Kevin?

[BabyKevin]

I’ve name changes as this might be outing. DP really wants to name our little boy Kevin after his grandad who passed a month ago. I know the name isn’t well liked on here but it means a lot to DP and his grandad was a lovely man to be named after. The more I think about it the more I actually like it, I think it sounds nice. He was considering Kevin as a middle name but as I say the more I think about it the more I like it for a first name I also am thinking a nickname could be Vin/Vinny if he doesn’t like his name as he gets older. I was just wondering what everyone thinks and whether we should go for it or not?

I love it! And he won't be one of fifty thousand Harrys!

I like the name. Go for it

I quite like it. My DH has a really nice friend called Kevin which probably influences me.
My boys both have names which I've seen described on her as old fashioned, boring, sad etc but neither tbey nor I have ever had any adverse comments in real life.

Isn't Kevin a minion too? So a bit more modern reference.

I like these unusual older names, it's pretty obvious (teacher) when a kid has been named in honour of a family member and I think it's sweet. It does seem to be boys' names too.

Great name. Also very popular in France, strangely enough!

DP is over the moon

I think perhaps its time has come again! It is a nice name, in its own right. More normal and middle-of-the-road in other countries than here but unusual enough here now, to be quite cute and fresh on a young child.

@DorisLessingsCat

Great name. Also very popular in France, strangely enough!

Not any more. It was incredibly popular in France in the early 90s (Home Alone + Costner + Bacon, I imagine) but it is now a bit of an insult to call someone ‘un Kévin’.

I think Kevin is a great name, but dh has an uncle Kevin who he didn't want to honour.
I'm not sure I'd saddle him with Kevin Barry though. I don't know any young Kevin's, go for it!

I wouldn't personally, simply because it has a slightly geeky image to me personally (and I like a lot of the currently unfashionable/dated names - like John, Robert, Hugh, Phillip etc). I've also read on here a few times that Kevin is also considered a bit of a downmarket/tacky name in some other European countries, sorry.

Kevin as a middle name would be a wonderful tribute to Grandad though imo.

I actually like it, especially with nickname Vin/Vinny like you said. Go for it OP

Some of the opinions on here re Kevin are bonkers or just downright rude.
My brother is called Kevin he is in his 50's and has never been teased about his name.
It is a perfectly lovely name for any age.
Now if you had said you were considering Balonz then I would have to say please do not do that to your child.
No doubt someone will be along soon saying what's wrong with Balonz?
Call him Kevin, it's a lovely name.

Another vote for Kevin! I know a little boy called Kevin and he really suits it.

Don’t see the issue at all, but also don’t think it’s dated where I’m from (Belfast), not in my experience anyway.

I like it. You could use the Irish spelling, as you have Irish roots too.

@Thedogscollar

Some of the opinions on here re Kevin are bonkers or just downright rude. My brother is called Kevin he is in his 50's and has never been teased about his name. It is a perfectly lovely name for any age. Now if you had said you were considering Balonz then I would have to say please do not do that to your child. No doubt someone will be along soon saying what's wrong with Balonz? Call him Kevin, it's a lovely name.

What’s wrong with Balonz? All of the important men in my life (father, brothers, uncles, partner, sons) are all called Balonz, and they are all completely marvellous, and all glory in the name..... 🤣🤣🤣

OP, Kevin is a lovely name. I like Kev too. A lot of the objections to it are just classist nonsense. And congratulations!

What I would do, is give him a more classic middle name (in terms of English fashions, if that's where you live).

I would definitely not be giving him Alan, Derek or Darren (or Wayne, Dean, Gary or Barry) as a mn, as altogether, that would sound like some weird 80s (named in the late 60s or 70s) tribute name. Like sticking a mullet on a baby. (Alan, Derek and Graham are more late 50s / early 60s, so kids of the 70s names).

There is something about the Sharon, Tracy, Donna, Dean, Wayne, Darren and, to some people's minds, Kev, era, that really sticks in people's minds, along with Essex Girls, white stilettos and Viz magazine. That social moment somehow transcends the normal background level of class prejudice. But, those of us whose minds it sticks in are mid-40s and older now, so older than your DS's school-friends' parents.

@Lovelydiscusfish
The more I say Balonz the more it's growing on me.
I think Kevin Balonz has a certain ring to it🤣

St Kevin was born about 498. If St Patrick was born about 400 (wasn't he getting rid of snakes about 432?) I'd say Patrick and Kevin would be equally classic?

@lottiegarbanzo

What I would do, is give him a more classic middle name (in terms of English fashions, if that's where you live).

I would definitely not be giving him Alan, Derek or Darren (or Wayne, Dean, Gary or Barry) as a mn, as altogether, that would sound like some weird 80s (named in the late 60s or 70s) tribute name. Like sticking a mullet on a baby. (Alan, Derek and Graham are more late 50s / early 60s, so kids of the 70s names).

There is something about the Sharon, Tracy, Donna, Dean, Wayne, Darren and, to some people's minds, Kev, era, that really sticks in people's minds, along with Essex Girls, white stilettos and Viz magazine. That social moment somehow transcends the normal background level of class prejudice. But, those of us whose minds it sticks in are mid-40s and older now, so older than your DS's school-friends' parents.

I actually love loads of these names - Alan is a great name I think, and Darren too - it’s really lovely sounding.

If I had another child, and it was a boy (which I am not planning on, but never say never) I would call him Dennis, or Ronnie. Same genre. I think Ray is a great name too.

Balonz is beautiful but too popular.....

There’s a Balonz in my son’s class, he’s a great lad. Apparently his dad is called Balonz too but I’ve not met him

I'm really not keen.

Dated but not that bad surely?

I would use Caimhin ''keeveen'' less dated.

I like it

I don't like it personally. Partly it brings up unfortunate cultural connotations (the equivalent of Sharon or Tracy) but also I just don't like the sound of it. Like Gavin it sounds harsh to me. Interestingly I like the sound of Calvin.