I've done something awful

[Jux]

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?

You'd better become 'Generous Cousin Jux' - you owe this kid big time

I know it isn't quite the same but I call my bump Herbert at the moment and shorten it to Herbie or Herb. I actually really like it and am quite fond of the name, but I think my family and friends would be laughing behind my back if I called my baby that.

Harbottle is quite a cool name, in a kind of child's imaginary friend way. I had an imaginary friend when I was very young that I called Ollow Boaktree, as I couldn't say Hollow Oaktree. Harbottle Barrington is kind of no worse than that...

I'm sure the name will be shortened to Harry if they are really serious about naming him Harbottle...

I think l really like it tbh

Harbottle is a tiny village on the edge of the Cheviots in Northumberland. It is beautiful.

Harbottle Barrington? Yeah right

none of the women work I can assume fairly safely that they don't use the internet much

Eh?
I don't work....
... yet here I am.

None of the women work=don’t use the Internet. Yeah.

I’ve just realised that an anagram of Harbottle Barrington is ‘you can’t recreate Balonz’. Who’d have thought?!

Is the surname Lewis?!

Just realised you probably won't have heard of Harbottle & Lewis unless you're a solicitor.

I confidently predict Harbottle Barrington will marry one of the Smythe daughters, and they will double barrel.

pink! Brilliant. Also agree.

He'll probably turn out to be called James or Henry.

I’m retired. I’m on the internet and have a smart phone. I honestly don’t know anyone who doesn’t have a Computer of some sort - pc, laptop, tablet, phone. Even my friends 93 year old auntie has just bought an iPad.

Regarding Harbottle...my dh’s grandparents lived and raised there family there for many years. He was the local doctor and there is a tiny street named after him in the hamlet now. I have visited and stayed there a few times. Lovely wee place.
I wouldn’t call my kid it but hey ho.

Harbottle Barrington?

I like it. You should suggest she change the spelling a bit though, maybe drop the extra R in 'Barrington'?
Just so it's unique once he gets to nursery, I mean.

*their ffs

@noonoo

I know two Herberts. One is a Bertie and one is a Herbie. And my own DS name is quite similar.... honestly not in the same league as harbottle.

@Niki - harbottle & Lewis was my first thought!

You’ve not done anything awful!

You suggested, a name, jokingly or otherwise. She clearly loves the name and went with it, and that’s nothing to do with you, it’s her decision.

Harbie Barbie

Barrington is a name that appears a number of times back in my family tree.
We didn’t choose to revive it when naming our offspring.

I know you find it hard to imagine life without the internet, but that's because you're all here!

There are many many people who don't have computers at home, don't have smart phones - well, there are lots in my small town - mainly because they're barely managing and on the breadline.

There are many people who don't have computers or smartphones just because they don't want to. Honestly, quite a lot of my relatives literally shudder at the mention of the internet, have never used fb, and certainly wouldn't use the www for entertainment purposes, let alone go on a forum. Quite a lot of them don't have tv yet! Of those that do, it's "for the children" and screen time is strictly limited (like half an hour a day or for something special like a royal wedding).

Ther honestly are people who do other stuff. All the time.

This is just getting stupid now. OP , these very rich and posh cousins of yours don't use the Internet and nor do any of their friends? Despite having older school age children at private schools? Right. Cos that's really believable.

Unless you’re Amish and/or posting from Mars, this is a crock.