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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?

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1990s · 03/04/2021 23:32

@BlackberrySky

I would call it dated rather than timeless. Timeless in my mind is Edward, Thomas, James etc. Colin has mates called Keith and Lenny.
I would call those timeless ones listed very dull tbh.

I love Colin, and Kevin. I think they’re rare enough to be interesting and cool.

1990s · 03/04/2021 23:35

@charlmwa

Is this thread a wind up? Colin and Clive you're pulling our legs surely! Both awful please don't call your lovely new baby either of these names... so many lovely timeless names you could use Edward , Henry , Joshua, Thomas , Jack , Oliver, Louis , Daniel all beautiful and so much nicer than Colin an Clive 😳 x
Bleargh. Edward Henry blah blah DULL.
Singlenotsingle · 04/04/2021 00:02

Colin Firth? Yum
My partner Colin? Yum

Luckyelephant1 · 04/04/2021 00:09

Awful, sorry OP. But then I'm not a fan of this resurgence of old biddy/old man names generally. Then again it's a marginally better name than some of these uber trendy names like Bodhi or something. If I heard of a baby Colin I'd probably assume baby is named after someone in the family.

Deadringer · 04/04/2021 00:15

@Singlenotsingle

Colin Firth? Yum My partner Colin? Yum
Hands off Colin Firth, he's mine!
charlmwa · 04/04/2021 00:22

@insidejobb

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.
You've asked for peoples opinions then got arsey when people have given you their opinion 🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤣
Original poster
insidejobb · 04/04/2021 00:36

There's a difference between giving your opinion and being straight up rude like some people saying my child is going to be a greasy weirdo and a perv because he's named Colin.

OP posts:
imsoinmyhead · 04/04/2021 00:36

Both hideous names - neither of which can be considered timeless or classic!

But if it's what you like then ignore the general consensus on MN! (And your family/friends)

GappyValley · 04/04/2021 00:39

I’m paraphrasing here but I read a great post on here years ago...

The cruel irony of naming a baby is that you have to do it at the time of your life that you are least rationale and most able to see past common sense because you are in a total glow about an adorable cute baby.

Please for the love of god, don’t name a baby Colin or Clive
You will cringe yourself inside out in a few years when you tell people it was even on your shortlist...

Singlenotsingle · 04/04/2021 01:14

GappyValley - don't be so rude. You'd name your child Hubert, Nigel, Ignatius, Sextus or Albert would you? Leave Colin alone. It's a lovely name.

OliverBabish · 04/04/2021 01:25

It’s a perfectly normal name. I wouldn’t think twice if I heard it.

I am quite pregnant and haven’t told anybody the name I’ve chosen because any reaction other than “that’s so gorgeous” would piss me off Grin

SingingInTheShithouse · 04/04/2021 01:44

Awful. Sorry

Plus I've known 3 Colins in my life & all were pervy oddballs. Not the sort of men you would want a son to grow up to be

AndreaMarteau · 04/04/2021 01:55

@insidejobb

There's a difference between giving your opinion and being straight up rude like some people saying my child is going to be a greasy weirdo and a perv because he's named Colin.
I don't think anyone is saying that your baby will actually grow up to be a pervy uncle, but rightly or wrongly, some names, for whatever reason, come with an association. It's why names like Sharon and Tracey have fallen out of fashion due to the (somewhat unfair) stereotype of the Essex girl in the 80's. Some have a revival when that stereotype is no longer relevant or falls from living memory and some don't.

As someone else has mentioned upthread, the baby name threads on MN can be harsh, but they're a good indicator of what people will be thinking or even saying about your choice of baby name behind your back. If you don't want that for your child, pay heed. If you don't care, crack on with Colin. Or Clive if you really must.

BadMudda · 04/04/2021 02:05

Oh it's shocking . Don't do it

Taikoo · 04/04/2021 02:33

Great name for a dog.
For a human - no.
Its in the same league as Gary, Brian and Trevor.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 04/04/2021 02:37

I think compared to Clive, Colin is absolutely lovely OP. If those are your two top picks, I would definitely choose Colin - it has a much nicer sound imo.

CirqueDeMorgue · 04/04/2021 02:48

Awful, sorry.

SmeleanorSmellstrop · 04/04/2021 05:23

Noooooo!!! To me it's a Roy or a Nigel name. I think it's so dated it might seem amusing to meet a baby Collin

SmeleanorSmellstrop · 04/04/2021 05:24

It's definitely not traditional or timeless. It's very very dated.

SmeleanorSmellstrop · 04/04/2021 05:31

Just RTFT. As usual with Mumsnet:

OP: Is Colin awful?
Everyone: YES!
OP: no it isn't!

SmellsLikeWineIGuess · 04/04/2021 05:38

Colin just so happens to fall into a certain category of name, which means you’re getting these sorts of reactions from people in real life, and on here.

The thing is - a person is greater than their name.

If you call your baby Colin, yes you will get a few raised eyebrows initially (people are never as rude after the baby has been born, and the name has been chosen). But then Colin will become who he is, and all will be just fine.

DS has a dated name, although he goes by a diminutive currently.

I was also given a VERY dated, old lady name in the 1970s. I’ve never met another one my age. However the name, and its variations, have been in the top 10 for over a decade now.

There is something really nice about having a current name when you’re an adult, instead of being just another dated Karen/Nicole/Jennifer/Sarah/Joanne.

RaeRaeMama · 04/04/2021 06:12

Me and my friend were actually saying a couple of days ago how Colin is a nice name. We were talking about baby names.

It's not the name I'd pick myself, but I do like it. Don't know anything Colins.

RaeRaeMama · 04/04/2021 06:14

I'm 29 and my friend is 28 btw I've seen some other people indicate their age. I suspect the older you are the less you'll like it haha

HouseofWindsor · 04/04/2021 07:19

I think you will find more dogs named Colin than newborns.

yellowlorry123 · 04/04/2021 08:22

In a few years; there will loads of Colins around. These names have a habit of going out of fashion and coming back again

I wasn't so long ago we all baulked at the idea of Arthur and Alfie and Reg, frankie, Archie as being Old mans names. When I was a kid, the only people I knew with these names were old men.

Colin will he in the next wave of revival alongside Christopher and John and David and Stephen

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