Names and class

Yes, some people do have more money than others, either through inheritance or through hard work. Thats ok and the case in most countries.

But why do we need to 'classify' people and, more importantly, label them by giving them names belonging to a certain 'class'?

'I don't really see that whether people on mn perceive a name to be upper or middle class is particularly relevant to naming ones own children. '

But what is relevant to naming children depends entirely on the namer, surely?

If I decided I wanted to call my children names perceived by mumsnetters to be posh, then that would be my choice, I would have thought.

How is it any more or less relevant than asking whether people think names are nice/unusual/timeless/ridiculous?

skidoodle- of course class exists in British society in a way that it doesn't appear to exist in many other countries (at least not to the same extent).

The point of relevance is that this board is mainly used to discuss names that people are considering for their own DC.
I don't really see that whether people on mn perceive a name to be upper or middle class is particularly relevant to naming ones own children. That's why I queried the relevance of the question.
I think you agreed with this yourself too in your last para.

A few punters on Mumsnset talking about how names relate to class doesn't "reinforce" class in any meaningful way.

Some people in Britain have more money, own more land, have access to massive privilege and connections that mean they have easier lives.

Pretending that is not so doesn't make it go away. Refusing to talk about it isn't making society any more equal.

I guess people object, as by 'classifying' names we are reinforcing the whole (ridiculous) concept of class.

It annoys me when people say "your child will be bullied unless he goes to private school" if his/her name is seen as 'upper class'... children don't care about these things and neither should we!

I love how British people get so offended by any reference to class as though their society isn't massively affected by class and hereditary privilege.

Why should the question have any relevance? Relevance to what?

It's a straightforward query - what class associations do people on MN have with certain names? I'd be interested to know, although it would have no impact at all on what names I would choose for my own children.

I don't really understand the relevance of this question either.
No name is the exclusive right of any class anyway.

Most Classic (British) names that have been well used in the UK over centuries eg James/ William, Eleanor, Katherine, etc appeal equally to everyone and make v good choices as they don't date.

The OP hasn't come back after asking this rather fatuous seeming question. Hmm.

Lynette provided the list of names destined for Harvard - I knew I'd seen it (and other US lists like it). Phew - I'm actually on it. Nice to have some options still available for when 'rock star' doesn't work out.

ah I see it. Graydon sounds like hardon to me.. well a bit. I wouldn't choose it. and schulyer is very melsrose place or something.... but interesting list!

oh go on bellissima, what is a name 'destined for harvard'?? probably something like lexington tertius .

My son has a name that is very common in France (Quentin) - it's been in the top 10 for a few years. However, some mumsnetters have commented that they find it 'posh'....

We are certainly not posh, ds goes to the local state primary and he seems very happy with his name, both here and when we go back to France.

So I agree with previous poster... why are the Brits so obsessed with 'labelling' names according to class?? (I'm French by the way ).

Sinjun??? It gets better & better.

Maria..the name St John is pronounced Sinjun. Really.

Names destined for Harvard

Are there really boy named 'St John'? Really truly?! I must have shed a sheltered life so far.

Everybody knows all WC kids are called Kayden and Chardonnay

Why?

Not that Kevin is a horrible name but it isn't the first name that comes to mind when you see a little rich boy.

...and equally names that I, being English, consider to sound quite posh are actually fairly 'populaire' in France.

LuciaRose - What names do you like at the mo?

why not working class? are you prejudiced?

What a silly OP

Lol I agree with the Hyacinth Bucket comment

mopsyflopsy - That is a very good point! For example - I know two quite posh Parisian boys called Kevin.

Hyacinth Bucket...?

Gobsmacked that someone would prioritise class over actually liking a name. How lower class.

mrsvwoolf, thats where the name came from. Dh did go to public school so I guess the name is fairly posh.