What do you think of Atticus?

[RnB]

I'm rather liking it. Siblings are Benedict, Rex and Artemis

LOVE it but wouldn't use it alongside Artemis. How about Jem?

I love it!

I just don't get the 'trying hard' comment...why on earth would you NOT try hard to find a lovely, underused name ... Are people afraid of being 'different' or do they not like names that aren't widely used? Perhaps they prefer top 100 type names...? Or are they jealous? Genuinely curious!

Prefer Loftus if you are looking for a name that conjures up images of dark spaces accessed by ladders

its also the name of an online clothing store!

Wow thanks for all the replies. Re trying too hard, I agree - why not try hard?! When a midwife asked me what ds1's name was soon after his birth and I replied 'Benedict', she did cats bum face and said 'well that's a grand name for such a little boy'. Er...WTAF?

Nice to hear that so many of you like Atticus . Appreciate all the comment whether yay or nay

Ah Lockets - what a fantastic thing to say

Regarding the "trying too hard" comment - I hope I came over as honest rather than offensive.

However, I feel that I need to clarify my comment as many have questioned it. Again I don't want to offend, but give an honest opinion as naming a child is a big thing and all that.

However, when I hear the name Atticus I think it smacks of someone saying (in a plummy accent) "I've read To Kill A Mockingbird, don't you know. And I'm really right on, because of course, it's a very important book, with some important themes about equality and all that. And by the way, I got Latin GCSE, and did you realise that it has a Latin origin."

Yes, of course, why not try hard to come up with a great name, but sometimes, a great name can be one which is understated. By the way, I absolutely adore Benedict and Rex as names.

I was going to say it goes fantastically with your other DCs' names, until I came to Artemis.

Atticus and Artemis? They sound virtually the same.

And, yes, a lot of people misunderstanding the notion of 'try hard'. It's not 'trying too hard' to find a good name for your child...!

It's 'trying too hard' to come across a certain way; to project a certain image via a name, many of which - as we all know full well - have very vivid class connotations. Rightly or wrongly.

I'm not saying I agree with this for a second.

Does that mean then you simply cannot name a child after a character in a book you have read and liked?

I think that is utterly ludicrous! And inversely snobbish. Please do not in any way indicate that you have read a book!

It's so very right on not be racist, isn't it? (referring to the book)

Male sure folks, that your dc's names reflect nothing of your education or ethical leanings. Or you'll be trying too hard.

Are those that name their children Dwayne, Kermania and Conrad (as in Joseph Conrad) trying too hard too?

What if you HAVE studied Latin and read lots of books? Perhaps they have inspired you and you came across some lovely names?

Ok, this is baby names not AIBU and, once again, can I state that I am trying to clarify rather than offend. OP, feel free to tell me to bugger off from your thread if I am offending.

Of course there is nothing wrong in being educated or reading books, but, imo, its a bitbmuch to overly advertise that education.

For example, I'm aware that we have some highly educated posters on MN but it's not the "done thing" to brag about qualifications. In fact, there is one MNer who does sometimes mention her academic background and people have taken the piss out of her.

I did come across a child called Atticus recently, and I'm afraid I did suppress an inner giggle at what I presumed was pretentiousness in the parents.

Off to work now, so won't be able to respond for ages (in case you think I'm running away). I hope this clarifies.

this thread could only happen on mumsnet!!!!

Getting back to OP's original question...

I think it's too similar in sound to Artemis. That would bother me - depends if it bothers you. Otherwise it fits in well with your other DC names.

Alternatives: Cassius, Mungo, Murphy, Jago, Jonty, Crispin?

This is going to sound a bit rude but its really not meant to.

My dog is called Atticus. He is only called Atticus because I got him after DC4 and I thought DC4 was going to be my last DC. I loved the name so much I wanted to use it.
Then I had DC5 a year later

I think its a fab name and lots of fun to say Adddd eeee cusssssss like they do in the film.

It is a 'different' name and you will get some but I have never let any of that put me off chosing names for my kids.

I am quite common as well and have 5 O levels
HTH

Love Atticus :)

I love it. I love all your children's names, actually :o

Congratulations! I thought this may be you! Love the name. Agree with why not try hard. You must have been pregnant when I last saw you imsaid to dp I thought you might be because of the single glass of half drunk wine x x

i agree as i have said, its a great name, as is Cassius, mentioned by another poster, if i ever have another boy (i have 4 already!) i shall be using it! actually i want twin boys to be Cassius and Emmett but we are done having babies, unless we win the lottery!

Love it because I love gregory peck in TKAM but............couldn't name a child it! Also, when using a name with such a strong association with a particular character or book, you have to be very sure it will stand the test of time. When the book had it's ?50th anniversary last year, I remember it came in for a fair bit of criticism amongst the praise for not having any black characters of any detail or substance (which thinking about it is very true). Perhaps the book won't seem so groundbreaking, strong and moral in 50 years time.
I (briefly) considered it but went for a boring reliable name instead

Gosh. Only in Britain should you hide the fact you're educated because otherwise you're pretentious.

No, only on MN where being anything other than ordinary is frowned upon as being pretentious, smug and boasting.

RnB you will have to have 2 more now so that you can name the 6th one Ceyx my all time fave old greek name x