Bede

[RTchoke]

I love the name Bede (pronounced Bead) but I fear it might be too "out there".

What's the general consensus?

There was another thread on here a few months ago, where a poster wanted Beck for a DS, shortened from Beckett. Would this do if you wanted a religious historical name?

Sorry but I think there's a reason that the only Bede we know about lived in the 6 and 700s AD. Bede actually means prayer (hence rosary beads), I wouldn't call a DS Prayer either.....

I should add that DH had an unusual Anglo Saxon saint's name. He likes it, but he does spend a lot of time explaining to people, "Yes, it's my real name. No, my parents weren't hippies/academics/fans of Fantasy novels". His Dad was a bricklayer!

I once went out with a rather gorgeous Aelred! 30 years ago

We know a Bede & a Benedict (Ben) but there are a lot of Catholics up here. Both are lovely names. Different but not overtly however if you aren't catholic many may assume you are.

I love Aidan. Columbanus is another good one, but that might be Bede-like levels of "out there".

What about Ethelred?

Oswald is great.

Am afraid I also think bidet. Plus bedel (sp?) The bard.

I campaigned (unsucessfully) for Caedmon YokoOhNo! Try there [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbot_of_Iona abbots of Iona]] for some fun!

Oops that should have been try these Abbots of Iona for some fun!

As in "the venerable"?

What about Bino? I once knew a Bede, but he went by his middle name instead most of the time (telling, perhaps?)

I love it, but I did study Anglo Saxon :p

It's ghastly.

Wow - the only Bede I know is a seventy-year-old ex-nun.

(ie a woman)

Weird.

Never heard of it before this thread but it sounds like Something which lives in the bathroom and is for washing your arse in.

Bead is a very limiting name IMO

A lovely name, but best used for a pet rather than a child, IMHO (and I say that as a former postgraduate medievalist!)

The Venerable Bede (St Bede) springs immediately to mind.

I would consider it a very religious name, and I'd assume you were very religious to name your child that.

If you live in the north east, you should be fine re. spelling and pronunciation, as St Bede lived up here, and there's plenty of references to him around.

Usually I'd think a name like Bede was trying too hard, but actually I love it a lot.

I've just remembered - my grandfather wrote a book about the Venerable Bede.

May be completely outing myself, but it's been bugging me since my earlier post as to how I'd come to hear the name Bede .

There are actually more positive responses here than I was expecting. Although obviously the name also has it's fair share of haters.

We are not in the NE so I think pronunciation might be an issue.

I just love it. DH more worried about being unconventional.

Well I like it
I don't think it`s too out there, not like Spike or one of those kerazy names.