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Baby names

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

Original poster

Friend called their daughter what we want to call our son!

148 replies

lemonslemonslemons · 27/05/2016 09:27

I'm due in less than 2 weeks and DH and I were pretty much decided on our son's name, Avery. We really like it and we're planning to go with it.

However, a few weeks ago I met a friend of a friend who had a baby girl 7 weeks ago. We have become really close in the last few weeks and she ha just moved to the same area of us. Problem is, she and her DH named their daughter Avery Blush

My DH is still keen to call our boy Avery, but it feels kind of weird now. What would you do?

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RosieMapleLeaf · 27/05/2016 10:27

I know both an Avery and a Rowan, both girls.

Original poster
lemonslemonslemons · 27/05/2016 10:29

Not going for a family name...only for personal reasons on both sides! But it is a nice idea. With all the comments on here of Rowan being used for girls I am have now been put off the name!

Ruben was also a consideration. Until a pregnant friend said her DH liked the name but she doesn't because of a Ruben we grew up with who she used to call Poobin and Pubes. Kinda put me off...

OP posts:
LobsterQuadrille · 27/05/2016 10:30

If I'd had a boy he would have been Conrad - partly because I have a German father; partly because of Joseph. I still love it.

LizzieMacQueen · 27/05/2016 10:31

More 'A' names

Angus
Archer
Aston
Albert
Adam
Andrew

WhatchaMaCalllit · 27/05/2016 10:34

I'm with Titsywoo on this. now there is a name I never thought I'd write on the internet Smile

There is only so far you can take naming a child before it will come back and haunt the child throughout their life.

I know a lot of people will laugh at the song by Johnny Cash "A Boy Called Sue" but you really should listen to it.

SlimCheesy · 27/05/2016 10:39

I am loving 'Juneau' actually after the poster upthread!

I know a gorgeous little Archer.... fab name.

SugarMiceInTheRain · 27/05/2016 10:39

Rowan is lovely, and I've not come across any little Rowan's amongst my children's friends, though I did teach a 14 year old Rowan about 12 years ago!

1horatio · 27/05/2016 10:40

Rohan is very Lord of the Rings. And sounds clearly masculine (unlike Rowan).
Rohan is lovely :)!

80Kgirl · 27/05/2016 10:41

This might be an early warning that "Avery" is about to feminised. Once a name starts being used for girls, it tends to go out of fashion for boys. For example: Lindsay, Hilary, Ashley, Kim, Lauren, Lesley, Shannon, Whitney, etc.

Perhaps you have had a "lucky escape."

Boomingmarvellous · 27/05/2016 10:42

I don't like the name for a girl or a boy. Make me think of birds!
It's totally inconsequential what your neighbour calls her child. Confused

I'm completely confused with this claim staking on children's names that seems to occupy so many minds.

Is there a nice boy name on DHs side of the family as its such a momentous event for him to produce a boy?

PestilentialCat · 27/05/2016 10:43

Avery sounds like a surname to me.

Or like "A Very" - a very what? Grin

A friend of mine named her son the same name I was "keeping" in case I had a son - she didn't know this.

They are both called it, with different middle names - her son is 18 months older than mine. I did ask her if she minded though - she didn't Smile

Permanentlyexhausted · 27/05/2016 10:43

I only know 2 children called Rowan and they are both girls. I used to know a guy called Rohan but that wasn't his real name - it was a nickname because he wore a lot of clothes of a certain brand!

PestilentialCat · 27/05/2016 10:44

Obviously they are not both called "It"

Grin Confused

juneau · 27/05/2016 10:44

Blush well that's very kind slim, but the problem with Juneau is the spelling. I am, of course, named after the capital city of Alaska, but then there is Juno, the pregnant teen from the film of the same name. And that may not be the kind of connotation you want to conjure up.

But yes, naming a DC is a big responsibility and you do have to think through all the nasty nicknames they might get called if you make an ill thought out choice!

MariaSklodowska · 27/05/2016 10:45

"Or like "A Very" - a very what?"

CAt has a point - kids at school will pick up on that one v quickly

SlimCheesy · 27/05/2016 10:46

I actually had a small pang that I would never have a girl as I want to name her Juneau! What a fabulous name. :)

Love the film Juno also.

nam207 · 27/05/2016 10:46

Rowan can be either a boy or girls name. Think Rowan Atkinson and Williams.

Avery isn't really common here yet but it's currently in the top few girls names in America.

Original poster
lemonslemonslemons · 27/05/2016 10:47

It's not the neighbour's child, it's the freaking dog!

OP posts:
Gingersstuff · 27/05/2016 10:49

My son is a Rohan. Rowan is Gaelic for "red-haired one" which he is, but I did think that spelling was slightly feminine (and we already knew a girl called Rowan) so we changed it to the masculine and because I'm a HUGE fan of Lord of the Rings
It's a beautiful name Smile

TeradelFuego · 27/05/2016 10:54

Yes I thought of it as a boy's name too, because of the Nashville character! Only time I'd come across it. It's nice.

But if it's being used for girls now, I suppose it will become less useable for boys. Annoying, why does it always happen that way around?

HeteronormativeHaybales · 27/05/2016 10:55

Rowan is lovely and genuinely unisex. Avery is not lovely.

PiledUpPenguins · 27/05/2016 10:55

I know two female Avery's so to my ear it's a girls' name.

What about Eli (Eeee-lye) from Elias
Ezra
Ames
Archer
Atticus

TeradelFuego · 27/05/2016 10:56

What they called the dog Avery? In which case, I would still go ahead with it. Dogs aren't around for ever, are they? And a dog's name doesn't matter so much if it's not actually your dog.

Marmighty · 27/05/2016 10:58

Rowan is great. Love Rohan too, more unusual and masculine. Nicer than avery imo

insan1tyscartching · 27/05/2016 11:01

What about Ambrose or Amos?

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