Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Opinions on Gideon?

74 replies

JAZA · 10/01/2016 08:12

I wanted something unusual, but still 'normal' - so I had decided on Gideon, but now I'm not so sure... Depending on the feedback, it will be the middle name! I would still like it as the first name though... Thank you :)

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
rainbowstardrops · 10/01/2016 08:40

It's not my cup of tea but it's ok as a middle name.
Didn't know it was Osborne's name but did immediately think of the duck when I read it! BlushGrin

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 10/01/2016 08:41

If you love Gideon, use Gideon, don't listen to a bunch of strangers. Especially when they don't like it because of a person, who choses not to use it anyway, and is never known by it Confused.

Go for it OP.

austenozzy · 10/01/2016 08:41

Gideon has always struck me as a horrid name, even before the poison touch of being George osborne's real name. It's in no way cool, op! Sorry. Noah is a bit over-done these days too. Going the way of Amelie etc.

TheBestChocolateIsFree · 10/01/2016 08:45

I quite like it as a name but it is widely used as a term of abuse in a certain section of society. If he takes over as party leader / prime minister from Cameron then the negative connotations won't go away any time soon.

Noah Gideon is nice though.

Original poster
JAZA · 10/01/2016 08:47

Hehe, I guess I'm the only one who likes it! Grin

DH is religious and would like Bible names, so he likes it - I'm sure he would rather a different name (to Gideon, not Noah) but I agreed to 2 bible names and not my grandad's name, for the middle!

OP posts:
Rivercam · 10/01/2016 09:13

Gideon/George osbourne isn't going to be around for ever, so that link will fade.

Savagebeauty · 10/01/2016 09:23

Doesn't it mean "man with a stump for a hand"?
I could be wrongGrin

SummerMonths · 10/01/2016 09:31

ita quite likely that George will be our next PM. He ain't going away soon. And whenever the press want to bait him they call him Gideon so it will become a high profile name entirely connected with bullying.

And it's so far from cool OP. I cannot think of a less cool Old Testament name

Original poster
JAZA · 10/01/2016 09:33

I think that I see it as cool because of Criminal Minds Grin

OP posts:
TempsPerdu · 10/01/2016 09:48

I'm generally pretty open-minded when it comes to names but I'm afraid I think this is dreadful! Not just the GO connection, as that will fade away - I don't like the way it sounds (pompous and old-fashioned), there are no obvious shortenings apart from from the less than attractive 'Gid', the meaning isn't great (alternatively 'he who fells' or 'person with a stump for a hand') and it manages to feel both heavily Biblical in a slightly overkill way and rather fey/precious - ripe for a lifetime of teasing, I'd say.

Sorry to be so negative OP but it's one of the few names I really, really don't like!

NannyNim · 10/01/2016 09:51

I must be in the minority because I love Gideon!
I had no idea of the George Osbourne connection and I highly doubt your DS' friends will either so teasing on that front is irrelevant.
It's a good, strong, solid name that's unusual without being too "out there" whilst Noah is much more common (although I still love it) somI would definitely go for it!

Original poster
JAZA · 10/01/2016 09:58

Is Noah Reid better?

OP posts:
Original poster
JAZA · 10/01/2016 10:03

I just feel like Gideon suits him!

OP posts:
dotdotdotmustdash · 10/01/2016 10:06

I went to school with a Gulliver (nn Gilly) and a Titus. Both were cool and unusual and neither were given hard time about their names. Gideon is a bit wet in my opinion.

DrewsWife · 10/01/2016 10:07

I love Gideon. I have an Elijah.

Original poster
JAZA · 10/01/2016 10:12

I love Elijah, but Noah Elijah doesn't really go?

OP posts:
AmysTiara · 10/01/2016 10:17

Gideon is a terrible name and about as far from "cool" as you can get.

I'm not even taking into account George Osbourne here.

Original poster
JAZA · 10/01/2016 10:17

He looks slightly Gideon??? Common!

Opinions on Gideon?
OP posts:
BertrandRussell · 10/01/2016 10:19

I love Gideon, but I would assume a Gideon was Jewish. Probably not a problem, obviously, but it might be if you are religious but not Jewish- IYSWIM.

That's why Osborne changed his name. George sounds so much more Middle England and CofE.

Original poster
JAZA · 10/01/2016 10:22

Is Elton better? Noah Elton? I would like a name that ends in on...

OP posts:
tilder · 10/01/2016 10:26

John.
To be fair, I only see Gideon used as a derogative term on mn.
Agree with pp. If Gideon becomes pm, the name will have long term connotations.

disappoint15 · 10/01/2016 10:26

Use Gideon if you like it. It's much nicer than the inexplicably popular negative-sounding moany no-ey old beardy man Noah. Gideon is recognisable without being too fashionable. I know a lovely Gideon who is early 20s now.

Junosmum · 10/01/2016 10:27

I love it. I know a little Gideon, he's lovely.

As for my Osborne, he's an idiot that couldn't pull off a cooling and unison name and blamed it for his bullying when really he's just an idiot and had to change his name to something as common place and ordinary as George!

cosytoaster · 10/01/2016 10:39

I like it - the fact that Osborne rejected it makes it more rather than less appealing!

lljkk · 10/01/2016 10:49

I know another one who like Osborne uses middle name instead. Make of that what you will.