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Baby names

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

What would you do if...

210 replies

andpropersteel · 26/05/2016 10:03

Both you and DP had settled on a name that you both love, but it was quite an uncommon name at present...

Not a 'yoonique' name.
Not a 'made up' name.

Just a name that, because it hasn't been in the top 500 since the 1950s, isn't on everyone's immediate radar?

We both really like it, and can't see anything wrong with it. It carries well from tot to adult. But there seems to be some people (on the internet, not daft/brave enough to share potential baby names in real life) who vehemently hate it looking at you mumsnet , and others (usually those who've actually met someone with this name) who love it.

Our thinking is that people are way more judgey of names when they're just arbitrary, and should we use it, it'll just become our little boy's name once people get used to it and that'll be that = new positive association. Names that are really popular now, like Henry or Gabriel for example, would have been considered ''cruel'' 10 years ago, and are totally nice names now.

We have a couple of ''back up'' names but DP in particular is really saddened to have to use those and it feels a bit weird to do so since using his ''in-utero'' name.

WWYD?

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andpropersteel · 26/05/2016 16:11

mitzy .. but also Sylvester is a cat with a distinctive speech impediment, if we're going down that route just saying Wink

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BeckyWithTheMediocreHair · 26/05/2016 16:11

I love this so much. I showed it to DD (3) the other day and she was in fits:

'Around, around, around, around, over, and under, and through!'

ChipsandGuac · 26/05/2016 16:13

Becky, my kids used to do the actions to that one! Oh, I just welled up a little at the memory Blush

MitzyLeFrouf · 26/05/2016 16:14

God that really takes me back!

andpropersteel · 26/05/2016 16:15

I think that actually he's such an awesome character I may have to pretend I've named him after the muppet.

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WellErrr · 26/05/2016 16:28

Grover? Sounds like Grovel. Sorry.

DerelictMyBalls · 26/05/2016 16:29

I don't think Grover is unfashionable because it's out of date. I think it's unfashionable because it's... Well, it's Grover's name. It's not a bad association but I would nevertheless be wary of using a name that has such immediate associations for so many people.

lljkk · 26/05/2016 17:47

Grover like Rover which is a dog's name...
Clement is pretty nice compared to that. Sorry!

andpropersteel · 26/05/2016 18:11

Like I said up thread, I only revealed the name for the nosy buggers people who couldn't cope with the tension, not for opinions because I understand that it's not to everyone's taste, nothing is!

FWIW I know two (unrelated) people called Spike and Rex, not what I'd choose personally but they pull them off very gracefully!

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BogOak · 26/05/2016 18:18

I'm all in favour of its reclamation from US presidents and winsome puppets. Go, little Grover!

I know two Rexes who are about one. It's hardly Fido territory, is it? Grin

elor11 · 26/05/2016 18:57

So many great names on that list. Grover is fine. Not a problem.

NotYoda · 26/05/2016 18:59

That list made my eyes go funny

Is it Robin?

Or is it one sod those names that some people think suit digs better than people?

NotYoda · 26/05/2016 19:00

no idea where "sod" came from.

Is it one of those names some people think suits dogs better than people?

NotYoda · 26/05/2016 19:02

Grover??

S'OK

I think it sounds a bit surname-as-fort-name, which is rather fashionable

Nothing is really very new

NotYoda · 26/05/2016 19:02

Jeesus! surname-as-first-name

HackerFucker22 · 26/05/2016 21:38

Is it Keith?

Little baby Keith has a certain je ne sais quoi don't you think?

BernadetteMatthews · 26/05/2016 21:47

Gravy. Groovy. Rover.

Meh, not for me.

1horatio · 26/05/2016 21:56

Horatio is absolutely fabulous :D !

TeradelFuego · 27/05/2016 07:50

Well I don't hate it but it's very American and very muppety.

steppemum · 27/05/2016 07:58

well, as I always hated the muppets, I didn't make the association at all.
Don't think my kids know anything about them either, not really their generation, so that association wouldn't bother me.

I haven't really noticed it as a name before, but I like it.
Don't get the nature connection though?

andpropersteel · 27/05/2016 08:42

steppemum It means ''from the grove'' (of trees), so one of those loosely nature-y names, like Sylvan/Sylvester or maybe Hunter. I'm sure there are better examples!

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Pipilangstrumpf · 27/05/2016 08:46

Grover is great - a proper classic name, easy to spell and pronounce and not overused. What's not to like? Great choice imo.

AntsMarching · 27/05/2016 11:12

I love it. I was hoping it'd be Grover.

n0ne · 27/05/2016 11:30

Gotta be Sylvester - I LOVE it! But I like that entire list.

n0ne · 27/05/2016 11:32

Oops, RTFT Blush