HELP - I’ve had a name wobble.

[jennifersarah]

Honest opinions please on the name:
Herbert
Yes or No (and reason too if you have one)

My grandfather was a Herbert and while I like it, I wouldn't use it because of the connotations. As an aside, I had a great uncle (not related to DGf) Francis- known as Frank.

To add- I do know a Herbie, that is his full name...

I’m ready to cry! Back to square one, I think. Off to get a strong cup of tea would be a large wine if I wasn’t prego

I love it! Herbs, herbie - super cute. He can be Herb or Herbert if he wants to be a serious grown up.
I'd never thought of it but if had a ds in the future (not going to happen) this would be on my short list. I absolutely love it!

Ah OP, naming a kid is bloody stressful so you have my sympathy :o

Try to establish what style you and your DH like e.g. classic/modern, unusual, do you want to go down the nickname rather than full name route etc etc and work from there to find a compromise you both love.

Worry about the potential connotations on your kid once you have a shortlist and that will rule some out i'm sure.

I hadn't heard of that slang, but probably wouldn't go for it because of that.

How about Frank/Francis so it's still after your grandad? And Herbert as a middle name?

I LOVE Herbie. I also LOVE Bertie. I'm not keen on Herbert.

I'm a firm believer in calling your child the name you love and not the long/formal name just because- eg if you like Charlie, use Charlie not Charles, Fred/Freddie and not Frederick etc.

My hubbys middle name is Herbert after his grandad, I think it's quite old fashioned - these names are sort of making a come back? But I don't know if I can imagine a new born as Herbert 🤔

And FTR my son has a 'familiar' name- not the full name shortened iykwim. When he was 8/9 he said, "Thanks for giving me a cool name and not calling me x or y or something. (Either of the two full names his name is shortened from).

He has friends whose parents registered their son as the full name- and shorten it to the same as my son's.

I don't see the point.

What about Hubert?

I knew a Herbie. He'd be about 13 now. I have no idea if he was Herbert or not. A bit like my friend's son Alfie, who is Alfred on birth cert but no one had ever called him that. I'd go with Herbie. It's very cool. The one I knew had brothers also with v cool, unusual names.

Just don't if youre not sure. Pick something else. Or wait till after the birth, if the child looks like a Herbert....

Say the last bit out loud...now do you see?

I like it but I like all -bert names. With the family connection as well, I'd use it. I think Herb is a cool nickname for when he's older, Bertie is super cute for a little 'un.

Well it certainly did Herbert of Liverpool no harm. A very well known hair dresser. Who borrowed £1,000 to set up his own business when he was 18 and never looked back.

I know a Herbie and a Bertie, but neither are Herbert.

I know you've made your mind up but wanted to strengthen your resolve by adding my name to the Herbert hate.

Awful.

I like the sound of Herbie funnily enough. Fond memories of the films perhaps.

No!!!

However, I do like the nn Bertie (mainly on account of reading too many of the Alexander McCall Smith's 44 Scotland Street books), is there anything else it could be a nn for?

No. But would you consider just Herbie, which is lovely!
Or: Bertie, Albert, Hector, Hugo?

That said if you decide on Herbert it's your choice and not an offensive name at all!!

Let us know what you go for!!

Nooo

I can't imagine seeing my baby, for the first time, feeling completely besotted and bowled over by how beautiful he is and thinking 'yes, he's definitely a Herbert'

I don't like it sorry

Today 14:07 IAmMatty

I can't imagine seeing my baby, for the first time, feeling completely besotted and bowled over by how beautiful he is and thinking 'yes, he's definitely a Herbert'

And all your friends thinking "he's a right Herbert".

Herbert sherbet

Call him Arthur OP. The nation wants an Arthur!

It’s a perfectly normal name and fits right in with the Old Man names trend. He will blend in at school amongst all the Stanleys, Wilfreds, Arthurs etc. I know lots of kids with unusual, out there names; or names from different ethnic backgrounds. None are bullied or even teased for their names - there’s so much more name variety now that kids just seem more accepting.

If you and your DH love the name go for it.