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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Perfect baby name formula?

12 replies

SweetbutAPsycho · 24/01/2019 21:15

I'm not pregnant but was having a conversation with my friend about what makes the 'Perfect baby name' and we didn't agree so wondering what people think.
I reckon a long tradition first name followed by a short interesting middle name is the best formula. My logic is there are plenty of nickname opportunities and they can grow in to a long first name, an interesting short middle name could help them stand out or give them a trendy option if they dislike a more traditional name.
Examples I gave were;
Catherine Brontë (surname)
Theodore Cyan (surname)
What do people think? Did you follow any formula when naming your child?

OP posts:
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OnlyFoolsnMothers · 24/01/2019 21:41

A name that will work at any age for them- whether in full form or the shorter versions. Names like “teddy” or “Beau” IMO sound cute on a 5 year old boy not so much on a 17year old teenager. ( i didn’t have a boy) but it’s why I liked Benjamin...Benji as a baby, Ben as a teen, Benjamin at a job interview Wink

HalfBloodPrincess · 24/01/2019 21:46

Definitely prefer a ‘formal’ name on the birth certificate (Elizabeth instead of Betsy, Benjamin instead of Ben)

Middle name from within the family (grandparent, sibling etc)

Either mum or dads surname. Don’t like double barrelled.

Bonus marks for alliteration

PennyMordauntsLadyBrain · 24/01/2019 21:52

Mine would be-

Traditional/classic + recognised nicknames + not popular for my generation (eg Matthew or Jennifer)

ZebraKid71 · 24/01/2019 21:54

My criteria is a fairly unusual longer name which can be shortened to a more "usual" shortened version so that they have options, and also if they wish to blend in more or for a sense of anonymity when they're older. (my name follows this format and I like that I have a normal nickname I can use to introduce myself to new people, for online, Starbucks etc).

Dd1 is Anneka (Annie-kah) nn Annie for example.

ZebraKid71 · 24/01/2019 21:55

(Plus two middle names - a family name from each side.)

MamaidhMathMath · 24/01/2019 22:09

Tell me I'm not the only one who clicked on the thread expecting someone to have called their kid Aptamil?

tammytoby · 24/01/2019 22:17

Names are meant to identify us, so my formula is an interesting classic but underused name.

endoflevelbaddy · 24/01/2019 22:36

I had 2 tests - would I feel a twat shouting the name in a busy public space if they'd disappeared & would they feel a twat being called in for an important job interview by their name.
DH then had to come up with the worst nickname he could think of from the name so we could gauge worst case scenario.
Hours of fun Grin

Cosmoa · 26/01/2019 19:19

Everyone always comments on how my daughters name is lovely but unheard of (only 5 in 2017), without sounding too unusual and can get away with being a lawyer or a pop/movie star sounding name. It's also only 4 letters and can't be shortened or mispronounced 😊 think somewhere along the lines of Mika.

nocoolnamesleft · 26/01/2019 19:21

Mamaidh You're not the only one. Though I thought Milupa might sound prettier...

UnDeadPool · 26/01/2019 22:48

Twins, cow and gate 🤣

nocoolnamesleft · 26/01/2019 23:48

Essemmay.

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