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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I am regretting my 3 year old son’s name

251 replies

Tealbutterfly · 09/07/2021 08:08

I really wish we hadn’t called him what we have. I always liked the name, since I was young.
But now it’s become hugely popular and it’s lost its “charm” in my opinion, the charm I saw in it when I was younger.
He’s 3 years old, so we can’t change it.
I’m upset that it has a bit of a reputation now, when before it was a more unusual name to hear.

What do you do if you feel like this? I guess I’ve just got to suck it up really! As we can hardly change it at this stage in his life.

OP posts:
Moonwhite · 09/07/2021 13:26

Archie is a bit Cath Kidston pastel bunting, but that has been the trend for about a decade now. Maybe you should have gone with Arthur. I think ugly-retro will be the next trend as the very last cutesy ones have been mined now. I'm looking forward to seeing little toddlers called Mavis and Rita.

If you dislike it now because of Harry and Meghan's baby, at least no-one can say you copied...

tallduckandhandsome · 09/07/2021 13:28

@Moonwhite i was thinking that too. I know a 3yo named Arthur and I think it’s sweet. Ugly-retro sums it up.

FUCKLONGCOVID · 09/07/2021 13:41

Weird you should say his name as when I saw the title I thought the same thing about my eldest at that age and he is an Archie too!

But now he's an older teen and his name really suits him and I can't imagine him called anything else.

I don't know of any reputation alongside it?

Just think you chose the name for the right reasons and it will suit your DS and you loved it. So hopefully you'll fall back in love and won't be able to imagine him called anything different.

Catra · 09/07/2021 13:42

I know three lovely Archies.

They're all dogs.

KisstheTeapot14 · 09/07/2021 13:43

I like Archie.

Once DS gets older you can always ask him how he feels about his name. DS and I had a chat when he was 7 or 8. He said he wanted to give up his old names - first and second - and be called 'Tiger Shark Jones'.

I didn't take him up on it as I don't think he has a career ahead as a professional wrestler.

I still like his name, although his grandmother wanted him to be called 'Roger' when we told her she had a new grandson/his name - 'a nice strong name' she said).

We didn't take her up on her suggestion either.

It could be worse OP.

KisstheTeapot14 · 09/07/2021 13:45

@Catra

My name was popular amongst owners of small dogs when I was little.

It hasn't scarred me, though it did confuse me at times aged 5 in the park when old ladies shouted 'Kiss - fetch girl, fetch!'

JeansShirtJeansJacket · 09/07/2021 13:49

Monarch of the Glen! That's a blast from the past. I used to love watching that Grin

It's a lovely name.

JeansShirtJeansJacket · 09/07/2021 13:52

I should mention - my brother changed his name when he was 9. He officially swapped his first and middle names around. He was adamant he wanted to do this, and after about a year of him living with the swap unofficially and pestering my mum to get it changed, my mum caved and let him do it. He's now 40 and still happy that he changed it.

If your son really doesn't like his name then he could change it.

Iamblossom · 09/07/2021 14:06

@hapagirl

Aww. But you gave it to him with good intentions, it’s still a nice name. I did the same. DH is Scottish and our DD has a lovely Scottish girl’s name. I knew no one else with that name, thought it was so original. Then we moved to Scotland where it is currently the top baby girl’s name. 😳. But I figure it’s there because it’s a lovely name and it’s her (along with thousands of other girls and female dogs 😂)
Is your daughter's name Isla?
Purplegrass572 · 09/07/2021 14:08

Aww I used to watch Monarch of the Glen too and also fell in love with the name Archie! I still do love the name and don’t have any negative associations with it. I know 3 Archie’s, one adult, one around 10 and one 2 year old and think it suits them all wonderfully.

newnortherner111 · 09/07/2021 14:14

Your DS assuming he has a middle name or names could choose to use it later in life.

Mushypeasandchipstogo · 09/07/2021 14:21

I actually love the name Archie despite of its royal connotations. My friend’s adult daughter however, is seriously wanting to change her name by deed poll as it is the same as Archie’s mother’s!

EmeraldShamrock · 09/07/2021 14:26

He is your Archie he is individual and unique to you.
I love it.
I love Isla too, raging I didn't think of Isla Fisher 13 years ago when I was pregnant with my DD.
I first heard it on Holby City.

Lockeddownagain · 09/07/2021 15:37

The problem is the connection to the royals right ?Archie like prince Harry's son and prince William

Coyoacan · 09/07/2021 16:18

I'm a bit surprised. I didn't like the name my dd chose for my dgd, but because my dgd is so adorable and the name means her, I love it now.

Baconking · 09/07/2021 16:43

[quote CoralSparkles]**@Tealbutterfly* I thought it was unusual and liked how it sounded.*

Archie has never been an “unusual” name. There’s a boy called Archie in pretty much every class at my primary school, from Nursery up to Y6.[/quote]
Maybe it depends where you live.

I'm in my 40s & have never met a single Archie.

I don't know of any except my cousin's cat and Meghan & Harry's son Smile

Antiqueanniesmagiclanternshow · 09/07/2021 16:45

Archie is a fab name!

Classica · 09/07/2021 16:51

@Mushypeasandchipstogo

I actually love the name Archie despite of its royal connotations. My friend’s adult daughter however, is seriously wanting to change her name by deed poll as it is the same as Archie’s mother’s!
That's very odd. Or is she one of those people who has a vice like obsession with Meghan and Harry and disapproves of everything they do?
uncomfortablydumb53 · 09/07/2021 16:55

This happened to me... I have a 27 year old Callum! I'd chosen the name years before he was born.

weegiepower · 09/07/2021 18:42

It's still a nice name, also makes me think of monarch of the glen.
I have a 3 year old ds and slightly regret his name choice too! I was then also talked out of giving him the middle name of my other name choice by ex h and wish I had now because could have possibly used that, but never mind. It's still a nice name I just don't think he really suits him!

Feelingoktoday · 09/07/2021 18:44

Lovely name.

lakesummer · 09/07/2021 19:18

It was my grandfather's name and another family member wanted to use it but it suddenly seem to be everywhere so they ditched the idea.

It is a nice name though OP.

Grapewrath · 09/07/2021 19:23

Archie is a lovely name but it’s been popular for at least 16 years. My son is year 11 and there are at least 4 in his year

Diverseopinions · 09/07/2021 20:51

Some guys might like to have a name which a lot of other people have got. I think it could be cool. I've never really heard about a male regretting that his name is common or popular. Around the age of 65, are masses of Johns. Do teenage Jacks mind being yet another Jack? I don't think so?

Ylvamoon · 09/07/2021 20:58

I feel similar about DS name. When he was born, his name was more unusual but not unherared of.
7 years down the line and it's in the top 20 of popular boys names. 😭😭😭