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Baby names

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Original poster

Arch

94 replies

KatieB356 · 05/01/2026 21:32

A male colleague has just announced that his son is Arch, just Arch. Not short for Archibald or Archer / Archie and now I want to add it to my shortlist as I absolutely love it however with Arch not being too popular would I look like I have stolen their name?

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TheHumanRepresentative · 11/01/2026 07:02

I'd only use it, if I was planning on moving jobs and not having contact with any of my coworkers. Otherwise, yeah, it would look like you stole their name.

There are plenty of nicer names out there too.

thinkithrough · 11/01/2026 06:36

It seems that over the past 15 years, people have chosen increasingly absurd names for their children. One day, a large group of adults will have silly, puppy-like, or completely nonsensical names. Best part is that they’ve also been copied by work colleagues.

Rhibledd · 11/01/2026 06:17

No my cup of tea I don’t personally like archer, Archie, Archibald but Arch is something everyone will assume is the shortened version of one of those

agirlandherdog1234 · 08/01/2026 21:57

Calliopespa · 08/01/2026 18:50

So A as in "Eh" then?

He'd spend his life repeating himself ...

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😂

Calliopespa · 08/01/2026 18:50

HelenaWilson · 06/01/2026 17:31

Even if it's a name that technically can't be shortened, it can still be shortened to just the first letter

Some of which can be names - Bea, Dee, Kay, Em.

So A as in "Eh" then?

He'd spend his life repeating himself ...

Calliopespa · 08/01/2026 18:49

yonem · 05/01/2026 22:55

I was thinking Smug (boy) and Sardonic (girl, nn Sadie) as sibling options 😂

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Exactly. It isn't just the architectural term, but also arch as in an arch reply.

I think it is ridiculous.

Might as well call him Snide.

Sunnydayze43 · 07/01/2026 17:00

I dislike Archibald, and even more so, Archie.
However Arch is more mature sounding , strong and short, and has a different vibe to it, but yes, it would sound like you'd used the recently chosen name of a co-worker's DS. How could it not?
I used the name of one of a co-worker's DDs , but asked her first if she would mind, and she was pleased and happy for me to do that.
Maybe ask first if they'd mind?

HugoYorway · 06/01/2026 19:11

agirlandherdog1234 · 06/01/2026 17:23

Even if it's a name that technically can't be shortened, it can still be shortened to just the first letter, which I have seen happen. Good or not.

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True. It doesn't happen to me but my name gets lengthened to a few different things. My name is slightly easier to say than the initial.

SabrinaThwaite · 06/01/2026 18:52

Latenightreader · 06/01/2026 14:30

I met a Cope years ago! He must be late 40s now. I wonder whether it was his full name or short for something.

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Please tell me his sibling was called Seethe?

HelenaWilson · 06/01/2026 17:31

Even if it's a name that technically can't be shortened, it can still be shortened to just the first letter

Some of which can be names - Bea, Dee, Kay, Em.

agirlandherdog1234 · 06/01/2026 17:23

HugoYorway · 06/01/2026 17:07

That's not true. Some names can't be shortened but they can be lengthened.

Even if it's a name that technically can't be shortened, it can still be shortened to just the first letter, which I have seen happen. Good or not.

ErrolTheDragon · 06/01/2026 17:23

HugoYorway · 06/01/2026 17:07

That's not true. Some names can't be shortened but they can be lengthened.

Indeed … a child deliberately named Arch is very likely to end up being called Archie as a nickname anyway I’d have thought.

HatStickBoots · 06/01/2026 17:21

I’ve only ever heard of Arch Stanton, mentioned in the spaghetti western film The good, the bad and the ugly.

REP22 · 06/01/2026 17:10

Be careful if your surname is Ewell. You could end up in a US lawsuit...

I really don't think it's a kindness to call someone Arch. Archie or Archiebald and then let him shorten it if HE wants to when he's old enough.

HugoYorway · 06/01/2026 17:07

That's not true. Some names can't be shortened but they can be lengthened.

agirlandherdog1234 · 06/01/2026 16:54

agirlandherdog1234 · 06/01/2026 16:50

Fair point, to be honest 🙂

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But actually, the reason I said what I said, was because I commented saying I know somebody called Archie who has his name shortened to Arch. Somebody commented in utter disbelief like they'd officially named their child something massively offensive. When it was actually just a shortening. Which happens to pretty much every name in existence.

agirlandherdog1234 · 06/01/2026 16:50

ToKittyornottoKitty · 06/01/2026 16:42

No, but this child isn’t born or called Arch! It’s a hypothetical situation.

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Fair point, to be honest 🙂

ToKittyornottoKitty · 06/01/2026 16:42

agirlandherdog1234 · 06/01/2026 15:12

I'm simply just saying I think people are unkind! If an OP has asked specifically for an opinion on a name - fine. Yes Arch is a ridiculous name but just he nice to the OP!! They didn't ask for what people thought of the name is my point. And I see horrible, vile unsolicited comments about names all the time. Would you say such a horrible thing about a name if a child was introduced to you face to face?

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No, but this child isn’t born or called Arch! It’s a hypothetical situation.

Santangelo · 06/01/2026 16:36

God awful name unless your surname is Enemy.

FollowSpot · 06/01/2026 16:10

Look up the dictionary definitions of arch as an adjective.

Being arch is often being superior, short with people, critical etc. An arch reply is often an unpleasant comment.

It would sound terrible as a name in a Leeds accent, for example.

Archie is lovely (IMO), Arch is dreadful.

Lollylavender · 06/01/2026 16:00

Arsch" (pronounced arsch) is a German vulgar slang word for "ass," "arse," or "buttocks," used to refer to the bottom or anus.

This would not travel well!

agirlandherdog1234 · 06/01/2026 15:59

HugoYorway · 06/01/2026 15:49

@agirlandherdog1234
But if somebody asked you, you'd be bold enough to give your opinion. Same principle behind a keyboard.
If they said something like *We're thinking of calling him Arch. Do you like it?' I'd say 'No, it's awful'.

The OP is probably just winding us up.

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Yeah, it probably is a wind up.

Lollylavender · 06/01/2026 15:59

HugoYorway · 06/01/2026 15:49

@agirlandherdog1234
But if somebody asked you, you'd be bold enough to give your opinion. Same principle behind a keyboard.
If they said something like *We're thinking of calling him Arch. Do you like it?' I'd say 'No, it's awful'.

The OP is probably just winding us up.

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This must be a wind up! Nobody is seriously considering naming their child Arch Shock

HelenaWilson · 06/01/2026 15:57

You could just change it slightly to Archway.

Siblings could be called Tufnell Park and Kentish Town.

Agatav · 06/01/2026 15:54

They’re probably going to think you “nicked” it but it’s a name, you guys won’t work with each other forever, will they even go to the same school? Not an issue.
i really like arch, feels American though but that might be just because I associate it with the Texas quarterback (arch manning)