Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Unflip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Baby names

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

Unflip

1 2 3

Original poster

Remus?

58 replies

MapleHolly · 08/02/2026 17:15

My husband has fallen in love with the name Remus, and I love it too. I’ve watched Harry Potter but wouldn’t immediately make the connection. I briefly think of Romulus/Remus but don’t mind the link.

It’s one of the only names we have agreed on, and both love it. The connection to Rome & HP don’t faze me at all. Should I reconsider though? Is it an embarrassing name / connection? Will people think “oh she’s a Harry Potter fan”? To be honest, I don’t mind if they do? I think all names have connections, and people will associate it with the baby/person after getting to know them. Just need a sanity check.

Thanks!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Namingbaba · 10/02/2026 17:59

I considered this name a few years ago though have since gone off it but not for any of the associations. I don’t think there’s anything bad about the Harry Potter association. It’s not like he’s a bad character. Also the people they know will just see it as their name even if they make such an association to begin with.

Calliopespa · 10/02/2026 10:34

MapleHolly · 10/02/2026 09:12

Wow I had no idea it would be so controversial, it’s crazy to see some quite like and some completely hate!

Thanks for all the opinions, some comments were a rather mean, but that’s what you get on the internet I guess. I appreciate all the feedback.

My view on these threads op is it is better to weather the brutal comments, get it all out there and make your decision from there, rather than to name your dc in ignorance of possible implications.

Some are admittedly niche (I think rimming is a surprising association) but once you know, you know, and can decide what to ignore and where posters might have a point.

Original poster

MapleHolly · 10/02/2026 09:12

Wow I had no idea it would be so controversial, it’s crazy to see some quite like and some completely hate!

Thanks for all the opinions, some comments were a rather mean, but that’s what you get on the internet I guess. I appreciate all the feedback.

OP posts:

ImFineItsAllFine · 10/02/2026 08:07

Honestly I don't love it, and I went straight to Harry Potter in my head. But by the time you child is older, Harry Potter interest will have faded a lot anyway I expect.

MaggieBsBoat · 10/02/2026 08:05

Sofado · 08/02/2026 19:35

I think of Uncle Remus long before I think of Romulus and Remus. The Uncle Remus figure and his tales have massive slavery associations and are controversial today. I wouldn’t go there.

I immediately thought of Uncle Remus too. No idea about HP but for this reason I would avoid it.

EdgarAllanPoesMirror · 10/02/2026 08:02

My first thought was of Uncle Remus' animal tales.

liveforsummer · 10/02/2026 07:55

Puts me in mind firstly of a middle aged DI the secondly something Amanda from motherland would name her child. Either way I’d avoid 😅

LadyBrendaLast · 10/02/2026 03:21

I like it. Certainly beats endless Harry/Oliver/Jack/Alfie

Frustratedandpissedoff · 10/02/2026 03:19

Absolutely love it

Letsgogo · 09/02/2026 23:50

Titusando · 09/02/2026 01:32

I'd be cautious - but that's also true of any 'statement' name. If it's likely to raise eyebrows - for whatever reason - then it needs a bit more than you just fell in love with it.

You can love it but you're not the one who'll have to live with it. A quirky trend now might not weather the next several decades.

I personally think it's a bit try-hard, and very much influenced by Harry Potter. Like naming your child Luna or Bellatrix.

You are of course welcome to do as you wish, but you did ask for opinions.

Maybe just where we live but Remus would be amongst the least ‘noteworthy’ names in my son’s class.

Letsgogo · 09/02/2026 23:48

I did immediately think HP and then werewolf. But I like the name. He is a good guy character so not a bad connotation.

WearyAuldWumman · 09/02/2026 23:45

SemiRetiredLoveGoddeess · 09/02/2026 22:46

I think names taken from mythology are very middle class and pretentious.

They are given these "darling" names to make their children sound special, and the God of middle class parents "Creative".

Of course parents are free to call their children anything they want.And who am l to disagree?

Frank Zappa called two of his kids Dweezil and Moon Unit. No worries

How about Remy Martin after the long established fine French Cognac. That would be novel.

👌👑🐺

I vaguely recall a girl called Remy at school, but I'm not sure of the spelling she used.

Calliopespa · 09/02/2026 23:07

user1492757084 · 09/02/2026 12:51

No, Remus is not for me.

Others similar...
Remigius - means oarsman - nicknames Remy, Rus
Remo - oarsman, one who is strong
Russell - red
Rasmus - beloved
Erasmus - beloved
Nicodemus - victory of the people
Maximus - great
Remil - kind hearted
Rembrandt - huge artistic association

I love Nicodemus. Also quite like Erasmus, but you'd have to be braver than I.

Calliopespa · 09/02/2026 23:06

WearyAuldWumman · 09/02/2026 01:53

My first thought was Uncle Remus and Song of the South. (I'm old enough to have seen is at the local cinema when I was a child.)

Edited

Yes, Uncle Remus was absolutely my first thought too and I think it's not really appropriate to revive it. I believe Disney have had an expensive re-theming of all their Splash Mountain rides to eradicate the Brer Rabbit association.

The Ignoremus comment made me laugh!

ForFunGoose · 09/02/2026 22:51

I think of Sean Connery in Hunt for red October. It’s an ok name but there are definitely some better ones.

SemiRetiredLoveGoddeess · 09/02/2026 22:46

I think names taken from mythology are very middle class and pretentious.

They are given these "darling" names to make their children sound special, and the God of middle class parents "Creative".

Of course parents are free to call their children anything they want.And who am l to disagree?

Frank Zappa called two of his kids Dweezil and Moon Unit. No worries

How about Remy Martin after the long established fine French Cognac. That would be novel.

👌👑🐺

NorthernDancer · 09/02/2026 18:01

My friend's lovely DH is called Remus, with a short 'e'. He's Romanian.

JMSA · 09/02/2026 17:02

It would be a splendid name for a cat.

user1492757084 · 09/02/2026 12:51

No, Remus is not for me.

Nincompoo · 09/02/2026 09:02

I really like it. It does make me think of Harry Potter but I don’t necessarily think that’s a bad thing.

DustlandFairytaleBeginning · 09/02/2026 09:00

If you are both happy with it I think you can make it work- Remy is there as a nice nickname too. I can't imagine using Remus in everyday situations though- Remus please get down from the chair.... Remus time for shoes... it feels a little formal?

youalright · 09/02/2026 05:40

Why don't you change your name to that if you love it so much and give your child a normal name. But you won't as you wouldn't want it as your name. Maybe think about that

Boohoo76 · 09/02/2026 05:34

No, Remus is a property manager company. A bloody awful one at that!

mathanxiety · 09/02/2026 02:40

No, the associations from classical through slavery to HP are not great.

Plus, I once knew two very energetic and enthusiastic labrador brothers named Romulus and Remus, so the name will always bring back memories of muddy paws all over my clothes, and slobbery licks of love. Good times.
But always a dog name.

WearyAuldWumman · 09/02/2026 01:53

My first thought was Uncle Remus and Song of the South. (I'm old enough to have seen is at the local cinema when I was a child.)

Unflip

1 2 3

Swipe left for the next trending thread