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Baby names

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

Original poster

Thoughts on Barnaby as a name?

37 replies

armt · 20/06/2025 11:07

Problem is we love Barnaby but dislike Barney as a NN. Any other suggestions or similar names?

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Andoutcomethewolves · 20/06/2025 13:56

I don't like it personally. I went to school with a dickhead called Barnaby/Barney, then lived with my sister and toddler DN for a couple of years and was subjected to Barney (the purple dinosaur) videos multiple times every single day. I can still his songs over two decades on 🤣

Those are obviously my issues/associations! But I don't actually like the sound of the name even without them. But if you do, go for it! Not everyone has to like everything

Thoughts on Barnaby as a name?
NuffSaidSam · 20/06/2025 13:49

I think it's a comedy posh boy name. I'm not keen personally. Barney is a dog's name. Or a dinosaur.

BSky4 · 20/06/2025 13:47

I think barnaby /Barney is lovely
Also loving
Wilfred/wilf
Benedict /Ben

RosesAndHellebores · 20/06/2025 13:21

I love it but it will be shortened to Barney.

Magnus
Gawain
Gulliver
Tobin
Merlin
Horatio
Ambrose

user1492757084 · 20/06/2025 13:17

I prefer Barney.

WasherWoman25 · 20/06/2025 11:52

A friend has a Barnaby (baby, less than 12 months) but is known as Barney so would guess he would get that name fairly quickly.

Moreteaandchocolate · 20/06/2025 11:51

Barnaby feels a bit comical / cartoon character vibes to me because I don’t know anyone with the name, but I think it could grow on me. But you can’t use it if you don’t like Barney.

Benedict
Sebastian
Rupert
Rufus
Ernest
Fergus
Angus
Wilfred
Clement
Edgar
Ralph
Laurence
August
Solomon
Alistair
Tobias
Atticus

MiddleAgedDread · 20/06/2025 11:48

It's giving me "posh boy" vibes too!
Ludo
Wilfred
Tobias
Hugo
Sebastian
Fabian
Bartholomew
Lysander
Quentin
Giles

BootballJoy · 20/06/2025 11:29

Not a fan. But if you like it that doesn't matter! I do think he could get Barney though.

Similar names:
Tobias
Elliott
Sebastian
Rupert
Julian
Oliver
Jasper
Felix
Marcus

MaggieBsBoat · 20/06/2025 11:09

It’s a gorgeous name. It was on my list.

Melasma · 20/06/2025 11:09

Love it ! I would name my son that

Comedycook · 20/06/2025 11:09

It's a posh boy name to me...which isn't necessarily a bad thing, just what I think.

Rafferty
Dominic
Benedict

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