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Original poster

Where do we stand on Finn?

61 replies

99redbafoons · 11/04/2014 20:43

DC2 due in July, sex unknown but I'm presuming a boy as already have DS.

I don't really like any boys names, except DS's name and I knew the minute I found out I was pregnant with him that he would be a boy and that's what we'd call him.

I like Finn, it's the only boys name DH and I agree on he wants to call him Stanley or Jackson, not happening and I think it goes well with DS's name which is classic, top 20 but not hugely popular. I don't want to use Finlay, Finley, Finton etc....

All the threads that I've searched for on here that mention Finn say it's very popular but they all seem to be from 2008/9. I know it's not the rarest name but is it really that popular where you live? Do you like the name? We live in South as South can be England, if that makes a difference.

If it is that popular or you hate it, what names could you recommend? Our surname is two syllables and quite harsh sounding.

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peppinagiro · 11/04/2014 21:36

I'm intrigued by your husband's choices of Jackson and Stanley. They're pretty much complete opposites as far as names go! Stanley is very twee old man chic middle class suburbia name (and I do live the name, so don't misread me there!), and Jackson is just, er, not.

Original poster
99redbafoons · 11/04/2014 21:44

See, where we live Stanley is popular and er...rough.

He just like the sound of Stan with our surname. He also likes Jack and I think Jackson is his attempt at being alternative!

OP posts:
Misfitless · 11/04/2014 21:46

I know two Finns, one is aged 5 ish, and the other is about 17 years old.

I really like the name Stanley, in fact, I love it!

thegreylady · 11/04/2014 22:32

My dgs is Finn. He is 7 now and the most wonderful child you could meet. Finn McCool was an Irish hero. I didn't know another Finn before dgs but now , to me, the name is the boy and you couldn't choose a better one.

LokiTheCynicalCat · 11/04/2014 22:47

DS is a Finn. I didn't know any others when we chose it but I seem to see it on tv a lot lately - even the kid in the Lego movie was a Finn!

What bothers ME is the number of people who call him Finlay, trying to stick a second syllable on there because it doesn't "feel right" or they feel it should be short for something. We are Irish, it's an Irish name which dates from a pre-Christian legend, Finn MacCool. Finn is a derivative of Fionn meaning "fair- (haired or -skinned)". It's a name all by itself with a venerable history. Every other name is a lengthened form of the original Finn IMO!

That said, we got to it by shortening DH's name - Finbarr - into something we could live with...

RedLentil · 11/04/2014 22:52

We have a Fintan, called Finty by his sisters. At 11, he loves his name which isn't common at all in this part of Ireland. Here, it's seen as a bit of an old man's name in fact. Perfect as he's an old soul. Grin

Sharaluck · 11/04/2014 23:01

I think it was popular but not hugely popular a few years ago. The reason people think it is popular is because it did seem to come out of nowhere all of a sudden (no idea why?) so people noticed it.

I don't think you need to worry about it being as popular as jack or Oliver for instance though, if popularity concerns you.

I think it is a nice name, nothing wrong with it :)

Sharaluck · 11/04/2014 23:03

Have you compared the popularity of it on the name stat charts? I would compare 10 years ago, 5 years ago and then the last couple of years. Might give you some idea of how it went popularity wise.

MoominMammasHandbag · 11/04/2014 23:07

Another one here who would think of Finbarr Saunders.

Finn, to me, is one of those names where you know the kid is going to be "spirited".

Theonlyoneiknow · 11/04/2014 23:50

I have never heard any of these negative comments before about the name Finn!!!

It's a perfectly normal really nice name. I am genuinely baffled at all the ummmm criticism of it.

Doesn't matter a hoop in you call him Finn and not Finlay or Finbar or whatever.

All the Finns I know are lovely, and even if they weren't not very child with the same name has the same behaviour!

Orangeisthenewbanana · 11/04/2014 23:53

I like Finn. Only know of one & that's short for Finlay.

ImNotCrazy · 12/04/2014 00:03

I like it, prefer Flynn though.
Bit rubbish at suggesting names but how about Zach/ary or Dexter.

FuckingFuck · 12/04/2014 01:29

I love it, was on my list for DS. I only know one and he is a delight.

TheAwfulDaughter · 12/04/2014 01:37

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adaloveslace · 12/04/2014 02:08

I'm with Loki - I don't think you need to look any further than Finn or Fionn after Fionn Mac Cumhaill/Finn MacCool.

He wasn't always that nice a chap, of course. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fionn_mac_Cumhaill

I know Finns and Fionns of all ages, and it's a name that wears really well. I have an intense dislike of Finley and Finlay though - to me, they're in the same vein as Jackson (with apologies to your DH)... it's like calling a child Benson because you want a proper name for Ben that isn't Benjamin.

Other names that might fit the brief:
Oisin
Lachlan
Felim
Jude
Toby

sleepingbeautiful · 12/04/2014 05:08

I like Finn, Finnian and Fintan.
Not keen on Finley/Finlay. Not being Irish, Fionn looks like a girls name to me, though maybe because I know a Welsh girl called Ffion.
It wouldn't put me off that a few people made 'naughty boy name' comments. The two dreadfully badly behaved little boys I know are called Hugo and Tyler, not Finn - I'm sure there's a lot of naughty children out there not called Finn :p

rachel234 · 12/04/2014 05:56

Don't like it. It is part of a fish. Or a person from Finnland! Like being called Dane or German.

Germgirl · 12/04/2014 06:07

I know a Finn. He's 12 & one of the nicest kids I've ever met. He has a 3 syllable surname & the names go really well together. Go for it. It's a great name.

Original poster
99redbafoons · 12/04/2014 07:19

Thanks All, some interesting points from all.

I do love the name and I guess that's really all that matters!

OP posts:
peppinagiro · 12/04/2014 08:45

That's really interesting about Stanley being perceived so differently round your way, OP!

As for Finn, I like it. And I prefer it to Finlay etc. I think it's quite cool - sounds like a cheerful, clean little boy :) and as you say, all that matters is whether you like it!

CleverOl10 · 12/04/2014 09:21

Finn is a nice name. I know two - aged 14 and 6 and both are nice kids. As a teacher at a boys school, it is not perceived as a naughty boy name. Go with it. Grin

LadyDowagerHatt · 12/04/2014 11:38

I love it! It's the name of a family member otherwise we would have used it for DS (used Finlay as a middle name). And the Finn I know is the most lovely, polite boy you could ever have the pleasure to meet!

Original poster
99redbafoons · 12/04/2014 12:38

Hooray, particularly pleased with the last two comments!

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 12/04/2014 12:45

Not sure about this name. But it's one I think I could like if I heard it a bit more. I don't know any. But I have to say I'm not overkeen on it.

Rtfairy · 12/04/2014 14:48

I really like it a lot and it's loads nicer than Finley/Finlay. I can't use it really as a friend has a Finley so too similar. I actually don't know any Finns and it reminds me of the cartoon Adventure Time if you've ever seen it Smile