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Baby names

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

Original poster

Tybalt?

180 replies

jdutchecking · 04/04/2025 09:04

Hi,
I was thinking Tybalt as the name for the baby boy I’m expecting. I think it’s a lovely name but I’m slightly worried about the Romeo/Juliet implications as well.
For the middle name we were considering Ripley, so the name would be Tybalt Ripley, as again think the name is lovely.
Could we possibly get away with naming our son this without people thinking he’s the Romeo + Juliet character!!!

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abracadabra1980 · 06/04/2025 06:46

No, no and no. And initially I thought you were taking the piss.

Sskka · 06/04/2025 06:45

suah · 04/04/2025 11:39

I would avoid Tybalt as everyone will 100% think R&J. Thibault however is normal name in France without the connotations. But unless you have a French connection might be hard to pull off and the pronunciation is different (nicer imo).

Ha wow, I never realised those were the same name.

I say a qualified go for it. Unusual names bubble up all the time without it seeming strange anymore – Axel would've sounded like a mental choice a few years ago but it's relatively common now. And Tybalt has a proper literary heritage, it's not like you'd be naming him Jaxon or something.

Plus Leguizamo’s Tybalt in the 1996 film is so damn cool and has as iconic an entrance, in the gas station scene, as any movie character. There are way worse things for a boy to be named after.

Sskka · 06/04/2025 06:43

Ha wow, I never realised those were the same name.

I say a qualified go for it. Unusual names bubble up all the time without it seeming strange anymore – Axel would've sounded like a mental choice a few years ago but it's relatively common now. And Tybalt has a proper literary heritage, it's not like you'd be naming him Jaxon or something.

Plus Leguizamo’s Tybalt in the 1996 film is so damn cool and has as iconic an entrance, in the gas station scene, as any movie character. There are way worse things for a boy to be named after.

garlictwist · 06/04/2025 06:12

Ha ha. No.

theunbreakablecleopatrajones · 05/04/2025 21:20

Needmorelego · 04/04/2025 09:10

Tybalt Ripley is 50% a fantastic and amazing name but also 50% slightly crazy.
I kinda like it 😳

This. I think you at least need to throw something normal in there - chuck Alexander on the end or something.

Giulia8 · 05/04/2025 20:40

Op, just go with the name if you love it so much. I’m sure many think the names I chose aren’t what they’d choose. That’s fine though because a) I liked them, b) my husband liked them, and c) we don’t think they’ll dislike them due to teasing/embarrassment when it comes to applying for jobs etc etc - this was important to us (mainly my husband actually) but many don’t care about this. Your child, your choice…

But I’m not sure why so many ask advice here and seem shocked when people give honest opinions and they seem to have made their mind up anyway.

Anyway, all the very best with your pregnancy and birth.

ohyesido · 05/04/2025 20:34

Only those who haven’t read the play won’t make the association. It’s like asking if you can call a child Legolas or Khaleesi without any association.

its not to my taste but it is your decision

Snoringdogsfarting · 05/04/2025 20:26

Tibbles springs to mind, sorry.
Please don’t lumber your child with Tybolt, it’s not at all “exotic”

Dragonsandcats · 05/04/2025 20:16

It’s too hard to say if R&J didn’t exist as that’s the reference that pretty much every UK person has and he wasn’t a nice character.

twigsand · 05/04/2025 20:09

Tyrion would be better imo

Rainingalldayonmyhead · 05/04/2025 19:55

jdutchecking · 04/04/2025 12:18

To all PP being needlessly rude to me,
I would prefer my child to have a name that is exotic rather than basic, as Mumsnet prefers. If R&J DIDNT exist, what would be your opinions on the name?

That it would still be terrible. Your child isn’t exotic.

Sure unusual names can be interesting but also counter your need for this name against a life time of having to spell it, people commenting on it, him possibly hating it and employers thinking what on earth.

Rainingalldayonmyhead · 05/04/2025 19:52

Uricon2 · 04/04/2025 12:41

Tyrion?

Perhaps not, although I think there are quite a few Khaleesi's around.

Show quote history

Tyson?

StMarie4me · 05/04/2025 10:33

jdutchecking · 04/04/2025 12:18

To all PP being needlessly rude to me,
I would prefer my child to have a name that is exotic rather than basic, as Mumsnet prefers. If R&J DIDNT exist, what would be your opinions on the name?

But it does so your point is moot.

Give it as his middle name, use it in the family, and then when he’s older, if he doesn’t like it. He can use his first given name. At least you will have clearly given him choices then.

HopingForTheBest25 · 05/04/2025 09:16

He'll spend his whole life feeling slightly embarrassed every time he's introduced to someone!
I think when you're pg, the desire to give your child a name that stands out, that reflects how special your baby is to you, kind of overrides common sense. Not a criticism - I went through a phase of wanting the 'different to everybody else name'. But my dh has one of the names and it's not good - just makes him cringe a bit everyone he has to say it out loud!

CarrieOnComplaining · 05/04/2025 07:21

SallyDraperGetInHere · 05/04/2025 02:19

I’m confused by the OP looking for a Ty- name as I was taught it at school to be pronounced Tibbult - what way did your ancestor pronounce it @jdutchecking? Had I a weird English lit teacher?

It’s always pronounced Tibb Alt / Tibb ult
Not Tie Balt

WhereAreWeNow · 05/04/2025 07:10

Movinghouseatlast · 04/04/2025 11:21

Named after not one but two literary murderers

This. Surely the OP is having a laugh?

GreenIsMyFavoriteColour · 05/04/2025 07:03

Whoonearthareyou · 04/04/2025 09:35

Tybalt isn't the most positive of characters to be named after but to be honest I've heard worse. Most of the rough kids at school won't make the connection. As for Ripley as a middle name- well, I guess he might be talented if nominative determinism is real, though personally I'm not sure if I believe it or not.

I missed it the first time.

Good work. 🤣

QuantumPanic · 05/04/2025 06:52

Lengokengo · 04/04/2025 14:13

If you are looking for names starting with Ty, in the Netherlands there is a first name Tycho (pronounced Tee-Co).

it’s an option I guess.

I was at school with a Tycho who pronounced it Tie-ko. We didn't bat an eyelid tbh.

Tytus is a lovely name.

ETA - I quite like Tybalt! Middle name is a non-issue imo, as they are so rarely used.

SallyDraperGetInHere · 05/04/2025 02:19

I’m confused by the OP looking for a Ty- name as I was taught it at school to be pronounced Tibbult - what way did your ancestor pronounce it @jdutchecking? Had I a weird English lit teacher?

AmiablePedant · 05/04/2025 02:10

This reply has been deleted

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

So did I . . .

cramptramp · 04/04/2025 19:16

I immediately thought of Tyburn, popular place for public executions back in the day. I’ve never read Romeo and Juliet so don’t know the name Tybalt but I think it sounds daft and your son will spend the rest of his life having to spell it out.

Giulia8 · 04/04/2025 19:07

But Tybalt is a right bastard.

I wouldn’t do it OP. Tybalt in R&J isn’t just a Tybalt, he is the Tybalt. Of course people will make the link in the same way people associate the name Ophelia with the tragic character.

FelixLighter · 04/04/2025 18:52

Sheeparelooseagain · 04/04/2025 10:53

It will be shortened to Ty.

This!

StScholastica · 04/04/2025 18:51

How about the Irish nameTadhg?
Or Tiger?
Ripley is a nice village but would it get shortened to Rip or R.I.P.

Smartiepants79 · 04/04/2025 18:41

jdutchecking · 04/04/2025 13:25

@Digdongdoo Did you not read the post? I DO like the name.

Then use it.
You asked for opinions.
The general consensus is that it doesn’t have great associations and is a bit try hard.
Its equivalent to naming a girl Ophelia.
It also strikes me as more of cat name!
But if you love it then go for it.
Can you envision yourself happily yelling Tybalt across the park then that’s all good.