Is it that terrible?

[harriet465]

I was at the hairdressers yesterday and was asked what we was calling DS1, I said front runner is Franklin. The hairdresser genuinely looked at me like I had said the name Engelbert or something to that style.
Neighbour also said oh why not Francis or just Frank as Franklin is very surnamey.

Is the name really that bad? It is making me doubt the name choice

Personally I don’t like it and also agree it’s difficult to visualise a baby Franklin - that said they won’t be babies for long!!

It's a surname. Francis is so much nicer

For those saying it’s a surname, yes agreed it’s thought of firstly as a surname but it is also a very old English (medieval I think) first name.

I don't like it or any of the associated names people have suggested.

It's the kind of name that'll get an "oh, ok..." response.

Sorry OP but it’s not a nice name. It’s sounds like a “trying to be different name” it doesn’t flow well at all.

Its just not very classy, that whole surname as a firs name thing.

I'm reminded of storm Franklin (Feb 22) and also Franklin and Friends the turtle on children's tv.

Blimey, the "it's a surname" people are out in full force today.
a/ Franklin has been used as a first name for years and years
b/ Surnames generally have been used as first names for years and years
c/ "It's a surname" - so what?

I don't mind it. I think it's much nicer than Francis or Frank/Frankie. If it's the name you like go for it.

I like it, it’s more upbeat than Francis.

I like it and would also prefer it to Francis.

Name him Francis and use Frank for short. His mates might call him Lyn if you use Franklin.

@narcdad

Not for me and I really dislike Frank / Frankie but it's your baby so.....

Me too.

It’s ok, it’s better than just Frank, but I do prefer Francis nn Frank

If someone told me their name was Franklin I'd just look a bit confused. Personally not a fan of the name at all. Not to be rude but how do you look at a newborn baby and name him Franklin? It's like looking at a baby and naming him Victor. Those sort of names make no sense to me

The only Franklin I know is a YouTube hamster.

I know a lad called Franklin l think it is a great name!

On the fence but I would register proper name franklin call him franky till he out grew it then call him frank

@babywalker56

If someone told me their name was Franklin I'd just look a bit confused. Personally not a fan of the name at all. Not to be rude but how do you look at a newborn baby and name him Franklin? It's like looking at a baby and naming him Victor. Those sort of names make no sense to me

It's the kind of name that'll get an "oh, ok..." response.

Yeah this exactly what I meant when I said I'd be confused. Not really much to say back to a name like that

Truthfully it's no better (to me) than Englebert, but your baby, your choice.

It's also no worse that lots of other names!

How do you look at a baby and call him Stanley? Or Hugo? Or Ptolemy?

Every name is going to be weird to someone.
I know an 8 year old Franklin and so I always associate it with him, and he's a cool Australian lad - it doesn't matter that my dog is also called Frank.

I have two boys, both have surnames for first names, I love them - OP choose whatever you want and don't tell anyone the name (or ask opinions) before your baby boy is here.

Choosing Franklin as a boys name is not an act of bravery, it's a totally normal name!

I think it's a lovely name, if you like it use it.
I saw a little boy last week called Bentley, I felt quite sorry for him.

I like it and prefer it to Francis-which I see as more of a feminine name personally.

It's nice, and better than Frankton, which I knew of once - which sounds like a boring station on a train line that no one gets off at.

She was pretty rude to have that reaction, I wouldn’t say Franklin is an better than Englebert though! They’re in a similar league in my opinion. I’m sure you no you’ll come across people that won’t love a name like that, but she was just being rude, try not to give it too much thought. It’s your baby and your choice.