Thoughts on Archie?

[harverina]

Ok so I have a dd called Eilidh and am pregnant with dc 2. Think we have decided a girls name (Annabel or Annabelle) so now just have to decide on a boys name.

Dh and I both love Archie but I am a bit worried about other people's reactions to it?

Honestly is it awful? And if you don't like it,do you think it's horrendous or just now for you?

But leb the shortened names are often so different. Don't you think? Alfie compared to Alfred for example.

There are some names where I like the full name but not the nickname - Alexander is often shortened to Alec in Scotland and I don't like Alec at all, but I like Alexander

Thanks everyone, it's good to see how many like/don't like

Do you think you'll use it OP?

Archie is a very cute name, and not 'chavvy' round here (Kent), it does make me think of a cheeky, bright but mischievious (not really naughty) little boy but - you aren't just naming a cute little boy, you're naming a 30-something man who's CV has just landed on someone's desk, the 20-something who's trying to chat up that gorgeous girl at the bar, your naming the 40-something who might have a job like a builder or mechanic where sounding 'trustworthy' is important, you're naming someone for the rest of their life.

therefore I'd go with something less "cute" for a full name, but call him Archie from birth, it just gives your boy a little more options when he gets older if his life takes him in a direction where cute name isn't going to help him. A rule of thumb for me, anything that ends in "ie" is cute, cute is only suitable for primary school and younger.

(I also think Archer is a fabulous, fabulous name!)

we've chosen Archie for our overdue baby, but going to put Archer on his birth certificate as we feel it's more masculine when he gets older, and if people start calling him Archibald he can say, 'actually my full name is Archer'

Bowlersarm it is still a strong contender! I am only 18 weeks so have lots of time to decide

I also like Euan and George.

But I can't say that there are any names I love which makes it a bit harder

I don't know that I agree with Archie being a cute name - especially in Scotland?

I don't think it's a 'cute' name. People on MN always say that about names ending in the 'ee' sound for boys.

But how do those men cope who are called Tony, Toby, Oli, Andy, Johnnie, Charlie, Jamie, Robbie etc.

It would be a non issue for me.

Bowlers arms, of your list, tony and Toby are the only non-cutesy ones, I see cvs of high level people at work regularly, regardless of what someone is known as, I'd expect to see oliver, John/Jonathan, charles, robert, rather than the nick name versions. It just looks more professional.

Plus the only people I know with what are really nicknames as their given name spend a lot of time explaining that it's not short for anything. (thankfully while short names, they haven't got "ee" endings)

But Dontmind don't forget that the Archie's Charlie's Freddie's Alfie's who are born now will be the professionals of the future so it will become more the norm. Charlie is pretty much the same name in it's own right these days than a short form of Charles.

I think of this generation of boys there will be an even split of shortened versions on birth certificates, as well as traditional versions.

Can't move for Archies and Alfies round here.

Three Archies in the posh home counties private school I work in. I think it's a very popular name in general, used by all sectors of the population.

I also think it's cute and cheeky but that's probably because it's the name of my favourite ever pupils I know, teachers shouldn't have favourites but I've never met one who doesn't have secret ones! who is adorably cute and naughty in the best way.

I don't think of Archie as cute,it's more a solid auld man name

MN will have you believe Archie is a common "chavvy" name.

We had never met another Archie when we named our DS "Archie". We've since met two (he's three years old now), so I really don't think it's as common around here (NE Scotland) as people make out.

Our Archie is cute, charismatic and cheeky - just how I imagined him and he suits his name to a tee. I still love his name but-only-when-I'm-not reading-a-thread-about-it-on-MN so if you like it and it feels "right" go for it. I like the suggestion of putting "Archer" on the birth certificate, but DH would never have gone for it, so Archie he is and shall be.

peeriebear are you in Shetland?

There are 5 in my son's nursery. It's extremely popular. I don't like it, sorry. People may assume Archibald (and older kids may tease due to this-I know of one case) and also it is cutesy/old man-not sure would suit in between.

I really dislike it, I'm afraid. I think Archie,Alfie,Artie type names may soon sound dated as they fall out of favour, as people start to prefer more solid sounding/full names.

Love Eilidh though!

Totally agree with Dontmind's post. Cute names are fine for babies, toddlers and primary kids but its nice fir kids to have grown up names as options.

Not a fan I'm afraid, sorry. Not in Scotland though.

Scottishmummy I agree and that would actually be my concern! In my area it's more"old man" than cute which worries me slightly!

but that's the usp,solid auld man name.classic

It already is dated.

Not for me.

Archie, Alfie etc etc. All very common. (and not in a good way)

I love Eilidh too!

I dislike it, sorry. Archie, Alfie, Artie, Albie, etc. have become so overused and are on the way to falling out of favour imo. There are far nicer, more solid boys names out there imo.

Love your girl's name, Eilidh, by the way!

Thanks! I'd rather have honest a opinions - I'm not totally discounting it as i don't know of other Archie's but will ask around and see how popular it is I don't mind popular names so long as they are not too popular. I have a feeling I will be having a girl anyway

We had an Archie in the 90's. It was completely unheard of then & great excitement greeted him starting school etc A LOT more popular now (thanks to farking TV) & no-one ever comments on it anymore - but I only know one other - nearly the same age as mine (and his brother has the same name as one of my other boys - clearly we share taste in names).