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Original poster

How dated is Colin?

270 replies

insidejobb · 03/04/2021 16:30

We are trying to choose a name for our first baby which will be a boy. We are almost set on Colin and have made the mistake of telling other people. Most of them have asked whether we are having a baby or an 80 year old man and making comments about how dated it is. One of my friends even said "who looks at a baby and think it looks like a Colin?"

I like to think it's a very traditional and timeless name and I know comments could be worse but they still get to me.

What are your thoughts on it?

OP posts:
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Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 03/04/2021 21:31

Not a very strong name Hmm

How dated is Colin?
MimiSunshine · 03/04/2021 21:33

It’s awful. I dated a guy called Colin who at the time was early 30s she he went by Col as he hated it.

It’s not back yet and not timeless in the least

MimiSunshine · 03/04/2021 21:34

Clive is equally as bad

Original poster
insidejobb · 03/04/2021 21:37

charmlwa No it's not a wind up and I am not keen on any of those names as I know at least 3 children with each of those.

OP posts:
Regularsizedrudy · 03/04/2021 21:49

Colin is a horrible name and Clive is even worse. How old are you? These are the names of men in their 60s.

maamalady · 03/04/2021 21:52

Colin is a nice name. After watching (and rewatching) Merlin (played by Colin Morgan), I think I will always associate it with a friendly smile and twinkly eyes.

The thing with names is that you need to know someone first. Names that might sound a bit unfamiliar or unexpected on first meeting soon become totally normal, to the point where someone else being taken by surprise confuses you.

Go for it, OP. Your Colin will end up being one of the examples: "I know a little Colin, and he's lovely" Smile

shivermetimbers77 · 03/04/2021 21:56

Colin is a great name and hardly used at the moment, go for it OP. My uncle was a Colin and he was a fighter pilot and generally very dashing.

19thNamechange · 03/04/2021 21:59

Sorry OP I don't like it at all. But he's your baby, so if you really love the name then use it and ignore the people who laugh as you introduce your baby.

hesnearly3 · 03/04/2021 22:02

I like it and if u and hubby do then who cares what anyone else thinks

Laquila · 03/04/2021 22:03

I quite like Colin. I know a baby Graham, and he's adorable 😍 - Colin had a similar feel to me.

Sandcastles24 · 03/04/2021 22:04

This thread has shocked me. I need to think names soon and i must be so very out of touch. All the names on here that people say are common sound really strange and all the names i have hear regularly are dated 😳

I dont know many children under 20 and it clearly shows. Names have changed quickly

I am going to have trouble with this

Sandcastles24 · 03/04/2021 22:06

Colin, keith, malcom etc. The ones being slated, they all sound normal to me.

Chilldonaldchill · 03/04/2021 22:09

Colin Firth is a great namesake.
Having said that, I can't really imagine a young Colin. But I know a young Jeremy and I probably wouldn't have been able to imagine that beforehand either - but he's gorgeous.
All the Colins I know are between 45 and 70 but they are all nice people.
I do much prefer Corin as a name but I think if you have a baby Colin everyone will get used to it very quickly (maybe just keep it quiet till he's here).
Fwiw I remember my friend having a Gabriel (now 13) and several of my other friends raised their eyebrows. There's an absolute glut of Gabriels aged around 10-13 where we live - but there's also a few agreed 15-18 who's parents were clearly just ahead of the curve. I'm sure more eyebrows were raised when they named their children...

standingonaseesaw · 03/04/2021 22:10

I like Colin. And it might seem dated, but so are all of the names that are coming back into fashion now. Your baby would grow into his name and it would just be ‘right’ for him before long.

idontlikealdi · 03/04/2021 22:24

Very popular in America

Diverseopinions · 03/04/2021 22:26

Arthur and Archie are from the generation before. Colin is not dated, as in ancient, but of the era that you can remember people saying with a world-weary tone. But for friends in their early 30s, it is cool, as not as well-known at all, and no memory of irritating syllable emphasis.

Colin is like Diane, really, which is not quite as of-the-moment as Daphne.

But I think the vogue thing will actually become to pick names which are not way back in time, but actually, just back round the corner from the grandparents generation. It will be like reviving 2005 fashion now, instead of going back and back to the 80s.

It helps to have a reason for a name as well as the nice sound.

Gillypip · 03/04/2021 22:28

OP call the baby whatever you want so long as it goes with your surname. Have a few other names as backup. For example I have always loved the name Eric. When my little boy was born I was delighted as I could finally use my favourite name.... The child looked so like my father that I had to call him after him. So I never got to use Eric.

I think Colin is a fine strong name. I also know a Clive and that's a lovely name too. Go with your gut. It's your opinion that matters screw everyone else.

CheshireCats · 03/04/2021 22:37

Colin and Clive both utterly dreadful. Is this a wind up op? Your poor child.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 03/04/2021 22:43

There's a,difference between dated and "old man" names. So the "Are you having a baby or an 80 year old man is just a silly statement. The same could be said about Alfie Harry Arthur and George and they're everywhere.
Colin is one of those names though that I'd automatically assume to honour someone

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 03/04/2021 22:44

It was to honour someone

Original poster
insidejobb · 03/04/2021 22:45

No it's not a wind up once again for everyone asking. Everyone can keep on commenting but I think I am out now. Hopefully don't come across any of you when I'm out and about with my future Colin. Also would secretly love to know what your children are named. Bet there's a few tragic ones on this thread.

OP posts:
ShadierThanaPalmTree · 03/04/2021 22:54

😂😂 when I was pregnant my partner would suddenly say random terrible potential names as a joke to annoy me, or make me giggle. Colin and Clive definitely came up, op! They are just not names you would associate with anyone who isn't legally able to access their pension!

therocinante · 03/04/2021 22:54

I don't actually hate the name Colin itself as a word, how it sounds etc, when taken out of context, but IN context it's... Just not something I'd want associating with my baby. And Clive even more so, plus it's just not a nice sounding word.

Also, OP, sorry everyone hates the name but you did ask - think of the Mumsnet name boards as a sped up gauntlet of every opinion that will ever get passed, out loud or otherwise, about your baby's name. If you don't care that people think these things, all good. If you do care (and it really seems like you do) you're in for a bad time when you introduced baby Colin to someone and they smirk accidentally anyway - you can't make people like the name, so if it's going to make you furious or upset constantly you're gonna need to get used to it.

LilacTrees · 03/04/2021 23:27

I don't think Colin Firth is that impressed with his name www.firth.com/articles/02realmag_816.html

Cindie943811A · 03/04/2021 23:31

Colin has a nice sound to it.
I prefer Corin, I think.
Clive has some class to it.
Whichever you decide OP I hope you have a good birth and enjoy your new son.
Good luck

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