Horatio - good, bad or ugly?

[BraveLilBear]

DS is now 9 days old and is known as Little Man or Monkey or numerous other pet names that wouldn't be allowed on a birth certificate.

We want unusual but classy and maybe classic/due for a revival. Like English origin names too.

Currently agreeing on Horatio, maybe Montgomery. But just trying to gauge wider opinion. ..

Thoughts on Horatio? Any alternatives we might go for?

Thanks in advance!

[squoosh]

or fraction?

[Jellyandicecreamplease]

You need to do the shop test - if you can't imagine shouting X come here, it is not the right name

[LynetteScavo]

I like Horatio and Montgomery, but think Monty is a better nn than um...Horace?

[ZingWidge]

since CSI Miami the only nn I can imagine for Horatio is H!

[Bowlersarm]

Jelly that does focus the mind. I think I would only be able to whisper Horatio, Montgomery or Cecil...

Don't like Horry.

[sparkle12mar08]

"What's his name?"

"Horatio"

Guffaws: "No really, what's his name?...Oh...."

Don't do it OP.

[SoftSheen]

Horatio is a big name to live up to and as others have pointed out has no obvious short form.

Montgomery with nn Monty is great.

What about Edmund?

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Horry is 'horrid' imho.
Edmund is lovely.

[Mumsnut]

Sholto?

[formicadinosaur]

Monty/ montgomery is fabulous. Horatio is fine also maybe you could use the nick name hero?

[peggyundercrackers]

is there some kind of competition going on for the most ridiculous name?

[hamab]

Sorry they both sound really pretentious to me. How about Basil?

[Green18]

It depends on where you live and the circle you and your child will move in. Horatio is a beautiful name. I work in a state primary school and there is a very eclectic mix of names from traditional to Polish to African to modern British. The children do not bat an eye, they just accept tht they sit next to Prince for Maths and Barnabas for Literacy! Be brave.

[Frikadellen]

I love it

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Love Barnabas. :)

[LazyMonkeyButler]

Are you or your DH in the military?

How about Nelson?

Seriously, no not Horatio. It's very awful. Montgomery (nn Monty) is better but still not great.

[BraveLilBear]

Thanks all- have to say the whole rhyming thing had totally passed me by.:/



Seems it's quite a marmite name! Plenty to think about here, thanks :)

[BraveLilBear]

Oops just read last page. We're both fine with the shop/namebadge/CV/degree ceremony test and thinking of either Ratio/Ray or H as nicknames.

He'd also have a very normal middle name so if he hates it he can use that instead.

Tbh tho, we're drifting towards this. Apparently in 2008 there were 12 Horatios born in the UK not as good a fact as the polar bear one so we're not the only people out there to go this way!

[kiwik]

I have a Horatio - he's known as Ray.
We used the name in honour of my Grandfather, who was born on Trafalgar Day, but was always known as Jim.

I love it (obviously), unusual, but not outlandish or made up.
My other boys are Gilbert and Francis.

We're considering Ptolemy for No4 if it's another boy.

[cuillereasoupe]

Horatio Hornblower. Just sayin'...

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Francis is lovely.

[Alisvolatpropiis]

Bad. I like this style of name but no,you can't! It was unusual even when Mr Nelson was named it. The English form being Horace of course.

I came across a little boy named Horatio earlier this year on a long train journey. I was amazed given his siblings names. The memory of his mum bellowing "RATIO FUCKING SHUT THE FUCK UP" down the train carriage will live with me for a long time.

[SLVC]

I adore Horatio! DD could well have been a Horatio, and was on the shortlist for DS. Ignore all the comments on here and go for it if you love it. Would make me happy to know there is a little Horatio in the world :-)

[MissingMyMarbles]

I love it! If I had one he'd be Harry for short though. Trying to persuade DH that another DC is a good idea (DD2 has just turned 1), and that if its a boy, we will call him Horatio

[formicadinosaur]

Willoughby? Cosmo?