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

What names have you been put off?

179 replies

porterwine · 07/04/2017 22:40

Are there any names you liked but have been put off by association or an event?

For me (A=and it's a shame because it is of course very popular and well liked) but one is George. My grandpa used to talk about "having a George" meaning a number 2...he said it was a navy thing and they'd talk about "going to the John for a George" and now all that side of my family still use the term! Has anyone else ever heard this? I've never come across elsewhere it so I wonder if it was something that someone my grandpa served with came up with and it caught on.

I also think Fraser is nice but put off by a horrible ex and I think Myra is pretty but can't disconnect it from Hindley.

OP posts:
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DonkeysDontRideBicycles · 10/04/2017 14:13

I used to like the name Jake but Scottish friends said ooh you can't use that what about jakey (apparently a derogatory term meaning alcoholic especially if that person is homeless). Hmm

Seahawk80 · 11/04/2017 08:35

Felix - we know a Felix who is an absolute horror. Worked out well though as DH loved the name and I really didn't - now it makes him shudder!

MrsMeeseeks · 11/04/2017 10:26

Poppy.

I mispronounced it as Ploppy once and there is no turning back.

MrsMeeseeks · 11/04/2017 10:27

See also Bobby = Blobby.

Marcipex · 12/04/2017 20:45

I loved the name Verity until someone said " Ferretty? "

Also George. We had such a series of dreadful Georges at nursery, we used to wonder what had happened.

Chocolatecake12 · 12/04/2017 22:57

Lydia
While contemplating this name for my first child a friend said 'lid o ya dustbin' and it put me off. I always heAr that when I hear the name now. Baby was a boy anyway!

Catherinebee85 · 12/04/2017 23:03

I loved Ella until I realised how awful it sounds in a northern accent. Ell-oh!

ForTheSakeOfFuck · 13/04/2017 12:41

I loved the name Benedict and wanted it as DS's name.

And then fucking Benedict Cumberbatch happened. Ugh.

(I don't dislike BC in general but how dare he steal my future DS's name.)

Jenwen22 · 13/04/2017 13:12

John after my uncle but DP useless sperm donor is called that so it was out for obvious reasons

Ohyesiam · 13/04/2017 13:30

Slightly different, but I wanted scarlet. I didn't go with it incase she was mousey and shy. Turns out she is bold and dramatic. But I realise that it what I wanted my name to be.

LittlePinkPiggy · 13/04/2017 15:19

I know its not that popular these days by the name Morag sounds absolutely dreadful to me.

I wanted to called my middle child Harry. (He's now 27.) I told a good friend this and she told me I couldn't use that name as my husband is called Richard and my eldest son is called Thomas (Tom) and I would then have a Tom, Dick and Harry!

I told her I liked Tabitha for a girl and she then pointed out that my eldest son had dark auburn hair and I would than have a Ginger Tom and a Tabby!

WitchesGlove · 13/04/2017 15:21

Jade- never met one I liked

Macaila- awful girls at school

Amy- never nice people

Batteriesallgone · 13/04/2017 15:23

Diana. I love it but Princess Diana.

anon050 · 13/04/2017 16:17

Rachel. One of the biggest gossips who had something negative to say about everyone but acted as sweet as pie. Stabbed me in the back due to envy.

Danielle. Very jealous and extremely competitive against any females.

BurnTheBlackSuit · 13/04/2017 16:22

My mum's family used George to mean toilet (or poo?) I'm not sure. I thought it was just their family! Obviously not OP!!

NecklessMumster · 13/04/2017 19:00

My ex brother in law used to say 'going for my morning george' when he meant a poo.
I wanted to call my ds1 Christy, like Christy Moore, but my mum begged me not to as it made her think of the serial killer Hmm

piefacedClique · 13/04/2017 20:05

We work in a boys comprehensive..... for every boys name We thought of there was inevitably some little dickweasal we taught with the same name! I then fell in love the name osian until I heard it mispronounced as ocean! Arghh!

OvariesForgotHerPassword · 13/04/2017 20:11

Bryony. I knew a Bryony, she was a colossal cunt.

Leeannb · 13/04/2017 20:11

Jakey is actually a term used for alcoholics, drug users and homeless. It's not a nice term but us Scots can make anything sound mean!
I do like the name Jake though. Only problem is, I think of Jake from the Tweenies when I hear it 😂

littleliving · 13/04/2017 20:13

redpramlady my name is pippa, shortening of Philippa. I've only just learnt this from your comment and I am mortified, I've been waiting to legally change my first name for a while as I hate it and have done all my life, not to offend anyone but it's just horrid to me. Now I really have a reason to change it! Almost wish I hadn't googled it now 🙈

diveangel · 13/04/2017 20:14

We have a 'Dexter'. It was the husband's choice and I was dead against it following the TV series (the serial killer not the dog). He really loved the name and I eventually gave in as there was a lovely 'Dex' in my favourite musical, High Society

Feckerlino · 13/04/2017 20:14

George the Third = Turd. Ryhming slang!

Feckerlino · 13/04/2017 20:15

*rhyming...clearly

MooPointCowsOpinion · 13/04/2017 20:17

Naming children as a teacher is so hard! I have never known a nice Caleb, James/Jamie, or Thomas/Tom. Girls names with lots of vowels: Lexi, Portia, or tia type sounds: all brats.

I'm so glad I'm done naming children. Although apparently one of them has a bad name according to this thread. D'oh!

Popskipiekin · 13/04/2017 20:17

Gabriel - when followed by our surname which begins with B. I thought the obvious abbreviation would be Gabe which is fine, but if your surname is e.g. Brown, then Gabe Brown sounds like Gay Brown and I couldn't get past that. Children can be cruel - don't want to give them an easy win like that!