Massive name wobble!

[namewobble]

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!

I don't mind it. If you changed could you switch to Rowan? Similar enough he wouldn't notice?

I'm well over 40 and love it. Maybe it's a name that will feel better as he gets older. I'd keep it.

I think it's fine. Unusual but still sensible, suits a young child and an adult.

Have a friend with a LO with the same name. He often gets 'Mannie' or 'Romy' as a nickname....could you do the same, both quite cute on the LO I know.

I like it. I wanted to call our second son Roman but DH said he didn't like it because it was the name of a wrestler at the time. What about changing it to Ronan? Close enough that if anyone asks you can pretend they were mistaken.

I'm 40 so bang in the middle of your demographics and for what it's worth I think it's a quality name. Love it

What happens at school when they are learning about the Romans’? .kids can be cruel
I’d be changing it to Rowan personally
I’m not saying that to offend or upset.but you did ask for opinion.
I’m mid 40s perhaps that’s why.
I always wanted to be wild when I chose my children’s names,have out there names.
But I’m so glad I didn’t.they are adults now and they suit their normal names

I love it and I'm 42! It's a great name. And very dashing.

'Ro' is a lovely nickname I think. And it's no different to Joe for Joseph really.

It's very very popular in Eastern Europe, Russia and Ukraine in particular. If you don't have anything against such link then why not

I like it also enjoy Ro (Row) as a nn.

I think it’s a lovely name, an Ro, Romy, Manny are lovely nicknames

Strongly dislike it.

Wouldn't say it has class connotations (in the way you mean), but I don't like it, sorry. And I do like (some) names which others might consider out-there. I think Roman Polanski may have ruined it for me (but actually don't think I'd have been keen anyway).

IF you want to change his name, then no, it’s not an issue. He would soon recognise his new name. Honestly, it’s not a big deal.

I like the name Roman, my son is also named after a group of people/time in history.

I'm over 40 and I love it, used to know a very nice well mannered little bit called Roman.

I'm intrigued SimonJT and trying to guess it!

I'm a teacher so can often have an eye roll at names; but I have a very lovely Roman in my current class, so I like it :)

I think the only issue you’ll have as a pp said is when they are covering roman history as kids can be unkind. I think it needs a very strong child to carry the name off. However I do like it.

I think it's too late to change it really. I don't love it but it's not awful.

What are the class connotations?

I wouldn't call my kid Roman fwiw.

I love Roman! Can't bare plain names like Thoma

Sorry I meant Thomas. My phone had a freak out.

Snowy I might have to eat my words here, but I'm not worried about him being picked on. He's such a sociable, confident little bruiser. We'll see, of course!

Eliza I walked past a pavement with 'ROMAN, MASON, FAWN' written on it and it set me in a bit of a spin. Embarrassing, but true.

Beagle that's nice! I hope he'll be polite.

We're all trying to pick names for who we hope they'll be, right? Or names we hope will give them space to be who they are? I was surprised how hard I found it, but then it did take us six months (and two goes) to name our cat, so....