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Baby names

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

Original poster

Theoretically...Bear. Would you?

81 replies

cupofteaplease · 20/02/2009 22:47

Ok, so this is VERY theoretical...

Dh and I have decided to try for another baby in 2 years time. So a long way off. We have 2 dds.

But IF we were to have a ds next time, we both love the name Bear. We know an adult Bear and both really love it.

But would you? Could you? Opinions please!

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borriebear · 22/02/2009 17:29

It has been my nickename my whole life (hence the username!) and I love it but Im glad I have another name to use for more official things and jobs etc.

Grammaticus · 22/02/2009 16:53

ONLY as a nickname. Not a given name.

lunamoon2 · 22/02/2009 16:44

Fine as a nickname/family name-I sometimes call my ds "teddy" as in bear, but never in public.
Not so good as a "real" name.
Bear Grylis is NOT his real name, it is something like Edward I think.

vess · 22/02/2009 04:54

Bernard, Auberon, Bjorn, Orson, Osborn?
All mean 'bear' and sound more like proper names.

Ursula for a girl.

LaDiDaDi · 21/02/2009 18:41

I would use it as a middle name or a nn but not as the formal first name.

ninedragons · 21/02/2009 05:34

Glad I noticed this was in baby names before posting "I absolutely would". I thought you were asking if we'd shag Bear whatshisname from Man Vs Wild.

While I might do him if opportunity were ever to present itself, I would never name a baby Bear.

wombleprincess · 21/02/2009 05:12

i really wanted to use this name, love it. husband less keen. but then suggested "berg". wtf?

mrswoolf · 21/02/2009 02:42

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Quattrocento · 21/02/2009 01:11

Oh yes, Bear. The thread has been done before. It was truly hysterical.

If your surname isn't Bear-appropriate, you might consider changing it by deedpoll to:

Cheek
Necessities
Knucklefighting
Faced

Mind you, if you are going to go in for a quick family namechange, then it works better as a surname. Then you could have lots of fun with an exciting first name to go with bear

Like Rupert, or Grizzly or Polar or something.

MintChocAddict · 21/02/2009 01:10

LOL @ Califrau

lolianja · 21/02/2009 00:56

I'm afraid it brought an enormous grin to my face - made me think of that daft CBBC show starring a Barney Harwood and small blue puppet called Nev, referred to in intensely comedic anger by a gruff middle-aged panto villain character as "BEEEAARRR!"

As crazy names go though, it isn't so bad. That is to say it's probably a lot worse on paper but when I contemplate it for a moment it doesn't seem quite so bad.

Having said that, I personally couldn't recommend it. Anybody who went to my school called Bear would have got no end of grief from the moment they stepped in aged 11 to the second they exited the gates at the end of the final summer term.

Spaceman · 20/02/2009 23:33

It's nice as a nickname. A term of affection between loved ones. I wouldn't like to rock up to an interview and announce it in front of a panel of potential employers though.

Wonderstuff · 20/02/2009 23:31

I have a friend who is bear, but it isn't her name, her parents used it as a nickname and it stuck, i think that it started because she was premie and was quite hairy, so reminded them of a bear. I think it's nice.

Spaceman · 20/02/2009 23:18

Well, I suppose if you ask the question... We didn't tell anyone the names of our children until they were born just because everyone has an opinion and it is all very subjective. I'm very glad we didn't either as the look on my dad's face when we announced my DD's name would've put me off using it. It's not that unusual though.

Original poster
cupofteaplease · 20/02/2009 23:11

Oh gosh Spaceman- I think I've really underestimated the opinions we would receive on this name!

OP posts:
Califrau · 20/02/2009 23:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Spaceman · 20/02/2009 23:09

Sorry, I know crazy names are the done thing nowadays, but this one really takes the biscuit. Still PMSL!

I can see it working in Canada, but on the streets of Clapham is another thing...

Original poster
cupofteaplease · 20/02/2009 23:04

Oh crikey- I never thought it would be such a provocative name! My dds' childminder is married to a man named Bear, and he is very much a normal, masculine guy, and it really suits him (although I belive he is Christened Bartholemew.) I really love it! Think it a strong, intersting name!

As for the comment on trying in 2 years' time- I am just qualifying as a primary school teacher so it would not be practical to have another baby during the next 2 years. Although if an accident happened...

OP posts:
chisigirl · 20/02/2009 23:01

It's actually a fairly common family name amongst native people in Canada (Cree).

not sure i'd use it as a first name in the UK, though!

Clary · 20/02/2009 23:00

This is actually my DD's nickname (after the TV show Bear in the Big Blue House which she loved as a littley). DS1' coined it and I use it all the time (she's almost 8 ).

Not sure what people think - do they think it's her name? Would be a bit out-there for a girl but for a boy - Bear Grylls? I don't think I would, on balance.

Leo9 · 20/02/2009 22:57

oo yes why not? He will 'bear' the teasing and the bullying and the jolly fun japeries of 'bear bum' etc all through his schooldays! It will do great things for his strength of character! How he will thank you!!

dragonbutter · 20/02/2009 22:54

Theoretically, yes i would use it.

HairyMuff · 20/02/2009 22:54

YEs this thread has been done before and it degenerated into general piss taking I think.

Thunderduck · 20/02/2009 22:54

No, absolutely not.

Ashantai · 20/02/2009 22:53

You mean like Bear Grylls or whatever his name is? Also makes me think of Pooh, sorry

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