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Baby names

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

Thoughts on these baby names and how well they travel abroad?

37 replies

radiantlilflower · 07/07/2026 03:03

I'm wondering what everybody thinks about these names and who is likely to go for them? If he grows up and attends a state school and lives in a semi will he fit in or is it a name that isn't very universal/will potentially be seen as pretentious?

Magnus
Reggie
Fergus
Ivor
Maximus
Otto
Gus
Hector
Jude
Romeo
Keir
Rupert
Jasper
Charles (nn Charlie)
Rafe
Tobias

Also we move overseas from time to time for DH's work and the next one is likely to be the U.S, so will any of these names travel badly/have different associations abroad?

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
beeble347 · 07/07/2026 06:10

I've taught in state schools and honestly don't think the kids would bat an eyelid. I've seen children called Prince, Remus, Legend, Brian, Doris, Nasteeho. No bullying because of names

Imherearenti · 07/07/2026 06:04

As an American, I would avoid Fergus and Rupert at all costs! Those will definitely travel badly. They won’t fit in and will be considered ugly. I’d also avoid Magnus but for a different reason (it’s considered more of a dog name). Rafe will confuse everyone because it’s so unusual. Jasper is popular now, but some still think of it as a hippie/outdoorsy name.

My favorites are Charlie, Jasper, Jude, Keir. I kind of like Reggie, but it just makes me think of Reggie Bush (and therefore Kim Kardashian). I prefer Maxwell or Maxfield (after an amazing painter named Maxfield Parrish) instead of Maximus.

YankeeintheUK · 07/07/2026 04:59

I forgot to comment on Jude, but it is common enough and will generally be liked.

YankeeintheUK · 07/07/2026 04:41

Rupert, Fergus, and possibly Gus (unless if it’s short for like August) are likely to be made fun of or at least teased by mean kids. These type of names are not liked in the US. They’re seen as nerdy and not cool (especially Rupert).

Reggie is likely to be perceived as an older African-American man. It’s usually short for Reginald.

Hector is likely to be perceived as Hispanic/Latino. No other demographic uses it in the US.

Ivor and Rafe are not common at all in the US and are likely to be perceived as a foreigner.

Keir/Kier will probably be assumed to be short for Kieran, but most people will like it a lot. Some Americans will be familiar with Keir Starmer but not many.

Magnus and Maximus are likely to be perceived as a rich frat boy, but Max is very liked and used in the US. Tobias could possibly be perceived as a rich frat boy if he goes by the full name rather than Toby.

Charles/Charlie is very associated with Charlie Kirk right now but is very common/popular and would be fine.

Jasper and Otto used to be uncommon but have risen in popularity.

Older people will mention Romeo and Juliet after hearing Romeo. Younger people won’t.

AlgaeDreams · 07/07/2026 03:49

Go the whole hog...

Maximillion.

AlgaeDreams · 07/07/2026 03:48

Ivor, traditionally Welsh.
(with an Engine) my old boss has an Ivor and that's the only time I've heard of it since.

user1492757084 · 07/07/2026 03:47

Most are nice names.

Reggie, Jude, Romeo and Keir are the only names from your list that I would not use due to associated vibes being negative or segregating.

My favourites are ..
Charles
Gus
Maximus
Fergus

AlgaeDreams · 07/07/2026 03:46

Romeo Beckham
Reggie Kray
Keir Starmer
Gustav Breaking Bad
Hector Breaking Bad
Charles Charlie Charles, a Kingpin druglord 😂 Or simply just King. Or Chalk.
Jasper Carrot
Rafe - mid 90s poncy
as is Tobias
Fergus is very Irish
Magnus is... Very Mastermind!
Otto is becoming increasingly common. Not sure why. I have an Eastern European Uncle Otto and hadn't heard it in this country growing up, but it's picking up speed.

Why don't you choose a name that you both like and ignore everyone else.
I've no idea how names will be perceived in America.
I would love it though if somebody recognised the name Jasper Carrot randomly in New York.

mathanxiety · 07/07/2026 03:31

If you move to the US, Reggie would be read as 'African American grandad name' and Hector as Hispanic.

mathanxiety · 07/07/2026 03:29

Maximus and Rupert are atrocious names. Keir would be very unusual outside of the UK. The rest would be fine anywhere.

TeaAndMadeiraCake · 07/07/2026 03:13

I think they are generally okay. I wouldn't go for Romeo. Too loaded with Romeo and Juliet.

Ivor and Reggie maybe easily turned for bullies?

Maximas is fine is shortened to Max, otherwise it is pretentious.

MinPinSins · 07/07/2026 03:12

I'm not sure about travelling, but Reggie and Romeo are definitely the opposite of pretentious.

Otto, Jude, Gus, Charles and Tobias are the most universal to me, with the rest maybe being slightly pretentious. Names are so diverse now though, and none of these seem super pretentious, so I wouldn't worry about it.

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