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Baby names

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

Original poster

Clive? No smirking at the back!

31 replies

crankytwanky · 25/01/2010 20:38

I know it has associations with boring old men in pubs, but if we try to ignore that, is it really that bad?

Will it go the same way as Esme or Jack; old people's names that have come back into fashion?

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Anya4 · 26/01/2010 17:49

Clive is my FIL's name and my dad's middle name, so should have prime position on our DC4 list....but it doesn't !!! ha ha, they are both really lovely men, but that really can't imagine a little boy being called it !

dittany · 26/01/2010 17:33

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PollyTechnique · 26/01/2010 13:38

Sorry, not keen on Clive and can't see a revival.

RockbirdandHerSpork · 26/01/2010 13:30

Anyone in the London area might be familiar with Clive Bull who is always moaning about the fact that Clive never has a revival. He is very cool therefore Clive is a cool name and no name would ever shake off a flat cap/whippet/silly old sod/whatever image if someone didn't take the first leap and use it now.

This obviously doesn't apply to any dads of MNetters called Clive...

bellissima · 26/01/2010 11:13

Yep, Keith, Colin, Nigel, Brian, and possibly Trevor as well - all names guaranteed not to be top of the come-back list. Names that wear car coats and driving gloves....

And Clive has the added distinction in that 90% mentioned on this thread seem to have been bastards - without any Rufus or Jasper-like attractive caddishness.

Bucharest · 26/01/2010 09:32

Keith! It's Keith! That's what Clive is!

Bucharest · 26/01/2010 09:27

My wonderful ex history teacher is called Clive. Despite the fact that I am now 44 and we no longer have a "please sir" relationship, I am unable to call him Clive.

It's sort of Colin-ish without the Farrells of this world to give it a bit of ooomph.

It's Kevin. It's Brian. Nigel is a bit Clivelike.

It's bloody awful.

Sunshinemummy · 26/01/2010 09:22

I used to go out with a Clive. He was mixed race and absolutely beautiful. A complete shit though. Not sure about the name though.

takethatlady · 26/01/2010 09:14

My FIL is called Clive and he's absolutely lovely - they do exist!

bellissima · 26/01/2010 08:59

The only Clive I know of my generation dumped his wife when she was 39 weeks PG with DC2. 'Nuff said.

nooka · 26/01/2010 06:00

I don't think it is old mannish enough to come back for another 20 years or so. More uncle-ish than grandad-ish IYSWIM.

MaggieTaSeFuar · 26/01/2010 00:35

I quite like it. It would surprise me for a minute, and then it would really grow on me!

dittany · 25/01/2010 22:34

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MrsKitty · 25/01/2010 22:31

Ginger Doctor off Neighbours circa 1987.

BabyBecks · 25/01/2010 22:16

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TheFirstLady · 25/01/2010 22:06

My first boyfriend was called Clive. I hid him from my friends for weeks because I was so embarrassed about his name.
He was very sweet though.

theagedparent · 25/01/2010 22:04

I like it!

tethersend · 25/01/2010 21:54

Baby Clive.

It's fantastic.

Original poster
crankytwanky · 25/01/2010 21:53

I think maybe it's like Reginald, destined to be old-manish for ever.

(Although there is Clive Owen & Regie Yates.)

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LynetteScavo · 25/01/2010 21:43

It won't be fashionable anytime soon.

I have a tendacy to be 10 years ahead with names, and I can predict Clive is not about to come into fahion.

Clive is a chive.

StealthPolarBear · 25/01/2010 21:36

well that's 2 things but ykwim

StealthPolarBear · 25/01/2010 21:35

sorry...
I have an uncle and a cousin both called it, and if there's one thing worse than Clive it's Big Clive and Little Clive

LetThereBeRock · 25/01/2010 21:34

Yes it is that bad.

Pingpong · 25/01/2010 21:16

I know no one called Clive so no bad associations for me. Well Clive James and Clive Anderson spring to mind. . . .
I don't hate it but I don't love it either.
I would never use it myself but do prefer it to Alfie and Archie and Ned. . .

Original poster
crankytwanky · 25/01/2010 21:02

I think everyone seems to know an unagreeable Clive! The only one I know is my Dad though, so I can't make a negative connection.

Tarka his best mate/my uncle was called Derek! (They married sisters.) That joke never got boring!

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