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Baby names

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

Has anyone named their baby boy Ripley?

37 replies

ORFlip · 05/10/2008 04:07

We are looking for feedback from anyone that has named their boy Ripley and/or anyone who knows a Ripley and how it is received.

OP posts:
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crikeybadger · 15/12/2012 16:08

I'm pretty sure our vet had this name, well he shortened it to Rip. It's actually one we considered because we like the short names such as Rip, Pip and Kit.

Narked · 15/12/2012 16:04

names.darkgreener.com/#ripley

Narked · 15/12/2012 16:00

And the benefit of asking on here is that you get an honest reaction. Most (polite) people in RL won't tell you what they really think of a name if you say you're considering it.

Narked · 15/12/2012 15:57

I don't know anyone called that and would never have thought of it as an English name.

LaurenCaddy · 15/12/2012 15:45

I rather like it for a girl. But would never have it, as i'm a dog groomer and know a few dogs called Ripley. But i think its rather pretty. I wouldn't associate it with a boy however.

Sorkatani · 15/12/2012 15:18

Ripley is a very traditional English name. I know of a QC (Queen's Council) with that name so I don't think it would stop him from being a barrister. In fact, old english names are well suited for people who practise law.

While there is a trend in the States to give girls traditional english boy names i.e Aubrey, Avery, Rory, Riley, Finley etc I don't think this is necessarily true for a lot of the Commonwealth nations. Or at the very least, they are recognised as being traditionally masculine names.

My son is named Ripley and the main comments we've recieve from people are 'that's traditional', 'that's very English', 'that's different' and 'like the main character in Alien?'
No one has ever mentioned Ripley's Believe it or Not despite there being one nearby.
Everyone seems to adjust to his name quite quickly. My friend's daughter Nikita gets more repeat comments (usually about how it is a russian boys name) about her name than my son does.

When he isn't being called Ripley we call him Rip.

Also, it might help to know that the main character in the Alien series is called Ellen Ripley - Ripley is her surname.

PuppyMonkey · 07/10/2008 20:14

I live near Ripley in Derbyshire... it is not a place to be named after. It is a place to drive through very quickly, preferably without making eye contact with anyone.

Ripleigh is hilarious!!!

OneLieIn · 07/10/2008 20:10

Polite answer - no

Truth - it is a castle, isn't it? Or are you hoping he is talented???

melpomene · 07/10/2008 20:08

I think people could find it hard to take him seriously. Nice as a nickname, but I can't imagine a barrister called Ripley.

maretta · 07/10/2008 19:54

My ds got invited to a Ripley's 3rd birthday a couple of years ago. Never met him though.

chandellina · 07/10/2008 19:43

ooh, i like it. "Rip." very cute.

Jas · 05/10/2008 23:10

I know a female Ripleigh, named after the Alien character.

As with all names, once it is attached to a real person, you accept it.

MissMiffi · 05/10/2008 23:05

Don't take it to heart. The majority of mnetters on here give their opinions politely and tactfully.
It's usually the same people who are not so diplomatic and I usually discount their posts as soon as I spot the name
However I don't like the name Ripley honestly and don't think it would be received well.

ORFlip · 05/10/2008 22:54

it's really too bad that people can't be more civilized on this website. i was addressing my message to those who have actually named their child this or know of someone who has. i was not opening up the floor to ridiculous opinions and harsh criticism. we all have ours. it's amazing how much time some people can have on their hands to respond to things like this for no other purpose than to be cruel.

OP posts:
Lovage · 05/10/2008 20:19

The Talented Mr Ripley (a murderer!)

donnie · 05/10/2008 20:18

pmsl @ lulu's posting! love it.

Alternatively: Get away from her YOU BITCH!

(these are quotations from the Alien films btw for those of you in the dark)

Seriously - why would you want your child to be called Ripley? do you actually like this as a first name?

noonki · 05/10/2008 20:14

name of DH's school - it sounds like Darcy to me

MissKubelik · 05/10/2008 20:07

Thandie Newton's daughter is called Ripley

I immediately think of Sigourney Weaver so wouldn't use this name for a boy.

LynetteScavo · 05/10/2008 20:02

hmm

LynetteScavo · 05/10/2008 20:02

[[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0134119/ hmm]

MarkStretch · 05/10/2008 19:20

Where I live the Ripley is a hostel for homeless young men.

lljkk · 05/10/2008 19:20

I know a girl Ripley, after the character in Alien movies.

ohdearwhatamess · 05/10/2008 19:19

Makes me think of the Patricia Highsmith books (Tom Ripley). Great books but wouldn't name a child after him!

AuraofDora · 05/10/2008 19:19

well we used ripley a as middle name!
(raspberry was the first name)
our friends only thought it was ill advised as our surname is Van Winkle..

hth

Liffey · 05/10/2008 19:17

Namechangeforsure, Believe it or not! Or very good I get that now. Brilliant. I thought you were just being sarcastic but you're hilarious on several levels!