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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Original poster

Gilligan for a boy?

49 replies

SlinkyB · 31/10/2013 21:00

Hi there, I'm expecting ds2 in Jan, and I really love the name Gil.

I don't like Gilbert or Gillespie though, so do you think Gilligan would work as a "full" name? We could call him Gilly as a nn when he was as baby, moving on to Gil as he gets older.

I know Gil is a name in its own right, but surname is only two syllables so I think a longer first name sounds/flows better. Plus I like slightly different names.

Thoughts please?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

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lljkk · 01/11/2013 21:04

, for those who don't know what we're on about.

lljkk · 01/11/2013 21:11

mmm... not like Gilligan's Island has made it into the 21st century, no Facebook page or anything with recent contributions.
Oh wait.

ChaffinchOfDoom · 01/11/2013 21:17

what's Gil Grissom's full name?

ChaffinchOfDoom · 01/11/2013 21:21

ah he's a Gilbert

HeyJudith · 01/11/2013 21:24

Gilligan is an Irish surname

Like Sullivan
Corrigan
Mulligan
Hannigan

etcetc
.

Are you ok with surname as a first name, and Irish surname in particular?

LynetteScavo · 01/11/2013 21:27

I reckon Gil is the new Finn.

Original poster

SlinkyB · 01/11/2013 21:34

Don't normally like surnames as first names Hey, but I just liked this one. Dh and I both have Irish heritage, so a nod to that would be nice. Do you think Gilligan would be seen as an odd name in Ireland? Am off there next weekend so will sound my Auntie out on it.

Think it's looking like Gil or nothing then...

OP posts:

humblebumble · 01/11/2013 22:04

I love it. What a great name.

HeyJudith · 01/11/2013 22:20

I think generally speaking there may be a few surprised eyebrows in Ireland if you said you were calling a baby, what is a very old, traditional Irish surname :), but don't think anyone would think it were odd as such (being as anything goes these days) but just unusual, maybe.

It's hard to compare it to an English surname equivalent because Americans have been doing surname as a first name for years so it's more a common thing (eg, Parker, Harrison) whereas Gilligan is so very definitely Old Irish clan-type surname :) but, I think, the sound of Gilligan is pleasant. As a stand-alone first name.

I take it it goes well with your surname? If so then I would probably go for it :)

Hooya · 02/11/2013 10:18

I don't see why anyone would worry about Gilligan's Island. Any adults who know of the show are presumably intelligent enough to associate the name with the person, even if it was a character on a TV show. And kids (who might be more susceptible to that sort of thing) won't have a clue about the show.

We had a similar dilemma with DS's name, which was a cartoon character in the 90s as well as an old surname. As long as it wouldn't be an obvious current reference, I don't see it as a big deal.

flipchart · 02/11/2013 15:01

What about Gideon. An old name meaning mighty warrior?

Sounds very similar to what you want but a traditional first name I it's own tight.

YesterdayI · 02/11/2013 15:23

Gideon is really nice.

Original poster

SlinkyB · 03/11/2013 21:26

Thanks for your thoughts HeyJ, I didn't know it was an old Irish clan surname!

Gilligan definitely goes well with our surname.

Hmm, Gideon? Ticks the 'G' box, and the three syllable box, but I instantly think "Bible"? And am pretty sure dh would either do the same, or think it sounded too posh?!

OP posts:

Arudonto · 04/11/2013 00:58

I dont like it sorry.its a very well known Irish surname...its also not helped at the minute by the fact that john gilligan is a renowned drug lord wh is blamed for the death of that journalist veronica guerin.... his notoriety will fade in time but I could see a lot of raised eyebrows over here in ireland with that name...

mynameisnotmichaelcaine · 04/11/2013 06:33

I love it! But then I have a Casper, and also an Asher, which gets some stick on here!

My favourite boys' name is Gregory, which was a dh veto, but has a similar shape to Gilligan. But obv, you are after Gil as nn so I would def go with it.

saintmerryweather · 04/11/2013 06:38

the op lives in the SW of england so why does it matter what the irish will think of her sons name???

i love it op, its much better than Gilbert

Slainte · 04/11/2013 06:44

Saint maybe it's because the OP said she and her DH have Irish roots and she wondered what to would be thought of in Ireland .

I'm Irish and my first thought was John Gilligan who's just out of prison. Because of the death of Veronica the Irish constitution had to be changed so it's pretty big news.

StayAwayFromDeliriumDive · 04/11/2013 06:50

I immediately thought of Gil Chesterton from Fraiser - not keen, sorry.

Bryzoan · 04/11/2013 07:13

I love it too. Would never have thought of it but it sounds great.

sonlypuppyfat · 04/11/2013 07:21

HFW has a chef working for him called Gil who is gorgeous just call him that what you want to inflict on him is just cruel!

saintmerryweather · 04/11/2013 08:23

whoops sorry slainte i read the thread and everything, still managed to miss all that

CheerfulYank · 04/11/2013 08:32

I like Gil but Gilligan is a bit much because I'm American, and the Island connotations are just too strong!

Also it's my friend's dog's name. :)

But...it does sound nice. If you like it, do it!

Slainte · 04/11/2013 22:27

saint

Feelingfatty · 04/11/2013 22:45

Love it, I know a little gilly :)

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