Our risky shortlist - please give comments

[Oakleigh20]

Hi all,

We are keeping our names secret from everyone but am desperate for some feedback. We have some safe options that we like but these are the risky ones... really love them but they are more unusual so want to be sure

Ford or Rupert for a boy
Berry or Wren for a girl

We want names that will be fitting as an adult in any job they choose to do but we don't like particularly popular names. Our safe choices are Albert and Penelope

Please let me know what you think plus any other alternatives also- what middle names do you think would go?

I like rupert

I prefer your safe choices to be honest, but I don't dislike any of them.

Penelope Jane or Penelope May

Florence ?

Martha

Another girls name i love is Ada. But Husband isnt keen. I think its a bit more unusual that Ava but still just as pretty

I'm not one for unusual names, but I kind of like Ford can't believe I'm saying that

I think Rupert is lovely, would you have a nn?

Berry is definitely a no, I like Wren (although there was a male character in Pretty Little Liars called Wren so I'm assuming it's unisex?) If I have another little girl I want to call her Brenda with the nn Bren but DP would never allow this

Not too keen on Albert or Penelope-I do like the nn Penny though

I prefer the safer options. But could use others as middle

Penelope Wren

Albert Ford

I love Ford.

Wren from your girls choices.

I love Wren too.

I like Ford but it does remind me of Ford Perfect from Douglas Adams Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books, I don't know if you are a fan but you may get asked if that is where the name comes from.

Wren and Penelope are lovely. Berry is nice too.

Not as keen on the boy list to be honest but Ford is quite nice.

I like Rupert and Penelope, not too keen on any of your other choices sorry.

oh yey i'm so glad some of you like Ford!! We think its a really strong boys name and i like that its not very popular, at least i havnt heard of any Fords.

Middle names for Ford are difficult. My husbands name is a one syllable name so not sure it will go as a middle name.

Girls names are so tricky as they become popular so fast its really tricky to find a less common name and agree on it

Love Rupert. Like Wren as a mn.

Ford and Berry are, imvho, ridiculous.

I like all your names to be honest but prefer Rupert and Wren, I don't mind Ford either but just prefer Rupert. The main reason for this is as you've said one day you may have a high flying daughter lawyer who may not want to be called Berry. It's also asking for people to say 'did you say: Ceri, Terri, Mary etc as it's less popular / known.

I really like more unusual names but with DD1 in the end went for something unusual but heard of so that approx 80% uk population know it but perhaps have never met one. But it's only known as a name and not as anything else. Our second choice was something more like the ones you have chosen (softer, less of a traditional name and more nature based) I've used it as a middle name. I'm so glad I did as DD so far suits her stronger name.

I am pregnant with DD2 and struggling again with the same issues!! Good luck!

You will be condemning him to a life of "Ford, yes, like the car"

Don't do it.

I know two 'fords' they are both American and under 5.

Wren is a great name. I'd prefer Floyd to Ford. Rupert is alright... But a bit "rah" for me. Berry is awful, sorry.

Penelope is lovely and there are a lot of Albert/Albies around at the moment.

I really like Rupert and Wren.

don't really like Ford or Berry much.

Ford, Wren and Berry are awful. Rupert is not to my taste but is at least a name and is becoming more popular.

Penelope, Ada, Albert and Rupert are all fine though.

I love Rupert.

Don't like Ford.

Quite like Wren.

Don't like Berry. (Sounds like a mispronounciation of Barry)

I love Wren. I know one in real life and I've always thought it was a cool name. Also really like Ada, shame your dh isn't keen .

Not so sure on your boys names. Would you shorten Albert to something? I quite like Ford but the car association would put me off a bit.

I love Wren, definitely my favourite of your girl options.
Can't get past Ford Prefect (but then of course there's Ford Madox Ford, suspect the Ford Prefect thing is just people of a certain age)
Not keen on Rupert (posh boys - but again showing my age)
Berry - pretty, but would tend to use as a nickname myself

Wren is lovely!

Sorry but Ford reminds me of Ford Prefect and Rupert is a lovely and underused name but brings a song to mind. I prefer it to Albert though, and I love Penelope.

I know a female Wren and a male Berry. Like Wren, not so sure about Berry, for either sex. Ford and Rupert are both great.

I love Berry and like Rupert.

thanks all!!!

i had never thought of the link between berry and barry - that made me laugh :) but so true... DH isnt keen on Berry either so think thats ruled out for good now.

THe car association with Ford is massive consideration and it initially put me off it. But its really grown on me and i love it now.

If we went with Albert i tink we would call him Albie or Bertie. But i am going off this sightly because its becoming popular. Just like Penelope.