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Baby names

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

Original poster

Please hear me out...ALFIE

57 replies

FridaRose · 15/12/2021 22:28

I know it reached #4 about 13 years ago, it’s overused, it’s too cute.. but

⁃	we live un Aus so it never reached that peak here after eastender’s character in the UK. But I do feel a bit squeamish imagining telling UK friends and family the name and they prob roll their eyes
⁃	It’s the only name DH and I both love, after searching for over 6 months. I love the flow of L and F together that I just can’t find with any other name 
⁃	I don’t mind the ‘cutesy’ element of it - it’s cute and cheeky, and I would love my son to be like that (even as an adult). I <span class="italic">can</span> easily imagine a successful barrister named Alfie - I think it sounds handsome without appearing too serious (and boring)? My DH has a ‘cutesy’ name and he is a tall, handsome and very successful - having a ‘cute’ name suits him and makes him appear even more adorable? I think it adds charisma.

I do like the idea of a slightly unusual, cool name, but the problem is I love a lot of popular names - that’s why they’re popular! And I’ve just been going round in circles.

Baby boy is due in 8 weeks and I cannot find a name we both love (searched baby name boards on here for about two years..)

Still a no?

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RedRobin100 · 16/12/2021 06:32

@bhsjaoiremansjdleoo

You're massively overthinking it, just go with a name you like, it really doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.
This
Starryskiesinthesky · 16/12/2021 06:35

I think if you like it you should use it but I would go for Alfred. You might not like the other names but it's to give Alfie who hates his cutesy moniker other options in the future!

slapmyarseandcallmemary · 16/12/2021 06:41

It's my son's name. He's 4 and a half. I've only met one other child called Alfie since he was born. I love the name, it suits him completely. Call your child what you want.

wingsofabird · 16/12/2021 06:56

Alfie is a lovely name
Not so keen on Alfred either
Alfie's usage is falling in charts in uk consistently every year since it peaked in around 2008
About to leave top 20
I don't know any
Here's the graph of official numbers:

names.darkgreener.com/#alfie

Original poster
FridaRose · 16/12/2021 08:23

Alfred i just associate with Fred the frog Blush I can't call my child that name just sounds awful to me:(

Good point about giving a kid some more options of his name. For that reason I was thinking to give a middle name that can be shorted to just initials, for example Alfie Carter, so he can choose to be called AC for example, if he hates Alfie?

Sorry if it sounds awful i just can't find a name I love so throwing ideas.

OP posts:
Kokeshi123 · 16/12/2021 08:30

I don't like it, but it's your baby! You don't have to beg for approval on here.
Just bear in mind that he'll probably go as Alf once he's a teenager.

JesusMaryAndJosephAndTheWeeDon · 16/12/2021 09:29

Why not register him as Alfred and use Alfie. It gives more options, he could go by Al, Alf, Fred, Freddie, Red etc if he prefers in later life.

You never know how popular a name will be in future or what connotations it may have in future.

MoominMeggy · 16/12/2021 11:44

For me, it's too cutesy and also quite popular - I even live next door to a little Alfie. Have you considered Ralph? I have a friend with a little boy called Ralph and they often call him Ralphie.

deathofastrawberry · 16/12/2021 12:18

I wouldn't because of how popular it is here but if it's not so popular in Aus then why not? If you both love it then that's all that matters! I agree though that Alfred is better and I like Ralph too as pp just mentioned. Wilfred is nice too.

HeronLanyon · 16/12/2021 12:27

I’m a uk barrister. If a colleague was called Alfie (don’t know of any) I’d think - well that’s unusual, he’s going to be young (if I’d not let him yet), he won’t have come any of the usual routes, unbelievably surprised he’s not using full name as Alfie sounds very cute and young.
Then I’d move on. Depending on what he was like I’d no doubt simply see it as his name from then on with no thoughts whatsoever.

2me2u2u2me · 16/12/2021 12:32

I've got an Alfie. He's 22 this month and when he was born it wasn't a popular name. A couple of years later Alfie Moon came into Eastenders, and there seemed to be a bit of a splurge of Alfie's, however, I don't hear it much now and my son loves his name.

Go for it, it's a great name Smile

Skeumorph · 16/12/2021 12:44

Coming from another angle - I honestly think that if you hate Alfred that much, you might well go off Alfie in a couple of years - especially if it spikes in popularity again or gets more popular where you are.

It's so similar - have a think about why you love one and dislike the other!

Anoushka1986 · 17/12/2021 11:23

Also from Australia here. I don't know any Alfie's and I work with kids so I don't think it's overly popular here.

I think you should go for it! It's cute

mrsnw · 17/12/2021 15:57

I have an Alfie who is fifteen. Mumsnet does not like this name. It has been often referred to as a dogs name or Chav. I love it and it suits him. If people don't like the name it's more their problem than yours. Choose the name that you love.

MuslinsRLife · 17/12/2021 16:00

4 Alfie’s in my sons class!
I have used a very popular name for my 3rd child & I’m really hoping I don’t have another Alfie scenario. Poor kids!

thewhatsit · 17/12/2021 16:05

If you love it just use it, don’t overthink it.

Personally I really don’t like Alfie at all, but it’s not my baby.

I’ve never looked to see what people think about DS’s name because there was never even another contender for me.. I LOVE it. DD’s name I have searched for on MN because I wasn’t initially sure and I do want to know what people are really thinking (knowing that none would say anything to my face other than “what a great name!” - which may or may not be a lie!!)

BertieBotts · 17/12/2021 16:09

I didn't used to like Alfred - felt too "old man" but it has grown on me.

I wouldn't use Alfie by itself, it's a nickname IMO.

SumAndSubstance · 17/12/2021 16:13

It’s fine! It’s not my style, but there’s nothing wrong with it.

LuckyAmy1986 · 17/12/2021 16:45

It's not massively objectionable. It's up there with Archie and Albie- the cutesy but fairly popular ie names. I don't think they're very hate-able

well some people hate them, me included.

However, go with the name you love. And don't worry about popularity etc. You can never predict what names will or won't go out of fashion!

Olga03 · 17/12/2021 18:47

We have an Alfie in one of our baby classes. He's a cute boy and nobody raised an eyebrow when hearing his name.
It's a trendy name I guess, but if it doesn't bother you - go for it :)

Classica · 17/12/2021 18:59

You love the name, use the name!

You don't have to make a case to the Ministry of Names.

MadeOfStarStuff · 17/12/2021 19:03

It’s popularity shows that lots of people love it. It’s not a name I personally love but it’s perfectly fine, not objectionable, well known and easy to spell and pronounce

StrictlyAFemaleFemale · 17/12/2021 19:05

Makes birthday presents easy. All of the Alfie books by Shirley Hughes! Love them!

Classica · 17/12/2021 19:14

Plus, I think names like Alfie work well in Australia* where the culture is a more casual and everyone will just accept it as his name and not disapprovingly ask if it's short for Alfred.

*I think Alfie works fine in the UK too.

Elisemum · 17/12/2021 19:26

Alfie is perfectly nice name, and not overly popular at all. Go for it!:)