Does my son have an awful name?

[tabithamay]

I’ve done a similar thread on Nameberry but wanted other people’s opinions. I have a 17-year-old DS who’s started his second year at college, and we chose Ernest Leopold as a first and middle, after my DH’s great-grandfather. Recently, he’s become very aware of it as people are telling him how ugly/old-fashioned/frumpy/strange it is. What do you think?

Ernest/Ernie is pretty dire...I can't help but wonder what you were thinking. Leo, however is nice - I'd suggest he switches to that.

I like it, its very traditional sounding

I have a name that was before it's time. I never had a problem with it and the benefit now is that everyone thinks I'm younger than I actually am.

I think it's how he deals with it. If he isn't bothered then nobody else will be. But that will be easier when there is only one name on the id badge.

They shouldn't have put his middle name on his ID badge. Just an admin error but they should be more careful and they should know that teenagers tease each other.

Personally I'm not a fan of Ernest/Ernie. Some "old fashioned" names are timeless but I don't think that's one of them. However, it's subjective isn't it - if you and your husband liked the name when you chose it, fair enough. I think that if your son really disliked it, the issue would have come up before now. If he prefers Leo he could use that but I think the ship has sailed for his current peer group.

FWIW I think that ideally a first name should be chosen in its own right, and a middle name should be after family. If choosing an unusual first name you could give a more common middle name as a back-up option.

I love Ernest - and the nicknames Ernie, Ernst or Nesto. It's not so different from Alfie/Albie/Freddie/Teddy etc type names which are everwhere now, and better than being the 4th Will or Jack in the class.

It's the combination with Leopold that makes it a bit heavy and old fashioned - removing that from the ID badge would be a big improvement.

Do you mean he has reached 17 years of age and this hasn't ever come up before now? How strange I'd have though someone would have pointed this out before now.

I'm not sure "Peter" is any more modern or easier to use.

My cousin has an 18 month old called Peter and when she sent a text to announce his birth there was a collective "baby PETER?? " among the family. Obviously nobody has said anything to her but it's a pretty unfashionable name these days!

Both names are lovely.

its a fine name. I guess every kid at some point wishes they had another name.

Many years go we had a kids with a classic name in our Scout troup. (it is very unusual name at the time. George). He was not a fan, but like your son was very knowledgeable in a particular area - lexicography and all things wordy. He became known as 'Lex'.
Everyone now knows him as Lex some 20 years later.

Good that school is changing his OD badge.
I can't imagine giving a baby Ernest as his first name. If you want to honour a relative make it the middle name. Do you actually like the name you gave your son?

Ernest is miles better than Jaxon, Brandon, Jayden, Davron, Hunter, Pax and Tyle.

It's old fashioned but I love it. He may not be a fan now (teenagers never like anything, including their name! I always wanted a fashionable name and now love my traditional one) so I think it's just a case of when he's older he'll appreciate it!

Far better than the trendy names that are about nowadays

I like it! Both my ds have old names too.

I think it's beautiful but slightly eccentric.

I love these names - going to add them to my (imaginary/future) 2nd baby name list on the back of this thread.

"Ernest is miles better than Jaxon, Brandon, Jayden, Davron, Hunter, Pax and Tyle."

Sure, they're the only other names to choose from

Awful.

One or the other would have been bad enough-but both together!

Honestly?
Ernest is very old-fashioned and also has a grating sound. I don't like it.
If I were your DD I'd introduce myself as Leo.

DS

What's wrong with Ernest?!

It's a classic strong name. I can't see what could possibly be tease worthy about it. Especially after 17 years..?

I think youre asking the wrong age group OP. You should be asking people whom were born after the year 2000. Majority of people on this forum are from a generation where that name is acceptable and popular. Therefore, they will give you a thumbs up which has does not project the views of your sons peers.

which does not **

Hopefully all those parents on this thread who find the name so awful are encouraging their kids to be more open minded than themselves..?!

Love it!