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Baby names

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

Original poster

Roland

38 replies

RugbyWidow7 · 30/11/2013 20:23

My husband's grandfather was Roland and although I love the abbreviations of this name (Roly / Rolo) with our surname, I'm just struggling to imagine introducing my son as Roland. Is this just because it's not fashionable? Or isn't it a nice name? I know it's opinion only really, but I'm keen to know what others think. I do like a strong boys name but not sure if this is almost too strong. Thanks

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LaurieFairyCake · 30/11/2013 20:28

There's nothing wrong with it, it's just not very nice.

Wasn't the bullied chubby kid in Grange Hill Roland?

Iwaswatchingthat · 30/11/2013 20:30

I immediately thought of Roland Rat, then King Rollo, then Roly from Grange Hill.

When I think about it my childhood was littered with Rolands.

bebopanddoowop · 30/11/2013 20:31

One of my best friends is called Roland so I like it! Suits him, I think of it as a cheeky name but maybe that's by association. He was named after the brand of keyboards, apparently...

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 30/11/2013 20:32

Absolutely love it - but suspect I'll be one of a v few.

MrsCosmopilite · 30/11/2013 20:32

Nothing wrong with it per se, but it did make me think of the kid on Grange Hill. Sorry to say Rolo made me think of 'A frog he would a wooing go (hi ho for Rolo). But in a nice way :)

Rosencrantz · 30/11/2013 20:34

I love it. Rollo is a great nickname.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 30/11/2013 20:34

Ro-land. I've never heard of another one apart from the Grange Hill one.

Original poster
RugbyWidow7 · 30/11/2013 21:10

Thanks all. Hmm

OP posts:
ThePigOfHappiness · 30/11/2013 21:15

I immediately thought of Roland the rat. Wouldn't be for me, sorry op. Middle name?

SavoyCabbage · 30/11/2013 21:23

I can only say it like Janet off grange hill. Ro-land. Probably as that was my first experience of the name.

MonkeysTypewriter · 30/11/2013 21:25

I think you should have a name you both love. If you don't love it enough, then middle names are for grandparents/ other people you want to honour

CitrusyOne · 30/11/2013 21:27

My cabbage patch doll was called Roland. That was my first thought- not the grange hill Roland. My cabbage patch doll was really cute though, and I wanted him so much. It made my Christmas the year I had him. Go for it! Have a Roland and live him like I did mine!

(I do have a dd of my own now and understand actual motherly love)

puntasticusername · 30/11/2013 21:57

Stephen King wrote a very heroic character called Roland: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_Deschain

puntasticusername · 30/11/2013 21:58

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_Deschain

dyslexicdespot · 30/11/2013 22:05

I really like it. We considered it for DS but named him after my father instead.

mathanxiety · 30/11/2013 22:08

I really like the name.

KenDoddsDadsDog · 30/11/2013 22:21

I can only say it like Janet from Grange Hill too. But there will be a pretty narrow generation remember that .
Roland Gift is v cool.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 30/11/2013 22:27

Stephen King's Roland is wonderful. I love him.

JCMSD · 01/12/2013 02:52

My husband is a Roland but has been a Roly most of his life. He is now a Roland at work but often gets Ronald instead/ by mistake. I tend to call him Ro most often. Anyway, I think its a great name. Would ask dh what he thinks but he is busy snoring...

squoosh · 01/12/2013 03:02

'I immediately thought of Roland Rat, then King Rollo, then Roly from Grange Hill.

When I think about it my childhood was littered with Rolands.'

We shared the same childhood!

OP Roland is not a good name.

ItLooksLikeRainDearpOOD · 01/12/2013 03:09

Sorry 1st thought was rat & then that poor boy from grange hill.

IceNoSlice · 01/12/2013 04:08

Grange Hill. Ro-land! Sorry.

perfectstorm · 01/12/2013 05:19

He'll be bullied. Roly-poly. I like it, but I think it's cruel for a child, sadly.

Dillydollydaydream · 01/12/2013 05:38

I know a Roland. His nickname is rat/ratty.

moas · 01/12/2013 07:51

Like it! Also like Roald.