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Baby names

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

Original poster

Bo. Please be gentle.

88 replies

applecore · 27/08/2008 15:24

Bo is a girl's name that caused both me and dp to go 'brilliant!' when we heard it. we haven't told anyone in rl because it's bound to cause huge issues. and i suspect because i'm not entirely convinced.

is it pretentious?
will she be bullied?
will i ever get over saying 'it's spelt B.O.'

the trouble is, i just love it so much and i can picture a funny feisty little girl with this name (no pressure on daughter then..) i have some other, more traditional names lined up - one is my grandma's name, and is a surefire winner with everyone.

any thoughts?

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BaDaBing · 27/08/2008 19:54

Love it! Who cares about "proper names". If she hates it when she's older she can change it at worst.

bodiddly · 27/08/2008 19:53

PictureThis, you don't live at the bottom of my garden do you? My neighbour's cat is called Bo.

PictureThis · 27/08/2008 19:49

I love it. It is my cats name. (probably not what you wanted to hear...sorry)

tribpot · 27/08/2008 19:48

Surely as a Swedish name it's a boy's name isn't it?

Assume you have a multi-syllable surname as Bo Schmo (for example) seems a bit limiting I like the idea of Boudicca - can you imagine "Dr Boudicca Fetherington will see you now" - cool.

DanJARMouse · 27/08/2008 19:45

My DD2 is Rebecca. Was nicknamed Becca-Boo, and now quite often gets Bo or Boo.

I like it as a nickname, but couldnt give a child it as a formal full name.

branflake81 · 27/08/2008 19:44

Just can't get past the whole Bo Selecta thing...sorry.

EyeballsintheSky · 27/08/2008 19:43

My niece is Isobel shortened to Bo.

2point4kids · 27/08/2008 19:42

It's gorgeous, but I would be slightly hesitant to use it too I think.

I had a beautiful name lined up for DS2 that we loved, but didnt go with it in the end as it was just a bit too out there. I am happy I made the right choice.

Blandmum · 27/08/2008 19:40

Don't do it.

Give her a 'real' name and use Bo as a pet name if you want to

hecate · 27/08/2008 19:38

I don't personally think much of it, since you asked for opinions and I fear that it is handing other kids a stick to beat her with. I mean, it's just too inviting, isn't it?

mrswoolf · 27/08/2008 19:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SquiffyHock · 27/08/2008 19:31

In 'Gone With the Wind' their daughter is Bonnie Blue, shortened to Bo! Bonnie is lovely.

stillstanding · 27/08/2008 17:19

Lovely in its way but the poor spot is going to be hearing sheep baa-ing around her her whole playground life. That is when the little terrors stop making the smelly jokes. Don't do it.

Communion · 27/08/2008 17:17

Isn't scarlett O'hara and Rhett Butlers daughter called Bo?

You called called her Boudicca, and Bo for short!

Now that would be daring.

LadyThompson · 27/08/2008 17:06

I think it's very nice. I wouldn't think of B.O., I don't think, but it did make me think of Ulrika's daughter. I dislike Ulrika.

However, Isabeau is rather lovely.

janeite · 27/08/2008 17:01

I like it (in fact, love it) as a nickname but not as a full name. I really like MrsWoolf's suggestion of Isabeau though; never come across that before and it's lovely.

bikerunski · 27/08/2008 16:55

My sister is Zoe and has been nicknamed Bo all her life - friends, family, school, college, work - everyone knows her as Bo. (I think Zoe became Zozo, became Bozo or something, but it was over 30 years ago!) The BO thing has never even been raised!

mrswoolf · 27/08/2008 16:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

usernametaken · 27/08/2008 16:30

My friend has a DD named Boh. Cute name.

Original poster
applecore · 27/08/2008 16:25

yes i agree nooka - i did mention the cute girl, but have also considered her if she decides to work in the city (unlikely, with my brains).

i think i like it because it isn't too girly and my first name is very similar - although mine is a short version of a classic girl's name (which sort of proves your point - and Communion's, who mentioned Beatrice/Bo)

i like having a short, no nonsense name, but who's to say she will?

what a responsibility!

OP posts:
nooka · 27/08/2008 16:17

Nice nickname, but not for a full name. There's not enough of it IMO. I always think a good test is whether you would like to be called any given name (also like the high court judge/footballer type test too). You have to remember that you are imagining a little girl, but that girl will grow up to be a teenager and an adult, so any name has to have the flexibility to work throughout a lifetime.

Bronze · 27/08/2008 16:17

Isn't one of Ulrikakas children called Bo?

Original poster
applecore · 27/08/2008 16:15

is she, last box? i didn't know that. maybe i should start collecting them - there's diddly, derek, jangles, johnsson, ha ha.

OP posts:
Original poster
applecore · 27/08/2008 16:13

oh its a complicated one. might use it as a middle name perhaps.

thanks for honest comments - they are really appreciated!

OP posts:
lastboxoftampons · 27/08/2008 16:11

I love it for a girl and wonder if it can be spelled Beau for a girl too?

In the movie M. Night Shyamalan movie Signs, Mel Gibson's daughter is named Bo.