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Baby names

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

Original poster

If you have a son ask him what he thinks of...

69 replies

Drunkenmonkey · 23/02/2021 17:33

Gabriel. And I don't mean ask your 4 year old Grin
I'm interested in what older boys (like 8 plus) think of the name as my DH thnks it will invite bullying and also sounds too feminine for a boy and that our future DS (if he is a DS) won't thank us for it.
I disagree but I'd like some opinions. I know it's very popular on here generally as I've done some searching and seen other threads.

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Snowymcsnowsony · 23/02/2021 17:37

My Gabriel is 20. Very popular. Very happy with his name.. Preferred Gabriel until he was about 18. Few close friends call him Gabs /Gab.

Original poster
Drunkenmonkey · 23/02/2021 17:40

@Snowymcsnowsony thank you! Exactly what I was hoping to hear. I think it's strong but also elegant and cool, I love it.
I also like Gabe, Gabs, Gabes etc.

OP posts:
EvilEdna1 · 23/02/2021 17:43

My nephew who is a Gabriel. Would say he gets mistaken for Gabrielle when people read it out all the time so people expect a girl. Also he gets a lot of gay 'jokes'.

Snowymcsnowsony · 23/02/2021 17:44

Interestingly my mil hated it... Despite her being a strict Catholic!!
Never had any negative comments tbh.

Moonface123 · 23/02/2021 17:44

I know a young teenager of that name, and he did used to get called names. Such as Gay. I like the name, but would be wary.

Vallmo47 · 23/02/2021 17:46

My 13 year old DS says it’s okay. I think it’s lovely. Kids always find something to tease others about. I honestly wouldn’t think anything of it, other than that it’s a lovely name.

Snowymcsnowsony · 23/02/2021 17:46

My Gabriel actually is gay. Still popular. Never been bullied..

kowari · 23/02/2021 17:48

@Drunkenmonkey

Gabriel. And I don't mean ask your 4 year old Grin I'm interested in what older boys (like 8 plus) think of the name as my DH thnks it will invite bullying and also sounds too feminine for a boy and that our future DS (if he is a DS) won't thank us for it. I disagree but I'd like some opinions. I know it's very popular on here generally as I've done some searching and seen other threads.
DS 14 yo says 'it's fine'. Will they be bullied 'no'. He has a friend called Gabriel.
Obviouslynotallthere · 23/02/2021 17:48

My NDN is called Gabriel but he's from Spain and the a is pronounced as in apple.

HurricaneBitch · 23/02/2021 17:48

I wanted it for DS who is 19, DH vetoed it, DS wishes he hadn't as he likes it.

SummaLuvin · 23/02/2021 17:48

You'll find plenty of people to disagree with your husbands opinion, I do, it's one of my favourite names. But I'm not the father of the child, it doesn't matter if the Mumsnet jury vote for it, I don't think you should try and convince your husband to name their child something he doesn't like.

GinaJaffacake · 23/02/2021 17:51

It’s a great name! It’s alliterative with our surname or I would seriously have considered it. I know two; one is 15 and the other in his 40s. Both known as Gabe. The 15yr old is a friend of my daughter’s since primary school and I don’t ever remember hearing of any bullying but I’ll ask DD. It’s doesn’t at all sound feminine to me.

CeibaTree · 23/02/2021 17:55

The only person I know who is called Gabriel changed his name to Gavin when he was 13 because of bullying - this was in the 90s and I hear kids are even meaner to each other these days! How about Raphael instead?

BewareTheBeardedDragon · 23/02/2021 17:57

There's a Gabriel in my ds (age 9) year - I've never heard from ds that it's an issue, they are friends.

beela · 23/02/2021 17:59

My 10yo ds says it's a good name.

takingmytimeonmyride · 23/02/2021 18:01

My 16 yo knows a Gabriel. Never had a problem with the name, never thought it was anything but a normal boys name.

SprogletsMum · 23/02/2021 18:01

I have a friend with a son called Gabriel, he doesn't get bullied.

Bl0ndi3 · 23/02/2021 18:03

I asked my 8 year old and he likes it and said he would call him gabe as a nickname if it was his friend :)

ThatIsNotMyUsername · 23/02/2021 18:03

Ds was at school with 2 Gabriels and a Gabrielle. None bullied.

SplendidSuns1000 · 23/02/2021 18:14

My nephew (12) says he knows 2 gabriels, niece (7) asked if gabriel is a type of cake. I think that's a good thing. My very best friend is called Gabriel, most know him as Gabe and he is gay but never bullied for his name.

Snowymcsnowsony · 23/02/2021 18:15

Ds did feel a bit miffed as a primary school boy. Nativity plays he always had the same part....
His younger dbro was as miffed to always be a sheep!! No reason why - his name had no sheep connections!!

Original poster
Drunkenmonkey · 23/02/2021 18:22

These are great responses.
@SummaLuvin he doesn't dislike the name as such, he is just concerned. There are plenty of other names he has vetoed that I like.

He also chose our other DS name and I've never been 100% sold on it so he's willing to be more flexible this time, especially as he doesn't really think about names as much as me.

I do think times have changed a lot and the insult 'gay' is gradually disappearing (as it should) I'm hoping in 10 years time it will be even less acceptable to use those kind of slurs.

OP posts:
StillGoingToWork · 23/02/2021 18:24

My daughter knew a Gabriel. He was horrendous. Entitled bully.

Not saying every Gabriel is a d*ck, but this one, definitely was.

ItWorriesMeThisKindofThing · 23/02/2021 18:25

Not been any issues for the teen Gabriel I know

Fembot123 · 23/02/2021 18:26

I asked my 8 year old and he said ‘Yeah, it’s good and I like it’

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