Please knock some sense into me

[Heavystream]

I’ve posted before about a name for DS but nothing seems right. Anyway DH suggested Alan as a joke, and I actually like it!. I’m a big fan of names that everyone knows but just aren’t used anymore, is Alan acceptable? And if it isn’t are there any similar names that are acceptable?

I met a toddler Keith a few years ago. I quite like Alan. The 'old' names are back. There's Arthur's, George's and Fred's galore at my DC school. My eldests teddy that he's had since birth is called Alan though, so I do have sentimental attachment to the name. Alan James is bloody lovely.

I like Alan Douglas and Alan James

I like Alan James. It's my cousin's name, mind you he must be around 70 now

I know a five year old Alan too. I was a bit surprised when I heard his name first but it's grown on me.

I've heard somewhere that popular baby names skip generations as people dislike names that are associated with their parents' generation. That's why 'old fashioned' names like Alfred (Alfie), Ethel, Mabel, Bertie, etc are now in fashion again, as they're now seen as cute. Very few people our generation are called them as our parents saw them as old fashioned. So names like Alan will probably come around again in the next generation when our kids are grown up, so when he's an adult he'll have a super cool name!

I would never have thought of using Alan but the more I say it in my head, the nicer it sounds! Plus it's simple, easy to spell, easy to say, uncommon but not weird and won't date. Do it!

I would avoid middle names beginning with D though as to me that just sounds like you are saying "Al and Ugless" . Alan James or Alan Joseph are great though,

I think we’re decided on Alan James! I honestly thought I’d have everyone telling me I was being stupid and it’s an ugly name but it seems like most people really like it!

Alan is nice. I knew a lovely little Allen a few years back.

Alan? When Balonz is still available???

oh my gosh PLEASE don't do that to a poor innocent baby!!!

I like it, it's kinda cool .

Afraid I also like it

If you look at the name long enough then you can see it without the less favourable associations... And it's a nice name.

Just be prepared for a few sniggers from other parents at the school gates. The kids won't care though so it'll never be the sort of name that he would get picked on for. Winner. AJ is a perfect back up too.

Go for it - as a PP says, you're ahead of the curve.

DS has a name that everyone's beard of, but is a generation out of synch. He's the only one I've ever met with it, and is known by a diminutive which has a fairly 'current' feel. He can use the full version when he's older.

I was given a really old-fashioned name. I'm named after my grandmother and it was just way too soon. My parents dithered over it, and rationalised that I could always use my middle name if I absolutely hated it. Nobody else had my name growing up (except one girl who had it as a middle name and was embarrassed to admit to it! 😂), and I've never met another one my age.

It's now one of the most popular baby names going (think: 'necessary on a bike', the line everyone came out with when I was growing up).

So, yeah, go for it.

It's nice having a name as an adult that feels current, rather than one of the usual names of my generation, many of which sound a wee bit tired now.

It's a nice-sounding word, but looks more attractive spelled Allen, I think. But I might be biased about that because my dad is called Allen.

Alan James is a good name, OP!

Love it
DH called my bump Alan as we didn't find out the sex (but guessed boy), but she came out as a girl last week! My beloved late grandfather was Alan, and I quite liked the idea of calling a baby boy "Big Al" as a nickname! His inspiration was Alan Partridge though

I think it will probably be really cool in about 20 years time - you're just ahead of the curve! For now though, it might be a bit.... I don't know how to explain what I mean really, just that it doesn't really seem to fit a child! My dad is called Keith and his brother is called Alan, and every now and then my siblings and I laugh about how it seems strange now that my grandmother once looked upon her tiny, beautiful newborn boys and thought, "Oh, that's a little baby Keith! And this one looks just like an Alan!" At least he will probably be the only one in his class though! And like I said, in 20 years or so when everyone is proudly introducing their little babies Sharon, Alan, Colin, Tracey, etc, you'll be able to feel pretty smug!

I do think Allen looks nicer, and it’s maybe a little less obvious than Alan, not sure how considering they’re the same name. So think I’ll go with Allen James.

Poor little bastard.

Please consider whether it’s a good idea to use a spelling that he will have to correct every single time all his life.....and go for Alan.

Lovely name. Super cute for a baby and a nice name for all ages. Go for it!

It's pretty. Glad you found a name you love. Just ignore the mean comments; they're from idiots who have no respect. 👎🙅🚫

If you want to call him Alan, call him Alan.

Allen is a surname and whilst used as a name just makes life complicated.

Alan James is lovely. Ali and AJ are great nicknames ☺️

I like it actually. It's got a nice sound.
And everyone can stop bashing 'Nigel'. It'll be back in vogue soon, mark me...

I don’t mind either spelling, but think Allen might make it look less dated. But am open to just using Alan if everyone thinks that’s the easiest for him

Allen looks like a surname though.
Alan is better.

BTW I know a Brian. He's 11.