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Baby names

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

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Original poster

welsh name for english baby??

22 replies

oggybags · 04/02/2011 19:53

I am english, but grew up on welsh boarders, husband did too, but considers himself half welsh.. we have both lived well away from area for 10 yrs +
We dont know what we're expecting, but have only 2 boys names we sort of agree on...

I have always been anti welsh name as I'm not welsh and wonder if it would seem a bit odd, given its quite nationalistic!(realise I'm repeating myself, but its a controversial one back home!)however we both like the name Gethin - is this just odd? I never thought i'd post in this one, as keeoing names private, but really starting to doubt my pg hormones on clothes, food, music tastes etc at the mo hence posting in here!
FWIW other boys names george or freddy with wilfred (grandads name) or leighton as middle names
Girls names sorted..
any thoughts...

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MelinaM · 04/02/2011 19:59

I don't think there's anything odd about having a Welsh name and living in England or vice versa, it's a personal choice, and so long as you're both happy with it thats all that matters!
I'm not a fan of Gethin myself, I do love Freddie and George though! x

AllieW · 04/02/2011 20:00

Gethin is lovely. I know a nearly 4 year old Gethin. He lives in England, so not a problem.

englishmummyinwales · 04/02/2011 21:23

I love the name Gethin! It's gorgeous and I was quite keen for DS1 (we are just over the border inside Wales admittedly) but Gethin Jones had just done well in Strictly Come Dancing and DH said that he thought everyone would think that we'd named him after him! I don't know why I listened to him because he's hardly a huge TV personality now, is he?!

I don't think there would be a problem being in England, although prepare yourself for having to spell it constantly (our DS1 was Iwan in the end and we always have to spell it, despite actually living just in Wales).

fifi25 · 04/02/2011 23:06

I picked an Irish name for my daughter (irish ancestory with irish surname) She is 9 now and hates her name. I used Niamh (neeve) thinking its one of the more common ones. She hates it as no one can pronounce it. She gets called Ni-am and is constantly asked what her name is. She wishes she had been called Erin which is the other name i chose. Use a welsh name but bare in mind it wont be welsh people reading it so be careful how it reads to English people.

mathanxiety · 05/02/2011 01:43

Not a bit odd as you both have a link to the Borders. People mispronounce lots of names, even simple ones. Gethin is lovely imo.

Fifi, go to Ireland with your DD and she'll feel better about her (beautiful) name -- I wanted this for all the DDs but was vetoed...

exexpat · 05/02/2011 01:48

I was born in England and have never lived in Wales but have a Welsh name - all my family is Welsh. I like having a name that reflects my family origins, though I do often have to spell it for people. If you both like Gethin, then I'd say go for it.

fifi25 · 05/02/2011 11:32

math-i printed the story of Niamh and Oisin off and she was well impressed with it, i think it gets her down sometimes but she will probably like it when shes older. I like it but its not my name

fifi25 · 05/02/2011 11:44

I also had Ethne picked for all of mine and that got totally vetoed as well for all 3 of them. I still love it and i wont get to use it now.

DownyEmerald · 05/02/2011 14:45

Our dd has a welsh name. Neither of us is welsh. We do like wales tho' and I grew up only five miles over the border, and dp went to two unis in wales.

I think as long as you have a link like you do it is fine.

I like Gethin - underused I think even in Wales.

choccyp1g · 05/02/2011 14:51

Gethin is a lovely name, and pronounced as it is spelt, so no excuse for anyone to have a problem with it. if you like the "G" sound, I'd also suggest Gareth, Garic (is that Welsh?) and Guto (pronounced Geeto) and best of all, Geraint.

putthekettleon · 05/02/2011 15:40

Oh I love the name Gethin! Unusual enough but simple enough for people to say and spell.

ValiumSandwichTime · 05/02/2011 19:08

I don't know why you're hesitating! I loved Olwen and had that on my list.

Fifi, I believe niamh is inside the top 100 names in teh UK so as she grows older this problem should become less iyswm

JamieLeeCurtis · 05/02/2011 19:18

One of my sons has a Welsh name - we aren't Welsh but DHs grandparents were. There are some great Welsh names. If you like it and it's meaningful to you, then go for it

doley · 05/02/2011 19:28

My youngest son has a very unusual Welsh name ,and we live in the US (well till Oct) .

I love Welsh names and Wales ,although I only went for my holidays as a child lol !

Go for what your heart desires ...you will never please everyone .

In fact I think my Eldest has a Welsh name too ,(just realized )

My American neighbors ,and at the school, have a problem saying it correctly- I am hoping that will not be the problem when we get home !

Hatterbox · 06/02/2011 13:38

I don't think it matters in the slighest.

Chloe is a Greek name and it hasn't stoped thousands upon thousands of parents in the UK naming their daughters Chloe has it?!

bronze · 06/02/2011 13:42

Both myself and my daughter technicallya re English though we both have welsh names. Some are too welsh I think to do that with but others are ok, liek ours.

FooffyShmoofer · 06/02/2011 14:03

My DS has a Gaelic first name and we have a Welsh surname. Our extended family is from Dublin but we are English.
Soooo It doesn't matter AT ALL

Your chosen name is lovely.

lovemyalfa · 06/02/2011 14:17

Gethin is lovely but I also like Iolo for a boy and if I have had a number 4 DC (!!!) that's what I'd call him. My DD is half welsh and her middle name is Eleri, which is the only welsh girl's name I could find and pronounce . A friend of a friend's DS is called Merlin, apparently a popular welsh name too...

cowboylover · 06/02/2011 19:35

I love the name Gethin, I live in Wales now but from Gloucestershire so not far over the border but still the English side of the bridge!

You can read it and know how it sounds unlike some of the Welsh names.

stegasaurus · 07/02/2011 22:07

I'm not Welsh, nor is DH or either of our families and we don't live in or particularly near Wales, but I have a couple of Welsh names on my shortlist for DC1.
Gethin is a good choice (though not one I would personally choose). Why not use it? You are very near Wales and it is easily recognisable and pronouncable. I like the name Eirlys, but suspect no one will be able to spell or pronounce that and it will be a nightmare for the poor child who will grow up resenting her name. At least Gethin won't have that problem.

LivingDeadGirl · 07/02/2011 23:35

I know of a Geordie Bryn and his name doesn't raise any eyebrows up here so I don't see any issues with Gethin. Go for it!

LibraPoppyGirl · 07/02/2011 23:42

My son is called 'Dylan' good strong Welsh name meaning 'man of the sea'. Got the name from Dylan Thomas, Welsh poet and author, loved 'Under Milk Wood' as a teenager and have the ibook on my ipod now. Brilliant poetry. I'm a fan in case you didn't realise lol.

Great name

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