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Baby names

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

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Original poster

Memphis for boy?

72 replies

Jsummers16 · 30/05/2022 14:30

im prepared for people to not like this name on mumsnet because most people stick to classics but I’m in love with this name for my little boy. I live in England but he was conceived in Memphis tennessee when we were away on holiday… I know it’s out there but i think it’s really unique and cool and I’ve always liked these kind of names anyway. To me it isn’t that odd because there is an actual meaning to why I’m using it. I’m aware it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but what’s everyone’s thoughts?

OP posts:

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GreatCuppa · 31/05/2022 07:56

Should have called mine Venice…

ReadtheReviews · 31/05/2022 08:07

I prefer Tennessee! Like the playerwright Williams. Can be shortened to Ten and Stranger Things fans will love it! Ha. Seriously though I'm not keen on the shortenings for Memphis. You could also go Beale for the street or Elvis.
Memphis is an ancient Egyptian city originally so not only American association.

MmeMeursault · 31/05/2022 08:15

Bit like calling a kid Ipswich, no?

SoggyPaper · 31/05/2022 08:16

I agree that it’s the conception story that makes it awful.

josil · 31/05/2022 08:23

Far too try hard to be different as other posters have said. I'm not keen sorry OP

HingleMcCringleberry · 31/05/2022 08:26

Nicolas Cage’s character in Gone in 60 Seconds is called Memphis, so on that basis, definitely call your son that - it’s a cool name!

LCNK · 31/05/2022 16:32

Our cat is called Memphis named after the character in the film gone in 60 seconds, we do get a few funny looks when people hear it though and obviously that's only a cat...

If you love it go for it but I would maybe just say you liked it when they asked and not that it is where they were conceived

Kanaloa · 31/05/2022 16:43

If you love the name Memphis and have an emotional connection to it change your name to Memphis. I’m not one of these name snobs and I think they are silly but let’s be honest, would you want to be called Memphis? Maybe if you were some big rock star’s kid, but I’m talking about a skinny year 8 at the local comp. Would you really want to introduce yourself as ‘hi I’m Memphis. Yeah I was conceived there and my mum thought it was cool and unusual.’

inmyslippers · 31/05/2022 16:50

I love it but seem to be in the minority

PumpkinCrumble · 31/05/2022 16:53

Agree with PP’s that Tennessee has more established credentials with Tennessee Williams. But I did just have to Google the spelling so that might get annoying - constantly spelling your name out.

I like the suggestion of Memphis as a second name. I have my DC a really out there second name cos it never gets used….

MiddleParking · 31/05/2022 17:02

I think a lot of people would assume he was named after the footballer, I’m surprised that hasn’t been mentioned yet. I quite like it but then I love Walking in Memphis!

Polly271220 · 31/05/2022 22:04

I love it..memphis from gone in 60 seconds
I named my daughter mia -starr but if she was a boy that name was a contender

peaceinourtime · 01/06/2022 03:06

Call him Elvis, its much nicer and you will still have the discreet Memphis connection.

McNick · 01/06/2022 09:43

There is a Dutch footballer called Memphis, he plays for Barcelona

Divebar2021 · 01/06/2022 09:50

I quite like it… no-one blinks at Brooklyn Beckhams name and that was all over the papers when he was born. Give him a classic middle name and he would always default to that if he wanted.

Mishadevlinsmith · 19/09/2024 04:10

I named my son Memphis!
Best decision I have made. It’s so unique and no one was ever heard of it for a boys name

sel2223 · 20/09/2024 19:11

My.DD would have been called 'Istanbul' 🙈

Memphis isn't to me taste but I don't think it's totally out there or ridiculous like some of the names I've seen on here! It's just very American sounding, I put it in the same bracket as Phoenix, Hendrix etc

Daisybuttercup12345 · 20/09/2024 22:23

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 30/05/2022 14:36

yikes.

No child wants to be called after the place his parents had sex I am looking at you victoria beckham

I think it comes across as very "try hard to be cool and out there"

Agree.
I knew a kid called Ocean who was conceived whilst flying over an ocean. Poor kid was mortified when she knew.

RogueFemale · 20/09/2024 23:52

It's going to wear thin, over the decades of explaining why he's called Memphis, firstly by you to all friends and family, then by your son to friends etc - yeah, I'm named after where mum & dad had sex.

I don't think 'it's really unique and cool' to flag up conception town. I think you think it's cool because Memphis, Tennessee, not Leeds or Milton Keynes.

deliwoman1 · 21/09/2024 04:33

I’m generally camp ‘your baby, your choice,’ and really like unusual and uncommon names. But I’m not a fan of the conception location naming trend a-la Beckhams. Kids shouldn’t be shielded from the idea their parents are humans who have sex and had sex in order for them to be here, but I think their name is about helping them craft their identity, not for you to relive/recall your life experience, however romantic and profound. If you call him Memphis, never tell him the real reason why. Just say me and your Dad had a really lovely time their way before you were born. We liked the name and it’s a nice memory for us. Memphis is a fine name in and of itself, but I also think Tennessee is cooler, thanks to the playwright.

PadstowGirl · 21/09/2024 19:06

peaceinourtime · 01/06/2022 03:06

Call him Elvis, its much nicer and you will still have the discreet Memphis connection.

I came here to say this.
Elvis is a great name, very traditional (there's even a St Elvis).

RockyFan · 21/09/2024 21:06

PadstowGirl · 21/09/2024 19:06

I came here to say this.
Elvis is a great name, very traditional (there's even a St Elvis).

Show quote history

Elvis is a great name for a pet, not a human being. Names in theory and names in practice (reality) are two different things. The name comes with the potential of teasing (lots of Elvis jokes out there) and people thinking a lad was taking the mick every time he introduced himself! People normally name their kids normal names and not names that are overshadowed by strong connections to the masses.

To the vast majority of people when they hear the name Elvis then they will automatically think of Elvis Presley. There is no need to mention his surname. Before he came along hardly anyone had even heard of the name and it was so uncommon and unique that it very quickly became solely associated with him that after he became famous it was pretty much impossible for a boy to be named Elvis without people thinking his parents were Elvis fans. That is why most people who were/are Elvis fans named their sons his middle name Aaron because his first name is obviously not an easy name to live with. Also, that is why never the name never became popular and to this day refers to him. He pretty much owned the name, haha.

Elvis, like a handful of other names (e.g. Madonna and Beyonce), due to being unique and strongly associated with very famous individuals who most people will think of when they hear those names, is an awful lot to saddle a child with and a lot to live up to.

That’s why most people don’t name their kids after famous individuals with unique and distinctive names because their personalities overshadow the names.

Elvis Presley has been dead since the late 1970s and you can still say just his first name Elvis even in places that don’t understand English and everyone will know which person you are talking about instantly. His level of fame is hard to beat and will probably never be surpassed.

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