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Baby names

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

Working class names

83 replies

alessandrae83 · 28/05/2019 21:18

So on my last threads some people said that some of the names sounded middle class and should only be used if that was the case. So what are working class names? What are nice working class names? Is this actually even a thing? Does it really matter?

OP posts:
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anthisan · 28/05/2019 21:19

It probably shouldn't matter but I suppose it does make people think of someone in a certain way.

Passthecherrycoke · 28/05/2019 21:19

There are no working class names. Genuine working class people aren’t always clamouring for am identify the way the wannabe middle classes do.

And the wannabe middle class are the working class so I guess whatever they call
Their children

WoollyMummoth · 28/05/2019 21:28

Working class names are definitely not a thing in Yorkshire . And my 3 kids ‘ay up’, ‘sithee’ and ‘our kid’ agree with me!

Constantdishes · 28/05/2019 21:28

I think names cross over nowadays. I would expect a name that has a made up spelling or spelt phonetically when that is not the traditional spelling to be working class...for example I know of a Summer spell Summah 🙄

Passthecherrycoke · 28/05/2019 21:30

Are you saying working class people can’t spell constantdishes? All the millions and millions of them (which includes you, I’ll bet my car on it)

sincethereis · 28/05/2019 21:30

Jesus that’s awful Grin

Summah 😂

alessandrae83 · 28/05/2019 21:31

We are working class but I can't stand made up names, chavvy type names and stupid spellings. So what does a person like me do? I had names such as juliet and evangeline on my list but apparently I'm not posh enough?

OP posts:
Passthecherrycoke · 28/05/2019 21:33

Just pretend you’re middle class instead OP, that’s what most of MN does Grin

lucymegan · 28/05/2019 21:36

Just pretend you’re middle class instead OP, that’s what most of MN does

I second this lol.

Sparrowlegs248 · 28/05/2019 21:36

Use a name you like OP. There are many many little boys called Archie, from working class families. Also Prince Harry and Meghans son.

MerryMarigold · 28/05/2019 21:38

I think some names or more classic and some are middle class try hard, but it's a fine line. You have to think why you like the name and really be honest with yourself. If the answer is: "because it sounds posh," then probably best not to go for it.

tresbe · 28/05/2019 21:41

Your boys list is a lot more stereotypically working class then your girls list I think but I would just use the name you want

HotChocolateLover · 28/05/2019 21:41

As long as you don’t pick a name and then try and make the spelling ‘original’. Something like Grace but spelled Grayce. It makes you look illiterate and dooms the child to a lifetime of having to spell out their name to everyone.

alessandrae83 · 28/05/2019 21:41

@MerryMarigold God no I would never want to or pretend to be posh. I always thought names like Ophelia and Hugo were posh not my names. I can't stand ophelia or hugo!

OP posts:
Constantdishes · 28/05/2019 21:42

I didn't say i wasn't working class Passthecherrycoke
That would just be my perception if I was to see a name spelt as described, just as I would expect an Araminta or Montgomery to be middle class

MerryMarigold · 28/05/2019 21:55

I don't think Juliet or Evangeline are posh either. I know a really working class child called Patience which I'd also say was classic rather than posh.

Disappearedtothe80s · 28/05/2019 21:58

I think those fancy type middle/upper class are the names you see in The Telegraph birth notices - Humphrey, Cressida etc

LouiseMiltonSpatula · 28/05/2019 22:04

Pick whatever names you like and screw anyone who casts weird aspersions about class over them! I love Juliet especially - would be one of my top choices but it doesn’t work at all well with my surname.

manicinsomniac · 28/05/2019 22:14

I think most names are fairly cross-class.

But there are certainly plenty of names that most people would automatically associate with either the middle or the upper classes. That doesn't mean those names don't ever cross the class divide - just that they're less likely to.

Most of us could write you a list of stereotypically working class names - but nobody will because it would be offensive and unnecessary.

I think some class-less names well used by everyone are:

Amy, Charlotte, Chloe, Daisy, Emma, Ellie, Evie, Grace, Hannah, Holly, Isabel, Jessica, Jasmine, Katie, Lily, Lucy, Matilda, Mia, Olivia, Phoebe, Poppy, Ruby, Rosie, Sophie, Sophia, Tilly, Zoe

Alfie, Archie, Ben, Charlie, Daniel, Ethan, Finn, Harry, Isaac, Joshua, Joseph, Jack, Lucas, Micah, Noah, Oscar, Owen, Oliver, Reuben, Sam, Thomas, William, Zach

IndianaMoleWoman · 28/05/2019 22:14

Jayden
Kayden
Kai
Mason
Demi-Leigh
Lexi-Mai
Shannay
Chardonnay

All of these are cliches but I’ve taught several of each (including 4 Chardonnays with various spellings and a Maison pronounced as Mason). I consider myself working class but don’t particularly like any of these names. But then I also hate Peter, Sebastian, Charlotte and Beatrice.

fessmess · 28/05/2019 22:22

Anything hyphenated is working class. Or for a girl ends in "ee" sound and for boys Jayden/Hayden/Aiden.

tiramisu1 · 28/05/2019 22:31

Anyone should be able to call their kids whatever they want! A person's character, attitude or 'class' is not going to change because of their name!

tresbe · 28/05/2019 22:59

Use whatever name you want people have an opinion on everything I would just ignore those sort of commentsSmile

Chilledout11 · 28/05/2019 23:03

Ruby Mae
Ella Mae
Rosie Mae
.....

Crushedvelvetcouch · 28/05/2019 23:03

Jacob
Bobby
Olivia
Macey
Amelia
Aimee
Alexis
Cody
Taylor
Ellie
Mia
Jade
Jodie
Jaimee-Leigh
Jamie
Dylan
Mollie
Jack
Josh
Ben
Jaden
Gracie
Willow
Ivy
Robyn
Troy
Harmony
Evie

I am WC and have just named all of my friends' children, who are also WC. HTH.