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Baby names

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

Original poster

Blair (for a boy)

31 replies

RodentOfUnusualSize · 08/08/2011 11:20

I would love to get some opinions on the name Blair.

DS is due in a couple of weeks and this is my current favourite. I like it because:

  • it goes well with our surname
  • it ties in with my DH's Scottish heritage
  • it is a 'normal' name but really uncommon outside Scotland (only 10 in England & Wales in 2010)

However I have some doubts, namely that it sounds a bit 'wet' unless the namee is a big strapping rugby-playing type. Also it kind of sounds like 'blah'.

NB we're not living in the UK so the Tony connection is not a big deal.

Any comments or thoughts would be gratefully received. My other favourites are Miles and Rory (but DH is not too keen on either of those).

OP posts:
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LetThereBeRock · 08/08/2011 11:35

It's lovely and not at all wet.

I also love your other choices,but Blair is my favourite.

spiderlight · 08/08/2011 13:12

Not a fan, sorry - sounds too much like 'bleurgh' and also puts me in myd of Tony Blair (and Blair Witch Project!).

sleepywombat · 08/08/2011 13:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

GibberingGinger · 08/08/2011 13:22

I really like it, but then I live in Scotland and therefore know real people with the name Blair, and hence don't link it to Tony Blair/Lionel Blair etc.

EllenJaneisnotmyname · 08/08/2011 13:38

I think it's ok. Tony Blair is old news, especially outside the UK. I much prefer Rory, though.

birdofthenorth · 08/08/2011 13:54

Love it

daimbardiva · 08/08/2011 14:33

I love it- in fact, it is top of my list should our impending child be a boy (dh yet to be convinced...he will be though :)) My ds1 is Rory so that tells you what I think of that name :)

Original poster
RodentOfUnusualSize · 08/08/2011 21:00

Thank you all for taking the time to respond. Some food for thought here. Not too worried about Tony or Lionel links as I seriously doubt anyone would make those connections outside the UK.

OP posts:
popsicle1984 · 08/08/2011 21:30

I think Gossip Girl has made it a girls name! Well someone had to own up to watching it!

SaffronCake · 08/08/2011 22:15

I associate it so strongly with Tony and Lionel that it's hard to give it a fair appraisal, sorry.

bigbluebump · 09/08/2011 10:19

Lovely name. Classic, easy to spell/pronounce and not overused. I like it.

hulabula · 09/08/2011 10:27

I like Blair and agree that the Tony connection will soon be forgotten, especially if you live outside the UK.

I find Blair nicer than Rory and Miles (plural of Mile imo), both of which are more common already in the UK.

tabulahrasa · 09/08/2011 10:31

I really like it too, but then I'm also in Scotland and know a few

BikeRunSki · 09/08/2011 10:36

Tony
Lionel
Witch Project

hulabula · 09/08/2011 10:44

Lionel?
Witch Project?

GlaikitFizzog · 25/08/2011 13:39

Just saw this thread and wanted to say DS (16 weeks) is Blair. I am in Scotland and have had lovely comments. there has been a few "What after Tony" comments to which we just laugh at!

I only found out about it becoming a girls name after he was registered. There were 83 boy Blairs in 2010 in Scotland and 6 girl Blair(e)s, so I think it can still be claimed as a boys name!

Good luck!

MissTriangle · 25/08/2011 16:19

I like it. But do associate it with gossip girl and it being a girls name. But there are so many names that are boys or girls names over here and the opposite in america... So I wouldn't let that put you off. The Tony connection might though ... But sure you can laugh that one away! X

lollystix · 25/08/2011 23:07

I like but I'm also in Scotland.

TillyIpswitch · 26/08/2011 03:03

I wonder where you are, OP...

This was a fairly common name amongst my generation growing up in NZ.* I went to school with a fair few of them, even lived down the road from one. Grin

To that end, it sounds a wee bit dated to my ears, but not in a bad way. I dunno, it wouldn't be on my list and I must admit that I do sort of get where you are coming from with the 'wet' accusation, although can't quite put my finger on why.

It's a nice name though - uncommon but not unheard of, easy to pronounce - it ticks a few boxes.

*NZ was settled by the British but our ties seem to be particularly strong with Scotland.

TillyIpswitch · 26/08/2011 03:04

To add - they were all boys. :)

spiderslegs · 26/08/2011 03:16

Are you mental?

Really???

If ou have another will you call him 'Brown'

Or 'Milliband'

??

CheerfulYank · 26/08/2011 03:33

I think it's nice, even though I do think of it as being a girl's name.

Miles v nice also. :)

TillyIpswitch · 26/08/2011 04:02

Calm down spiderslegs. The OP isn't in the UK and the world doesn't revolve around the UK.

I didn't even think of Tony when I opened this thread, and I lived there for his entire 'reign'.

Original poster
RodentOfUnusualSize · 26/08/2011 09:30

Just checked in on this thread as DS is now due pretty soon and we are no closer to a decision, but I keep coming back to Blair.

Tilly, I am currently in NZ, having just moved here from the UK. I didn't grow up in NZ but am aware of the Scottish ties. I don't know any Blairs personally but it certainly wouldn't be an odd name here, although still reasonably uncommon.

Spiderslegs, do you think that all of the 1,000+ parents who called their boys Cameron in 2010 will call their next child Osbourne? It's just a name, and I'm not mental, but thanks for asking!

OP posts:
ripstheirthroatoutliveupstairs · 26/08/2011 09:35

What a bizarre post spiderslegs.
Personally I don't like Blair. It always reminds me of Blair Peach, who I belive was a kiwi.
Try Duncan, Gavin or Adrian on for size. One will fit Wink

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