Bit random

[Shadow1986]

But what do people think of the name Hartley? For a boy.

It's not completely random, it has a meaning which relates to a family member but I'd rather not say incase we do go for it and then it outs me. Brother name is Henry.

[Shadow1986]

Haha exactly that! I'm late twenties so never heard of it, but that's why I like all of your input as it's letting me know about things I wouldn't have known about otherwise!

[Sparklingbrook]

Here he is

[Shadow1986]

I think the rabbit has made me like the name even more! :-)

[Sparklingbrook]

A rabbit? It's a Hare.

[pinktrufflechoc]

Have never heard of Hartley harebut it's definitely a surname to me, and I'm not keen on surnames as first names to be honest.

[squoosh]

Oh Hartley the Hare looks nice, if a little scruffy and slightly rabid.

I've got a lot of love for good old Basil Brush too.

[Sparklingbrook]

Ooh yes Basil Brush was great. I think my favourite Pipkins character was the Brummie pig.

[Shadow1986]

Now I've heard of basil brush!!

[Shadow1986]

Whenwillwe3meet again, that's amazing to be related to someone who was on the titanic. Wallace hartley is a great name.

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

It's horrible sorry. Very effeminate sounding as well. Nice for a girl though, but sorry I think boys should have strong masculine names.

[Quasilulu]

Not at all keen tbh. Makes me think of a portly man with a monocle

[sweetpeame]

It sounds like a surname (and probably is?) so I don't like it. But then I don't like any surnames as first names. I do like the idea of honouring a family member/using a family name but would probably use it as a middle name.

[Jux]

I don't see why your children have to have names that 'go together' or are not of 'different style'. The children are two different people, and don't have to 'go together' or anything. Will you dress them in matching outfits?

Hartley is a good name, and if you like it and it has meaning for you, use it.

[Sparklingbrook]

I have always boggled at that Jux match matchy names for siblings. I had no idea back in 2002 when DS2 arrived. Also what if they marry and their names don't 'go'.

[Fishwives]

Thank heavens, other people who find the 'matching names for siblings' thing deeply weird. I think it's a repellent idea, and suggests the parents are more invested in the idea of some kind of weird 'naming for lifestyle' notion than in giving individual children names...

It's a surname used as a woman's name in Iris Murdoch's The Sea, the Sea - Mary Hartley Smith, known as Hartley. A rather dopey, passive character, mind you.

[Shadow1986]

I don't really see the harm in trying to find names that compliment sibling names...certainly don't find it repellent or deeply weird! But each to their own.

[Sparklingbrook]

I just don't think it's necessary. I didn't even know it was a rule til MN, so have no idea if my two DSs names 'go'.

[scatterthenuns]

Jam here too!

[pinktrufflechoc]

I don't think sibling names have to go in the sense that they should match (explained that badly) but I know one of my friends adopted and the child's name is very different to that of their birth child's in genre, if you like.

I also know parents who named their DD a very unusual name and their DS a very popular one and a few people remarked on it.

[MamaLazarou]

How dare you call Hartley Hare a rabbit?

[Sparklingbrook]

[Shadow1986]

Thanks all, appreciate comments. Agree it might be better suited as a middle name. Now it's just finding a first name! James hartley perhaps?

[Mutteroo]

Also thought of Hartley hare who was my hero when I was about five years old.
Hartley is a sound human name too, but I don't think it goes with Henry as its too similar in structure yet opposing in style. Does that make sense?

[WildRunner]

Hartley Hare used to scare the bejesus out of me. All rabid and flea-bitten with that creepy grandad-in-the-attic voice. That said, if it wasn't for Pipkins, I think I'd quite like it and it definitely works as a middle name.