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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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Mobley52 · 30/07/2026 18:43

I love Nelson! I wasn’t brave enough to use it for Ds but I do love it

Giraffehaver · 30/07/2026 22:20

First thing I think of is Nelson Muntz Simpsons

NeatPinkFinch · 30/07/2026 22:30

Oreosareawful · 30/07/2026 06:38

I immediately thought of the Simpson’s character and his “Ha ha” laugh. Other kids are likely to make the same connection

Yes don’t do it OP

keven11 · 06/08/2026 18:46

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WontStopHowlingNow · 06/08/2026 18:54

Will definitely, absolutely be nicknamed Nelly.

Nathan is a much better choice

canuckup · 06/08/2026 18:58

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 30/07/2026 08:50

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

Don't remind me 😂 omg thank god Pendle hill is nearby

BCBird · 06/08/2026 20:21

It's s name i think I have heard of someone of African descent, otherwise would think of it as a surname

Gettoachiro · 06/08/2026 20:24

My first thought was of the Admiral and I liked it...then I thought about the character from the Simpsons and Nelson Mandela and I don't like it.

JesseDavisGonnaHangOnInThereNSoul · 06/08/2026 20:26

Only if your surname is Muntz.

BlackberrySquash · 07/08/2026 14:27

I have a Nelson! He loves his name. He says it's a well known name but unusual at the same time. He's had the odd reference to the Simpsons character but I don't think many kids watch that anymore do they? Just see the odd clip or meme. My son is mid-teen tall, handsome, confident, extrovert, doesn't want to blend in to the background, so he can pull off any jokes and it worked out well!

The vast majority of friends call him Nelson he gets the odd Nels (pronounced like the word 'else'). No one has ever called him Nelly apart from me when he was a baby and I called him Nelly-belly (best he doesn't know that!)

Surnames as last names (though in the case of Mandela it was a first name) are quite popular in my neck of the woods and I like them.

A south African friend did say a lot of people call their dogs Nelson and Winnie in SA. Also my mum found it a bit embarrassing at first but soon loved it and can't imagine him being anything else.

HoratioNightboy · 09/08/2026 15:05

Oh dear, I am the only one whose first thought was the barman at the Railway Arms in Life on Mars? He was a lovely character!

I wouldn't raise an eyebrow at the name, OP, it's perfectly respectable and holds no negative connotations for me. Go with what you love.

PhilosophicalCheeseSandwich · 09/08/2026 15:10

I thought Nelson, Lancashire. Slightly less glam than Brooklyn.

MaggieBsBoat · 09/08/2026 15:12

MinnieCoops · 30/07/2026 07:59

Honestly one of the worst I’ve seen on here

This.
Not needs or classical. More Only Fools and Horses

Gettingbysomehow · 09/08/2026 15:15

It is only acceptable if you are black south african and naming him to honor Nelson Mandela. otherwise it's a big fat no.

LilyLemonade · 09/08/2026 22:52

I like it a lot. It is the kind of name you might hear in the Caribbean or Latin America.
Admiral Nelson and Nelson Mandela are great namesakes.

Viviennemary · 09/08/2026 22:56

It's totally dire.

TheMixedGirl · 09/08/2026 22:58

No I love it

RogueFemale · 09/08/2026 22:59

Awful, sorry.

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 09/08/2026 23:04

I work with a Nelson - his family are from Zimbabwe and he’s a very tall/broad black guy who really owns his name. He’s a really cool guy. (My MIL’s neighbour has a cat called Nelson and he’s also a cool cat!)

Fayelajane · 09/08/2026 23:05

Your call, if you like it?

LittleGreenShoots · 09/08/2026 23:11

I'd assume a Nelson was black with African heritage... I could see it being quite a handsome strong name on a black boy/ man. It would feel odd on a different ethnicity though I think. I know we had Admiral Nelson in the Napoleonic era but I don't think he's inspiring many baby boys these days.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 10/08/2026 07:21

I have friends with a son called Nelson.
He’s very cool, nice lad, clever. All positive for me.

ETA: He’s white, of European /S American heritage.

Objectively, it’s not a terrible name.

ForDreamyMintHare · 10/08/2026 07:23

Oreosareawful · 30/07/2026 06:38

I immediately thought of the Simpson’s character and his “Ha ha” laugh. Other kids are likely to make the same connection

Yes me too!

TofuTuesday · 10/08/2026 07:26

Nelson’s column is my immediate thought. Not sure I have strong feelings either way.

Clearinguptheclutter · 10/08/2026 07:26

NoisyUmberBalonz · 30/07/2026 08:49

As a name it seems armless.

brilliant 🤪