Koa

[inpixiehollow]

What do we think of Koa as a name? Its the only boys name me and my partner seem to be able to agree on. (I liked more traditional 'Noah' but he didn't)
Apparently its a Hawaiian name, we have no connections to Hawaii though. His middle name would be John for my grandad and surname begins with S and ends in N.
Any other suggestions welcome, I like names that are less common at least in my area. Some of my other favourites were Silas (doesn't go with surname) Elijah (partner doesn't like) and Sage (again surname)

I met a Koa. He had several brothers and they all had K names. If I remember correctly, the dog did too. Bit naff - but they did at least have Hawaiian heritage.

My daughter has a Hawaiian name, I just liked it and it’s one that has been used quite regularly by people throughout the world so it never felt like a name I shouldn’t use. Koa was on my list for my second child but I used something else. Lovely name.

I think most people saying no just aren’t used to it and are saying no based on that.

It was at the top of my list for years for a boy but it’s been bumped down a few now as I have some new favourites! But I think it’s gorgeous. So simple and beautiful.

My daughter has a very rare name. Mumsnet gave me a bit fat NO when mentioned it. And in real like some people reeeeally weren’t sure of it when I was pregnant but once they got used to it and she arrived, they fell in love with her name! It gets a great response. I have people asking me in the supermarket and park “what’s her name sorry? Oh wow that’s so beautiful!”. Point being, don’t take the mumsnet opinion as final.

Awful

I think most people saying no just aren’t used to it and are saying no based on that

I'm not - I'm saying it because I don't like it. K names are usually a bit naff imo (Kalin, Kai, Kris, Kian etc) and using names from another culture when you have absolutely no connection to that culture is a bit odd (again, imo).

Most polite people will say 'oh, what a beautiful name' to just about anything though

Also here to suggest Elias as a compromise between Silas and Elijah. Or just Eli (E-lie).

Tbh, if Koa is the name you love, just use it.

I quite like it. I wouldn't use it for my own child but it wouldn't raise my eyebrows much. But I live in a posh area and there are lots of "weird" names round here.

I think it has potential to sound a bit down-market to some people, similar to Kyle, so maybe it depends where you live and what the surname is?

It's a little too original/cultural appropriation for my taste, however Koa is a pleasant sound and I'm sure would grow on anyone who used it regularly. If you both love it then go for it!
Similar names which are slightly more recognisable:
Kai
Kian
Cole
Carl
Kieran
Keir
Cory

If your'e not Hawaiian or have a connection then it just sounds...odd. Especially having John as a middle name? Dare I say it it even sounds a bit downmarket sorry

This is crazy! I’ve never heard it before and my friend has jusr called her son this!

It’s a beautiful name @inpixiehollow, I’d definitely use it. Much like @DoTheMaccaroni I think people saying “no” are saying that because they aren’t accustomed to non English names. Remember there’s a vast whole world outside of MN and lots more people are very much more open minded than the posters here. Definitely keep the name if you love it.

And posters saying “downmarket” are showing classism.

Oh get away with your 'MN is not open minded'. .

Just to check - when you say non-English, do you mean English or UK?

@MaMelon

I think most people saying no just aren’t used to it and are saying no based on that

I'm not - I'm saying it because I don't like it. K names are usually a bit naff imo (Kalin, Kai, Kris, Kian etc) and using names from another culture when you have absolutely no connection to that culture is a bit odd (again, imo).

Most polite people will say 'oh, what a beautiful name' to just about anything though

Lol okay. That seemed like a bit of a backhanded way of suggesting people maybe don’t like my daughters name. I can tell when people are being sincere or not though. I personally think the more common way of politely expressing a dislike for a name is by saying “oh isn’t that different” or “oh how interesting, never heard that before”

Anyway, regardless of your opinion on Koa, it’s true what I said. People do tend to shun names they’ve not heard before. I’ve seen it happen on here. Names that were previously shot down on here are now very popular on the threads.

Oh get away with your 'MN is not open minded'. hmm.

Oh come on!!! Mumsnet is notoriously closed minded. I only come back here for a laugh now.

The whole of MN is closed-minded because a few people don't like Koa? Yeah, you funny

As for suggesting people maybe don't like your DDs name...maybe they do, maybe they don't. So what? They've been polite which is the main thing, and they'll be polite to Koa too, I'm sure.

Doesn't matter if no Hawaiian connections. All names come from somewhere and it's rarely Surbiton. Elijah and Saul - Hebrew, Silas - Roman. Its fine, no one in real life would raise an eyebrow once they'd done the Noah mishearing bit.

@MaMelon

The whole of MN is closed-minded because a few people don't like Koa? Yeah, you funny

As for suggesting people maybe don't like your DDs name...maybe they do, maybe they don't. So what? They've been polite which is the main thing, and they'll be polite to Koa too, I'm sure.

Haha no, of course that’s not what I meant what I said isn’t based on this thread alone. I thought it was general mumsnet knowledge that the baby names board is savage and closed minded in comparison to the real world.

First thought.. Boa as in constrictor. Sorry.

Never heard of it before but actually I really like it.

@DoTheMaccaroni
I thought it was general mumsnet knowledge that the baby names board is savage and closed minded in comparison to the real world.

Yup exactly. It’s known for being old fashioned, xenophobic/racist, and classist. And for doing absurd mental stretches to rubbish a name like boa constrictor or Koka Koa. I think even children IRL don’t go to such great lengths to make up names for teasing.

Again, Koa is a beautiful name with a lovely sound and cadence. At least to my ear anyway.

I thought it was general mumsnet knowledge that the baby names board is savage and closed minded in comparison to the real world

It's probably more honest because that's the nature of anonymous forums - but that's precisely what I mean about people being polite. On MN people will claim names are vanilla/wacky/cruel to inflict on a child/boring AF/whatevs according to whatever side of the 'closed minded' side of the fence your bum is sitting on, but in RL they'll (mostly) smile and say 'oh what a lovely name' and move on with their lives.

It's so true. On MN if you say we called her Amelia Rose Or Annabel Grace, you'll obviously be told omg that's so 2003, so bland, so over, and all of that might well be true but in real life people will just say ''lovely!'' and then move on to the weather, how long til you have to go back to work....

I did think it was a girls name but I quite like it! 1000x better than all the Oliver's/George's/Jacks

Please no