Murphy-or am I mad?!

[MrsAmos]

Currently expecting DS2 and may be going bonkers but today I've decided I quite like the name Murphy..... Struggled with boys names the first time and this time is no different, DS1 is Fred so need something relatively traditional but don't want to risk there being 5 other children with the same name in the class etc. Any thoughts??

I like it!

Only if you can stand the thought of him being called Spud. Usually unavoidable with a surname.

You are mad. Sorry. I speak as someone with experience of a child with this name. They will be called Spud or potato all the time. They will ask why their brother has a real name and they do not.

Mad

Murphy is a classic, easy to spell/pronounce name that isn't used much already - what's not to like?

I don't get the potato association

Yes it's a classic, a classic surname.

I like it - I don't get the spud/potato association either!

It's an oh so sophisticated link between an Irish name and a foodstuff that is associated with Ireland.

I don't get the potato thing, I like it =)

I like it- and did not get the photo thing either

"It's an oh so sophisticated link between an Irish name and a foodstuff that is associated with Ireland."

Thanks squoosh but I still don't really understand the link. Do you think most kids would make that connection? I doubt it!

I think Fred and Murphy go quite well together, actually.

Too surnamey IMHO.

There used to be a brand of potato called Murphy's grown in Ireland, I think - think it is from that. And the head of Tayto's crisps was Joe "Spud" Murphy, there have been a couple of footballers called "Spud" Murphy, a US jazz guy, etc.

The Artermis Fowl guy has also written a book with Spud Murphy in the title.

Sorry, to me it's a bit like calling an Irishman "Paddy" when you don't know his actual name. Like in a joke: "Murphy and Paddy were standing at the bar..."

Any Irish people you met would think you were bonkers.

Lockets, that is interesting. The Murphy I know is in Australia, he is ten though, which is not a dissimilar age. I wonder if location makes a difference, though I can't think why Oz kids would be more away of the "Spud Murphy" link than others.

aware

The only Murphy I know is a dog.

It just sounds like a normal name to my ears. I wouldn't make any connections, neither with a country or potatoes. I don't think most youngsters would either these days.

Sorry, but mad. That's the first name suggestion on MN that I've spluttered over.

Agreed, Puffpants. I have Irish connections and I think you're bonkers.

My nephew is a Murphy. Gets nicknamed Smurf.

You don't need most youngsters to make the connection, you just need one. Or their older sibling, cousin, dad, grandma, random stranger who you introduce your child to.

It is just what people called Murphy get called round here. I'm not Irish and no Irish connections.

Arguing that it's stupid is pointless. It may well be, but it doesn't change the fact that it has that connection.

The OP asked our opinions and it would be strange be not to mention it when she is not aware of a potential problem. Surely, that is what this forum is for.

I, personally, quite like Spud as a nn. I have known a couple and they were both really, really good people and Spud from Trainspotting (last name Murphy) has to be one of the funniest characters ever written/portrayed on film