What's happened to boys' names?

[maxnhobnobs]

Last night I was at a high school reunion with friends I've not seen for about 20 years. Most already have kids (I'm expecting my 1st, have prioristised career over settling down lol).
Hearing the names of some of their sons made me feel really out of touch with the times: Kayden, Jayden, Kai, Kian, Storm. They were suggesting names for my DS (due in May) but I said I've already picked a name I'm happy with. One friend was like 'Jordan-Jayden', another was like 'Kayden-Kai'. I feel like a snob but they all sounds like names from benefits Britain. Friends were saying my choice (Ben) is too boring. Is it really?

So you don’t like the names your friends have chosen, and they don’t like your chosen name🤷‍♀️ Personally I’m not a fan of the names you’ve said your friends have chosen and I also think that Ben is thoroughly boring. None of the names are as unpleasant as your benefits Britain comment though.

I'd go with what @mumofEandE says. She knows her onions.

[quote merryhouse]@mumofEandE where would you put Tristan? (born in 2003)[/quote]
Tristan?
This would have to be an educated guess as I have never had one - but I would say he would be friends with Ben and Matthew!

My DD is 4 and most of the boys in her class have fairly common names. More than one Oliver, Charlie and Harry

Here too. We actually have 3 Harrys in one class . Same surname initial too...

I hope you strode into your school reunion in boardroom bodycon and killer heels, maybe accessorised with a barrister's wig and a PA, and sneered at the Waynetta Slobs with their downmarket children and Primark leggings.

Almost all the kids I know are called "boring" names. Most common ones I've heard are Ollie, Alex, Arthur, Jacob, Max...

Oh yes and Harry. So many Harry's

@NewModelArmyMayhem18 at my Daughter's private school lots and lots of children have what mumsnet consider 'chav' names.

OP, those names your friend suggested the names of Wayne Rooney's kids or Britney's kids.
I'd stick to Ben personally.

I don't believe there was a high school reunion, call your child Ben if you want to, nobody cares.

Well Jayden is a terrible name imo but I'm not a fan of Ben either. There was a right bully in DS2's class called Ben and it put off the name. I've also known a few naughty Matthews.

Give your child the name you want and let others do the same.

@user1493494961

I don't believe there was a high school reunion, call your child Ben if you want to, nobody cares.

What about the imaginary school reunion we've sometimes gone to in our heads, where the former queen bees are now haggard crones with poorly-spelled facial tattoos and dandruff, while we waltz in in Miu Miu, glowing and transmogrified from the spotty nerd we were, casually holding a copy of our third bestseller under one arm and Brad Pitt under the other?

Does that not count?

Nicknames as first names never strike me as particularly tasteful to be honest.

The benefits Britain comment wasn't very classy either.

Okayden

I don't like those type of names either 🙈. I do think it conjures up a certain type of child (naughty). I know this is hugely judgemental and based on a very small group of kids. Ben is a lovely name.

@Lilaclavenders

I would put money on the fact you could plot the popularity of Jayden, Kayden etc against declining incomes.

Yes, but why is that in any way a negative factor?

Well it's not.

Nice one, OP. You’re not really worried about calling your DS Ben, are you?

I wonder how long it will take you to come back to your thread.

I think it's a wind up thread! The op's first ever post

@mumofEandE

IME

Naughtiest boys:
Kayden,Jayden,Reilly and any first names with hyphens / apostrophes
Naughty:
Kai, Kian
Cheeky (rather than naughty):
Callum, Charlie, Teddy, Connor, Freddie, Eddie, Alfie, Harry (Archie could be in this group or one above)
Nice boys:
Ben, Matthew, Daniel, Euan

IDK any Storms

This is 100% accurate IME (4 schools, 20 years)

This has made me laugh - 13 year old DS is a Euan, and his two best friends are Matthew (was Matty, now trying to change it to Matt as it's more cool and teenage) and Daniel.

Ben is fine. But the benefits Britain comment is horrible. I’ve taught some wonderful little boys with the names that you have mentioned. Honestly just don’t tell anyone your baby’s name until he’s born and everyone will say oh how lovely.

@WlNDMlLL

I would put money on the fact you could plot the popularity of Jayden, Kayden etc against declining incomes. I understand the 'benefits Britain' comment isn't very pleasant but I don't think there is any doubt that these names are associated with a certain type of person, and those people, amongst many other things, don't have high incomes. That is not to say many people on a low income don't choose completely different names, nor is it to say there is anything wrong with such names. But schools in deprived areas vs middle income areas have very different name trends.

Elon Musk has a son called Kai. I don't think he's got a low income.

He also has X and Y nowadays

I think the USA has different 'rules' for names though? So Kai and all the surnames-as-first-names are much more acceptable over there? That's how it looks from the outside anyway?

How is Kai not acceptable? It's an old German and Scandinavian name with lots of history. People who think it's made up are maybe not very knowledgeable about other cultures? Would anyone say this about Ragnar? These are such old names.

One friend was like 'Jordan-Jayden', another was like 'Kayden-Kai'

anyone else suspect these friends caught on to OP's attitude and were winding her up?