Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Any opinions welcome!

25 replies

mrssmudge123 · 14/10/2019 09:34

Hello all.
We've just found out we're having a little boy - but we're a bit stuck on names for boys. Girls - we had a whooooole selection to choose from that we liked.
Our surname is Smith and my husbands granddads name is Oswald so he's desperate to call him that with a nickname of Ossie. Would that be a cruel name to give in this day and age? I'm on the fence with it so need a few opinions!

Thank you Grin

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
alltummy · 14/10/2019 09:37

I'm no help I'm afraid. I kind of love it but also see where you're coming from that it may be 'character building'! Seriously though kids are getting called all sorts now.

Kanga83 · 14/10/2019 09:39

I love it. I know a little Oswin in my boys class which is similar, however I think older names are in and Oswald would fit right into where we live. The name will grow with the child- it's an old beautiful name and I would use it.

Marlena1 · 14/10/2019 09:39

I know an Austen and that's his nickname. Maybe Oliver too?

Original poster
mrssmudge123 · 14/10/2019 09:47

Thank you. I would love to call him it, it would mean an awful lot to his granddad who is in poor health. I just feel he'll have to explain he's an Ossie or an Oliver with every new school year - unless he likes it, of course.
This naming business is difficult Confused

OP posts:
Kanga83 · 14/10/2019 09:50

When he starts school you can put a preferred name down- so full name, then preferred name, so if he wants Ossie then that's what he will be called by the teachers.

bridgetreilly · 14/10/2019 09:50

Why would it be cruel? It's a perfectly good name. And I don't know what you mean by having to explain it every year. It's a name. What's to explain?

Kanga83 · 14/10/2019 09:51

When he starts school you can put a preferred name down- so full name, then preferred name, so if he wants Ossie then that's what he will be called by the teachers.

Or Oswald as a middle name. That's what I have done with mine. First names as their own, middle names after grandparents.

MikeUniformMike · 14/10/2019 09:53

Lee Harvey Oswald and Oswald Mosley might put you off.

milienhaus · 14/10/2019 09:53

I think it’s an awesome name but I do also think Mosley. Just a tiny bit. But no kids will think that so no reason to believe he won’t like it! I imagine there will be an Oscar or 2 and it’s pretty close so not too unusual.

Frith2013 · 14/10/2019 09:55

I can’t get past Oswald Moseley.

MikeUniformMike · 14/10/2019 10:02

Would Oswald Mosely mean anything to little Ossie's generation?

CakeRattleandRoll · 14/10/2019 10:37

My first thought was Mosley, but clearly not an obvious reference point for younger people!

Hotpinkangel19 · 14/10/2019 10:48

My dog is called Oswald - Ozzy! And my surname is the same as yours 🤣

Morado · 14/10/2019 10:57

Not normally my kind of style but I actually love Oswald! I'd never use it myself but I think you should and it'd be really sweet to honour his grandad.

Original poster
mrssmudge123 · 14/10/2019 11:09

I didn't actually know you could put a preferred name at school. I was bullied quite a bit at school for my maiden name amongst other things and I think I'm just hyper-aware of potential bullying etc. Although his dad his a very strong minded individual so I would hope he'd take after him with not taking any crap! :)

I think the fact it is his great granddads name outweighs the negative connotations in my mind of Oswald Moseley. This is all very helpful!

OP posts:
jadelouiselaird · 14/10/2019 11:10

Oscar

PandasMum · 14/10/2019 13:27

It’s ok
Shakespearean too I think
I prefer Oswin though as it’s softer

PandasMum · 14/10/2019 13:28

There are thousands and thousands of bizarre names now so an Oswald is not going to be bullied for their name in the way they might when half the class was called John. It’s not offensive or rude so I can’t see any reason it would be anything other than another unusual name.

VenusClapTrap · 14/10/2019 18:46

I know a nine year old Oswald who goes by Ossie. Zero teasing so far. It’s fine.

071019DD · 14/10/2019 19:50

I'd definitely go with it OP! I love a name with meaning and once a little person comes into the world they just somehow become their name and I'm sure your little Ozzy will be no different! You could always give him a 'lighter/modern' middle name to go with it. Good luck with rest of pregnancy!

diddlediddle · 14/10/2019 20:36

I like it and can't see any issue with it. It's no more unusual or weird than many kids names. At least it's a proper name and it has meaning to you which is great. And a good nn. Go for it.

FizzyGreenWater · 14/10/2019 23:37

I can't get past Moseley.

If it were me I would go for Oswin too - great name! - and say that you wanted him to have his own version but be named after grandfather? They will be linked as Ossies :)

BethanyGilbert · 15/10/2019 16:18

I literally thought Oswald Mosley was made up for Peaky Blinders till I was reading this thread!

Lavenderblues · 15/10/2019 17:16

I like Oswald.

17caterpillars1mouse · 15/10/2019 19:51

Really like Oswald. Ozzie could be short for Oscar too if you wanted something more mainstream and I really like Oswin like a pp suggested

New posts on this thread. Refresh page