Atticus, in light of publication of TKAM prequel - would you still use it?

[PavilionGrey]

Just that really. We really had our heart set on it, but not sure any more.

WWYD?

[toobreathless]

Atticus was on our list (& I haven't read the book although I am aware of the character)

Rupert is also on our list.

I got an absolute roasting on here for considering Lysander, which is still our top choice. It was pretty much called 'pretentious and try hard' then I realised that the very same people had children with generally top 10 names that I would consider twee and uninspiring.

Not that solved your dilemnia with Atticus but I understand why you wouldn't use it. Good luck finding an alternative.

[DoloresLandingham]

I don't know where you are in the country, OP, but I think you would be disappointed if you used Atticus with the express intention of choosing an unusual name. In this part of south London it is at least as popular as Oscar and Theo, even if it hasn't yet attained the dizzy heights of Jack.

[reuset]

Tbh, I've never understood the desire to give your child a common name either. To me, it just smacks of limited imagination on the part of the parent and an expectation/desire that your DC will just blend into the background amongst a sea of other small Toms/Jacks/Olivers.

I think rather that it shows a confidence that your child will stand out for their achievements and talents rather than remembered for some silly name their parents have bestowed in a misguided effort to make them 'speshul'

Atticus is not imaginative choice. TKAMB is the favourite book of many and very trendy in some circle and on lots of lists, here and in the US.

[reuset]

Did you see Atticus in the news yesterday. Number one boys name, based on 40 million views on Nameberry, apparently

[Muchadobird]

Pavilion what did you decide to do? Have been watching with interest as in same mindset- Atticus was the only name both DH and I agreed on and I've always loved it. Of course that love stemmed from TKAMB so am unimpressed by the new book.

I am of the mindset that the latest book was never the finished version so am hoping to ignore it and carry on with my name choice (baby due in 6 weeks), but am concerned of all the media awareness etc.

The only other name we both think is ok is Frederick, but I'm a little put off by the rising popularity of Freddie, which I don't particularly like as the shortened version. Plus I only think this name is ok, I just don't love it.

[PavilionGrey]

muchardo We've decided against it, I still love it, and if we were choosing it as a name in the abstract sense, would def use it. For us though, we would be naming him specifically after AF, so it just won't be the same. I love Frederick, but I agree, it does seem incredibly popular, certainly where we are anyway...what else do you have on your 'list'?

toobreathless Strangely, I had bookmarked your thread as I think we have similar taste and I was interested to see what suggestions you got! I love Lysander, it's not really for us, but it is a great name . Rupert would probably have been my frontrunner but has sadly been massively vetoed by DH. He's quite happy to leave it up to me to make the final choice, but has basically said 'anything but Rupert' so I do feel I have to respect such a strongly held view.

Jasper, Stirling and Thomas are the current favourites, but we can't seem to make a final decision. I'm really drawn towards Stirling, but it seems a bit too 'surname-as-firstname' - a trend I dislike.

[Muchadobird]

Other names I like ( but DH vetoed) are Barnaby, Fabian, and Jed.

He has no new suggestions.

I'm really struggling, don't really like many names and nephews/ close friends children all called the ones which are ok.

Stirling is different and quite cute. Little too surname sounding for my tastes however.

[RepeatAdNauseum]

I wouldn't. Not because of the name itself, but because this was the original character. TKAM was written after an editor provided feedback, and so it featured the "edited" Atticus. I can see both books featuring heavily in English literature GCSEs going forward.

[SpamAnderson]

Personally I really like Atticus and it's one I considered for our boys name list. I'm not sure if I'm too young or too uneducated ha ha but I didn't know it was from a book and took me a while to realise what TKAMB was referring too. I honestly don't think all that many people who link it to it's book origins if that makes sense?
One of my favourite boys names and one I wanted to use for a middle name has been ruined for me as it's been linked to a book..... unfortunately that book is Fifty Shades so not quite as unavoidable :/

[SophiePendragon]

No...I did the book at school like everyone else and I can't remember the plot let alone what this character was like. I don't recall liking any of them very much tbh.

Plus I don't really like it as a word, or a name - it just reminds me of attics

It's getting more popular in the UK I think in recent years - I know a 9yo called it.

[TitusAndromedon]

Sadly, Repeat, TKAM won't be featuring in English Lit GCSEs anymore because of the emphasis on British literature, which means texts such as TKAM and Of Mice and Men are no longer on the specifications.

OP, I've been having this same debate because I really love Atticus. However, I think that, in light of recent developments, it's probably no longer an option. Also, my students informed me that I would be setting my child up for a lifetime of mocking and the inevitable nickname 'Ass-kiss'.

In a similar theme, I also really like Jeremiah, nickname Jem, but my husband is not keen.

[YeOldTrout]

Atticus isn't a great name, imho, sorry to any bearers. It just doesn't work as a real person name.
Still, since TKAM was written second, it's the final revision on Atticus' character, don't you think?

I don't think James is ruined by Jimmy Saville.

In TKAM he's fighting for a man's life, after all, not the same as fighting for equal opportunity for a whole community or civil rights as we know them. I've always thought Atticus was held up way too idealistically. He's very much a product of his whole culture & time, not a radical at all.

[reuset]

I honestly don't think all that many people who link it to it's book origins if that makes sense?

Oooh I don't agree with that. TKAMB has topped lists (or featured very highly) and been voted 'greatest book of all time', 'most inspirational book of all time' etc etc etc

Unless you studied Roman or Greek history, or Latin, you're not likely to have come across the name elsewhere or have such a strong reference.

[reuset]

James isn't ruined by Jimmy Saville because it's such a commonplace name. Atticus is inextricably linked to Finch and TKAMB.

[DoloresLandingham]

How about Josiah, nn Jed?

[LibrariesGaveUsPower]

Josiah nn Jed is Very West Wing though isn't it. I mean, he was Jed because he was Josiah Edward (as you would know Dolores ). I know a few Josiah who are Josh.

Josiah and Atticus were actually both on our lists. i'm kind of relieved I didn't use it. It wouldn't have been after Atticus Finch but that is such a strong association that, if he's as racist as the reviews are suggesting it would feel like Oswald!

[DoloresLandingham]

Yes, I had Jed Bartlet in mind; a good, liberal fictional character with no sequels on the horizon!

[BothEndsBurning]

Atticus is a hideous name anyway.

[AlmaMartyr]

I love unusual names. Have a very dull one myself and hate it, although there are anecdotes on both sides of the fence. We went with the names we really wanted for our DC and are so glad we did. They are unusual but proper names. Didn't choose them because I think my DC are "speshul" but because those are the names I wanted (actually my absolute favourite was more popular but vetoed by DH).

Atticus - I don't think I would use it now if I was in your shoes. Maybe read the book first before deciding. I imagine that the fuss will die down and personally, I suspect that the sequel will be forgotten by and large, but atm you might find yourself having to field a lot of questions. It must be awful though, I'd be gutted.

[FabulousFudge]

Go for Jasper instead

[LeOrange]

I would read the book. Atticus does what is right by his own moral compass - in the same way that he did in TKAM, so that aspect of him has not changed. There is a long speech from Dr Finch to Scout about Atticus' fallibility towards the end of the book that may be of interest - no man is a God etc. A lot of TKAM purists refuse to read it, on the grounds that Harper Lee never wanted it published, don't know if that makes a difference.

[CrispyFern]

If you love it, use it. I think the sequel will quickly be relegated to a brief postscript in any information on tkamb.

Nobody will hear the name in twenty years and look up the publication date this year to see if you were inspired by book one or two.

[Alisvolatpropiis]

I love Jasper!

May I suggest Jonah for you to consider?

[CruCru]

I live half
The time in Islington and have met two Atticus's but heard of others.

I like your list (I have a Henry). Would you consider Alexander? Could shorten to Alex or Alec or Zander.

[SanityClause]

Go with Jasper. Lovely!

And the new book is very disappointing, (nothing much happens) and Atticus's attitudes are also very disappointing in the book. I wish I could unread it.