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Baby names

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Original poster

Thoughts on Lin, Rumi, Reo and Arran for a baby boy?

85 replies

Bumpfull · 14/03/2026 05:03

We’re having a boy and have come up with our shortlist of names. We’re not tied to any particular culture as we have a mixed heritage family. We also want something slightly different from the current popular names - we have multiple friends with Noah’s and Maya’s (I love both these names though)!

Our shortlist is:
Lin
Rumi
Reo
Arran

Would love to hear any thoughts on these as we don’t have a favourite out of them.

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99point9FahrenheitDegrees · 16/03/2026 09:23

I know an Arran; it is a great name. You would have to spell out any version of it, and you have to spell practically every name anyway. Lin and Rumi will be read primarily as girl's names, lovely names though.

Jk987 · 15/03/2026 22:19

Not Lin as it sounds like an old style girls name. Even worse if it’s short for Lindsay?

the other names I like.

Longdarkcloud · 15/03/2026 22:16

Arran. I rather like Reo because of the sound and the meaning but it seems I in the minority here.

KeeleyJ · 15/03/2026 22:08

They are all pretty terrible to be honest. Rumi makes me think of cows chewing then regurgitating their cud (Rumination) 🤮.

Arran is the best of a poor shortlist.

summergin · 15/03/2026 22:08

Lin to me would always be Lynn, I wouldn’t do that (puts me very much in mind of the song the boy named Sue) Rumi is ok but makes me think (for unknown reason of a drink) being Scottish and biased I do like Aaron and also as apps have mentioned Harris x

edit to add I’m not sure what KPop is and how it relates 😆

localnotail · 15/03/2026 21:59

Lin and Rumi - surely are female names???

ItsameLuigi · 15/03/2026 21:07

AllWasWell · 14/03/2026 06:44

I would probably avoid Rumi due to the popularity of K pop demon hunters and it being one of the main female characters. It’s also getting a sequel so not going away anytime soon

Yes I was gonna say the same. I know originally it's a male name (I think?) but Gen alpha and their parents will just associate it with KPDH.

Dressses · 15/03/2026 19:04

Really like Arran

IamtheDevilsAvocado · 15/03/2026 14:51

Rumi love the poetry,

user2848502016 · 15/03/2026 12:58

I really like Arran (and I do know an Arran and he doesn’t get called Aaron!)

Lin and Rumi sound like girls names to me

Reo I don’t like, but maybe Rio or Leo?

Snorlaxo · 15/03/2026 12:32

Just in case you didn’t know the Japanese name Reo is pronounced Ray-o. If you live in the UK I think he’ll end up called Rio or Oreo. The latter ends in -reo but doesn’t sound like Ray-o. Ray is a much better name if you want no confusion over pronunciation .

Arran is a good name but I think that it will be misspelled Aran, Aaron, Aaran… if that annoys you .

If you’re in the UK Lin will assumed to be a girls name (Lynne) or a nickname of a girls name like Kaitlin. If you want to honour Lin-Manuel then go for Manny over Lin.

Rumi is a famous female character in a cartoon popular with kids now. Go for Remi instead.

BertieBotts · 15/03/2026 12:26

I like Rumi and Arran personally out of your list.

Reo will definitely be misspelled as Rio or misheard as Leo. In fact it sounds a bit like someone saying Leo with a growly voice or gruff accent.

Lin is also fine and I quite like the concept of de-gendering names and it sounds neutral enough to me to fit for a boy, especially with the popularity of Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Fundays12 · 15/03/2026 12:24

Fundays12 · 15/03/2026 12:23

Lin - Its a girls name in the UK so may cause some bullying in school.
Rumi -hhmm depends on the surname
Reo- unsure never heard of a child called that
Arran common in scotland but personally I like it.

Show quote history

Rumi - Just to add the only ones I know are girls.

Fundays12 · 15/03/2026 12:23

Bumpfull · 14/03/2026 05:03

We’re having a boy and have come up with our shortlist of names. We’re not tied to any particular culture as we have a mixed heritage family. We also want something slightly different from the current popular names - we have multiple friends with Noah’s and Maya’s (I love both these names though)!

Our shortlist is:
Lin
Rumi
Reo
Arran

Would love to hear any thoughts on these as we don’t have a favourite out of them.

Lin - Its a girls name in the UK so may cause some bullying in school.
Rumi -hhmm depends on the surname
Reo- unsure never heard of a child called that
Arran common in scotland but personally I like it.

Giddykiddy · 15/03/2026 12:19

I like Arran lots - don't like the others ( lots)

BillieWiper · 15/03/2026 11:59

I don't mind Rio but not necessarily with the E.
Arran is just the same as Aaron really and not crazy on it. The others I don't think of as male names.

AgnesMcDoo · 15/03/2026 11:58

Arran is fine

Gwenhwyfar · 15/03/2026 11:57

dizzydizzydizzy · 14/03/2026 22:35

Lin will surely be confused with Lynne (the girl’s name).

Arran is nice.

Arran will be called Aaron probably.

Gwenhwyfar · 15/03/2026 11:56

Catcatcatcatcat · 14/03/2026 06:37

I wouldn’t lumber my child with a lifetime of spelling issues

Or a very unusual name, having an unusual name myself.
There's something in the middle between the most popular names and names people don't know, can't spell, etc.
In parts of Wales Lyn with a y can be a man's name, but it's generally seen as a women's name so I think that will cause problems.

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 15/03/2026 11:50

Arran is nice. What about Remi (French)?

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 15/03/2026 11:47

Did you know Rumi is associated with a Sufi mystic?

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 15/03/2026 11:46

All but Lin sound fine and that’s only because I’d confuse Lin with Lynn.

PeatandDieselfan · 15/03/2026 11:42

Yeah but kids are also called Skye, Iona, Lewis and Harris!! I’ve yet to met a Mull or Barra though…..

Came on to say this. I grew up in Scotland and island names are very standard. I met a dog called Barra. But I haven't met an Eigg, Muck or Rum yet.... Think Scottish island names are pretty standard, far outside of Scotland. Arran is a lovely name, personally I wouldn't think it was pronounced like Aaron, I thought that was more American, like air-on?

user1492757084 · 15/03/2026 11:17

Arran is the best.

SnowFrogJelly · 15/03/2026 01:05

Arran

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