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Baby names

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

Original poster

Would the meaning of a name put you off if you otherwise liked it?

69 replies

mrsgboring · 29/10/2008 10:14

We are thinking quite seriously about the name Edmund, but a bit dismayed it means "Guardian of Riches" which isn't quite our Grauniad-reading woolly lefty liberal cup of tea. Would this put you off?

I'm thinking people don't necessarily know names' meanings anyway - and DH's name means "warlike" which is way worse but at the same time, it's a fly in the ointment.....

Usual proviso - if by any chance you know me IRL, our name choices are top secret, please keep it to yourself.

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rolledhedgehog · 29/10/2008 15:52

The meaning would not put me off. Being reminded of Edmund in 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe' would put me off though.

Jbck · 29/10/2008 15:48

We didn't use one name as it meant phantom but I don't think yours has a bad meaning. It could mean riches of anything e.g. abundance of love, intelligence whatever. I'd go for it. Unless it is a girl then you might regret it slightly Altho' my DD has a boys name so what do I know.

LuLuBai · 29/10/2008 15:39

You called your son Narcissus?

Oh no - I remember what he is called from another thread.

hatrickortreat · 29/10/2008 15:37

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LuLuBai · 29/10/2008 15:34

Drat - get onto MN HQ quick and get them to delete the whole conversation

Original poster
mrsgboring · 29/10/2008 15:31

Yes, but now everyone will use it and it will break my criterion of "not too in vogue". Sob! Wail! I should have kept quiet.

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LuLuBai · 29/10/2008 15:30

mrsgboring - I think you've struck gold - everyone seems to like it. Has that ever happened on the MN baby names board before?

TheFallenMadonna · 29/10/2008 15:28

Edmund is a smashing name I think.

littleducks · 29/10/2008 15:27

I wouldnt choose a name with a 'bad' meaning or one i felt inapropriate but i dont feel that the meaing of Edmund is either.

Lovely name, a knew a lovely litle Edmund along time ago

LuLuBai · 29/10/2008 15:27

Yes, the quest continues!

Original poster
mrsgboring · 29/10/2008 15:24

LuLuBal - sorry to hear about your MC. There is a part of me that worries about having the names sorted so early, I have to say.

I hope you find your perfect names soon.

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LuLuBai · 29/10/2008 15:12

Aaah Felicity = happiness. That is lovely! Glad you have found your perfect names.

DH and I were absolutely sorted on names when I was last pregnant but then when I had a MC those names got turfed out and now we can't find any that we agree on.

Oh well - another 5 months to go, maybe we will eventually get there [hopeful emoticon].

sammybeth · 29/10/2008 15:06

No definatly not ,if you like the name dont worry about the meaning. My dd name means "house of figs" lovely!!!!

KerryMumchingOnEyeballs · 29/10/2008 15:04

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Original poster
mrsgboring · 29/10/2008 15:00

Teafortwo, thank you, that's very kind. Our girl name is Felicity. I would also love a little Christabel but DH says no.

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teafortwo · 29/10/2008 14:57

mrsgboring - I am really sorry for your loss.

I think a little Edmund would be simply wonderful... a rich name for a boy of many richnesses! I will write it down in my little - "If we ever do" book... not that we plan to though!

Just because I want to ooooh and aaaaaah a bit more - Do you have a girls name incase Edmund turns out to be... well... you know.... not of the being called Edmund gender?

Original poster
mrsgboring · 29/10/2008 14:49

Thank you all. It's so helpful to me - been having ishooos with possibly having another DS, because we also had a stillborn DD, and I do feel like I need to have a daughter at some point because of this. It has helped tremendously finding a name we like and now I'm excited at the prospect of possibly a little Edmund (though will still be thrilled if it's a DD; we won't find out sex at the scan so it's ages to wait)

Can't believe what a weight off my mind it is.

OP posts:
Liffey · 29/10/2008 14:19

ps the meaning of Edmund is not problematic... imo.

Liffey · 29/10/2008 14:19

This depends. I would use Rachel (meaning Ewe) but I wouldn't use Mara because it means bitter.

mrswoolf · 29/10/2008 14:16

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teafortwo · 29/10/2008 14:10

Oh yes yes yes - you should call him Edmund simply because of the genius of Blackadder alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sleepycatonabroomstick · 29/10/2008 14:06

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LuLuBai · 29/10/2008 14:05

I'm with you mrsgboring - Edmund always sounded like he should be the good one in Lear to me too. Edgar has a harsher sound to it. (Then there are the Edgars in Tales of the City...)

I reckon they chose Edmund for Blackadder because it has a timeless quality and worked whatever period of British history they placed him in.

ShowOfHands · 29/10/2008 14:05

My dd's name means 'mighty in battle' which used to worry me as a pinko liberal pacifist. And it truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy as my PFB is built like a tank.

teafortwo · 29/10/2008 14:04

Maybe in his case riches = the riches of life.

I once taught a dear little boy called Eddie (Edmund). He REALLY is/was a perfectly lovely boy who still fills my heart with the riches of life! And kindly adopted my pet rabbit when I emmigrated!

IMHO - it is a beautiful name - go for it!!!!

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