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Baby names

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

Original poster

'Chavvy' name.

211 replies

Awandinmypocket · 11/08/2017 21:16

So for baby no 1 we considered Caleb, however we had a beautiful girl instead. Was considering Caleb again for baby number 2 but saw a post the other day where someone referred to it as a 'chavvy' name 'like Kayden and Jayden' (their words not mine) do people agree with this comment?! I see it as a biblical name (and the singer from Kings of Leon,actually)
Other contender is Rafferty. Middle name will be James.

OP posts:
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FrancisCrawford · 13/08/2017 00:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

notangelinajolie · 13/08/2017 00:08

Rafferty is a dreadful name.

DramaAlpaca · 13/08/2017 00:08

Rafferty isn't the least bit posh, it's just an ordinary Irish surname. I'm not keen on it as a first name but that's because I'm not generally a fan of surnamey first names.

Caleb is a lovely biblical name, nothing wrong with it at all.

Alisvolatpropiis · 13/08/2017 00:11

I quite like both names

I think I would, if I were naming a son and was choosing from the two, choose Rafferty.

Jumba1aya · 13/08/2017 00:49

Not chavvy but not names which I like.

Mclaren37 · 13/08/2017 01:35

Caleb is lovely. Honestly you lot and your 'chavvy' obsession. If you like it then please have the self confidence to go for it. We're living in NY right now and I would say it's seen as rather cool.

DCFlemingreportingforduty · 13/08/2017 01:54

How about Raphael? It has got religious overtones if you like that kind of thing, so like Caleb in that respect, but sounds a bit like Rafferty (which I don't much like as, to me, it's a surname.)

lizzieoak · 13/08/2017 02:23

Another vote for would people stop bloody naming their sons Cohen! It's not on. Being a Cohen is a big deal (granted inherited) & just comes across as exceedingly odd and tin-eared not to realize it's not okay for gentiles to use.

diodati · 13/08/2017 02:47

Why not call him James? It's my father's name so I'm biased but I think it's lovely.

Since you asked, I think Rafferty is "trying too hard" and Caleb is meh. My opinion, obviously.

EssentialHummus · 13/08/2017 02:50

Another vote for would people stop bloody naming their sons Cohen!

Yup. In practice I think what is happening my way is that people are influenced by the recently deceased Leonard (see also a few little Bowies that have popped up) and going for it. I'd absolutely be thinking "culturally naive pillock".

I rather like Caleb.

lizzieoak · 13/08/2017 02:57

My son says it's people who saw someone once sing it on Idol/Britain's Got Talent & haven't even heard our dear Leonard sing who go for it. I saw a kid at work last week named Kohun. Stop that immediately.

I suppose Leonard would be wryly amused, but I'm a grumpier Canadian Jew than he was & it annoys me.

MumBod · 13/08/2017 03:57

One of my Ddogs is a Caleb.

I'll have you know he's not the least bit chavvy.

Grin
DownstairsMixUp · 13/08/2017 05:01

I prefer Caleb. Rafferty would be a good dogs name Blush

CheerfulYank · 13/08/2017 05:31

I like them both :)

Of course I'm American and it's not nearly the same here...Dante, Tristan, Octavia, Dominic, all "low class" at one point. Although I think that's just because they are given more often to black babies than white ones. Angry

Surnames can sometimes be posh here but only if they're uncommon or actually in your family. Kennedy and Madison were seen as somewhat "upscale" names 20 years ago or so, not at all now.

But I've seen a big uptick of hipster and/or wealthy babies being given names like Welles, Hayes, etc. Also a habit of giving girls a surname that's actually in your family tree, but with a mainstream girly nickname...eg a little Sullivan who's called Liv, Bellamy nn Belle, Abbott nn Abby...anyway. The differences are interesting! :)

Congrats, OP!

HopefullyDothButterNoParsnips · 13/08/2017 05:59

I like Caleb, definitely not chavvy. Reuben is though, unfortunately as I really love that name, but it's been so overused lately (and often misspelled) and it's firmly off the list. I like Rafferty too. Good luck with your choice OP!

MyWhatICallNameChange · 13/08/2017 10:23

Ahh, so Caleb isn't chavvy, but Reuben is. So I have 1 twin that's a chav and 1 that isn't. Or maybe they both are? Or they're not? Mumsnet is so confusing.

Will someone please tell me whether they will ever get to be high court judges? I need to know!

(And it's ok, my Jayden knows he can never be one. I've made sure he doesn't get ideas above his station.Wink)

Original poster
Awandinmypocket · 13/08/2017 11:01

Thanks everyone for their (varied) responses. After careful consideration we are now going with Rafe James Surname
Whether he be a chav or posh we will love him anyway😉 This thread has taught me Mumsnet is a cruel world😂😂

OP posts:
user10794etc · 13/08/2017 13:41

Reuben is one of the most middle-class names I can think of.

Alisvolatpropiis · 13/08/2017 15:17

Rafe is fabulous!

Coconutspongexo · 13/08/2017 15:23

Love Rafe, one of me nephews is Rafe and he's just the loveliest little boy ever!

harmony871 · 13/08/2017 15:32

Just been reading this and giggling to myself GrinGrin

GoingRogue · 13/08/2017 17:05

Ooh, I suggested Rafe at the top of page 2! .

Love it OP. Fingers crossed no-one puts you off this one! (Don't tell anyone in RL until he's born fgs).

Original poster
Awandinmypocket · 13/08/2017 17:09

Haha thank you GoingRouge and don't worry I definitely won't!😂

OP posts:
mathanxiety · 13/08/2017 19:34

Is Rafe short for Raphael?

Imnotatypicalsausage · 13/08/2017 23:35

Rafe James is a great choice OP, much better!