Would everyone think of Tony Blair?

[clarenceduke]

DH really wants to call our soon to be born next DD, Blair. He’s American and it’s a sort of preppy NYC name over there. But I )and other people) can’t help but think of Tony Blair who I really don’t like.

However, would that be different for DDs generation as I have three children with ex husband who are all ages between 15 and 21. They were all born in the Blair years from the late 90s to early/mid 00s and they do know a lot about him and the Iraq war etc but the DDs especially think of Gossip girl before him and they’re all 15/20 years older than our soon to be DD will be as well.

So no matter what you think of the name and how nice/not very nice it is, aibu to ask if you think people will automatically think of Tony Blair when she is growing up?

I'm American so I like the name and think it's not unusual at all...but here I'm sure people will think it's odd.

Better out than in gingham?

Better out than in gingham?

Maybe that's what happens whenever gingham thinks of Tony Blair.

In which case, I agree.

Not as suitable alternative name for OP's DD though.

I know a boy witht the name.To me it sounds like a sound. Blair. yuk what was that, kind of thing.

I would be singing the theme tune to "Facts of Life" constantly.

I think of failed 90s BBC soap El Dorado. But I am pretty sure I am alone in that 😂

Oh , I thought this was some tenuous Brexit thread and you were imploring us to please, ‘won’t somebody think of Tony Blair?’
I was going to say, I’d rather not thanks, I’m about to eat. But, no. As you were.

I'd think of Blair Waldorf or the blogger Blair Eadie. I wouldn't think of Tony particularly, probably because he's so unpopular I really doubt anyone would name their child after him. To me it's a rich bitch, mean girl name though, although I'd be appropriately intimidated by someone who bore it.

OP, you might need also to think about the pronunciation and spelling. It seems that if you're not Scottish or in Scotland then Blair may be pronounced like a horrible noise and possibly spelled Blay (as in draw instead of drawer).

Doesn't make me think of Tony automatically but it's a boys' name to me.

@Judashascomeintosomemoney

I had a similar thought!

I’m in the “sounds like a vomity noise” camp.

Boys name for me. I know quite a few, but I am Scottish.

I’m watching Bates Motel on Netflix and there’s a female Blair in the series except it’s spelt Blaire, obviously the feminine version.
I like it and it didn’t cross my mind to think of Tony Blair.

I wouldn't think of Tony Blair. I would think of Isla Blair and possible Scottish connections.

It's one of those names that sound better pronounced with an American (or Scottish for that matter!) accent. The letter R pronounced at the end sounds rather nice. In most English accents it sounds a bit like bleuggh.

It makes me think of the noise that contestants had to make at the start of playing Mallet's Mallet on children's tv in the 80s.

Lionel for me

Most people would think of Tony, the most unpopular ex PM of them all, because of Iraq.

Though I did briefly think of Lionel, even before MyKingdomForACaramel gave us a clue.

Exorcist for me

I went to school with a girl called Blair. Her parent(s) were in the military and she moved away during primary and then back during secondary.

Blair Witch for me, too.
Tony would be more of a problem, I reckon.

I know someone with a daughter called Blair

I just read a book with a female character called Blair. Before that I would only have thought of it as a boy’s name. If you like it, go for it. Nobody will think of Tony Blair by the time she’s older.

If it does put you off, what about Blake as a similar sounding alternative?