Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Baby names

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

Can we really name our baby girl this?

352 replies

MyBabysName · 20/01/2023 00:14

Hi all,

I am currently 8 and a half months pregnant, myself and DP have been going back and forth on names for a while until we agreed on this around 2 months ago.

The name we would like to use for our girl is Halo.

Our baby's surname will be Raye

Is it too out there? We both love the name but would love to know what others think.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Lollylamb · 20/01/2023 09:54

It's a beautiful word, but that doesn't make it a name, and it doesn't sound like it should be a name.

You must think of your child as an adult, and name them something that wont' limit their options in life.

How about other a-o names, like: Caro (Caroline), Cora, Nora, Noa, Naomi, Rosa...

Rstuvwxyz · 20/01/2023 09:57

Molly Mae is dat you?

MargotChateau · 20/01/2023 09:57

I’m an artist and all for unusual names. But unfortunately it sounds like ‘hello Ray’, and could turn into any number of nicknames to be bullied at school with, and when she’s an adult she will be saddled with a name that will look (I’m sorry but it’s true) very silly on job applications and cv’s.

Your child needs a name they could be anything from a dancer, to an electrician to a lawyer with, that will suit the adult they will mature into and that has to introduce themselves and seem like a sensible human being.

DarkShade · 20/01/2023 09:58

Agree that trying to use it as a nickname might be better, Hayley or Holly or something.

YouHaveAnArse · 20/01/2023 10:02

groovergirl · 20/01/2023 00:51

Halo will be a challenging name to live up to, unless she wants to be an anime character, a saint or a burlesque artiste. She'll be forever explaining It, and I doubt she will thank you for it.

With your lovely surname you have lots of options in a similar vein:
Angelica Raye
Selena Raye
Paloma Raye
Amberley Raye
Giralda Raye
Millicent Raye
Veronica Raye

I agree with PPs that Halo would be good as a middle name. Just tuck it in there in case she goes into a creative career and would like a nom de plume.

I would far rather Halo than Amberley or Giralda.

rogueone · 20/01/2023 10:03

I love Raye...

Catswhisky · 20/01/2023 10:06

I liked it on first reading it, but then all the posts about it being a video game and MollieMae using it makes it a definite no from me.

From names suggested I love Angelica Raye or Rosa Raye

curlymacv · 20/01/2023 10:06

Could you do something like Harlow and call her Halo? Or maybe something like Hannah Lola (not a very nice example but you get me). Harriet Lorelei? Not sure.

It's a bit marmite to me, Halo Raye could either be super cool or a bit lame depending on how she turns out. She'd need a strong personality to carry that imo!

Sashimiandhisthunderpaws · 20/01/2023 10:07

Aelia (eye-lee-ah) Roman meaning Sun.

I like Halo though. I don't associate it with the game or would have thought of hello.

littlestrawberryhat · 20/01/2023 10:08

Hi OP....i think its lovely. If you love it, go for it, people on here can be very nasty and often defensive about the boring top 10 names they've named their child. It's creative and different and i dont think it's totally ridiculous.

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 20/01/2023 10:09

ancientgran · 20/01/2023 09:25

I know someone who chose a way out there name for their child, it worked for him as he had a very strong, cheeky sort of personality. I think it is a gamble as it could have been really hard for a quiet introvert. Trouble is we don't know at this stage if she will have the personality to embrace it or to cringe.

Sorry not much help.

Yes, reminds me of a contestant on Lee Mack's show The 1 per cent, he looked nerdy, like a Brian or Keith, and when he said his name was Apollo he looked incredibly embarrassed, doubtless wondering what Lee would say. Lee was sorry for him, I think.

Howdoyoulikeyoureggsinthemorning · 20/01/2023 10:10

Regardless of our opinions OP, the very fact you've got doubts and felt you needed to ask about whether the name is "too out there" on a public forum suggests that maybe it's not the one.

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 20/01/2023 10:13

You have a brilliant surname and I'm sure you will come up with something fabulous. I'm not sure that Halo is it, although it could be. (Helpful!)

Relaxd · 20/01/2023 10:13

Too many people wanting ‘different’ names in case they don’t seem creative or cool. It’s not the worst name by any means but it reminds me of those naff nicknames people give themselves to sound edgy at Uni.

Hazelbrazil · 20/01/2023 10:15

how about Amerterasu Ray . Amerterasu is the Japanese sun goddess.

Whatisityoucantface · 20/01/2023 10:18

Heard an online rumour that Halo is the name Molly Mae is going to choose for her baby girl. On that basis it will become very popular, and I would avoid!

Nightwithhertrainofstars · 20/01/2023 10:21

I like it!

OldieButBaddie · 20/01/2023 10:21

I think it would be ideal if she turns out to be a country singer

BluePolar · 20/01/2023 10:22

Halo Fury 😬

Halo Raye is much nicer!

CiderJolly · 20/01/2023 10:22

Use it as a nickname and then think up a similar sounding proper name so your daughter has a sensible option should she need it for job interviews etc

IAmAlreadyRegrettingMyGreyColourScheme · 20/01/2023 10:24

I haven't read all the replies op. I have to agree it's a bit like "hello Raye"

Maybe Hallie Raye instead?

TootsAtOwls · 20/01/2023 10:24

I actually think it's a really cool name and will be amazing if she decides to be a pop star or actress. Might be a bit embarrassing for a lawyer or dentist, though.

OldieButBaddie · 20/01/2023 10:26

Hazelbrazil · 20/01/2023 10:15

how about Amerterasu Ray . Amerterasu is the Japanese sun goddess.

😂

Flowersonthewall123 · 20/01/2023 10:28

As someone who has seen lots of CVS people are judged on their name it’s the first thing people get to hear / see.

I personally wouldn’t name my child that and I know when reviewing CVs it would raise some eyebrows. It will most definitely make their career more challenging.

WFHbore2023 · 20/01/2023 10:30

The only thing putting me off is the fact that it is rumoured to be the name of a popular couples baby.

If they do name their child that, I can see it becoming popular.

Like you, I wanted something that was a nice name, but my children wouldn't have to be known as 'name initial of surname' in class, like the thousands of Amelia/Olivia/Evie's up and down the country.

People love an opinion on a name.

Go with what feels right to you