Settle a baby name argument

[SalemsPot22]

My fiancé wants to call our “hypothetical” son Roland.

I think it’s a horribly old fashioned name that will cause him to be bullied.

He thinks it’s ridiculously cool and is gutted that I hate it.

Who is being unreasonable?

He might be podgy - they'll call him Roly Poly.......

Rat....

I immediately thought weasley. Then realised I'd read it wrong and thought it said Ronald.

The first thing I think of is Roland the Gunslinger from Stephen King’s Dark Tower series, which is a whole lot cooler than the rat.

I still wouldn’t go with the name though.

Raymond is better.
Roland from Grange Hill and Roly Poly . Dont do it!!!

@TinaAnglewood

It’s an 80s name. Makes me think of Roland Rat, Roland synthesisers, Roland Orzabal, Ro(w)land Rivron,.... all 1980s !

Plus Roland Gift from the Fine Young Cannibals. If it’s 80s it’s probably not due a revival yet then.

It's only acceptable if he's a Stephen King Dark Tower fan

@SalemsPot22 I agree with you. It's a fucking awful name.

Roland, Raymond - how about Reggie? Or Gary, Dave, or Derek? Roger? Nigel?

My grandfather is called Roland. It’s a no from me.

Roland is a great name. Idris Elba played the gunslinger called Roland in the dark tower film a couple of years ago...I think more films to follow. The books (Stephen King) are much much better but still...

Roland, I'm not sure, I don't hate it but don't think I would like the inevitable Roly, or Roly Poly.
Raymond, love it! I know a few little Rays as well as some older ones. It makes me think of sunshine (rays of).

Roland Rat for sure, also I think there was this character in Grange Hill called Roland - my best friend's sister knew him in real life and said he was a complete creep. This will not matter to 99% of the people who will know your DS, as they won't be nearing 50 or whatever, but it presents a problem for me anyway.

My first thought was Roland Schitt from Schitt's Creek.

I love Ray op. What about Rollo?

I read Roland.

I hear raaaat faaaannnss

@Carouselfish

I love Ray op. What about Rollo?

You joke!

It's very "Olde Worlde Heroic" but the only one I ever met was my friend's dad who will be in his 70s now, and everyone called him Rolly, which is just too reminiscent of the poodle from Eastenders!
Amelie is just lovely though - so pretty.
What about Rickon? Or Rafe/Raphael? They're unusual but not as well, rodenty/doggy as Roland...

I like the name Roland, I guess these days that it might be consider a bit oldish, but nothing wrong with oldish names at all..

I maybe only just thinking about a man named Roland many many years ago, I met him about 4 years after I was divorced. he became a good friend later. was not looking for man, as I am my own person,so just a friend, older than me. He was very much into art and books and music, and was also into making furniture items,like beautiful carved tables.. and to boot was a great cook. Hey hey, so that is why I like the name Roland. !

I know one a few years older than me from the local "Shameless" family.
He's known locally as Rolly the toley (Scottish for poo), so I can't get past that association with the name.

@Whyisitsodifficult

Gosh no, if you’re over 40 all you’ll think of is that fat Roland which was said in a funny way by that girl in Grange Hill!

That girl is Mrs Beuchamp from Casualty now 😊

It’s got a good history. The Song of Roland is a very long medieval poem about how heroic Roland is. It also stars Oliver, Roland’s mate. They both end up dead - but they are avenged, so that’s alright, then.

I dont quite understand those saying he will be bullied because of Grange Hill or Roland Rat. Do any young kids know those two entities. Mine dont and they are 11 plus. Unless in these areas, middle age ppl go around bullying babies I doubt it is a consideration.
For young kids it will be just a name and a fairly unique one at that as I havent heard of anyone called Roland for ages.
He thinks its cool and is gutted you dont like it, which I think is totally reasonable attitude. You may not like it for whatever reason (as I have said the bullying aspect wont stand up in my opinion), so a compromise is required, but as it seems from your posts that its not about names you like but rather names you dont hate, I would go with what he wanted.

@Cheeseandwin5 - you're totally right on the bullying aspect. As a teacher I would say none of my students would have those references, so I genuinely don't think 80s culture has a bearing. Times change.

@Duvetdweller

Roland from Grange Hill

Ro-land