Have you ever heard of...

[lochlessmonster]

Albert Reynolds?

Albert is our preferred name for a boy, nn Al, Albie or Bertie. But our surname is Reynolds and apparently Albert Reynolds was the Irish prime minister. I have to say I'd never heard of him so this wouldn't bother me. Just wondered if you'd heard of him though? Obviously if this is like calling a child John Major or George Bush to some people we'd better avoid it!

Nope.

Yes, I had heard of him but then I'm in Northern Ireland so might be more aware of Irish Taoiseach names than people in the rest of the UK.

Have to say though, the potential shortening to Bert Reynolds would put me off the name more.

Yes, but, I am Irish.

It would be like calling a boy John Major in Ireland.

That's a very good point rubber! Have to say Burt Reynolds hadn't really crossed my mind, and that's probably more of an issue than this politician!

How about Alfred/Freddie?

And now I can't get the image of a little baby with a huge moustache out of head Sorry!

I have. I'm not Irish. It wouldn't stop me using the name. However (big however), being called Bertie Reynolds is an invitation for schoolchildren to biro moustaches onto your son.

Alfred would be much kinder.

Doubt that many hypothetical school children will know who Burt Reynolds is, so as for drawing on fake moustaches, I dont think you will have a problem, IMO... ;)

The parents, however, may snigger :)

I think the sniggering parents might deter me!

My issue with Alfred is that it'd probably become Alfie which is nice but oh so popular.

I'm Irish, I'd find it hilarious. Do it!

lochless - how about Albie then, as a nn? Not as common as Alfie, but still a nice diminutive...?

Hmm, yeah, the Burt Reynolds thing puts me off.

But then that's me - as others have said, kids from this generation won't know of him :)

Never heard of him

Am Irish so yes. He made his money in the pet food industry iirc.

There was also Taioseach Bertie Ahern (Albert) -- so Bertie Reynolds would conjure up a strange mixture for me of the pair of them.

There is Alban?