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Baby names

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

Original poster

Is it really that awful..

74 replies

Iamstrugglingtopick · 13/05/2021 12:43

I have told people that a stronger contender for DS name is Archie after an elderly relative on partners side, I have had nothing but negative feedback that people like the name but surely not because of Harry and Meghan?
I did not even think of them and now I feel like I am being put off the name
Help

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PineappleWilson · 13/05/2021 16:14

My DS is in Year 7 now, but had 3 in his year at primary school, so it's been popular for some time. Not one I'd choose personally.

Any chance you could use the family member's surname as a middle name?

LST · 13/05/2021 16:21

I like Archie. I do have a dog called Archie, but if I'd have had another DC first they would have been called Archie!

bridgetreilly · 13/05/2021 16:22

It's fine and a perfectly normal, popular name right now.

stressfuljune · 13/05/2021 16:32

Just too common

imgoingtoregretthis · 13/05/2021 16:46

It wasn't baby name of choice in 2005, but didn't have until 2016 and had gone off the cutie ie names as so nicknamey. But I do like it, two boys called it in my road already.

imgoingtoregretthis · 13/05/2021 16:47

Ahhhhh *it was my name of choice

KaleSlayer · 13/05/2021 16:58

Archie is unlikely a name that a child will be bullied for and you like it, so ignore these people. They only get to choose names for their own children.

coffeefi · 13/05/2021 17:21

I wouldn't. It's not a nice name and also it's too closely associated with Harry and Meghan. Everyone will assume you're copying them

Give it as middle name perhaps?

TheVanguardSix · 13/05/2021 17:25

It's not in the least dreadful! I mean, if it were Nimrod, I'd have second thoughts. But there's nothing in the least wrong with Archie. DS19's good mate is Archie (who is also 19). So no, it's not some 'toddler's name'. My youngest DS (year 2) has an Archie in his class.

Topseyt · 13/05/2021 17:35

It's a lovely name. If I had ever had a boy (I had three girls) then Archie would have been high on the list for consideration.

Use it if you want to. Stop revealing your choices to other people. Too many will feel that it entitles them to make unwelcome and twatty comments.

RuthW · 13/05/2021 17:54

Personally I can't stand half a name. Call him Archibald.

Topseyt · 13/05/2021 17:55

Archibald is ugly. Archie isn't.

ineedaholidaynow · 13/05/2021 18:03

Think quite a few teenagers called Archie were named after the character in the Monarch of the Glen!

It is a popular name and I don't think too many people will make the link to H&M.

MumofSpud · 13/05/2021 18:05

I have always loved this name (it was in the family too) despite not liking diminutives as proper names - Charlie /Jamie /Freddie etc etc
But DH vetoed it Envy
However, I am sorry but the H & M connection would put me off.

Caspianberg · 13/05/2021 18:09

I think it’s fine

If you want a longer version how about Archer

ForThePurposeOfTheTape · 13/05/2021 18:18

I have teens and Archie was popular when they were babies.

Are either of you called Harry or Meghan? I wouldn't go for Archie in those circumstances.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 13/05/2021 18:19

I would probably think youbhad named after H and M's Archie. I'm not a fan of naming after royal babies, or royals in general actually so I wouldn't.

Chilldonaldchill · 13/05/2021 18:21

It's fine. Personally I find it slightly dull along with the other Alfie, Charlie, Freddie type names - but only because it's not my style and I know an awful lot. But I know Archies from the ages of 3 to 14 - it's not a "new name" due to Harry/Meghan.
If you like it, go for it!

Original poster
Iamstrugglingtopick · 13/05/2021 18:33

No neither of us are called Harry or Meghan, I totally forgot about the royal Archie if I am totally honest then when I realised thought oh no!!

OP posts:
PattyPan · 13/05/2021 18:52

@ILoveShula

Wouldn't Archimedes be Arkie?
Well yes but I think we can take certain liberties with nicknames, plenty of them don’t quite follow from the full name (eg Rick rather than Rich for Richard)
HiScore · 13/05/2021 19:09

I have an Archie who was born 6 months before H&M’s Archie. I really don’t get why it’s classed as a cutsie name and slated so much when there are plenty of other boy’s names that end in an ie/y sound (Johnny, Rory, Harry, Henry, Gary etc).

I see so many threads where people have such vitriol when talking about the name Archie it really saddens me. I even asked my husband when my son turned two if we’ve ruined his life giving him such a marmite name following seeing these kind of threads Sad

Lulu1919 · 13/05/2021 19:38

I know lots !!!

Original poster
Iamstrugglingtopick · 13/05/2021 19:45

@HiScore I do not get it either, people say it is a cutesy nickname however the oldest person I know is called Archie and has had no problem in life getting a good job

OP posts:
SunshineCake · 13/05/2021 20:24

Why are you letting other people put you off the name you like? You'll have to toughen up if you don't want parenthood to be harder than it is anyway as everyone puts their two penny worth in!

MadeOfStarStuff · 13/05/2021 20:28

It’s not awful, I’m really not a fan but that’s just personal taste. It’s popular so obviously lots of people do like it.

Not everyone will like whatever name you choose. Most of them won’t make rude comments once the baby is actually here (and the ones that do just aren’t very nice people)