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Baby names

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

Original poster

Has Kevin surpassed naffness to enter a new era of acceptability?

141 replies

MrsSeanBean · 23/02/2009 18:57

I would not use the name personally, but it seems to me that a whole new raft of names have come to the fore these days, making names such as Kevin (Gary, Barry, Lee etc) seem almost quasi-respectable.

What do you think? Maybe it still needs a few more years yet.

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lisianthus · 26/06/2011 15:35

Alan is a lovely name. It is on my list of possibles. Gorgeously Norman French/Sir Walter Scott connections. I associate it with names like Hugh.

FWIW, I was told by a French friend that Kevin recently went through a period of being extremely trendy over there. They pronounced it Kev-ANN, though.

5inthebed · 26/06/2011 14:45

There is an Asian family who live a few doors down from me who have just had a baby Kevin. There other three DC have very asian names though. I think Kevin was their try at English names.

flagging · 26/06/2011 14:43

I used to live in Europe with DH (a Kevin) and quite a number of friends said they wanted to name their children Kevin because it had such a nice sound. We tried to explain its naffness in the UK but they couldn't understand. As a result, one of our friends did!

theDudesmummy · 26/06/2011 14:28

What's wrong with Douglas?

aliceliddell · 26/06/2011 14:25

All these make fantastic pets' names. We've had Janet, Sharon, Neville (cats). Alan Helen and Ken (friends cats). Cannot go wrong.

Bandwitch · 26/06/2011 12:17

It has never gone away completely in Ireland. It has a kind of old school catholic classic feel here though. In the UK I think it is perceived as being totally naff and downmarket though, which is a bit unfair to the name.

I wouldn't use it myself though! I really don't like it. But it wouldn't raise eyebrows here. hth a bit.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 26/06/2011 12:09

Alan is a fine name for a person, I would use that.

confusedperson · 26/06/2011 12:05

Interesting.... I am from continental Europe and I actuallly quite like the sound of Kevin.

EyeballsintheSky · 26/02/2009 07:38

DD could have been Susan, it was in the running and very high up on the list. My dad is an Alan, what's wrong with it?

twentypence · 26/02/2009 00:32

I have a Gordon to teach this year. But I haven't had a Kevin yet.

I also predict that Susan will come back.

AllThreeWays · 26/02/2009 00:28

The Australian Prime Minister's name is Kevin, was actually a bit of a conversation starter prior to the election....."will Australia vote for and accept a man called Kevin"

Jaquelinehyde · 26/02/2009 00:23

Its a big fat No and Kenneth is off the list too before you ask!

tigerdriver · 26/02/2009 00:20

also know someone with a baby Trevor.

I suppose that could be quite sweet, in an ironic sort of way

PlumpRumpSoggyBaps · 26/02/2009 00:18

Nope. No. Definitely not.

Nor:

Colin
Clive
Douglas
Sharon
Trac(e)y

tigerdriver · 26/02/2009 00:07

no no no no no

Just heard about someone with a baby Alan.

Alan.

why????

Also not up for a revival

Susan
Carol
Joanne
Leslie
Lesley
Colin
Philip

Can you guess my age?

Kayteee · 26/02/2009 00:00

My brother's called Kevin...coupled with my name, we had a time being introduced to people. Don't do it

Sibble · 25/02/2009 23:52

no no and no - think kevin the teenager and kevin the gerbil etc etc...sorry

RachieB · 25/02/2009 23:44

in a word NO

ditto Nigel or Colin lol

kitty78 · 24/02/2009 22:07

I once had a boyfriend who was named Kevin because apparently it means "Handsome". He was not, nor is the name. Don't do it!!!

mrswoolf · 24/02/2009 01:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

shirleybradshaw · 23/02/2009 20:48

accent....

shirleybradshaw · 23/02/2009 20:48

I think Kevin is fine if you're Irish or American. But just think of it said with a Brummie/Geordie/Scouse/Essex etc...
Enough said?

lollipopz · 23/02/2009 19:50

In the same league as Colin i think! They probably will make a come back but hopefully after my dcs give me grandlkids

AliceTheCamel · 23/02/2009 19:27

Kevin will rise again, but not quite yet.

(CMP - I think Susan is due for a big revival.)

SoupDragon · 23/02/2009 19:26

No