Would it be mean to call a child Paddy?

[hearthattack]

My Grandad's name was Patrick. Everyone called him Paddy. It's also my Dad's middle name. We're living in Wales very close to my DPs Welsh family and I like the idea of keeping something of my Irish roots. To me it feels solid, not trendy, good for a wee one and a grown man. No one else seems crazy about it though. In fact there's a distinct tumble weed moment followed by other helpful suggestions whenever we mention the idea to friends or family.

Would it be mean to call a child Paddy? Do people still see it as an insult for Irish people, or another name for a tantrum? Don't want to tempt fate for having a stroppy baby!

Honest thoughts please Mnetters..?

Would you call him Patrick or just Paddy?

Ps I see it as another name for a tantrum, sorry!

Patrick, Paddy for short. Haha, fair enough, that's why I asked!

I also really like Patch as a shortening for Patrick, but his surname would be Adams so apparently that's a no no thanks to some Robin Williams film I've never seen.

Patrick is lovely, paddy as cute a nickname is fine. Paddy as a full name, not so much. (I definitely think tantrum when someone says paddy btw)

I do actually really like Patrick but not sold on Paddy as a nickname (or any other nicknames for it to be honest!)

He would be Patrick. I'm not a fan of shortenings on birth certificates. Give the kid a choice eh?

Love both Patrick and Paddy - I'd go for it.

Of course not. Patrick, Patch as Nick name. Love Patch and Pasty.

Patrick is a great name and Paddy as a nn is ok.

I don't see any problems with it at all.

Thanks all. I guess a name that isn't bang 'on trend' (urgh) will garner mixed opinion. MIL keeps suggesting other things, and has intimated that she will call him what she wants anyway. We'll see!

I love Paddy.

Was considering it but didn't use it because it doesn't really go with our surname, and I would have had Patrick like you, but wouldn't have risked Pat which I hate with a passion. Patch is nice though.

Many moons ago I used to babysit for a baby Paddy. He will be grown up now! His full name was Padraig IIRC - I'm guessing that's the Irish spelling?

As long as your surname isn't Field

I love the Irish spelling. Great name.

I like Patrick if you like it go for it.

Call him Patrick. Patrick is a great name.

If paddy evolves, so be it. I don't think it's mean. So much nicer than a lot of the awful names that are used now.

Oooh, loving the Irish spelling! Stick that in your pipe and smoke it, Welsh language know-it-alls!

SueGeneris, I know it's much trendier to use the Irish version and for say Dermot / Diarmuid I would agree! but Padraig is a translation I don't like.

Also the nick name podge or paudge that often results from Pádraig, ugh. Saying that I do know a ''paudy'' and it does him no harm!

Patrick is nice, but (I'm Irish) Paddy as a short form/nickname is deeply in the province of whatever the opposite of 'grandad chic' is - 'grandad naff'?

I live in between two gaelscoiles and the pretentious carry on! it would stop you in your iaronrods!

I love the name Patrick, go for it!

'Peats' is another trad nickname. Pronounced 'Pats'. Padraig (sorry, can't do fadas - pronounced 'PAW-drig', roughly) is nice, too.

I quite like the idea if being deeply in the province of grandad naff! makes me like it more. it's also basically my DPs dress sense (he's 28).

DS1 is Paddy. He's 16 and there are a very few of his age group with the name also. It's a great name!

I never heard the expression 'having a paddy' until I joined Mumsnet. Always seems to have racist overtones to me .

Socalled I'm Irish too, and I can assure you it's not considered naff where I live - quite the opposite,