Surname Clash

[AilsaGinLondon]

Hi all,

This is my first mumsnet post!

Our little baby boy is 2 1/2 weeks old and we’re still struggling with names.

We really like Finn, but I’m worried about a couple of things.

1. Firstly is it too popular? I like Finn, but not Finley. We like it enough that we would probably choose it even though it is popular. I would have ideally liked a less popular name, but can’t find another name we like as much. Our 3 year old daughter is Neave, so it would also be nice to stick with the Irish inspired names (my Mum is from Northern Ireland).

2. Finn clashes with our surname a bit. Finn Gillon? Do people think it clashes??

3. The middle name we would like is Charles after my Grandad. Finn Charles Gillon. Doesn’t have that much flow with the one syllable first name and second name. I’m not as keen on Charlie unfortunately, as that would have added an extra syllable.

The other name that we’re thinking of is Samuel. Samuel Charles Gillon immediately flows better, and its more of a classic name choice. Sam does seem to suit my son when I look at him. It doesn’t make me smile as much though as Finn does.

I just wonder if I’ll always feel a bit irked by the Finn Gillon clash and whether in the long term I’ll feel happier with Sam (though maybe a bit disappointed in the short term).

Or whether I’ll always regret not calling him Finn if we love it!

What to do??

I don’t love Finn Gillon together, sorry.

But it’s not that bad. if I hadn’t specifically been asked to say whether or not I liked it and had just heard it in conversation I probably wouldn’t have given it a second thought.

People will get used to it very quickly if that’s what you choose :) If it makes you smile then I would go with it

I agree, I don't like the combination but I wouldn't notice anything about it in conversation.

I love the name Finn & I think it's fine with your surname, I don't think that it clashes at all. I'd say if you love it, go for it.

If I'd had amother DS he'd have been Finn.

I don't think Finn flows with your surname as well as Samuel, but it's certainly not terrible; I don't think the clash would leap out at me if I just heard the name in passing.

Would you consider Flynn? I think that goes slightly better with Gillon.

Samuel Gillon is lovely. Sounds like a literary name!

My one year old nephew is Finn. He's the only one I know but agree that the name is about to rocket in popularity. What about Flynn? I don't think it's an issue with your surname and think you'll regret picking a second best name. Samuel is just as popular anyway imo.

Is Gillon pronounced with a hard or soft g? Finn Gillon sounds a bit like Fingerling in my accent.

my speech is pretty awful though

Samuel Charles Gillon is a really good strong name.

Finn Gillon is too much of a fish/sea theme (fins, gills, galleon).

Thanks everyone.

Maybe I need to compromise and go Finlay (pronounced Finley) as his name for the birth certificate....

Maybe Finley/Finlay Charles Gillon would be better. I would still want to call him Finn though day-to-day...

Finn with Gillon (the gill part) just reminds me of a fish so I wouldn't use Finn unless you use Finley

Finnegan?

I know a Finn whose first name is Finton. That goes quite well with your surname.

Personally, I don't like Finn, Finlay, or Finton, but if you like it, use it.

I actually prefer Finn Gillon to Finlay Gillon. A lot of l’s in the latter. Maybe stick to your original plan!

Finn Gillon is fine !
Flynn Gillon, but not Finlay Gillon.
Congratulations 💙

Awi love Finn and I have a Samuel (sam). I think if you love Finn go for it I don't think it's as popular as Samuel tbh. Other boys names I liked where Connor, Ethan and Dylan good luck

You are over thinking!
Finn Gillon is fine. Go with i!