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Baby names

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What's the Most Pretentious Name You've Ever Heard?

134 replies

closetoshore · 25/09/2009 18:30

After reading the other thread I thought it might be interesting to see and list the different names we all think are pretentious.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
sonniebonnie · 27/09/2009 19:31

Can we all try to be a bit less 'insular' here in the UK. Just because you may find a name unusual does not mean that the whole world does too!

I know many Swedish Thors and several Jewish Nimrods. I also don't know what is 'pretentious' about a name like George, Benedict, Rupert, Barry etc etc... And, without knowing the family's background it's difficult to 'judge' a name.

But maybe I have strange views, having lived abroad for several years.

Pekkala · 27/09/2009 19:24

I raised an eyebrow at the name of the chap who is in the news for being stuck in a blizzard in Patagonia - Tarka L'Herpiniere. I thought it was an example of mad upper-middle class English-ness but I suppose he must be excused cos I've found he's French. Where it may be normal.

MintyCane · 27/09/2009 19:19

Jocaster and Oberon

MovingOutOfBlighty · 27/09/2009 19:16

There is a woman in the Times yesterday or today who, with a straight face, kept crapping on about her baby boy - Thor.

ilovesprouts · 27/09/2009 19:15

i done care less what ppl think y i called my dcs i like there names ,and if you like them its no ones beeswax !!

Bellsa · 27/09/2009 19:10

Nimrod's a perfectly acceptable Jewish name. Not so much here, for obvious reasons, but I knew a couple in Israel.

Kathyis6incheshigh · 27/09/2009 19:07

Nimrod

mrswoolf · 27/09/2009 19:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bellissima · 27/09/2009 16:40

I do, to a certain extent, take your point annasmami (although I wonder quite what you are doing reading opinions on names if you feel that they are in principle wrong). However, as far as my target (Lucretia) is concerned, whether I comment on it or not will, I am sure, make no difference as to the number of 'poison' and other comments the poor child gets. And indeed, whilst previously noted, like all MNers I am sweetness itself in real life, quite frankly if someone told me they were going to name their poor child that - or some of the other names on here - I would open my big fat gob and say please don't.

As to whether opinions/'classification' of names is mainly an anglo-saxon thing then again, there is some truth (although my French friends will happily tell me that some names are smart and some not exactly destined for ENA). But do remember that in other countries the church has, until very recently, limited and 'approved' the number of names which can be used (which, when one hears of some ludicrous 'TallulahdoestheHula...' names one feels might not be a bad thing!).

Finally, my own elder DD's name has been described as 'dull' on here. I don't mind. She's named after a beloved grandmother and I love the name and have confidence in my choice. But others are always entitled to their own opinions.

I do agree that to mock the poor (chavs if you must) is a rather mean pastime. I also note that some who find it great sport to laugh at 'Chardonnay' get incredibly offended if you dare to suggest that you don't like Annabel or Tarquin. But again, we are all entitled to our opinions. And I presume that, ultimately, people read them because it's entertaining.

sorry for long post.

annasmami · 27/09/2009 10:34

What is the point of such threads other than to be hurtful to those parents with children with these names...?

Avendesora · 26/09/2009 17:07

Oberon and Delphi

isittooearlyforgin · 26/09/2009 17:03

heard a mum call her child across the room "China" not sure if pretentious, just a bit strange

fruitshootsandheaves · 26/09/2009 17:01

Petronella sounds like a cross between something you get to scare mosquitos away and a 1970's TV Lawyer

pofacedandproud · 26/09/2009 16:57

Benedict is a good name.

PlumpRumpSoggyBaps · 26/09/2009 16:49

Benedict is ds2's middle name. If I'd had my way it would've been his first name.

I think Petronella's quite pretentious. The name, that is. I don't know any Petronellas personally.

pofacedandproud · 26/09/2009 16:39

every Tarquin I have ever met has been a pain in the arse.

BitOfFun · 26/09/2009 16:33

pmsl at Spartacus. Is he the pfb? Will any future siblings also be called that?

StripeyKnickersSpottySocks · 26/09/2009 16:22

Benedict

3littlefrogs · 26/09/2009 16:20

Torquil

AvengingGerbil · 26/09/2009 16:19

Ptolomy
Jolyon

pofacedandproud · 26/09/2009 16:12

Cosmo
Candida [just reminds me of thrush]

diddl · 26/09/2009 16:12

Tarquin

Sidge · 26/09/2009 15:23

Peregrine

bellissima · 26/09/2009 15:02

Hang on - not yet another 'Percy-fone' thread?

Lucretia. Honestly. Ran into a mother who had named her entire brood ridiculous names including that for one now teenage DD. Just how often will poisoning be mentioned to the poor child?

Cortina · 26/09/2009 11:55

I am Spartacus

I've heard of a Horatio and a Rhodesia - not sure if pretentious is the right word, 'problematic' for the child perhaps?