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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Advice on name

42 replies

Ladypug · 05/09/2015 10:23

I have a favourite boys name and on MN people didn't really like it much but I still love it. I've tested it past a few people in real life and although one loved it, one told me she thinks it's a stupid name and my son would be bullied with this name. What should I do? I adore the name and can't find another name that even comes close :-( it's an old male name (although it's now popular in America for girls) but it's a male name from the 1930s and I love it. The name is Avery. Is it really really bad? Is there anything else I might like?

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Dinosaursdontgrowontrees · 05/09/2015 10:27

I quite like Avery. How about Aubrey?

purplemunkey · 05/09/2015 10:32

I love Avery. It's a great name. If you like it, go for it. I can't see why he'd be bullied for that name, sure it's uncommon but it doesn't sound like or rhyme with anything rude or silly unless I'm missing something?

purplemunkey · 05/09/2015 10:34

I like Aubrey too but I know more female Aubreys than male so it feels more feminine to me. I know it's unisex though and would also be a great name.

Original poster

Ladypug · 05/09/2015 10:39

I liked Aubrey too but DH vetoed it and to be honest, prefer Avery. Really can't find anything else. My friend said he would be bullied as its too wacky and unconventional

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SmugairleRoin · 05/09/2015 11:00

Have to admit I really don't like Avery...it reminds me of aviary which puts me off.
But then if you really love it, use it. It's not too weird and I don't think he'd be bullied just for it.

purplemunkey · 05/09/2015 12:58

It's not wacky. Don't listen to your friend.

purplemunkey · 05/09/2015 13:01

TBH it sounds like you like it so much you'll regret it if you don't use it. I'd suggest you stop asking people, wait until baby is born and start introducing him as Avery. If you still like it once it's real and aren't getting reactions that are making you doubt yourself you can stick with it and register the name. Perhaps if after a few days you're still worried you can change your mind before registering the birth.

IHeartKingThistle · 05/09/2015 13:16

Kids have no idea whether a name is wacky or not. He'll probably be the first Avery they meet, but maybe there will be a Jack in their class who's the first Jack they've ever met. How would they know?

Original poster

Ladypug · 05/09/2015 13:31

Thanks everyone this really helps! I think you're right purplemunkey I will regret it if I don't use it

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manicinsomniac · 05/09/2015 20:49

I love Avery for a girl.

I didn't know it was ever a boy's name.

I think you should use it if you really like it but I think he will find that everyone he has contact with in life will assume he is female until they meet him. Which is fine but might be slightly irritating.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 05/09/2015 20:53

I like it.

Original poster

Ladypug · 05/09/2015 20:59

Thanks Manic, I know what you mean but it's so frustrating as Avery is an old male name originating from Arthur and is only recently a girls name but in America it's massive for girls, just so frustrating as everything is becoming unisex now!

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GlitzAndGigglesx · 05/09/2015 21:03

I like Avery and probably wouldn't bat an eyelid if I heard it on a boy

WankerDeAsalWipe · 05/09/2015 21:09

Children have no idea whether a name is unusual and worthy of derision - unless is sounds like a rude word or they have an older sister with the same name as a boy then they don't care. However, they may repeat comments their parents have said.

That said, there is nothing wrong with Avery and I think that there is a much greater variety of names used now so unfamiliar names are now the norm I think. You would be as inclined to find an Avery (or similar type of name) as you would a Sam or Joe imo.

Original poster

Ladypug · 05/09/2015 21:13

Thanks everyone, feeling so much better, just going to go for it! :-)

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WankerDeAsalWipe · 05/09/2015 21:20

I'd maybe choose a fairly average name for the middle though just in case he hates it as he grows up. DP had quite an unusual name for it's time (though much more used now and having a bit of a resurgence) he at one point sent of for something using his middle name and his DM went crazy when it turned up :o

He likes it now though as when someone is shouting for him he is fairly sure it's him they mean. DSs were told to shout his first name if they needed him in a crowd too :)

StevieJo · 05/09/2015 21:21

I say use it, honestly it has a more masculine feeling to me so I certainly wouldn't bat an eyelid. It's all relative really, I have a male cousin named Ashley. Like Avery was originally a boys name but has since gone to the girls. Because he was the only Ashley I knew I grew up thinking it was more a male name. He's certainly never had any issues with it. As far as I'm aware he was never teased or bullied over his name.

UrbaneFox · 05/09/2015 21:21

Not my cup of tea. Call him Avery Patrick or Avery George to scaffold it up a bit.

UrbaneFox · 05/09/2015 21:24

wrt the unisex thing. I don't dislike it because of that. I like names like Christy, Kim, Sacha. I think Kim is coming back for boys. It went to the girls but for a few reasons I feel (and I'm never wrong in my predictions seriously though, I'm not) like it will come back for boys. Having done a scenic route through cyclical cycles.

pilates · 05/09/2015 21:28

Not for me.

DriverSurpriseMe · 05/09/2015 21:29

I've met two female Averys.

Although it's a surname-name, and these names are used on boys 99.9% of the time, there's something very feminine about Avery, to my ears. So I don't think it would work on a boy.

Original poster

Ladypug · 05/09/2015 21:35

Ok thanks everyone, I've decided I'm using it. We love it, it has a meaning for us, it's a male name (I don't really care the girls are using it) and it's been around a long time. We've decided :-)

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Original poster

Ladypug · 05/09/2015 21:35

Ps laughing out loud at the scaffold it up comment! God, why don't I call him Dave?!! Pmsl

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mumsnit · 05/09/2015 22:23

It's a really great name! I hope you will go for it

My DS's name is also now used for females in the US but we've never had any issue about it!

nooka · 06/09/2015 04:52

I think of Avery as a boys name because it's the name of Fern's brother in Charlotte's Web. An American boys name, but definitely for boys. I can't see why an Avery would be bullied in particular.

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