How popular is Monty?

[thereisalightanditnevergoesout]

Have you come across many?

My DH really likes it (I'm still holding out for Patrick, despite some concerns), but I'm not sure it's really us. I think it might be a bit aspirational for us - he'll go to the local comprehensive, not a private school.

What do you think?

Erm. I'm afraid I associate it with Uncle Monty in Withnail and I. Not a great association.

It is very posh.

Middle name maybe?

I don't think kids really notice whether a name is posh or not; if the only Monty they know is their little friend Monty from school then that's the image they'll have of a name. And then when they grow up and someone says it's a posh name, they'll say "Oh, I went to school with a Monty who was quite normal".

Don't think it's popular, though it seems to be getting a few mentions on MN. Could remain quite unusual, or could be the next Alfie, too early to say, I think.

Personally this is one of my least favourite names so I'd be holding out for Patrick too...

Gosh I'm not sure I should say this but... I don't know any people named Monty, but I do know 3 dogs called Monty. Try and push for Patrick.

I know a lovely, (state educated!) 6 yo Monty - lovely name.
Patrick's a bit dull in comparison

I'm not too worried about the Withanil and I link -

more worried that a) it's a dog's name (I've sort of rejected Benedict based on the fact everyone will shorten it to 'Ben' and that's a Golden Retriever's name to me).

b) it's too posh for us, though I take on board your comments morganlebuffay and deepdarkwood.

The thing is, I want to encourage DH because he really likes it - and he hasn't suggested too many (he liked Moss, but now he's gone off it a bit), but there are many Patricks in the family already - this one would have the same surname as one, too.

I'm assuming you don't watch the Simpsons then either...?

err - sometimes? Is there a Monty in the Simpsons?

Oh yes - Mr Burns...

Hmmmm

Monty Burns... that's Mr. Burns' name. C. Montgomery Burns. It perfectly fits my vision of the name...

DS2's middle name is Montgomery - I think its a really lovely name.

I prefer it to Patrick.

And regarding dogs - well everyone seems to call their pets 'people' names nowadays - I mean how often do you hear of a dog called rover or fido now?

I like Monty and prefer it to Patrick, personally.

I wouldn't worry about the 'class' issue as children honestly do not care about these things. They couldn't care less if their mate is called Matty, Monty or Mikey for example.

I guess I'm not so worried that kids will make the connection - I know kids aren't that bothered - and I don't know why I care what their parents think - but ultimately, I suppose that's what it is.

But you're right - dogs have people's names, these days. I actually like the nickname Patch for Patrick, a dog's name for a boy!

I know a Monty, and he's lovely, about 10m old. It really suits him. His mum did go to Cambridge though, but was at a comprehensive before, so not that posh!

Actually traceybath is right, I know dogs called Luke, George, Sidney and Stanley and cat called William. Ignore my first post... It's growing on me! I can picture Monty being called across a playground. If there are millions if Patricks in your family already, you should go for something different!

I think it's a grower, actually and although I don't love it (yet), it does save us having to have the conversation asking if the other Patrick (the one with the same surname) would mind...

The thing I often have trouble with is that in my DH's family, there are a couple of Matthews, a couple of Lucies, Emmas, Williams etc - and our DS has the same name as his Grandfather - so it would be nice for this one to have his own name... .

I know two under 10yo.

One goes to a posh school where he has a scholarship (sorry!).

The other one just goes to our primary school and is not especially posh afaik.

The scholarship boy is the funniest, nicest lad you could ask to meet btw. Not sure if that's cause of his name but anyway.

In fact the older Monty is legendary in our house as once, when he was here to tea, everyone was given a slice of cake and all of us were troughing in (including Monty's brother and in fact me!) - Monty meanwhile sits there and says "can I eat my cake now?" bless him.

My ds is Monty and we know another of a similar age. We are completely normal, middle class, attending local primaries, and nobody has ever said anything about his name being posh, except the extremely upper crust hospital consultant who laughed and suggested he would be a high court judge. (Which was q positive really, as we were there for pre natal testing due to potential disability!)

I know 2 cats called Monty so quite popular in the pet world

Makes me think of Monty Don who is in fact Montagu

I know 3 fat labradors called Monty and I used to work with an ex army bloke (v pukka) and his nickname was Monty.

However, the more I think about it for a little boy, the more I like it. Would that be his full name or would he be Montgomery? Not so keen on Patrick but can't really explain why.

I like Monty but it has to be (Montgomery or Montagu) [hate nicknames as proper names emoticon]

The only Patrick I know is always called Paddy, which I think is fab.

I can imagine twins, Paddy and Monty.

Aaaah

Montgomery was a war hero (I think) and Montague sounds a bit Romeo and Juliet so I think Monty sounds like your ancestors are most illustrious.

I prefer Patrick. I don't dislike Monty though! just maybe harder to pull off....