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Baby names

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

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Original poster

I've done something awful

86 replies

Jux · 17/02/2018 18:40

My cousin (many years younger than I) has had her 2nd baby, a boy. While she was pg, I had joked that she could call a boy Harbottle - this is something I occasionally suggest on threads here.

This is what she has decided on. She has sent me a thank you card for suggesting the name, and the invitation to the christening confirms the name. I have rung various other cousins, expecting to be laughed out of court for taking it seriously, but they all confirm it too.

I guess there is nothing much I can do, except hope that it's an elaborate joke at my expense and I shall not discover the true name until the priest says it at the ceremony.

The middle name is to be Barrington. I am between laughter and tears! The poor little mite wouldn't have a chance at a comp, but perhaps luckily will be going somewhere like Eton. Maybe it'll be normal there?

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

howthelightgetsin · 17/02/2018 21:08

Erm ... since it’s such an unusual name isn’t this very thread going to come up if she or someone who knows her googles the name ..?

PatchUp · 17/02/2018 21:10

Harbottle Barrington?!?!?!? I'm crying!!! 😂😂😂😂😂

Me too it must be a wind up if not I'd get this deleted pronto!

FairiesVsPixies · 17/02/2018 21:16

How are we pronouncing Harbottle? Har- bottle? Ha-boat-lay? Harb-a-Tel??

PinkAvocado · 17/02/2018 21:18

She will be having a laugh at your expense. Good for her.

Original poster

Jux · 17/02/2018 21:22

Yes, it's outing I suppose, but I'm not aware of anyone amongst her friends/immediate family who even goes on the Internet, or owns a computer; they certainly don't have them at home. They're just not the type. Maybe some of the men at work will use computers, but not 'the girls', oh no never.

You have no idea what their lives are like, some would say idyllic but many would say Stepford.

OP posts:

PinkAvocado · 17/02/2018 21:24

None of them own a computer or a smart phone...😂 oh come on!

WitchesHatRim · 17/02/2018 21:26

If you say so.....

64BooLane · 17/02/2018 21:27

This is going to stay online forever though, and in fifteen years when anyone looks him up they’ll see it, or he’ll look himself up and see it and be cross with you.

If he exists

brizzledrizzle · 17/02/2018 21:29

Harbottle is an ancient name which goes right back to the early years of schooling in this country, I believe it comes from the Latin or possibly Greek, I forget the exact meaning but something tells me that it is related to school vacations.

PinkAvocado · 17/02/2018 21:30

This is true, 64BooLane because as a male, he will go on the computer and not walk around in a pinny and perma smile.

QueenOfGaviscon · 17/02/2018 21:31

You should be reported to Aunty Ester for simply suggesting such a name

brizzledrizzle · 17/02/2018 21:33

PinkAvocado, he might be transgender and adopt the pinny though, all is not lost.

IamPickleRick · 17/02/2018 21:34

I think she’s winding you up. Barrington is a name that we use to take the piss as well so I just can’t see this being true.

AWaitressInACocktailBar · 17/02/2018 21:42

They don’t use the internet?? OP I think you’re massively romanticizing what “posh” people live like. Trust me from experience that the poshest, smoothest people you can think of all own and use smartphones. (When I say “experience” I’m not referring to myself or my family. But I’ve had occasion to meet many seriously posh folks. They’re odd in a lot of ways but they’re lnot characters from an old-fashioned TV show.

AWaitressInACocktailBar · 17/02/2018 21:42

Snootiest, not smoothest!

Dafspunk · 17/02/2018 21:46

Not the type to go on the Internet???

Iceskatingsnake · 17/02/2018 21:54

I’d get this deleted in case the DM or some other rag decide it’s funny/bonkers enough to do one if their cut and paste Jobs on. If these are the actual names involved then it’s hugely outing.

Thistlebelle · 17/02/2018 21:57

Oh come on OP. You were doing so well until you said they didn’t have computers or use the internet...

Lashalicious · 17/02/2018 21:58

He’ll end up being good ol Harb!! About as unposh as you can get.

The “girls” don’t go on the internet or own a computer or smartphone?

Kinda hard to believe. Did your cousin marry a lord of the manor and they’re in one of those mini castles featured in the house mags at Christmas where the wife is up on a ladder draping ribbons across the 16 foot ceiling with original plaster moldings?

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 17/02/2018 21:59

Before I opened this thread. I though you were going to say you'd drowned a little kitten. The titles a bit dramatic, isn't it.

AskBasil · 17/02/2018 22:04

I like Barrington because of that song, Here I Come

diddl · 17/02/2018 22:06

"she could call a boy Harbottle - this is something I occasionally suggest on threads here."

What a hoot you are!

PhelanThePain · 17/02/2018 22:08

Show us the christening invitation OP.

QueenStreaky · 17/02/2018 22:10

Harbottle is a lovely little hamlet in Northumberland, not far from Rothbury. Just sayin'.

Original poster

Jux · 17/02/2018 22:16

Well I do quite like Harbottle, myself, but dh wouldn't countenance it, and anyway we have a girl.

Honestly and truly, not one of that branch of cousins have a computer in their house, and as none of the women work I can assume fairly safely that they don't use the internet much. Some do have smart phones, but most don't, just phones which make calls and text - and they mainly use the landline anyway.

Well, I shall not find out the truth of the name until the Christening, I suppose. I was feeling quite bad about it, but I don't any more, so thanks for that!

OP posts:

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