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Would these 'Nr American' names sound ridiculous for a child living in England?

59 replies

jayisagirlsnametoo · 01/07/2013 17:10

I spent several years working in Canada and two names cropped up several times, names of professional, classy, intelligent, confident women. With such positive associations, I fell in love with these names.

However, I always felt they just would not work in England. But i love them. I know people are often encouraged to go with the names they love. . .but I'm not sure on these ones. Before I worked in Canada, I always thought one of them was 'chavvy' (sorry) but I don't think like that at all now.

Anyway, the names I love are Randy and Whitney.

What do you think? Do you know any Randys or Whitneys?

Thanks :)

OP posts:
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bugsybill · 01/07/2013 22:59

Whitney is fine.

Randy is unusable.

Miranda nicknamed randy possibly ok.

lordleofric · 01/07/2013 23:24

Sorry - not even for a pet. Imagine the looks you would get in the park!

PleaseDoNotAdjustYourSet · 01/07/2013 23:48

I like randy for a girl. Not as keen on Whitney, makes me think of Whitney Cummings.

FairyArmadillo · 02/07/2013 00:17

Whitney is fine. Randy does not work well over here. Please don't call a child in Britain Randy! If you really like it there used be a show called Northern Exposure back in the 90s. Someone had a baby and called her Miranda (Miranda Bliss), Randi for short. That would give her options if she can't cope with being Randy over here.

rockybalboa · 05/07/2013 20:57

Nope, neither works in the UK at all, sorry.

lljkk · 05/07/2013 21:01

Whitney would be okay, Randy is just... don't go there.

LeonardoAcropolis · 05/07/2013 21:18

Randy? No, that makes me think of Macho Man Randy Savage.

superdupermama · 05/07/2013 21:22

No, sorry :(

MacaYoniandCheese · 05/07/2013 22:48

Grin at MM Randy Savage (80's child). Please tell me he's not still around?

Sunnysummer · 05/07/2013 23:35

Randy not as any name at all...

Whitney is much more known as a name, though I agree that for some people in the UK and in the US the immediate associations may not quite so classy and sophisticated as experienced in Canada - but if you do go with it, I'm sure she'll soon make her own impression in any case, and the stereotype doesn't have to matter!

squoosh · 05/07/2013 23:44

Hmmmmm, let me think.

Whitney is pretty awful. Now let's move on to Randy ..................

Randy is COMPLETELYUN-BLOODY-THINKABLE. A million times 'NO'.

celestialsquirrels · 05/07/2013 23:48

The famous female 70s singer Randy Crawford released an album of greatest hits in the late 80s. She called it "Truly Randy".

It still makes me guffaw all these years later.
Just don't.

ananikifo · 05/07/2013 23:48

I don't even like them as a Canadian, although I don't hate them as much as others on this thread.

squoosh · 05/07/2013 23:51

Grin Grin Grin at Truly Randy, hope the follow up album was Totes Horny.

TolliverGroat · 05/07/2013 23:54

Randy in the UK - no. Nononononononono. Just no.

Whitney would sound a little odd on a British child, but it's not catastrophic. Randy would be.

ClaraOswald · 06/07/2013 00:09

Randy. Oh dear. Just no

Whitney. All I can hear is Eastenders. Again, another no from me,

brokenhearted55 · 07/07/2013 17:34

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

scottishmummy · 07/07/2013 18:36

Oh god don't inflict randy on anyone,years of teasing
Whitney,I think of the deceased warbler or eastenders

edam · 07/07/2013 18:39

I hope you are joking about Randy. Blimey!

edam · 07/07/2013 18:40

And don't call a pet Randy, either - can you imagine the looks if you have to call them in? Standing on your doorstep shouting 'Randy! Din dins!' Grin

CommanderShepard · 07/07/2013 18:43

Years ago Novell decided to use one of their employees in an international recruitment drive - I think - either way, the campaign was met with hilarity in the UK since the gentleman in question was...

Randy Bender.

I am not joking.

AuntieStella · 07/07/2013 18:52

Which puts me in mid of the wonderful author Neil Gaiman

Onesleeptillwembley · 07/07/2013 21:48

Puts me in mind of thevAmerican yearbook (?) that was online, and contained a Ginger Minge! Can you imagine if she came over here, poor thing.

Zynnia · 08/07/2013 21:28

omg, Randy would be cruel.

That goes beyond a taste issue. I think the registrar might ask you if you were aware of its meaning if you were registering the child in the UK. it's that bad.

Whitney not my cup of tea, but I like Shelby which has a similar vibe.

Zynnia · 08/07/2013 21:31

what about Wendy? is that a bit like Randy, but safer

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