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Original poster

Is Lewis considered a downmarket name in SE England?

68 replies

CaptainChristmas · 17/12/2017 16:07

Just that really!

I didn’t think of Lewis as ‘downmarket’ at all, but I’ve seen a couple of threads on here lately where people have said things like; it’s downmarket / it’s one of those names teachers doesn’t like seeing on their class lists / “dated and chavvy” (not my words).

I am not from SE England, but live there now and am wondering how it’s perceived in the area. I know it shouldn’t matter, and nor would it if we were totally set on it, but as we’re umming and ah-ing anyway, I just thought I’d ask.

TIA

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userabcname · 17/12/2017 16:17

I'm in the SW and personally I don't like it, sorry. I'm a teacher and it's very much a naughty boy name to me.

Sashkin · 17/12/2017 16:19

Depends on what part of SE England. If you're nowhere near the town (Lewes), it’s fine.

I once had a colleague called Caburn, after the prominent hill fort south of Lewes. I thought that was a pretty nice name, though again it would be a bit weird if you still live in the area (he didn’t).

Original poster
CaptainChristmas · 17/12/2017 16:21

Nowhere near Lewes! Good point though.

OP posts:
overmydeadbody · 17/12/2017 16:22

Yes.

LockedOutOfMN · 17/12/2017 16:23

I'm from London and think it's a lovely name that's not downmarket. I knew a few young boys named Lewis and they all have a Scottish parent or grandparent.

Greenshoots1 · 17/12/2017 16:25

not any more. 30-40 years ago, maybe

lovingmatleave · 17/12/2017 16:31

Wow at the teacher who has preconceptions about kids based on their name! I'd hate to think a child entering school has a teacher like her.

Original poster
CaptainChristmas · 17/12/2017 16:39

We aren’t Scottish, but we lived in Scotland for a few years after we graduated, so I have a soft spot for Scottish names! I think of Lewis as a classic, Scottish name, so neutral really rather than up / downmarket or trendy / dated.

Lewis is one of the only names we both like, but we aren’t 100% set on it.

OP posts:
DancesWithOtters · 17/12/2017 16:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

QueenAravisOfArchenland · 17/12/2017 16:49

No, not at all. It's a classic, neutral Welsh/Scots name.

whoareyoukidding · 17/12/2017 17:04

what about Linus? Similar but also traditional

Smoliver · 17/12/2017 17:30

I only know one Lewis, who I grew up with at school. He wasn't a "chav" or naughty at school from what I can remember and he now teaches Biology to Secondary school children.

Long story short, I think it's a good name for a boy - not down market at all!

BonnieF · 17/12/2017 17:37

My perception would be that if the family were not Scottish, the boy would likely be named after Lewis Hamilton (who, incidentally, was named after the athlete Carl Lewis). Naming children after celebrities might be considered 'downmarket' by some.

Original poster
CaptainChristmas · 17/12/2017 17:39

Oooooh @bonnie. You might be on to something there... Maybe people think it’s sleb inspired, which I think people do think is a bit downmarket.

OP posts:
Tour · 17/12/2017 18:02

Logan is a similar Scottish name used less.

Original poster
CaptainChristmas · 17/12/2017 18:04

I’m not keen on Logan or Linus, but thank you for the suggestions Smile.

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Veterinari · 17/12/2017 18:17

Many Celtic origin names are considered ‘chavvy’ in England. I suspect it says more about the judgers than the namers

FadedRed · 17/12/2017 18:19

This place amazed me at times.
Innocuous thread about a name, and within a few replies we have a teacher who judges the 'naughty children' based on their parent's name choice, and the most successful British racing driver in the history of the sport dismissed as a 'sleb', instead of feted as an inspirational role model.
Lewis is a good Scottish/Welsh name IMO.

Original poster
CaptainChristmas · 17/12/2017 18:40

I wouldn’t name my child after Lewis Hamilton. Sorry if that offends.

I don’t see him as a hero. Very good at driving fast though and a nice chap I’m sure.

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Original poster
CaptainChristmas · 17/12/2017 19:29

Thanks all for comments.

I think we’re going to go for it, with Arthur as a middle name Smile.

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MaddeningtheUnhelpful · 17/12/2017 19:49

I was going to say (like a lot of others) I don't hear the name a lot down here (1 to be exact and he's 30) I don't hear negativity about the name Lewis but to us South Easties it's a place that's famed locally for a huge bonfire celebration and a cat A prison...

JoJoSM2 · 17/12/2017 20:16

DH, who's lived in the SE all his life says that 'Lewis' sounds dorky to him.

Idontmeanto · 17/12/2017 20:26

I teach. I’m afraid it is one of “those” names.

RuthW · 17/12/2017 20:31

Yes it is a bit chavvy and I'm in SE.

mydogisthebest · 17/12/2017 20:41

The only Lewis I know of is Lewis Hamilton. As a big F1 fan and a big fan Lewis I think it is a good name for a boy.

Lewis Hamilton is a good role model. He grew up in a very ordinary working class home in a not that great an area of the UK. Just about all racing drivers come from fairly rich, privileged backgrounds. He also was the first black F1 driver. He had his sights set on being a racing driver from very young and with determination and a lot of his sacrifice from his family he achieved it