Names like Percy

[MonkeyBirdy]

We're expecting a boy and I'm having such a hard time finding names I love. Like they're all ok but nothing really stands out. Then DH suggested Percy (with Percival on the birth certificate) and after an initial wtf reaction I think I really love it.

It has everything I like in a name - classic, not too common, nice to say, 2 syllables (so it fits with the rest of our names - I don't know why but this is a big deal for me).

I think it's due a comeback...

I know about Percy pigs. They're a nice sweet though! Plus we don't live in the UK and they're not really a thing here.

Is Percy really that awful? If you think so can you suggest some similar names.. he'll hopefully end up going to a posh school unless we have some financial catastrophe so I'm not concerned about the name being too public school.

Or Monty?
Bertie?

Might be a sign of my age but I thought of Percy from Thomas the Tank Engine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ListoffThomas%266Friends_characters

Lots of similar names in the link.

I like Percival but not Percy.

Other 2 syllable suggestions:
Herbert nn Herbie
Jovan
Edgar
Lucious
Jonty
Peris (nice but similar to Penis)
Lucian
Douglas nn Dougie
Linus

Peregrine / Perry would be a great alternative!
Montgomery / Monty
Rupert
Gregor
Dickon (getting a bit Secret Garden but not the posh bit 🤣 and wound probably lead to teasing but such a great name)

For me it's in the same "niche" as:

• Clarence
• Bertie (Albert/Bertram)
• Stanley
• Bernard/Bernie
• Freddie (Alfred/Frederick)
• Leonard

I wouldn't use Percy in the UK just because of the sweets but if you're not in the UK, it's probably fine. It's certainly not an awful name!

My first thought is Harry Potter and he's not a great character in that (but redeemed by the end).
I'm not a fan but I think that's because I'm not a fan of any of the old man chic names that have been so prevalent in the last few years. If I never met another young Stanley, Archie, Ronnie, Alfred I'd be very happy.
I'm a fan of names others would consider posh (Rufus, Rupert, Hector, Hugo, Benedict, Rafe, Lucian etc) and I don't think Percy or Percival fit into that category.
Having said all of that, I don't think it's a horrid name and, if you love it, I would go for it.
A quick straw poll of the 2 teenagers currently in my house confirms Percy Pigs, Percy Jackson and Harry Potter and no awareness at all of penis slang - and a "that's quite a cool name" from the eldest.