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Baby names

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

Original poster

Literary baby names?

162 replies

Bluesunday · 01/05/2010 21:09

I was just wondering (because I'm bored and there's nowt on telly) if anyone here had given their LOs literary-inspired names? My LO-on-the-way is going to have the name of my favourite book-character as a middle name if it's a boy... I was watching Jonathon Ross last night and found out Russell Crowe's DS2 is called Tennyson... can anyone beat that?

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Cadelaide · 02/05/2010 22:49

DD has a poncetastic Shakespearian name much mocked here on MN.

I have no regrets.

BakewellTarts · 02/05/2010 22:06

DHs best friend growing up had the middle name of Byron...not an easy one to live with.

shedragon · 02/05/2010 22:06

Named DD2 Portia, as in The Merchant of Venice. DH's choice, i had vetoed it all thru pregnancy. During delivery when I mentioned the name, there was a polite pause and a 'you did the hard work, you can choose' comment. Seemed they didn't agree with his choice!! Was so knackered and hormonal after that Portia she is. And I love the name. And it suits her.

Only down-side was we got cards with 'delighted to hear of Porsche's arrival'. Oh dear

mopsyflopsy · 02/05/2010 22:00

I quite like Quentin - hero of the 1823 historical novel, "Quentin Durward" by Sir Walter Scott.

Original poster
Bluesunday · 02/05/2010 21:43

I would have been Tallulah if my Dad hadn't put his foot down and insisted I have a "normal" (ie BORING) name - but he wasn't there in the delivery room for my birth, unlike my youngest sister where he was so shocked at the gore and blood he let my mum call the baby whatever she wanted (Crystal - it was pretty unheard of then). I am planning on not saying anything about the names I want until 5 seconds after I deliver this one - how can DP refuse me then?

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PartialToACupOfMilo · 02/05/2010 21:42

My Tess was named after my all time favourite novel. I was a bit nervous that people would comment about it being a bit of a pessimistic name, but no one has - maybe they just haven't read the book

Glad someone mentioned Tristan. I always loved Yseult and was sure my first DD would be one, but DH quickly vetoed that...

Actually I have a (kind of) literary name myself. Well, I'm named after an historical figure but my mother was reading her biography when pregnant with me - does that count?

dizzydixies · 02/05/2010 21:38

BlueSunday - I'm rather pleased as some of the names I was coming out with during all my pregnancies aren't something I would choose now

janeite · 02/05/2010 21:37

We toyed with Tess for dd1 too - but again, it didn't go with dp's surname.

BlueSunday - dp didn't get the final say; we just kept arguing until we found compromises that we could both live with!

Original poster
Bluesunday · 02/05/2010 21:36

It seems like a lot of DPs/DHs get the final say on the choice of names..? It seems a shame, there would be lot more interestingly monikered DCs walking about...

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AntoinetteOuradi · 02/05/2010 21:33

I wanted to call DD Eustachia (Return of the Native), but DH wasn't having it. Bah.

Original poster
Bluesunday · 02/05/2010 21:32

Ooh, love Harper!

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missismac · 02/05/2010 21:31

carrots what about 'James' as in Captain James (Jas) Hook?

I'm a Tess after T Hardy's novel - not the best heroine to be named for perhaps!?

I have a 'Wolf', but strongly wanted 'jude' - vetoed by DH. Do love Wolf now though & he loves it too. Love 'Aphra' for a girl & 'Laurie' for a boy. Also desperately wanted a Ptolemy but that got vetoed too.

momino · 02/05/2010 21:30

I so, so wanted an Atticus but we had a girl and named her Harper.

carrotsarenottheonlyvegetable · 02/05/2010 21:29
Grin
dizzydixies · 02/05/2010 21:23

DH would let me name ANY of the girls Dixie and we had 3 ffs, you think he would've given in just once but nooooooooooooo selfish sod!!

carrotsarenottheonlyvegetable · 02/05/2010 21:19

Thanks dizzy most helpful . I had a pony called dixie when I was a child (sticks out tongue)

dizzydixies · 02/05/2010 21:13

I like Jude!

Original poster
Bluesunday · 02/05/2010 21:10

I'm just so glad FIL didn't name DP Eric, but why he thinks we should consider it for our LO I have no idea! He also suggested Roger, for Roger Daltry, I laughed so much J20 shot out of my nose. Having said that I was named after a Thin Lizzy song, and my DD's middle name is Jude after the Beatles song (I was very young when I had her is my only explanation)

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dizzydixies · 02/05/2010 21:05

tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum

carrotsarenottheonlyvegetable · 02/05/2010 21:04

LOVE Atticus but just mentioned it to DH and he shuddered, and said he doesn't know me. . I pointed out that it was from one of the greatest books ever written (which he also loves) but we're in Yorkshire... it wouldn't work!

My mother's named Wendy from Peter Pan, and we named our DS1 Peter for the same reason. I would have Alice for a girl from Alice In Wonderland but we've got another boy on the way and I'd like to carry on the theme, but not keen on Michael or John (nice names but not quite right) and Captain Hook would be a bit odd . Can't really think of any boy's names in Alice...?

dizzydixies · 02/05/2010 21:03

god I LOVE Eric Clapton however still wouldn't go down the Eric route. I would have used Gypsy/Rhiannon/Sara/Diane if I'd gone with my fav group!

Original poster
Bluesunday · 02/05/2010 20:59

No offence to any Erics...

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Original poster
Bluesunday · 02/05/2010 20:58

Chegirl - what jazz/rock names if you don't mind me asking? FIL is pestering us to call LO Eric after Eric Clapton, his God... erm, no!

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janeite · 02/05/2010 20:51

DD1 would have been Laurie, had she been ds. And we both wanted Miranda for her (Tempest) but it sounded silly with dp's surname, which begins with a vowel.

I also love:

Atticus
Marianne and Elinor (Sense And Sensibility)

chegirlWILLbeserene · 02/05/2010 20:50

I have an Atticus but he is a dog. I got him as a baby substitute if that makes a difference (but then got pregnant anyway )

My DCs have Jazz/Rock names rather than literary ones.

I am named after a famous first wife.

I adore the name Bathsheba and would love to use it but sadly it will be another dog or perhaps a cat as I am not having any more DCs.