Fenn

[penpox]

Expecting a boy in April.

Fenn is a name back in my family tree, I love it as does DH. However I am concerned about the name meaning (boggy/marshland) and think it may be better as a middle name?

I would love it as a first name apart from the meaning!! What do you think?

I wouldn't mind the meaning as it's a lovely sounding/looking name!

Wetlands. Sorry, and it's a bit to close to Finn.

I'd think you're setting them up for a lifetime of mispronunciations and misspelling, sorry.

I think it's still a great meaning, fens to my mind are full of wildlife and great places to visit.

However I do know 2 labradors called Fenn so that would put me off! I do like it though.

I like it!

Gorgeous name. Short, strong and natural. I love it. If people can spell it, I do worry about them....
The more I think of the name the more I imagine those beautiful mysterious days out on the fens...

Most kids don’t know what a Fen is anyway, only adults so I wouldn’t worry about it’s meaning.

Lovely.

@Pineconelights

I'd think you're setting them up for a lifetime of mispronunciations and misspelling, sorry.

Misspelling, yes (the double n) but mispronunciations?

I like it. I don't think the association with boggy would bother me - fens can be beautiful.

Thanks for the feedback! Good to know people don't necessarily automatically think of marshes as unpleasant. We also have some lovely memories of walking around beautiful marshes and wetlands on trips in Europe so the name has a positive association, as does the family link.

I'm not sure how it could be mispronounced misspelling could be an issue with 2 Ns I suppose but I have a very common classic name which is very frequently misspelled.

As long as people don't think it's short for 'Jesus Christ Fenton!!!'

Agree kids won't know the meaning, and I also wonder if many adults would without looking it up?!

I generally prefer more traditional names, but I really like Fenn - it's unusual without being too "out there" (reminds me of the similar nature name Heath). I also love that it has personal links for you, makes for a nice story. It may have spelling issues (he'll probably have to get used to saying "Fen with two n's") but that's not a huge deal and I can't think of any obvious teasing potential - so I'd go for it OP!

Maybe because Finn is so popular at the moment people could mispronounce it that way? I guess though that's more mistaking it for another name.

I like the definition. I think nature definitions are good. Although I'm embarrassed to say I didn't know what it meant so hopefully most kids don't either lol.

Ha! My first thought was that it could be short for Fenton! But luckily not many people would make that association...
As a first name I think it’s ok. But I like it a lot more knowing it’s a family name. Would be interesting to know why your relative had that name.
I’d probably use as a middle name rather than first - just personal preference. Nothing wrong with it as a name.

Fenn itself is if course easy to spell and pronounce however I can envisage someone with that name having to explain its eg fenn not Finn or fenn not glen or Ben etc

That's why I feel it will be heard and/or written wrongly.

I've never heard of a Fenn! And even now I do I don't see any negative association. If you and your partner both like it and it was family connections that would be a yes for me!

I’m not sure. I don’t dislike the name but there are so many Finns about that I do think the child would get fed up of correcting people/people may just think you’re trying our a unique twist on Finn

Opinions much appreciated!

I had definitely been swaying more towards having it as a middle name, but DH is adamant it is a great first name. And although some don't agree, the fact that lots of you like it makes me think that actually, he is right

DH suggested Finn as an alternative which I don't really like anyway. Maybe I would like it more if it wasn't so popular.

We'll definitely go with something more 'traditional' for the middle name. I like traditional and DH doesn't really, so if we both love Fenn that seems like a good compromise anyway

I know one, and she is female.

Simple and strong, with family links, I say go for it.

@notafanoftheman

I know one, and she is female.

Yes I thought it was for a girl at first. I've got form though - we had a new colleague called Fionan and I was surprised when a bloke walked in ha ha.

Either way I really like Fenn and it's lovely to say out loud.

I think your link to European marshland walks is a bit tenuous though - you should just own the name

Also the Fens/fenland is only one n so it wouldn't even cross my mind.

I think they’d spend their whole life going “no Fenn not Finn”. Middle name maybe?

I once knew a Fenn, short for Fennella. I rather like it as a stand alone full name for a boy too, which surprises me TBH.

Names like Heath and Croft have always irrationally annoyed me

@StCharlotte I meant that to us marshlands conjures positive images rather than dreary boggy areas. We first decided we loved the name while walking in said marshlands! The link is the family name

It is a nice nickname for Fennella, but not a huge fan of that for a girl. We couldn't agree on any girls names so glad this one is a boy

I am quite trad when it comes to names but I really like this.

Makes me think of East Anglia at it's most beautiful - marshlands, acres of sky, great light.

Great to have something with family history too.

It's super