Gabriel???

[Zara1984]

Oh wise MNers: I beseech you!

What are your thoughts on Gabriel?

I'm not even pg yet (very actively TTC though) - but DH and I have had that name picked for a boy for the past 9 years. I'm just worried because when I've mentioned it to some people I get funny looks (although others love it!). The main comment is that the poor mite would me mercilessly teased at school (Gaybo, Gay Gabriel, Gabriella etc). I had a really shit maiden name so I guess it makes me particularly worried about it!

The name is kind of cemented for us - we call having a baby "having a little Gabriel"! Just worried we are dooming our child to teasing because his parents thought the name was cool?? I mean it's a fab (and sexy) name for a man I reckon but is it nice for a little boy???

9 years of fretting all coming out here...

I Love it and was on my list- DH absolutely vetoed it though. There is one in my DD class. I also fancied the pants of Gabriel Byrne so I think that's also why I liked it.

Btw my DH didn't like it because of the "Gay" bit. But he also vetoed Matthew as being "Gay"!

I like it. Nickname Gabe is fine. If there's any suggestion of "gay" the only reaction needed is "what's wrong with that?"

Yes my liking of the name also stems from fancying Gabriel Byrne! I mentioned I liked the name for a boy to boyfriend (now DH) way back in 2003 (while watching Usual Suspects, I think!) he said he liked it too, and that was that!

Yeah my view on gay-jibes would be "so bloody what" too but children can be unreasonable and cruel .

I think it's a marmite name.

It's a bit wet and feeble for my liking.

Agree with you, I would be worried about the teasing.

.... I should probably add that I have no problem telling adults they're being narrow-minded twats if THEY think the name sounds "gay"... Am just worried about schoolyard bullying

Have also told DH that little Gabriel needs to be taught karate (DH is a black belt) and how to fight (DH loves mixed martial arts and boxing...) as soon as he can walk. Then PFB son can pulverise any bullies who tease him about his LOVELY name.

I have a Gabriel :) He's 10 months. I was a bit unsure when DP suggested the name but I'm so glad we went for it. We've had 1 comment about being called Gay but as the majority of teenage boys call each other gay I'm pretty sure he'll get it regardless of his name.

He's far from angelic though and I do think Damien would've been more suited to him. :o

Btw my DH didn't like it because of the "Gay" bit. But he also vetoed Matthew as being "Gay"!

Cor, your dh sounds like a bit of a dream come true, firsttimemama.

OP, I really like Gabriel, lovely name.

I have a 10mo called Gabriel too and it's a name me and my DH both love. In fact, it was supposed to be my DH's name so PIL love it as do my family. I would definitely recommend it as a name, though be aware people will pronounce it Gabrielle because they're idiots

I love it, it's a gorgeous name.

I love the name Gabriel.
I know a Gabriel who's now 7ish and he's lovely. (has a very angelic face, too...)

love it love it love it

I like Gabriel.

Gay, short for Gabriel, is a common name for men in their 50s/60s in Ireland.

My Dad knows loads of blokes called Gay.

My nephew is called Gabriel (Gabe) and I was surprised at the choice because his older brother's name is unusual. But DH (English like SIL) thought Gabriel even more unusual.

I think it's becoming a lots more popular in England now, you hear it suggested or announced a fair bit.

My nephew is called Gabriel. He gets called Gabe. He's 10 & we've never heard any stories about him being picked on. It's a great name

I like it very much, however I now know two baby Gabriel's & I just wonder if it's going to see a surge in popularity? This may not bother you.

It's a lovely name, and I also love Gabe as a nickname

My sons name is Gabriel and he really suits it. I hope it doesn't get popular.

I worried about the 'gay thing' too, he's only one at the moment but every time someone asks his name they tell us what a nice unusual name it is. Women seem to like it more than men.

Ds2 is Gabriel, he is 14mo (tomorrow). He's an absolute terror and utterly fearless!

He is Gabe or Gabey or Gibedy (to ds1).

Don't try second guessing nicknames! My parents were still arguing on the way to hospital for my sister because my Dad shot down everything my mum suggested! I haven't met any Claire's called Eclair yet! Anyway my aunt tried to cover all the options by calling my cousin Roderick, thinking he could be Rod or Rick, the kids at school called him Rubber Dick!

I think Gabriel is a lovely name and if I had had a boy I would have loved that but OH was not keen!! But sod everyone else, so long as you are happy and you have not tripped yourself up inadvertantly (like the nice lady I met who wanted to called her first daughter Hazel since school and then married a man with the surname Nutter!), like initials GIT or GOB or a combination likely to give everyone a sore throat like Gabrial George Groat and the like!!

I knew a lovely (and very nice looking!) Gabriel, he was in his 20's and his nn was Gabs.

Nice name...

LOL @ Hazel Nutter :o

A husband with the surname Nutter is a good reason to give your children your name.

I love it.

our DS is 4 1/2mo and he's Gabriel. We love it!! Although our older teenage sons were worried initially as they thought he might get teased at school. With 4 older brothers i think that's unlikely! :)

Woohoo! You have no idea how much this thread has reassured me!!! I don't mind if the name is getting more popular right now - actually that would relieve my fears of school bullying.

The comments from you ladies who have little boys called Gabriel really made me smile! They sound like little (cheeky!) cuties!

Right so hopefully this time in 9 months-ish I will be getting my own Gabriel. It had better be a boy because we have never been able to agree on girls' names! Our compromise is that if we get really stuck, we would name a girl after DH's lovely sister (Amanda).

Last name is Watts so no unfortunate initials etc.