Is the middle name Barry too cruel?

[PrettyInDecadence]

DH has just announced that he would like this DC to have his father's name as a middle name if a boy. It is Barry. Would we be too cruel to burden bestow a child with this name?

Harry
Larry
Barry
Gary

My point is, Barry isn't that different to Harry, which is obviously a fine, and popular name.

And used as a middle name, it will be fine. (All boys hate their middle names anyway*)

*Research done on two boys, concluded 100% thought their middle name was stupid.

Exactly! How ridiculous for Barry to be shunned and derided when Harry is so popular! Where do the sneerers stand on Larry, I wonder? Which side does that fall on?

In any case, Barry as a middle name is going to have an ambiguous status given that it's a fairly common surname as well.

As for Marjorie, I think that's a pretty name, very medieval. It probably won't be very long before it's rediscovered and becomes all the rage.

I would value the love of my family (in this case father in law) more than worry about teasing. Children will accept pretty much any name (unless it is Dick or Willy ), and I honestly don't think Barry is that awful as some of you suggest.

I'd be hoping it will be a girl then you don't need to have that argument. Barry is not too bad, actually maybe it is! Imagine if you do have a boy and he has a big nose, the Manilow jokes will be coming think and fast.

Do you really think our kids know who Barry Manilow is?! I even had to google him

Could you say "Yes I would love to honour your father by using the name Barry. Let's update it slightly though by changing the first letter to H."

:o at the idea of a name as ancient as Harry being an "update"

Or you could say "Yes I would love to honour your father by using the name Barry. Let's make it slightly more ancient though by changing the first letter to H."

As long as your last name isn't island it'll be fine

:o

I actually like Barry slightly more than Harry,not that I'm a huge fan of Barry,but I've never understood why the latter is so popular.

What's his first name? My FIL who passed away his first name was Trevor so we went for a variation of his middle name. MIL was chuffed.

Hadn't realised Barry was so out of favour! It's actually quite a nice name.

What's wrong with Barry?!!! What am I missing? Perfectly normal name in my opinion.

my dad's name was Barry, short for Barrington (which was actually his middle name). We gave ds that as a middle name - dfather died while i was pregnant with ds. So ds is X (classic English name) Barrington - i think it goes really well and is a lovely reminder of my father.

I know a 6yo Barry, named after his father. Not overly keen TBH

I have an idea: I think Barry can be a diminutive of Finbarr. What about that?

I am amazed at the strength of feeling on middle names. Middle names mean nothing in the grand scheme of things. I can think of people I've known 20 years where I couldn't tell you their middle name. I think Barry after your FIL would be lovely.

If the intention is to honour a family member by naming a child after them, then you give the child their name. Not a different name.

There's nothing wrong with Barry, it's a good strong name.

Surely the point of middle names is for kids to try to stop their friends finding out what they are at all costs? It's not like you'll be using it a lot as it'll be his middle name.
Also, what on earth is wrong with the name Barry? The Barrys I know are lovely kind men that I would love my boy to turn out like.

Agree Percy. Can you imagine the discussion. "We've named him Alexander Harry after you Dad". "But my name is Barry." "Err,yes, we changed it a bit". .

Its a middle name in honor of a family member. Fuck the haters.

My DH is Barrie. Grim as a first name, gets shortened to the harsh 'Baz'. But as a middle name, I think it's OK although not something I'd pick.

Bottom line is, if you don't like it then don't be pressured into using it. If however you are absolutely delighted to honour your FIL in that way then go for it.

Yes but who uses middle names really?

I had things said because I gave my son.Matthew as one of his middle names. Doesn't matter what anyone thinks.