short form for Archibald but it is a name in its own right too so I would not think to put Archibald on the BC, possibly in the minority here though.

Yes Archibald is just an "ugly" name for a baby so if you like Archie then just go for Archie.
Maybe in 30/40 years time it will have evolved into "Arch" as the adult version - which is no odder than other short names that are fine on adults (Dave, Marc, Luke etc).
It funny that a lot of Mumsnetters say Archie is a "chav" name (I hate that word). All the young Archie's I know are middle class 😂

Megapint · 14/03/2025 19:41

I think on the baby names board, there are lots of chip pissers. Who gives a shit what strangers think. If you like it, use it.

unlikelywitch · 14/03/2025 19:41

It’s too popular.

It’s not middle class enough.

It’s technically a nn which seems to be a bugbear of some on here.

While not my favourite, I think it’s quite nice and it’s a name that would suit a little baby but also one he’d continue to grow into if that makes sense.

TomatoSandwiches · 14/03/2025 19:39

It's a half/nick name to me, like Alfie, Albie, Ollie... I find them a bit naff.

AutumnTheCrow · 14/03/2025 19:39

I'm old enough to remember a Number One hit by the Archies called 'Sugar Sugar' in 1969, when I was a really little kid. They were a cartoon band created by Archie Comics.

I suppose I'll always associate the name with a comic franchise.

Stringagal · 14/03/2025 19:38

I live up north and it sounds horrible with the local accent, so for that reason it’s a nope from me

RenoDakota · 14/03/2025 19:38

It was ubiquitous long before the Sussexes came along. Was compulsory for a while to call every newborn baby boy either Archie or Alfie. That is why.

BoleynMemories13 · 14/03/2025 19:37

It's incredibly popular where I am, but that's not why I'm not keen. I like a lot of popular names, but Archie seems to have quite a chavvy vibe imo, due to the people I know of who pick it.

I'm not a fan of ie/y short forms in general to be honest.

Pipsquiggle · 14/03/2025 19:37

It's hardly Balonz (or whatever it was)

I like Archie.

I disagree that 'Mumsnet hates Archie'

Threads tend to hate:
ridiculous names 'stormy silver cloud'
Ridiculously spelt names Cayleigh
Basically any names that will do DC a disadvantage - negative preconceptions &/or having to spell it out 10 times per day.
Archie is none of these

PrettayGood · 14/03/2025 19:35

I think it’s quite sweet, but it’s also chavvy like Ronnie or Lennie.

ThreeMagicNumber · 14/03/2025 19:33

I like it! Please don't let Mumsnet opinions put you off a name you like.

Dragonsandcats · 14/03/2025 19:32

I think because it’s the short form of Archibald, which isn’t that great!

LindorDoubleChoc · 14/03/2025 19:30

Yes, probably something to do with the Sussexes.

3peassuit · 14/03/2025 19:30

I don’t like shortening names so Archibald would be the long version and that’s an awful name for a small child.

littleluncheon · 14/03/2025 19:28

It's popular/common and particularly seen as working class so it's become a stereotypical "naughty boy" name like Tyler or Callum might have been in the past.

Ladamesansmerci · 14/03/2025 19:26

If you like it, use it.

I think it's a solid name 🤷 Nice and normal, cute for a child, doesn't sound weird on an adult. Will fit in with the Alfie's, Arlo's and etc

Original poster
Easelsweetie1788 · 14/03/2025 19:22

I get that it is a short form for Archibald but it is a name in its own right too so I would not think to put Archibald on the BC, possibly in the minority here though.

OP posts:
Needmorelego · 14/03/2025 19:18

Archie itself is quite cute but traditionally it's short for Archibald which is a rather dated and ugly name.
(apologies to any Archibald's out there - my father in law was one 🙂).
As someone has said it's possibly the whole "you shouldn't put a short version on the birth certificate" thing.

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