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Original poster

Ernest, Lionel or Bertram?? DC 4!

58 replies

Porkpienessie · 30/07/2015 09:56

Hi, I'm new but need brutally honest opinions on potential names for our latest addition due in sept... Other children are Arthur, Florence and Cecily and hubby and I can't agree on new name, we don't know sex but my fave boys names are Ernest, Bertram (Bertie) and Lionel...

Please help! Thank you ????

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reuset · 30/07/2015 10:01

Bertram is good, then Ernest (I have friends with both names but know of only one baby in last few years named Ernest). They're both fine names.

Lionel made me snigger, it feels more outdated. He'd have a brother named Nigel or Norbert, or Derek/

Elllimam · 30/07/2015 10:03

I quite like Lionel.

Laquila · 30/07/2015 10:05

I like Ernest but not so keen on the other two. You might also like Gustave, Lawrence, Edwin and Gilbert?

Changebagsandgladrags · 30/07/2015 10:08

I like Bertram the best,then Ernest. I once came across the girls name Ernese which I really liked. Sounds like Ernest if it's a grl.

VulcanWoman · 30/07/2015 10:11

I try and imagine the children grown up starting their first job and just feel sorry for them with some of these names. Eric instead of Ernest but the other two just no. I like your other Childrens names.

MollieCoddler · 30/07/2015 10:13

Lionel is fab and has a strong history in this country. Lots of medieval Lionels. Love it. Be brave!

scribblegirl · 30/07/2015 10:30

I adore Ernest!

Bertram is a fab name but I'm not keen on Bert/Bertie (yet don't mind Ernie? Odd).

Lionel for me is a bit too out there (all I can think of is Lionel Blair and Lionel Richie!) but I can imagine if I knew any little boys with it then it would suit them IYSWIM. Plus at a stretch you could use Leo as a nn which is my favourite!

MabelSideswipe · 30/07/2015 10:33

Ernest is on the upswing at the moment. It might be in new Arthur in a couple of years.

Allalonenow · 30/07/2015 10:37

I think Bertram is super, and love Bertie as a nn.

Ernest (and nn Ernie) is my least favourite.

squoosh · 30/07/2015 10:50

Bertram.

Ernest reminds me of Benny Hill and it's never good for a child to remind you of Benny Hill.

I'm not sure how I feel about Lionel although Lionel Blair does keep tap dancing energetically in front of my mind's eye.

BothEndsBurning · 30/07/2015 12:05

I love Lionel, despite the fact that I'm no fan of Lionel Richie. And as a pp has suggested, he can be Leo for short or Messi

Sophronia · 30/07/2015 12:29

Ernest

fleurdelacourt · 30/07/2015 12:54

I love your first three names but am really not keen on any of these options for no 4. They're just too whacky for me - and Lionel will always be tainted by Lionel Blair in my mind.....

scribblegirl · 30/07/2015 13:43

bothends oh god I didn't even make the Messi connection - DH would be ashamed of me

Marcipex · 30/07/2015 13:45

I like all three, Bertam comes top though.

ashesandfire · 30/07/2015 13:50

I really like Ernest, it makes me think of The Importance of Being Earnest. But I really don't like the inevitable Ernie.
By contrast I like Bertie but really dislike Bertram.
Lionel is just a no from me, sorry.

Edmund
Lawrence
William
Peter
Wilfred/Wilbur

swallowed · 30/07/2015 13:51

All awful.

However your names are so "MN" that I actually wonder whether you're for real... Smile

swallowed · 30/07/2015 13:55

Reminds me of The Four Friends by AA Milne.

Although, on checking, they are James, Leonard, Ernest and George....

PumpingRSI · 30/07/2015 14:49

we have a Bertram, albeit a middle name. We pondered as a first name but didn't for family reasons. I do really love it tho and have had compliments.

IsadoraQuagmire · 30/07/2015 14:59

You have excellent taste in names! I really like all three equally, but if I were forced to choose, I think I'd go for Lionel, it's a beautiful name.

RedToothBrush · 30/07/2015 15:32

Lionel is still Lionel Blair for me I'm afraid.

Ernest I love - its a family name - BUT I worry whether that would mean a child would end up taking on the character trait of being Ernest as a result which is why I ended up ruling it out.

Bertram I also like. Again its a family name, but it was a name that had bad blood associated with it, so it wasn't really an option. I think that other Bert names are more popular but actually I think Bertram is a particular nice long variation. Its probably the one I would choose of the three if I had to. It doesn't seem to be as popular as I'd expect in like of the popularity of other 'granddad names' which is also a bonus.

juneau · 30/07/2015 16:23

Oh dear, they all sound a bit 'grandad' to my ear.

Bertram - not wild about that one, but I know a really sweet Bertie (not sure whether he's an Albert, Bertram, Herbert or whatever!)

Lionel is awful. And Lionel Blair was exceptionally camp - it reminds me of him.

Ernest reminds me of my sister's cat (he's called Ernie). Ernie is also the fastest milkman in the West (Benny Hill song). Having said that, there something quite charming about it and I had an Uncle Ernest ...

Lawrence is also nice.

juneau · 30/07/2015 16:24

Sorry, Great Uncle Ernest!

Pegaroo · 30/07/2015 16:31

Please not Lionel.

HeffaLumpers · 30/07/2015 16:34

Bertram is my favourite. Ernest is also lovely. Lionel is terrible