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Baby names

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

Original poster

Is Beau pretentious?

234 replies

CinderellaRach · 23/04/2010 16:46

What do you think of when you hear the name Beau?Thanks

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Original poster
CinderellaRach · 27/04/2010 12:39

Yes circumstances must be terrible and if not part of EU then I guess they're scared they'll be deported back with their baby to God knows what!?!
So sad.

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expatinscotland · 27/04/2010 12:33

Not surely. At least two babies abandonded in Scotland were East Asia and Asia/Indian or Pakistani in origin.

There may have been ramifications for the mother's entire family if it were found out she had a baby so she decided to do what she did.

It's hard to know, but it's not seen as an option for some women, sadly.

Original poster
CinderellaRach · 27/04/2010 12:29

But surely the mother could escape to a mother/baby hostel or refuge if things really were that bad?It's her baby!!

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expatinscotland · 27/04/2010 12:21

There was a boy like that here in Scotland, left in a police station, and the cop who found him was called Garry, so that's what they named teh baby.

He was adopted, though.

How scared that mother must have been.

At least she left him where he'd be found.

Original poster
CinderellaRach · 27/04/2010 12:18

Wow just read it!I would love to know what happened to him.Thanks for that shergar!

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shergar · 27/04/2010 12:05

It is a cruel world. I guess the poor mother must have been in desperate circumstances in one way or another (teen concealed pregnancy, abusive relationship, terrible poverty...who knows?) so I feel for her too, and I hope Beau is happy and healthy now with his new family somewhere. I found a link to the story (odd it's in the Yorkshire Post though!)

Original poster
CinderellaRach · 27/04/2010 10:56

That's so sadhow can people carry a baby for nine months then do that?Although you could say it's better to do that than take it home to be abused like some poor innocent babies.
Cruel world.

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shergar · 27/04/2010 10:49

I remember a baby who was abandoned in a hospital car park just before my first baby was born. They had a photo of him in the local paper, and he honestly was a very beautiful (and very blond) baby, and the nurses in the Special Care Baby Unit who were looking after him named him Beau. It really suited him. When DD was born a few days later she spent her first day in the same unit, and I always remember that poor abandoned baby boy. I believe he was being adopted, so he probably has a different name now, but still that name pulls my heart strings a little when I remember him

Original poster
CinderellaRach · 27/04/2010 08:14

Good point Belgrano

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Belgrano · 26/04/2010 21:23

Agree with LGandT but would add please only use it if you are prepared and able to truly stand by it. You don't want to be half apologising / wincing inside when you introduce your DC for the rest of his life....!

largeginandtonic · 26/04/2010 18:46

Cinder we got a few raised eyebrows i suppose. Mostly people say 'Oh'. Lots say 'That's unusual'.

The thing is once you have named your baby people don't really comment. Maybe behind your back

If you like it use it. It's easy to stand by a name if you really truly like it.

I don't get the trying too hard. Trying too hard to what?

mathanxiety · 26/04/2010 17:09

You've still got the Dukes of Hazard, even in the UK.

And I think part of the thought behind the names on that show was that Beau would be seen by hillbillies/rednecks as a name a duke might bear, so it had hoity toity pretentions, and Luke Duke was something only a hillbilly would consider too, because it rhymes. (They could have been the Smiths of Hazard, after all). Beau is like Earl, namewise, in the US -- it's an aspirational name.

Original poster
CinderellaRach · 26/04/2010 16:47

Thanks thornrose

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thornrose · 26/04/2010 16:45

I know a Beau, I've always loved the name, he is 40+ and I've never actually met another one. It really suits him.
I've NEVER heard any negativity around the name until reading this thread.
If you like it choose it.

Original poster
CinderellaRach · 26/04/2010 16:43

No expat I'm no sensitive soul!I appreciate every single comment good or bad!That's why I asked!
Love finding out what people think.Just hope that people in UK would't think 'hillbilly' etc as it's an American thing!
Thanks

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expatinscotland · 26/04/2010 16:37

Well, Cinder, if you don't want peoples' opinions it's probably wisest not to ask.

Stay out of the kitchen and all that.

You name your child whatever you like, of course.

Original poster
CinderellaRach · 26/04/2010 16:32

Also to expatinscotland-surely as I'm in the UK then the redneck and hillbilly connections shouldn't apply to a British Beau?

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Original poster
CinderellaRach · 26/04/2010 15:13

Thanks cluckyduck!

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cluckyduck · 26/04/2010 14:18

Beau is a great name IMO - theres one in DDs class, and he is gorgeous, and has a lovely personality.

I dont think its pretentious at all.

Original poster
CinderellaRach · 26/04/2010 14:00

Yes it is a boy's name.Although in Sweden Bo is a girl's name and sounds exactly the same(just a different meaning!)

Thanks everyone for comments.Really love the name but will now wonder if people will think negatively towards me or ds when people know his name..

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milly987 · 26/04/2010 13:50

Beau is a GREAT name, ignore everyone else and do what you like.

Although, OP, it's a BOY's name.

Belle is the equiv. for a girl.

daisyj · 26/04/2010 13:50

I love Beau. Before dd was born she (we thought she was a he) was nicknamed Bo (short for Bojangles - long story!), but we got so attached to the name that we actually thought Beau for a boy would be lovely. Then she was a girl and Bo didn't suit her...

Anyway, I say go for Beau if you like it.

fuzzybunny · 26/04/2010 13:29

I love Beau, it's currently at the top of our list if DC2 is a boy. Wouldn't give it to a girl though.

Original poster
CinderellaRach · 26/04/2010 12:25
Smile
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Original poster
CinderellaRach · 26/04/2010 08:32

Thanks everyone!
Largeginandtonic-your Beau is lovely!Did you get any raised eyebrows when you told people his name??Just thought I'd ask as most people think it is a trying too hard name.Thanks anyway.

Thanks for that jazzdalek-you're right so many boys names that I like(Joshua/Harry/Oliver)but feel there will be so many in his class.
Also think an op confused me with someone else when she said my surname begins with O!!Would never give my child the initials BO!!

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