Assumptions based on child's name Robert

[Dogadviceneeded]

Of course I know that no one should form assumptions based on a child's (or adult's) name, but I'm sure lots of people do (even if they don't act on it). What assumptions would you make about a little boy named Robert/Rob/Robby? Or if you wouldn't make any, what assumptions do you think others might make?

Yes, I know I am being ridiculous, please humour me!

It is great for nicknames - mine gets called Ruby and Rupert among other things

I named my DS Robert.

He is a teenager now and suits his name.

I don't shorten it- but I think some of his friends/teachers do. There are a couple of others in his year at school with the same name, which is a little odd - as it wasn't a 'fashionable' name.

A classical, strong, traditional name.

I think it is pretty much classless and timeless - not very fashionable at the moment but nobody would think "ooh that's really dated". I also think of it as quite a friendly and cheerful sounding name. I like Rob as a short form and don't mind Robbie, but I don't like Bobby at all (it says "old footballer" to me) and think Bob only really suits middle-aged or older people.

Every Rob I've ever met has been fit.

Old boring parents

That the parents had the good sense to give such a lovely 'proper' name

What a nasty post, vix

If either of my dds were boys they would have been Robert, nn Rab or Bob. I love it.

DD's best friend is called Robert. She's wanted to marry him since they were three. He's a great "boyly" boy (as opposed to a "girly" girl) and I'd be perfectly happy if they did!

They're 10 BTW...

Old boring parents

I see we have a 12-year-old amongst us. Well, it is half-term.

I have an 11 year old Robert. I went for strong classic names for all my boys. We're not Scottish although in fact he was born on Robbie Burns night and people always assume that's why. But it's not. He was always going to be Robert. There's no family connection either. He gets called Rob a lot.

A classic name like Robert never goes out of fashion. It's a lovely name.

Lovely name; I'd be expecting a very nice boy.

My Robert is a very nice boy. Well, a man now.

Bit niche this but I would assume good hockey player. That is based on experience s 20 years ago!

But old-fashioned. All the Roberts I know are 50+.

People did ask on what people would imagine, so Vix gave their answer...

I'm surprised people think it's old fashioned. We know Roberts in all age decades. I don't come across many under 10's so don't know about their representation in that age group, but my 3 teen DSes all have a few Roberts in their year groups. Mainly known as Robbie, now I think about it.

I normally equate names to people I have known with the same name. Robert was a lovely kid so I would think that. Robbie = Williams.

Bit drippy.

Rob / Robert - know millions of them it wouldn't even register if I met a bloke called Rob. That's not necessarily a good thing. If I met a newborn baby boy called Rob, yes I would assume there was a family connection - and might also think they could have tried a bit harder. But it's fine.

might also think they could have tried a bit harder

Why? I find this idea baffling. We don't all want to reinvent the wheel when it comes to our children's names.

might also think they could have tried a bit harder

Tried a bit harder to do what? Make themselves look like a tool by giving their child a made-up name or something "edgy" or "surfer dude"?

Give over.

I think it's a lovely, strong and classic name.

I'm interested in the responses that label it as boring and "should try harder". Are we all supposed to be digging out unusual or funky names? Trying hard to prove how unusual and trendy you are via your kids name is nothing short of embarrassing.

According to the ONS a Robert in the next generation is very likely to be the only one in his class at school. Hardly boring for the child?

All the Roberts I have known have been lovely and it's a name I have always liked.