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Baby names

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

Original poster

Massive name wobble!

64 replies

namewobble · 06/05/2019 16:20

DS is around 1 and I'm just not sure about the name. I've never really been sure about it, and he has another very plain name (think Thomas/Matthew etc) which we could use.

Has anyone done this? He's starting to recognise his name and I don't know what to do!

The name is Roman. We liked it because it was unusual, but solid, with nice rounded sounds and it goes with our surname. But I just feel like it's a bit silly. What do Mumsnet think?

Context: we live in a university town, do media-y jobs. Friends kids names range from Poppy/Toby/Leo through to Wren and Athene. If I'm being brutally honest, I'm a bit worried about the class connotations of Roman, though I'd never admit it in public, and I do try not to think like that.

Opinions please!

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BoomZahramay · 06/05/2019 16:21

FWIW I like Roman.

sleepismysuperpower1 · 06/05/2019 16:22

I like it a lot. It's unusual, but not strange and if he doesn't like it when he is older then he can use the plainer name you said he has. all the best x

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 06/05/2019 16:22

It’s fine.

Original poster
namewobble · 06/05/2019 16:23

Thanks, Boom! There's been a v direct generation split (under 40s like it, over 40s do not) which didn't bother me at the time but now it does.

OP posts:
MeanMrMustardSeed · 06/05/2019 16:23

I like it too

MollyYouInDangerGirl · 06/05/2019 16:26

I like the name, but I do think it's a very hard name to pull off if that makes sense.

I have a good friend with a toddler with this name and while it's not a bad name I feel like it just doesn't suit him.

Do what you feel is best, does it suit him? Maybe he will grow into it more as it may suit a teenager/man more than a 1 year old?

You're definitely not the only one that's been in this situation though so dont feel bad! X

EvaHarknessRose · 06/05/2019 16:28

I think you'd have to phase it in to not confuse him, call him Romy Matthew in a single song voice or something. He will have been responding to his name from v early. Starting nursery or school is another time I have known people change names. People will think it's odd but ignore that.

Cornettoninja · 06/05/2019 16:31

Roman is a lovely name. Does he suit it? If he does be confident in your choices.

We named dd very quickly after she was born, we were convinced we were having a boy so had barely considered girls names, and it’s a name that I’d never given much thought to and don’t love love iykwim. I’ve had a couple of wobbles but honestly it just suits her, it is her name which is why she ended up with it so quickly.

Calixtine · 06/05/2019 16:32

I really like it! It’s a good strong name, familiar but not too common, no “class connotations” that I can think of either. Stick with it!

Original poster
namewobble · 06/05/2019 16:47

Yes, I think it suits him, though so would his other name. He's got a really strong, lovely presence (ha well I would say that but he really does-people stop us to compliment him on his smile!). Outgoing, walked early, very ahem vocal. He could easily be a George, Henry, that sort of thing, as well. We had Hector in the mix which wouldn't have worked-too sharp.

OP posts:
Shadow1234 · 06/05/2019 16:50

Lovely name.

RadioMeinRadio · 06/05/2019 16:50

Roman is a beautiful name.

Bumblebeesmum · 06/05/2019 16:51

Roman is lovely & I hear it as slightly hippy / arty sort of family (hope that’s not a bad thing)

yoshismother · 06/05/2019 16:52

I'm going to buck the trend and say I don't like it and I'm under 40.

daisypond · 06/05/2019 16:54

I’m not keen on Roman. It just brings to mind gladiatorial combats, even if I try to think of the many good things the Romans did. It seems a bit bloodthirsty and It does have connotations to me. Maybe be if you are from a country where Roman is a more common name it would be ok.

Original poster
namewobble · 06/05/2019 16:54

Yep Bumble that's us. Lots of crap hand-thrown pots about.

yoshi do you tend to prefer more traditional/sensible names or is it something specific about this one?

OP posts:
UrsulaPandress · 06/05/2019 16:55

I'm well over 40 and I love it. Worked with a lovely man called Roman many years ago.

Disfordarkchocolate · 06/05/2019 16:55

It's lovely, not rare enough to be 'out there' but not common. And, everyone can spell it. PS I'm over 40.

Original poster
namewobble · 06/05/2019 16:56

Thanks Ursula and nice username, Ursula is very top of my list if I ever manage to have a girl

OP posts:
Original poster
namewobble · 06/05/2019 16:57

Didn't meant to ding the taste of over-40s! It was just a description of the family divide...

You're all making me feel much better.

And yes I like that it's easy to spell. Plus, when he gets to the point of writing his name, 'R' is a great way to start a signature.

OP posts:
yoshismother · 06/05/2019 16:59

I think I just have a hard time with boys names. I have girls and they both have quite unusual names. I think as a pp said, it reminds me of actual Romans

TatianaLarina · 06/05/2019 17:08

Love Roman!

I don’t think it has any class connotations tbh.

It’s not like it’s Rupert or Jaxxon.

DramaAlpaca · 06/05/2019 18:21

It's perfectly fine. And I'm well over 40.

Tawdrylocalbrouhaha · 06/05/2019 18:25

I wouldn't change a child's name at 1 year old (unless it was genuinely appalling, which it is not). He has been hearing people call him Roman all his life, he knows it is his name...I would stick with it.

Sophronia · 06/05/2019 18:32

I’m not keen. I know a Roman who has siblings called Riley and Harley.