Oban - anyone familiar with this name?

[CornerOfTheSky]

This name is on our potentials list for boys, because it's one of few that we both agree we like, going purely by the sound of the name, and that it means little bay, rather than any particular connection to the place in Scotland or being big fans of the whisky.

Could anyone confirm the pronunciation? If my research is right, I think it's pronounced Obe-un, a bit like Open with a b, and the emphasis on the Oh syllable, rather than saying it like Oh-BAN or Oh-BEN?

Would appreciate the input of any Scottish mumsnetters, Twitter seemed a bit disparaging of Oban the place,...is it a bit like naming your child Blackpool?

Maybe people will think you conceived him on a weekend away in Oban.
Or after finishing a bottle of whisky?

Bit like naming your child Sherry.
Or like Shiraz Bailey, from Diary of a Chav.

OP, if you like Oban you might also like Balvenie.

I'm not Scottish, and the first thing I thought of when I saw Oban written down was Viktor Orban, who is not a nice man.

It’s pronounced like Onan, except with a B.

That’s reason enough to forget inflicting it on a child.

I am Scottish.

Oban is a really lovely wee town. Nothing like Blackpool. Not in the slightest.

But I would find it really weird to come across someone with that as a name. I really don't like place names as people names.

My son is called oban and I have had a lot of positive remarks about it. He is 23 now, and was always called obie when he was younger because he wasnt that keen but now seems happy with his name and all his friends call him oban (prononounced as open but with a b) I love it 😀

I don't think the quality of the town necessarily negates Oban being used as a name OP. Unless a place is renowned for being crap (admittedly that's subjective) I think it's OK.

I wouldn't go for it myself but assuming you are not in Scotland it might work better as people won't immediately think 'Oban where you get the ferry'.

Incidentally whilst Oban is a bit run down I really like it. I used to have an amazing charity shop near the harbour, lol.

Aaargh it used to have an amazing charity shop. I have never had a charity shop.

Oran's in Algeria isn't it?

I know a 5 yo Oban and was a bit sceptical at first, but have got used to it.

I once knew a family with daughters named after Scottish towns - one was called Airdrie - I am assuming they hadn't been to the place

Seems similar to Margate.

I think it only really works if your surname is Onekenobi. Otherwise maybe go for a different traditional Scottish name. Like Thistle or Aviemore perhaps?

@RaraRachael Airdrie!!! WTF? Why not just go the whole hog and call your child Coatbridge

Naw, Coatbridge is tacky. The op wants sensible suggestions. Like : Wishaw. Similar to William but with a bit of an edge.

I like Oban (the place).. much nicer than Ullapool!

As a name I think I kinda like it !

youboozeyoulose It was greeted with much hilarity in the area. Their 3 other girls have slightly less ridiculous place names.

It isn't the nicest place.

Again, yes thank you for the helpful comment. Wasn't actually asking for opinions on our 'picking a name' process. Why are some people on here so brash and rude for no reason?

It's a person you are naming. Would you like to go through life being named after a fairly drab town in Scotland or a whisky?

Stirling? Nairn is nice but not keen on Oban, Oran is nice too, sTruan as someone else mentioned is nice. I’m sure your lovely boy will have a name that perfectly suits him and you both love, it’s fun choosing good luck

I know of a boy called Cullen ( NE Scotland town )

I quite like it but I like placename/surname type names. I think in Scotland people would get used to it really quickly. As a PP has said, the placenames that are used tend to be surnames and first names as well - Munro, Nairn, Drummond, Cullen etc

I do prefer Oran but the pronunciation is different, more like Aw-ran than Oh-ran.

Ossian? (Aw-shun) is a loch

Torin, Torbin or Tobin

Are all similar names I've heard

Tobin was a serial killer, so maybe best avoiding that one...?