Boris?

[EssentialHummus]

I want a Russian-ish name, but most seem really over-used (Ivan, Alexei, Sergey...).

I love the name Boris but will everyone hear it and think "... Johnson"? I wouldn't have minded pre-Brexit

If his father is anything to go by, he'll be blonde, loud and talkative

DH is Russian, I'm Jewish. Something that reflects both cultures would be great, but there are few cross-over names. Boris is a solid "Jewish intelligentsia" name in Russia (I'm told), plus I think it's not common without being too out there, and works in Russia and here in the UK.

Surname will be similar to Mikhailov.

Thoughts?

The other names I'm keen on are Nikolai and Mikhail. Lev would work well in both cultures, but the only Lev we know is a total ladypart and that's putting me off.

Btw, I have no idea how reliable this site is, but whilst the main focus is about the surnames their first names are listed as well... maybe you'd find something you like?

www.jewishgen.org/Belarus/misc/JewishEncycRussia/a/index.html

You cannot, seriously, call a baby in the U.K. Boris.

Mikhail is good. I know a Pavel, known as Pav. Artem?

There are loads of brilliant Jewish names. Adam crosses 3 cultures well.

But honestly, not Boris.

Nikolai is lovely.

I would first think of Johnson but that is today. Some years ago would have been Becker or Yeltsin. If you love the name go for it as you never know what will happen. Another popular Boris may become famous.

I think that Boris Johnson has ruined the name for at least a decade, I'm afraid....

Maybe in 5 years Boris Johnson will be forgotten.

But this baby is being born this year. Do you actually want to spend the first year of your baby's life dealing with oh so funny jokes from people who think they're comedians, sniggers from rude people and forced face straightening from polite people?

Oh fuck I forgot about Yeltsin.

The Artyom we know is also a %^&. I like Pavel but the NN (Pasha) puts me off. Bertrand* are you put off by Johnson or something else, out of interest?

horatio that is an incredibly helpful website - thanks!

Cross post!

I don't like the name much regardless of Johnson, though that hasn't endeared it to me any more. Would he be known as Boris (which was the name of every spider in our house too!) or Borya or Borka?

I really like Nikolai and Mikhail and think Alexander is a great crossover name. Or Ivan?

Boris was top name for DC1 but it didn't suit her. I like Oleg, Igor and Ivan too. Mikhail is a top name.

Boris was top name for DC1 but it didn't suit her.

Mikhail would gladden the heart of my granny, as my recently deceased DGF was a Michael. But I'm not sure about an MM alliterative name.

I like it, ignore the Boris Johnson comments, he won't be relevant in a few years and kids won't have a clue anyway. I'm sure your boy could make the name his own if you and your DH both love it, go for it.

I also think Johnson too, and afraid it is not a positive connotation (for me).
Nikolai is ace.

Got to agree it just makes me think of Johnson. Nikolai is lovely though. Or how about Maxim? Had a Russian friend called that and I thought it was a nice name.

My first to thought, Shagger Johnson....BUT it won't be for his peers.

Another vote for Nikolai. Nikolai is tall, handsome and athletic; Boris is.... not.

I agree with Holding. Boris is a red faced, rotund man. Who pinches women's bums. Picture a horny Humpty Dumpty basically.

Nikolai is just the polar opposite of that. Gorgeous name. Mikhail is nice too.

anything but Boris

Boris is a great name. Love it

Thanks holding and mitzy. I saw BoJo on the news yesterday and thought, Really, this is the association people will have?. Am also going off it.

And I love Niko for short. So cool.

Sorry, Boris is Johnson to me as well. :( I like Nikolai

Awful. Prefer Maurice to that. Nikolai would be much better.

I'm afraid I thought Boris Johnson when I saw your title on the homepage (without the baby name link). It is a shame as it is a nice name but he has ruined it.

I agree with the pps who said Nikolai - that is a strong name, I like it.

Borislav nn Bobby?

It makes me think of the bad guy in men in black who was seriously creepy obviously if you've never seen men in black it's fine