Herbert?

[N8Emma]

So, we due to have our first baby at the end of December. Me and hubby have been having lots of discussions about baby names and we both like the idea of having a name with a family connection. Both my grandfathers were called Herbert and we both think we like this name and the nicknames Herbie and Bertie.

Would it be a lovely, traditional name that's not too common, but not to unusual or would it be borderline child abuse to call our child this?
Opinions please!

it's cute. Due a revival. Give him a middle name or two as alternatives just in case. Better than lots of the tosh around at the moment.

I love Herbie, I think it is adorable and actually Herbie or Herb is quite cool on an adult, BUT I was put off by the whole 'he's a bit of a Herbert' thing as it was used as an insult for my parents generation. This put me off using it.
I actually don't think that would even be known by the next generation, and there are millions of Alfies Archies Albies etc so Herbie doesn't seem out of place.
I think as both your grandfathers were called it you should go for it!

It's awful. Sorry OP.

I have a Herbie. He’s 6 now. Most people comment on how lovely the name is. We’ve only had 1 bad reaction to it.

I wasn’t 100% sure at the start but so glad I stuck to it.

It's good!

It's awful imo. Sorry.

Herbie on its own is nice, not sure about Herbert.

I think it's a lot like the Albie/Wilfie/Freddie/Ernie etc trend and they all start blending into each other.

Agree that Herbie is nice, but not keen on Herbert

Ah I like it, but yes, my parents/ grandparents often used the saying "he's a bit of a Herbert", meaning wally!

Where we live, people with bad acne get called "Spotty Herbert"s .... so it's a no from me for that reason

Herb or Herbie is passable but spotty Herbert is just wrong.

Nope. It's ridiculously awful.

My fil refers to people who are silly as Herberts!

Herbie is cute, but Spotty 'erbert and kids being ' a little Herbert' when playing up are definitely a thing.

My dg used to call us kids scruffy Herberts so that puts me off.

Herbert the pervert my 16 year old just said when I asked what she thought of the name Herbert

It's a term of abuse. To call someone a "right Herbert" means they are stupid, geeky, unattractive. Don't do it to the poor child - what's he ever done to upset you?

It was my Grandads name too, I like the link however never would have chosen it.... although maybe would have used the nickname Bertie but my gran decided she wanted to use it on her dog in homage to DGf

I don't think anyone of his generation will be familiar with the 'Herbert' insult. I've never heard it used by my age group and I'm in my 30's.

Thanks for all your comments. You've certainly given us food for thought!

Dreadful

Not sure it's ready for a revival yet.
Hubert? I know a young one -ie- 20-something.

I think it's sweet. I knew a little boy called Herbie - he actually acquired his name because his parents affectionately called him a 'little herbert' while he was in utero, and it just stuck once he was born.

I adore Bertie, but just on it’s own!