Sharing a name with a well-known(ish) politician

[Dalrymples]

We our expecting our first DS and we have a name that we like. Because of our surname, they would share a name with a relatively well-known politician (we have a fairly common surname so there are a few other famous people it clashes with).

Without giving it away, it's not Tony Blair / Boris Johnson / David Cameron level of fame, but they were in the cabinet for quite a long time. The politician in question is more a name from the recent past, but people might see the connection.

Would you name your child that is the same as someone fairly famous because you like the name, or would you avoid it all together?

I can think of several people who have 'famous' names, and they didn't seem to mind. I would draw the like at a name that is associated with someone infamous.

I’m 30 and I have no idea who it is, I don’t see a problem with it

I just had to google who that was.

Politicians come and go and in ten years we usually have to be reminded they existed in the first place.

Your boy will be absolutely fine and he'll actually have someone to share a name with when he googles himself when he's older.

It's not like you're calling him Jimmy Saville or Adolf Hitler!

Never heard of him. I'm not living in the UK but he's not exactly a big name!

I wouldn't go for Philip Hammond.

I used to live next too a Tom Jones. The odd joke but no problems really.

As a quick test... How many prime ministers can you name. How many of those were before you were a teenager....

If you love the name you should go for it. Having a fairly common surname there's always the chance that you pick something you like less and in the future someone with that name becomes famous.

I would find another name. There's SO many to choose from.

Honestly, it's not a big deal. If you like the name, go for it.

Amber Rudd?

I wouldn’t name my child the same full name as any famous person. You certainly can’t call him Richard Hammond, he’s a household name and Top Gear/ The Grand Tour and his other shows are hugely popular with preteen children, which your child will be before you know it!

If you’re looking for names in that style how about:

Robert
James
Matthew
Christopher
Paul
Andrew
Peter
Michael
Stephen
David

As a quick test... How many prime ministers can you name. How many of those were before you were a teenager....

Unfortunately that’s a bad test for me. I could go back quite easily and start getting stuck before Asquith

Problem is that Philip Hammond is borderline famous / not famous as others have arrested to

Did you mean attested?

I did, yes. Predictive text on my phone!

Thought so.
I'd use it. It's an underused classic name.
If it is good enough for HRH DoE...