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Baby names

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

Original poster

Douglas, Franklin or Seth?

41 replies

Samg93 · 01/06/2021 08:08

These are the only 3 names on our list and it took us sooo long to even get to 3 as we dislike most boys names. Due in 4 weeks.

We decided on Seth a long time ago but are now sort of put off it because of the way people pronounce it (especially in the West Country) as Seff - I've even found myself doing it.. but don't really want to rule the name out as we were 100% set on it.

Thankfully we found 2 other names.. we like the idea of Douglas with nn Dougie or Doug, also Franklin nn Frankie or Frank - I think it's nice he can have a "proper" name on his birth certificate with the option of different nicknames.

Opinions? Surname is one syllable five letters and begins with G Smile

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Synchrony · 01/06/2021 08:48

I like Douglas and Franklin. Both were on my shortlist (husband suggested Douglas and I wasn't keen but then it grew on me to the extent that I liked it more than him!)

I'm not keen on Seth personally because I don't like the th sound at the end of names in general (Elspeth, Lilith etc) but there's nothing wrong with the name.

IggyAce · 01/06/2021 08:53

I like all the names, I’d probably go with Douglas as that will be the least popular.

AnyaMoondial · 01/06/2021 09:04

Douglas is my favourite with Seth a close second.

eandz13 · 01/06/2021 09:07

Love all of these names. Favourite probably Seth

lottiegarbanzo · 01/06/2021 09:20

I like Douglas.

I was thinking recently about names people had when I was a child, that I don't hear much now. Douglas was one that made me think 'actually that's rather nice'.

I like Seth too.

Franklin is very American to me. That's not a bad thing but it is distinctive. To me, a Franklin is named in reference to Benjamin Franklin and is strongly associated in my mind with the character in Peanuts. (A nice character with an interesting story behind his introduction in the comic but still a bit like calling your child Linus or your dog Snoopy).

StevieNix · 01/06/2021 09:21

Seth is my favourite from your list, but yes people saying ‘seff’ would drive me mad!

lottiegarbanzo · 01/06/2021 09:26

So, could you contemplate Francis, if you like Frank?

I wonder if you'd like Hugh, Sebastian (sort of similar to Seth but not), Adam, Jude or William (Will)? Alistair?

Powerpuffpoodle · 01/06/2021 10:46

I love Seth, don’t let “Seff” put you off, this will be a once in a blue moon occurrence that someone pronounces his name differently from you.

Franklin and the nickname potential I also think is lovely. Douglas I associate as being a very Scottish name, great if you’re from Scotland!

KirstenBlest · 01/06/2021 10:53

Douglas. I don't like Franklin or Seth.

User27aw · 01/06/2021 11:11

How does Doug sound with your surname? Do the two Gs run into each other? (If your surname is Green- Doug Green sounds a bit silly).
I like Seth best.

jellybe · 01/06/2021 11:12

I'd go with Douglas from those three. They are all good names but I like this one the best.

WhatsGoingOnHereThen · 01/06/2021 11:15

LOVE Douglas and the nicknames. I wanted this on our list but it's DH's uncles name and he can't get past that association.

WhatsGoingOnHereThen · 01/06/2021 11:16

Also I once broke up with a boyfriend because he pronounced the 'th' in my name as 'ff'. I couldn't cope with hearing it every day Grin

Original poster
Samg93 · 01/06/2021 11:17

@User27aw

How does Doug sound with your surname? Do the two Gs run into each other? (If your surname is Green- Doug Green sounds a bit silly). I like Seth best.
It's actually a J sound rather than G so it sounds fine!
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Original poster
Samg93 · 01/06/2021 11:18

@lottiegarbanzo

So, could you contemplate Francis, if you like Frank?

I wonder if you'd like Hugh, Sebastian (sort of similar to Seth but not), Adam, Jude or William (Will)? Alistair?

We are both so fussy with names, unfortunately we don't like any of those :(

Think it's between Douglas or Franklin now really

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Original poster
Samg93 · 01/06/2021 11:20

@Powerpuffpoodle

I love Seth, don’t let “Seff” put you off, this will be a once in a blue moon occurrence that someone pronounces his name differently from you.

Franklin and the nickname potential I also think is lovely. Douglas I associate as being a very Scottish name, great if you’re from Scotland!

I wish it would be a blue moon occurrence but I think where we're from (Bristol) people would pronounce it like that all the time sadly... I've even noticed that I do it!
OP posts:
Emelene · 01/06/2021 11:23

I know a baby Douglas! Honestly I was a bit surprised when his name was announced but actually it’s really grown on me. The “Seff” pronunciation would bother me too. I like Frankie but not so sure on Franklin, it sounds a little trendy / American to me.

So I’d go for Douglas. Smile

RuthW · 01/06/2021 12:18

Love Douglas

pantherrose · 01/06/2021 12:38

Douglas by a mile!

Thurlow · 01/06/2021 12:48

We have a Douglas so I’m biased Grin But it’s a well received name, especially Dougie. It’s not super popular but I have heard of a few more since DS was born (he’s 4).

The nicknames are good too - currently he only answers to Dugbert (Confused) but also likes to be called Duggleton, Dugster and the Big D...

JofraArchersFastestBall · 01/06/2021 12:48

Douglas! I wanted it for DC2, but she turned out to be a girl.

clpsmum · 01/06/2021 12:50

Seth

ozzyfroggy · 01/06/2021 13:57

Always liked Douglas, great for a man and Doug/Dougie are cool nicknames.

confusedandshocked94 · 01/06/2021 14:03

We have a Franklin!

It's a lovely name and he's Frank for short :)

HoldingTheDoor · 01/06/2021 14:22

Seth js by far the nicest.

Douglas is ok.

Franklin is awful and Frank has to be one of the ugliest names ever.