Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Finlay

37 replies

Hopintobed · 19/09/2011 20:34

I realise it's popular in some areas but popularity doesn't worry me too much. What are your thoughts on the name? DS1 is Joseph. DS2 is due in December and is as yet nameless!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
whenstrangethingshappen · 19/09/2011 20:41

Personally I don't like it. But then I really like Fin.

nonsenses · 19/09/2011 20:42

I really like it, love Fin too. Joe and Fin work well!

Original poster
Hopintobed · 19/09/2011 20:47

So undecided! Ds1 name was so easy. We are really struggling this time. Sometimes I love Finlay, other times it seems a bit trendy?? Even though I know it's an old name it doesn't have the same traditional classic feel that Joseph has... or is that just me otherthinking things??

OP posts:
nonsenses · 19/09/2011 20:49

It's not as obviously classic as Joseph which has been popular for years, but like you say, it is an old name. I know a Finlay with a brother called Thomas - Fin & Tom. In fact.. how about Thomas??

essexmumma · 19/09/2011 20:59

Love it!

1234BOYS · 19/09/2011 21:05

I have a Finlay so clearly love it. He mostly goes by Fin. My other boys are Noah, Oscar & Hugo. I love the name Joseph :)

HandsOffOurLand · 19/09/2011 21:05

Not my cup of tea. Joseph is nice, though.

hugebluebump · 19/09/2011 21:24

Joseph is a lovely classic name. Finlay, on the other hand, is very trendy - five years ago I had never heard the name, now I know over ten Fins/Finns. I think it will date.

tammytoby · 19/09/2011 21:33

I'm not keen, sorry.

Xavielli · 21/09/2011 09:53

I really don't like the name Finley, which may be considered odd as I have a Finn, which I love.

I agree with whoever said thomas

tummytickler · 21/09/2011 10:27

I really dislike the name Finlay/Finley. You cant swing a cat here without knocking over at least 10 varieties of Fin. It is so trendy at the moment.

How about something more classic with Joseph?
Benjamin, Benedict, Gregory, Thomas, Henry, George, William?

LisaAmber · 21/09/2011 10:49

I have a 7 year old called Finlay (goes by Fin). It was a very unusual name when I picked it, but now there are loads of Finlays going about. Not so many Fins though. Also like the variation Fynn. My DS's middle name is Cole, which I love, and I wish I was brave enough back then to give him that as his first name! Mind you, there are quite a few Cole's popping up now too!! You can't seem to win! Think you find a nice, but unusual name, and then everyone jumps on the band wagon!! haha!! Fin and Joe sound good together though! :D Xx

1234BOYS · 21/09/2011 11:21

Finley and Finlay are two different names. Finley is Finlee and Finlay is FinLAY. Hardly trendy when it's such an old name but I agree that it is very popular now!

1234BOYS · 21/09/2011 11:27

and for those of you who say you only know under 5s named Fin/Finlay, you only have to search in Facebook to see there are in fact loads of over 5s and middle aged men named Finlay.

tummytickler · 21/09/2011 11:28

I know Finley and Finlay are two different names, but both are popular and to me all the 'Fin' names blur in to one, there are so many of them.
Old names can be trendy too you know - what about Jayden - height of trendiness, but it is biblical.

1234BOYS · 21/09/2011 11:31

Jayden is Biblical? I think you need to do so more research Grin

Idohaveoneofthese · 21/09/2011 11:33

I have a Finlay who is 3.5, I liked the name at the time but it is sooo popular now. My brother suggested Flynn at the time - which I thought was a bit out there, however, given the choice now, I would probably go for it.

Idohaveoneofthese · 21/09/2011 11:34

Jadon is biblical (thankful or judge) and Jayden is a form of that

1234BOYS · 21/09/2011 11:39

Jadon is not pronounced Jay-den.

1234BOYS · 21/09/2011 11:42

I do agree that biblical names date too though. Mark, Paul, Jason etc are today's Joshua, Isaac, Elijah and Noahs :( (I have a Noah too)

tummytickler · 21/09/2011 11:47

Oh, I have an Elijah Sad but i called him that because I know some in all age groups so assumed it wouldn't sound tooo dated in the future. He is 8 now - hope he wont mind being the new Kevin Grin

1234BOYS · 21/09/2011 11:59

I think we have different definitions of trendy tummy. Trendy names to me are the naff names that date - think Wayne, Dwanye, Kevin, Kylie, Michelle etc. Whereas you mean names that will date - as in linked to an era like Claire, Mark, Andrew, Michael etc. Elijah won't date like Kevin! I love Elijah btw.

hulabula · 21/09/2011 12:09

I know so, so many little Finlays, Finleys, Finnians, Fintons, most of which go by the nickname Fin/Finn, that to me the name has lost some of its 'purpose' (to identify someone). I think, having risen in popularity quickly, it will start to feel dated as people tire of it. Only time will tell whether it will date like Kevin/Wayne or more like Steve/Andy - but date it will imo.

1234BOYS · 21/09/2011 12:18

I agree that it will feel dated in 20 years - along with my other 3 sons names. I don't think it can be avoided unless you go for a name like James/John or a really obscure name.

hulabula · 21/09/2011 12:36

No, you can't completely avoid that a name 'dates' but the more popular the name, the more likely it will start to fall out of favour and feel 'dated' as people tire or it, just like fashion.

If you choose a less popular name (e.g. Marcus, Angus, Quentin, Seth, Nicholas, Asher for example) that isn't as 'trendy', it won't fall out of favour and 'date' as much imo.

The main thing is to choose a name you love and if the OP loves Finlay and isn't worried about 'dating', then I think she should go for it. We're just helping (hopefully) but pointing out that Finlay is a very 'trendy' name that may date more than more classic names.