Ruaridh, Caspar or Tristan

[thelostartofkeepingsecrets]

Hello!

I’m 8 days overdue with our first baby boy. All along my husband and I have loved Ruaridh but lately we’ve started to have some second thoughts - mine are mainly around people not being able to spell or pronounce his name (he’ll be half Scottish but we live in England).

I’d love some opinions on these three names - I love Caspar and my husband likes Tristan. Or if you have any other suggestions we might not have thought of.

Thanks!

I much prefer both Caspar and Tristan to your original idea.

Both lovely names

sorry, don't like any of them.
the first would be puzzling to people, how to pronounce/spell, so first impressions could be negative, causing anxiety/uncertainty = resentment.
the other two sound laughably pretentious, like something out of a comedy sketch to signify chinless wonders.
what about a more solid recognisable Scottish name, eg
Donald, Douglas, Malcolm. Bruce, James, Robert, Leslie, Graham.

I love the name Tristan, so out of the three it would be my choice. Good luck OP, hopefully you won’t be waiting too much longer.

I wouldn't have the faintest idea how to pronounce Ruaridh. I think Caspar is the best of the bunch.

We have a Tristan. Whenever we tell people DS1's name they always say 'oh, I LOVE that, what a great name!' But when we say DS2's name is Tristan they always say 'oh, right..ok' so it's obviously not universally liked! I have never actually heard of another child called it so it's quite nice that other people seem to like it. But at least he's likely to be the only one in his class at school!

I think it sounds quite romantic and he was one if the knights of the round table.

How do you pronounce the first name?

I think it's pronounced Rooo Ree but I'm not Scottish so could be wrong.

I'd choose Caspar

I prefer Ruairidh. Don't like the others sorry. Do you like Rory?

I love ruaridh, but then I am Scottish. I don’t like Tristan at all. Casper is ok ( tho I’m so old it makes me think of Casper the friendly ghost)
Suspect some of these reactions are cultural

Thanks for all your views - it’s such a big responsibility giving your child a name that will probably be with them for life! And that’s before you even start parenting them!

We have a Caspar and we always get lots of compliments on it.

Caspar was on my list along with Jasper.

I love Ruairidh and think most people know how to say it even if they can't spell it. But I also had Tristan and Casper on my list for ds1. I guess you'll just have to see what suits when he's here.

@Mummyshark2018 I like Rory but my husband is less keen.

@alexdgr8 thanks for your other suggestions.

@Junobug - we obviously have similar (excellent!) taste! I think waiting until he’s here is a good plan - if it ever happens!

Ruaraidh is Rory in Gaelic, for this asking.

I like that and Caspar, not at all keen on Tristan.

Anselm is nice. .

I grew up in London and knew two Ruaridhs with no pronunciation issues - I love that name and it's on my list too! Not keen on the other sorry. What about an easier Scottish name - Alistair?

@thelostartofkeepingsecrets OP just a word of warning from me. I know that waiting til the baby is here works for many people but for others (me included) the baby just looks like a baby and I felt no closer to choosing a name. I always wished I’d just chosen it in advance and felt that if I’d done that I’d have bonded quicker with my son. Instead you get so many well meaning hospital staff and family saying “what’s his name”, and you’re in this clueless stressed state saying “I don’t know” and thinking “does this mean I’m not connected to baby”.

Sorry this probably isn’t helpful but just wanted to tell you not to be too concerned if a name doesn’t jump out at you as soon as you see baby.

I really love Tristan and Caspar by the way and there’s just been a thread on “Caspar” on here where the name was pretty universally liked (rare for mumsnet). Both names are pretty unusual so you’re never going to get universal approval. But the same can be said for top 100 names as lots of people then say on here they are all “boring”. Try not to overthink all this anyway (can you tell I’m an over thinker), ultimately I’m pretty sure your child will like their name or be indifferent to it. Give them a more “standard” middle name like William which they can always use if they want. Your original name suggestion (the R.... name) is too obscure and hard to spell I think. I have no idea how to pronounce and find names like that very forgettable as they’re too confusing

How about Rudi/Rudy?

@misshenty (sorry, it wouldn’t let me tag you).

Thanks, that’s actually really helpful advice. I’m indecisive at the best of times, and there’s no right or wrong answers. I think just going with a name that my husband and I love is the way to go.

I’ll try and remember to update after I’ve had the baby. I really appreciate those that have taken time to respond :)

Oh - it did let me tag you. I’m new to this!

I love Ruaraidh too and have Scottish roots but we decided against it because it was just going to cause too many issues with pronunciation and spelling (even more so!) being so far south. It wouldn't be as problematic as a middle name though 🤔

Yes please do update us @thelostartofkeepingsecrets - I LOVE it when people remember to do that ❤️Xx good luck choosing

Ruairidh by a long shot.
Caspar and Tristan are both too hissy sounding. You will feel like Hyacinth Bucket calling out Tristan in Aldi