Is Farrah chavvy??

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I've been trying to find a non-frilly, not too long, not too common and not old ladyish name and came up with Farrah. DH's family are Yemeni Jewish but with an Arabic surname so I don't think it would be weird for us to use. However, a quick scan of old threads suggests it is considered chavvy.

Is this the case? If so, why?

I think I do remember people making comments along those lines (chavvy etc)

I'm not keen. It reminds me of the brand, Farrah, and a farrier

Chavvy probably means the same thing to us all I think. I don't have a problem using the word chavvy at all. The is no other word to use instead. I wouldn't use it to refer to a person though, it's obviously rude.

I can't stand the word cunt, but I don't expect others to stop using it

I think Farrah is a beautiful name. I've never heard of the teen mum referred to upthread, so my only association is Fawcett. I'd forgotten about the slacks though - that did make me , but it wouldn't put me off the name.

If somebody tried to define the word 'chav' without coming across as worthy, snobby or looking down on people then they would be hard- pressed.

I wish people would get their heads out of their arses.

By the way OP, IMO Farrah is a lovely name. I've probably ruined it for you now in saying so ;)

Congratulations on your new daughter, wholeheartedly.

I know what you mean and I don't use it in general language, but to me (and apparently lots of others according to baby names board) it's useful when deciding which names to avoid.

I wonder what word we used before we had chav?

I love it.

Horrible thread title. Please have a think before you post!

Farrah is not chavvy.

If the father is Jewish what is wrong with all those classic old testament names which certainly not chavvy. They never seem to date.

Mintyy and usual why? What have I said that is horrible? As I have already said, I like the name, did a search on here and every thread I came across it was referred to as chavvy and I have no idea why.

I don't like the term chavvy and would never describe a name as such. In fact, I made a point earlier in the thread about the term chavvy being used as a throw away insult for any name someone doesn't like. However, there have been enough threads on here where people do and I know IRL that this happens. I'm not going to stick my head in the sand and pretend it doesn't happen.

Also, I completely disagree that chav is a reference to anyone on a low income. That's ridiculous.

But Scotch you won't put me off! We'll probably end up with another DS and this will all be moot anyway

Jane there's nothing wrong with them, we just happen to like Farrah.

If you don't like the term chavvy and would never describe a word as such, then why the thread title?

I think you are back pedalling.

Before Chav, we had pikey, towny and 'common' (my mum's favourite). I think in Scotland they are also called 'schemies' . So you can take away the word chav but probably something else will soon fill its place.

One of my favourite people is called Farah. I prefer that spelling to Farrah, probably because I'm more familiar with it.

Because Mintyy, as I said in my op, "a quick scan of old threads suggests it is considered chavvy". As I said in my last post "I like the name, did a search on here and every thread I came across it was referred to as chavvy and I have no idea why".

How am I back-pedalling??

I think it's gorgeous

The only association I have with it is that I think of it as an Arabic or Islamic name.

But I'm not really sure why I think that as the only kid I've ever known called Farrah was blonde haired, blue eyed and third generation Geordie!

Anyway, thanks for everyone who gave a constructive opinion (even squoosh with the slacks reference!).

As for the wannabe-pious keyboard warriors, I hope your attempts to make a random stranger feel bad for no reason have brightened your evening!

With all due respect, OP, these keyboard-warriors you speak of are defending those who, instead of wanting strangers to feel bad, are trying to stop others who have named their kids something that other people have deemed 'chavvy' from feeling bad.

Imagine if this thread had been filled with people saying 'Oh yeah Farrah is a scummy chavvy name' or whatever, and a reader's baby daughter was called that?

Not very nice. Lets all just be happy and enjoy the names we would love for our children and be happy for those who love the names they've picked for theirs!

Can we ask if baby names are "nice" or "not nice" ? Or is that too rude, should we only be allowed "it is not to my taste, but it's perfectly acceptable" ?

Its impossible to critique names at all without saying something derogatory about them.

What about if someone said "Ugh Felix is a toff name" would that be ok?

I have a beautiful niece named Farrah, it's a popular Arabic name. Not chavvy at all!

It's a lovely name.
It is one of those that could be shouted across asda and not sound so great but most names actually fit that category.
It would also sound great being read out on graduation day or for a prime minister.

I think on baby names it really is important to be polite and respectful of other people's choices.

I know one Farrah. She is a friend of mine, a middle aged Iranian woman from a wealthy family who came to England in the early 1980s to flee the situation in Iran. She is extremely classy and civilized so to see her name written off as "chavvy" (which is horrible lazy thing to say anyway, shame on all who have been using it on baby names - or indeed anywhere else on the site) makes me go and a little bit .

When I saw the thread title I had two thoughts:

1. the OP is going to get flamed; and
2. No, it's usually an Arabic name which doesn't have any particular class etc connotations. In the 70s, it might have been considered whatever the 70s equivalent judgemental term for the 'lower orders' was.

Would you be pronouncing it the same as Ms Fawcett?

not chavvy