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Original poster

Stanley? Honest opinions please

54 replies

HowardMoonsTinyEyes · 11/05/2012 10:40

Hello

My partner and myself really like the name Stanley but so far the reactions from the few people we've told has not been good - ranging from laughter to my sister gasping "how am I going to tell people my nephews name!" - I'm predicting the rest of my family will react the same Sad

I'm orginally from Ireland so Stanley is rare, and the only people my sister could relate it to were Stan from Laurie and Hardy and Cath Kidston's dog!

Honest opinions would be appreciated. Should I change due to these reactions?

H x

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freerangeeggs · 11/05/2012 15:58

When I first moved to SE England I would have thought anyone contemplating Stanley as a name was mad.

However, I now know two teenaged Stanleys and it works brilliantly on them - quirky without being weird. Stan is an unexpectedly cool nickname, too.

I would actually consider it myself now. I think you'll kick yourself if you don't use it, as it'll probably get more popular and you would have been an early adopter :P

tummytickler · 11/05/2012 16:33

It's fine. Hardly eyebrow raising though. We know loads. Ds has 2 in his small reception class.
I agree it is good for a teenager. We know a teenage Stan - 'tis pretty cool.

Lannie33 · 11/05/2012 16:47

Not a huge fan myself but agree that who cares what anyone else thinks, if you love it go for it and in a few months everyone will just be thinking how adorable little Stanley is!!! My best friend's parents were horrified she named her DD Vienna, "a city and not a real name" and now love calling their little Vienna.

Original poster
HowardMoonsTinyEyes · 11/05/2012 18:22

Thanks everyone for your opinions, really helpful to get a more balanced view.

Think we're gonna stick with Stanley, and hope everyone else grows to love it once the little fella is here x

OP posts:
nocluenoclueatall · 11/05/2012 19:01

I'm afraid I can verify the faddiness of Stanley, as I seem to keep running into them myself, BUT, if you can get over that then go for it - it's a great name.

You'll never find a name that satisfies everyone anyway, so just pick one you like. Smile

nocluenoclueatall · 11/05/2012 19:02

OP just read your last post. Good for you - it's a cracking name and they'll all get used to it soon enough.

Ihatepeas · 11/05/2012 21:32

Love it..it's on our list!

motherstongue · 11/05/2012 21:41

my Ds middle name is Stanley. Named after his uncle who had passed away before he was born. However uncle hated the name so much that he changed it by deed poll to Lee. DS has a short 1st name and Lee sounded wrong so we opted for Stanley and hoped uncle Lee would forgive us.

RetroMum1 · 11/05/2012 21:59

I love it but there is hundreds of them around here, we ar in SE London. I think it will be in the top 20 in the next few years.

I am expecting DS2 and we love it but it is too popular for us so we are using it as a middle name.

ThePathanKhansWitch · 11/05/2012 22:03

I really like it. Really cool name.

bibbitybobbitybunny · 11/05/2012 22:04

Totally love it. In my top 3 or 4 for boys.

Maybetimeforachange · 12/05/2012 22:10

Dredful I am afraid

HolyCameraConfusionBatman · 12/05/2012 22:14

I know 2 under the age of 2.

I wouldn't use it myself but it's ok, I've heard a lot worse!

mummykubrick · 12/05/2012 22:18

I have one, he's 5.

I know another Stanley who's 6. And a couple of people who have used it as middle names in the last 3 years.

I think it will become more common but is still very love it or hate it so it shouldn't get too popular.

And yes, I love the name. I haven't called him Stan yet though, think that'll be for his school mates as he gets older.

awhistlingwoman · 13/05/2012 12:30

I love Stanley. It was DS1's name whilst he was a bump but we liked it so much we thought we would actually call him Stanley.

Made the fatal mistake of telling family and we had exactly the same reactions as you. And then everyone started calling him 'Flat Stanley.' So we didn't call him Stanley in the end and I still regret that a little bit as I think it is a lovely name and it would have suited DS1.

Don't think they liked the name we did pick in the end any better! If you like Stanley, stick with it!

birdofthenorth · 13/05/2012 12:48

Fabulous name. Really love it. Not popular where Up North at all yet, suspect they are mostly up be found in the trendy South East ATM!

effingwotsits · 13/05/2012 12:55

Love the name Stanley Smile

JuliaScurr · 13/05/2012 12:56

If dd (12) had been ds s/he would be Stanley

Original poster
HowardMoonsTinyEyes · 13/05/2012 13:37

Thanks again everyone, my sister said the name is growing on her, but lesson learnt not telling anyone else til the little fella is here, Stanley it is x

OP posts:
snowshoes · 13/05/2012 14:00

I think it's awful, sorry. Makes me picture a child forever picking his pants out of his bum or something.

MyMelody · 13/05/2012 21:37

Stick to your guns! Because its a name not used too much it will divide opinions a bit, but any name you choose some people will dislike it, you like it and thats the main thing Smile

SLVC · 14/05/2012 10:59

Good on you for sticking with Stanley OP. It's a FAB name. Love it.

Purplelooby · 16/05/2012 18:51

This is DH's favourite name out of our list but I just can't decide whether I like it or now. If that's in anyway helpful...

thegreylady · 16/05/2012 19:06

I know two gorgeous little boys named Stanley. There's one thing certain it will never be popular with the Chardonnay circle but will never sound awkward anywhere-go for it.

lovechoc · 18/05/2012 15:21

I don't like it, but then as your son gets older he will suit the name whatever age he is. You can shorted down the name to Stan.