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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Roman?

28 replies

Rainbowblooms · 28/06/2015 23:00

What's your opinions on the name Roman? Dh is totally set on it for our son due in 4 weeks and after having pretty much decided on it I'm having a last minute wobble! Any thoughts? Or similar names to suggest? Thanks

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tethersend · 28/06/2015 23:09

It's a very common Polish and Russian name.

Its DP's name, and he is constantly called Ronan, Norman, Ronnie.

How about Ronnie?

FadedRed · 28/06/2015 23:14

I think it's lovely name, (but since Brooklyn Beckham, would be concerned about future assumption that Rome was were you and Dh DTD )

Alonglongway · 28/06/2015 23:15

DD1 went to school with a Roman - nice name

Snowflake15 · 28/06/2015 23:16

Love it but too scared to use myself wish I wasn't

MyPreciousRing · 28/06/2015 23:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Rainbowblooms · 28/06/2015 23:24

Lol FadedRed! Nowhere so exotic unfortunately!
Snowflake that's how I feel, not quite brave enough even though I do really like it. Feels like a big name to live up to somehow.
Some positive comments though, thank you

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MyPreciousRing · 28/06/2015 23:30

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ZenNudist · 28/06/2015 23:32

Not great sorry. Might've different if you gave Eastern European background and it's a family name that's especially important to you.

Lifetime of jokes about roman hands and wandering fingers....

Only1scoop · 28/06/2015 23:34

Don't like it

DancingDinosaur · 28/06/2015 23:36

i know a Roman. I didn't like it at first, but its grown on me.

Sophronia · 29/06/2015 00:04

I like it.

StoryNory · 29/06/2015 00:10

It makes me think of Romany rather than Rome.

I like Ronan.

RedToothBrush · 29/06/2015 08:56

Rainbowblooms Sun 28-Jun-15 23:24:31
Snowflake that's how I feel, not quite brave enough even though I do really like it. Feels like a big name to live up to somehow.

DS has a name along these lines - really bold.

DH was set on it and I really wobbled on it as although I loved it, I did wonder if it was too much. I wouldn't commit to it for days after DS was born.

In the end, because I couldn't find something I loved more I went with it. It has special meaning to us in a few ways. I occasionally have doubts every now and then, but it suits him and I've got used to it. I've subsequently found it means a couple of other things other than the meaning we were aware of, which are so bad on its reassured me it was 'the one'. He has a safe middle name that I love but I felt too common to use as a first name, but I'd be happy for him to use if he ever choose to.

Reactions to our choice have been mixed. The majority of people have been positive to our face. There have been thinly veiled cat bum faces which are slightly amusing. A friend has told us that its about 50 - 50 reaction to his name away from us. But I do think temper this with the fact that these are people who don't live in the same area (so acceptability differs a lot in localised areas) and these are people we don't know and wouldn't normally mix with so they may think differently if they did know us. We've also had some people comment about just how much they love it when they really didn't need to. So I do think its marmite.

Of those we realised had a negative first reaction they have got over it and don't blink with his name now. I do think that some people just struggle with the unfamiliar and need a bit of time to get used to it.

In terms of living up to his name. I think it can be a bit of a self fulfilling thing. Other people react differently to him, so I think this will affect the person he becomes as much as his underlying personality. It is already seeming to be a really positive thing. I do think there are times where it wouldn't work and could be a chain around a child's neck, but then there are so many other 'normal' names where there may be similar issues. Its a gamble what ever you choose.

In hindsight , so far I'm glad I've gone with it. I think I would have forever regretted not doing so and wondered. If I have picked wrong, then DS has a lovely second name I'm very happy for him to choose to use. And it is ultimately his choice. I guess I feel I have to have a certain amount of confidence in the choices I make for him in life until he is old enough so I may as well start with his name

fleamadonna · 29/06/2015 09:00

my dad's polish/Russian business partner has a ds called roman.

he is extremely cool. I think he's a music producer now.

I always feel a bit funny about ethnically confused names though. don't know why. if it's not an issue for you, it's a very cool name.

FishCanFly · 29/06/2015 09:08

At school i had a crush on a boy called Roman. But he was an arse

RedToothBrush · 29/06/2015 09:15

I should add that I think the attitude of 'having a big name that might be difficult to live up to' is a very British way of thinking and a reflection of our cultural and class heritage of 'not getting ideas above your station'. Outside the uk there isn't quite the same fear and indeed some cultures encourage names to aspire to.

So my feeling is that if it doesn't bother other people then I think we should be braver in the UK.

DS's name is English but more commonly used in the USA. I personally think Roman is a bit ambiguous in origin these days. It has eastern European roots but I think that its perfectly accepted as an 'english' name these days. Naming trends involving places have been widely accepted for a while. No one blinks at China or India or Texas or indeed Brooklyn etc.

Cheesypop · 01/07/2015 16:32

I love it - it has been on our list since DH and I got together 11.5 years ago! I didn't realise it was of Eastern European origin as the only one I know in real life is a very very English chap from Cambridge who wears a bow tie and braces and drinks an inordinate amount of pims

We stupidly mentioned it to PIL years ago and were told it was an awful name, it was a paedophile's name apparently (Roman Polanski, I presume?) but they can FO with that thinking...

SunnyBaudelaire · 01/07/2015 16:34

yes it is nice but only if it pronounced properly eg not like an English person saying 'Rom'n' with the second syllable a 'schwa'.

PixieChops · 01/07/2015 16:43

I like it! I've got a son called River which is also a bit unusual but I'm not bothered if people like it or not.

CPtart · 01/07/2015 16:55

I know one aged 5. It's Martin Kemp's sons name too isn't it?
I don't like it personally.

smokedgarlic · 01/07/2015 17:01

It's a bit 'try hard' in my opinion but if you love it use it.

AuntieStella · 01/07/2015 17:02

I like it. But would probably assume you had Russian ancestry.

eckythumpenallthat · 01/07/2015 17:43

Only roman I've heard of is roman reigns ????

MyPreciousRing · 02/07/2015 14:20

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DefinitelyMaybeBaby · 02/07/2015 18:37

I know a baby Roman, his parents are quite "try hard" and like to be seen as out there and alternative. I don't really like it and just see it as an extension of their slight pretentiousness and wanting to be seen as cool. I realise this is a lot more about my feelings towards them than the name though! but that's the impression it gives me.

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