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

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

Baby names

Albert (nn Bertie) or Magnus?

47 replies

lros · 09/10/2022 23:11

Expecting baby number 3. We currently have 2 girls. And set on girls names this time. But struggling for a boys name. Middle name would be Sydney (family name). I’ve always loved Bertie and prefer Albert to all of the other names Bertie is associated with. Hubby is the same. But the Prince Albert link is niggling at me and putting me off it which is really irritating me. We’ve also loved Magnus but when mentioned it to family (I know we shouldn’t!) in the past it has never been well received. Thoughts?

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Ihavehadenoughalready · 09/10/2022 23:27

Magnus.....but what nickname? Max, maybe? Mack? Or use the middle name as the nickname?

I'm not a fan of Bertie.

But Albert goes with Sydney better than Magnus does.

The only Magnus I'm familiar with is Magnus Scheving, the guy from the kids show "Lazy Town". He's from Iceland. I looked him up just now on IMDB and they list his nickname as Maggi.

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Turnaroundandigone · 09/10/2022 23:30

Magnus

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Awrite · 09/10/2022 23:32

Magnus. Absolutely love it

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TheBirdintheCave · 09/10/2022 23:35

If you're set on Sydney as a middle name then it has to be Albert. Magnus Sydney doesn't work (as much as I love Magnus!)

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SugarNspices · 09/10/2022 23:40

I think Sydney (although I don't like the spelling) is the better name out of both the first name choices. Although Albert is quite cute, I don't like Bertie though. Magnus just reminds me of a rich old count with a smoking jacket, pipe and cravat.

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SunsetOverEasterIsland · 09/10/2022 23:42

Love Magnus and as a nickname I'd use Mags or Mads. Not keen on Albert but then I love Scandi names.

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HighlandPony · 09/10/2022 23:42

Magnie as a nickname too. My great uncle Magnie from Shet was Magnus

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Unicorn717 · 09/10/2022 23:44

Magnus is better than Albert.

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SunshineAndFizz · 09/10/2022 23:47

Albert. Love Bertie.

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Kanaloa · 09/10/2022 23:49

I would say Magnus just because there’s three Alberts at the nursery I work in at the moment. It didn’t used to be a popular name at all, but I think now Alfie and Archie are so so popular they seem ‘overdone’ to parents, so the parents think ‘ooh Albert is a bit similar but not as popular.’ A bit like how Ada/Ayda had a little spike, I think with parents liking Ava but realising it was uber popular so finding something similar bjt not the same.

Also Magnus is a lovely name! Although if you loved the name Bertie there are other names for that too which might be worth having a look at.

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Dinoteeth · 09/10/2022 23:49

I think Bertie Sydney or Albert Syndey sound better than Magnus Sydney the two 's' make it sound like a lisp.

I'd probably go Albert, known as Bertie then he can opt for Al, Bert, Bertie or Albert as he grows up.

Magnus is fine as a name but not with Sydney and I'm not keen on Mags as a nickname - I'd assume Mags was a female full name Margaret.

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Janeb1965 · 09/10/2022 23:52

Magnus for sure. Here in Orkney Magnus is our Saint and its not uncommon given our Norwich heritage. I've often seen / heard it shortened to Mansie

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Janeb1965 · 09/10/2022 23:53

nordic

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DramaAlpaca · 09/10/2022 23:59

Magnus

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Longdarkcloud · 10/10/2022 00:00

The little Magnus I know is now just over 2 years and such a delightful child.
It doesn’t matter that Magnus ends with an s and Sydney begins with one because the names do not elide like some names do and they sound fine and distinct.
Albert and it’s diminutives have become rather overused.

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ofwarren · 10/10/2022 00:28

Magnus

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Dinoteeth · 10/10/2022 00:30

Just thinking if you like Bertie but feel Albert is over used or worried about Prince Albert another option is Robert.

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Lilacsunflowers · 10/10/2022 08:20

Magnus.....but what nickname?

Why on earth would a 2 syllable name that's so easy to say need a nickname?

I like Sydney as a first name!

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SummaLuvin · 10/10/2022 09:23

Albert/Bertie - I know an Albert who goes by Bertie, and he is a really wonderful man, so the is probably positively colouring my feeling on the name. I like it.

Magnus - I struggle a bit with an average white British family using Magnus, just feels like a big name to live up to and quite try hard, but I can see I am in the minority here.

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lros · 10/10/2022 13:47

Wow I wasn’t expecting Magnus to be so popular. We love Sydney too but would feel the need to change the spelling to Sidney.

I’m also terrible for shortening names. I just can’t help it. So I’d end up calling Magnus Mags which is off putting. Gus just doesn’t come naturally.

I also like a traditional name on a birth certificate. As much we I love just Bert/Bertie I feel strongly that he would need a ‘proper’ name so he can use it as he grows older of he dislikes Bert or a Bertie. Quite like Wilbert. But all the other Bert associated names seem out there compared to Albert.

It’s so difficult!

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Frida9 · 10/10/2022 13:52

Magnus is nicer than Bertie, Bertie is cute on a toddler or a member of the 1920s gentry but not so cute when you're 18 down the pub with your mates. I suppose he could be Bert by then but I don't think that sounds great.

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TheBirdintheCave · 10/10/2022 18:27

@lros My son is a Gilbert if you've considered that :) We use Gil as a nickname though.

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Underhisi · 10/10/2022 18:28

Magnus.
I think Robert is better than Albert for Bertie. Bertie makes me think of Bertie Wooster.

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Blackberrybunnet · 12/10/2022 16:36

Our family has a Magnus. He is known to all his friends as Maggi.

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Cotswoldmama · 12/10/2022 16:39

Love Magnus. There are millions of Albies, which would put me off that name. I imagine it would be shortened to Mags, which I also like.

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