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Baby names

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

Original poster

Is Nelson terrible?

92 replies

keven11 · 30/07/2026 06:22

We’ve incidentally named our kids with the final consonant /n/ sound and are considering this name for a third. I love that it follows the pattern and it’s an honor name. My husband also likes it. That being said… is it awful? We’re no strangers to “old” names for our kids, so that’s not the issue. I’m just wondering about public perception. Is it classic, or “nerdy?”

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bugalugs45 · 30/07/2026 16:53

Yes , it’s terrible in my opinion

TorroFerney · 30/07/2026 16:46

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 30/07/2026 08:50

anyone from the north west will associate it with a rough town near Burnley

Yes, saw the title and thought I can offer an insight here. Yes it’s a shithole.

roshi42 · 30/07/2026 15:39

I think Admiral Nelson. Then Nelson Mandela. What would you do for nicknames, if any? Don’t love Nel… Sonny is cute.

Spidey66 · 30/07/2026 15:36

I instantly thought of Mandela. I’m actually surprised it wasn’t more posters first thought-maybe it’s my age (60) but I remember well his fight for freedom, release, then bring ?president/pm of SA.

having said that, he’s a fine person to come to mind!

Besidemyselfwithworry · 30/07/2026 15:35

Tiptopflipflop · 30/07/2026 06:31

I think of it as a cat's name.

Or Mandella

Just no

PrincessHoneysuckle · 30/07/2026 15:34

The Simpsons

Firebird83 · 30/07/2026 15:27

Simpsons character for me too. What about Solomon?

Pistachiocake · 30/07/2026 15:15

No. But then I always loved reading about Mandela, so maybe I'm biased.

Great person to think about, though, so very positive name connotations IMO.

VimesandhisCardboardBoots · 30/07/2026 14:53

Makes me think of the Simpsons character too. I'd be forever hearing "Ha ha" every time I heard it.

LostThestral · 30/07/2026 14:20

I like it but reminds too much of the Simpson's i'm afraid

CurlewKate · 30/07/2026 14:06

In what way is it an honour name?

Enko · 30/07/2026 13:50

I dont hate it. But nor does it make me go ohh nice. It would be a oh ok for me

thornbury · 30/07/2026 09:20

I like it well enough. I taught one in my first ever class, y2 in 2001-2. He'd be over 30 now!

Vroomfondleswaistcoat · 30/07/2026 09:07

I'd just worry about the poor lad being called Nellie for the rest of his life.

QuirkyHorse · 30/07/2026 09:05

I would not want a name associated with the town of Nelson, which can only be described as pretty dire.

CeciliaMars · 30/07/2026 09:03

Yes.

VoteForCountBinface · 30/07/2026 08:56

NoisyUmberBalonz · 30/07/2026 08:49

As a name it seems armless.

I'll turn a blind eye to that one.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 30/07/2026 08:50

anyone from the north west will associate it with a rough town near Burnley

NoisyUmberBalonz · 30/07/2026 08:49

As a name it seems armless.

Twinkletoesandspaghettios · 30/07/2026 08:15

Immediately think of the Simpsons character

VoteForCountBinface · 30/07/2026 08:14

How about Harrison, Cameron, Aaron, Samson, Norman, Colin, Jason, Duncan or Gordon?

Nelson would end up being Nels or Nelly.

PetiteParakeet · 30/07/2026 08:13

If I was asked to picture someone called Nelson it would be a guy originally from the Caribbean, aged maybe about 70, quite cool.
But it was a little white British kid I’d wonder if their siblings were called names like Churchill or Raleigh.

ACynicalDad · 30/07/2026 08:04

Is a pattern so important the child has to suffer this name for life?

ForPinkDuck · 30/07/2026 08:02

After the war leader?

MinnieCoops · 30/07/2026 07:59

Honestly one of the worst I’ve seen on here