The name Chester - am I the only one who’s told everyone the baby’s name/bought personalised things and now I’m having second thoughts

[Namesfordays]

So I’m due next month and pretty early on in the pregnancy we settled on Chester. I’m a teacher and wanted a name that I hadn’t come across and was a little bit different. But now I’m worrying that it’s chavvy.
Please can you share your opinions on the name

His middle name is James (after my dad) and I do love the sound of Chester James but I don’t want to come across pretentious with a double barrelled name.

we like a few other names but they have been taken by relatives and friends and dogs lol
including; Arlo, Ralph, Charlie and Vinnie
We do also like Reuben

Any advice would be lovely!! (It’s our first baby and it just feels like the worlds biggest decision)

Feel like I’ve fallen into an alternate universe. Chestermir? Kester?

I don’t like the name Chester- sounds like a joke name, in that even if there isn’t a gag your brain is reaching for one. Like being called Ivor.

Never heard of the child
molester Chester thing… neither will kids.
and it’s chest of drawers. Not Chester drawers? So don’t make that connection either.
Holly willoughby has a boy named Chester.
Lovely name.
Its not chavvy.

I don't like it at all. I prefer more classic names. James is lovely.

Not read through the thread but Holly Willoughby has a Chester.

I don’t like it at all and I’m not impressed with you using the word “ Chavvy”.

Makes you sound very unprofessional and judgmental as a teacher .

It reminds me of when people on Facebook say they are selling a Chester Drawers

Can’t believe you haven’t come across Chester as a teacher; it’s everywhere! I don’t think you need to worry about double barrelled names being pretentious either. I think they’re universally thought of as rather chavvy, to use your own word.

Isn’t Holly W’s son a Chester?

I’m not keen and prefer James, but it’s obviously what you like 💜

I like it.

I also love Reuben.

It's not too late, a baby is forever. Change if if you want to!

I think it’s a bit.. naff? Am estate agency name like Spencer

Reuben is nice albeit v popular

Kester is nice though. Scottish version of Christopher

I would call them Winchester and Chester for short. Although to be honest I had never heard of Winchester until reading this thread!

Chester is a dreadful name. Puts me in mind of the saying "Charlie Chester, child molester."

The "est" part makes me think of incest.

I like Chester - and I too think of the American guy from Four Weddings. Great film and a harmless reference.

Leo I'm not keen on - it's just a bit boring in comparison. 🤷🏻‍♀️

I love Chester James. My son also has middle name James after my dad. Reuben is also nice and it's definitely not too late to change your mind before the birth!

Laughing at the people who think it's "chester drawers" instead of chest of drawers. Oh dear!

Don't know about chavvy, but to me it sounds really dated, the name seems to evoke a retired American businessman. I don't like the sound of it. I just think of the city and it doesn't seem like a real name in a way.

James, Reuben, Leonard and Leo are all nice, and real names. And hyphenated names are generally a bit naff, especially on a boy, I wouldn't do that.

It's a nice city but I wouldn't name my child after it.

Well yes . But the joke is around the number of people who don't know this and advertise Chester Draws for sale.
And this is what would come to my mind too.

Have never seen it but I don’t live in the UK

Leo and/or James are lovely names. Leo doesn't have to be short for Leonard. Why not use it as a name in its own right?

Chester? I'm not at all keen. Remember Chester Drawers/Draws? No, people are not being thick about this, to those suggesting that they are. Chest of drawers is very often wrongly contracted to and written as "Chester Drawers/Draws" and there have been many past threads on here commenting on it.

Chester is fine imo. I don't find it chavvy. I like the idea of shortening it to CJ. I have never heard of the rude rhyme before so certainly wouldn't think that.

On the other hand, if you're not sure, don't let having personalised stuff stop you from changing it! It's just stuff he'll grow out of in weeks.

I like Leo but wouldn't get it from Leonard (I'd get Len from Leonard). Also, aren't Leo and Reuben much more popular than Chester (if you're trying to avoid popular names - Leo is nr4).

Ps if your husband isn't keen on Leo I'd just drop it.

I don't like Chester at all, sorry.

Reuben James is nice.

Does Chestermir live in Chestermere?

I have never heard of it as a name outside of being a town in the midlands. It's ok but it does sound like it could be a dogs name.

Davina Mcall has a son named Chester .Also Holly ( Willoughby) Baldwin.