Archie and the connoations

[inky1991]

So we're expecting a baby boy very soon. My husband and I don't agree on many names but we both really love the name Archie. I have personally wanted that name since I can remember.

As soon as Harry and Meghan announced they'd called their boy Archie, I was pissed off. They got there first as took us a very long time to conceive, and I knew when and if our time came, people might assume we copied them, or it would suddenly become mega over used.

Now I don't really need peoples opinions on the name itself, as I know these kind of names can be marmite on mumsnet as some see them at "cutesy" or whatever.

Anyway I just wanted to know what comes to your mind when you hear the name Archie? Do you immediately think of Harry and Meghan? My husband tells me to get over myself, and that people wouldn't think that, but he's not really up to date with any current affairs especially anything to do with Royal Family. My immediate family have made it pretty clear they aren't keen cause of connotations of H&M.

Archie is fairly common, 9th boys name for England & Wales in 2021, and has a pretty long history (especially taking into account those with long form on BC), so most people won't think it's copied from H&M as it's not at all unusual. For the same reason I wouldn't think a couple copied the royal by using the name George.

I still think first of Balamory and Archie the Inventor in the pink castle

I don't think of H&M at all when I hear the name Archie. But I really pay no attention to H&M.

I had no idea that was the name of Harry & Megan’s son, my first thought is monarch of the glen. But I like it, it’s a nice name

No, I think of the extremely common boy’s name Archie

I was surprised when h and m used it

I say exactly the same thing to my family re names like George and Harry, but apparently those names are more classical so they don't think of Royal Family with them

I know quite a few Archies so Harry's son isn't the first thing that comes to mind. I wouldn't let that stop me if I loved the name.

It's my grandfather's name (technically Archibald, but very rarely called that), so I just think of him. He was called after his own great grandfather, who left Ireland and went to Scotland in the wake of the potato famine. I would not personally use it, but if someone in my family or demographic did I would assume they had a good reason. Harry and Meghan would not enter into it; I understand that these people are in line for the UK throne and that that's important, but internationally it's a tiny footnote especially as there's no history of the use of Archie or anything similar I either family. They used it because they liked it, and so can you.

Some people might have formed a strong association with H&M, but for me the more ubiquitous the name then the weaker the association with a single individual. If someone introduced me to their baby Hermione I would 100% think Harry Potter, if someone introduced me to their baby Harry I wouldn't at all, despite his name being on the cover and him being the main character.

I also think there's a difference between having a passing thought of "oh that's what H&M called their kid" and "that child must be named after him". I was a Twilight fan back in the day and I still immediately associate Rosalie with that character, but I wouldn't assume a baby Rosalie must have a Twi-Hard mum.

Honestly Archie is so popular I doubt anyone would think of Harry and Megan's child upon hearing the name, they would likely think of one of the many Archie's they knew in real life.

Is it really that extremely common? I'm under no illusions that it's unique or hardly ever used, but I literally know no Archie's. I ask all my friends with little boys how many there are in nursery etc and they all say none?

I'm aware it sits fairly high on top boys names lists, which is why I'm always surprised I don't hear of more. I hear of loads of Albie's, Arthur's and Arlo's though.

Maybe it's just not as common in my area

If you like the name just use it. Who cares about Harry and Meghan. I dont know any.

Is it really that extremely common?

Yes honestly it is ridiculously popular. I'd be very surprised if he was the only on his class and unless you're insanely lucky there will almost certainly be a few in any school, class or group he attends.

I'm surprised your friends all say they don't know any most schools and nursery's are drowning in boys with 'A' names Archie included.

As soon as Harry and Meghan announced they'd called their boy Archie, I was pissed off. They got there first as took us a very long time to conceive

You sound ridiculous. Is this even real? 😂

There’s loads of Archies, it’s been popular well before Harry and Meghan used it. I don’t see the problem with the link to them anyway.

I didn't mind too much about it being a bit popular. I definitely wouldn't expect him to be the only one in his school with that name. Unique or really "out there" boys names aren't really my bag, I prefer them to be a little more classical. Girls names are much easier to go unique on IMO

I think of Archie comics from Friends 😅

You might not see the problem with the link but many people don't like them. They're controversial

Two Archies in my DD’s friendship group (two lovely teenage lads). And DH’s aunt’s dog. It’s a great name, not too royal at all.

Massively common (as in widespread, not as in tacky), so much so that when H&M named their child that I rolled my eyes - it is the Daisy-Mae of boys’ names.

It is literally in the top 10, I’m surprised you don’t know any.

I just think of Archie the inventor.

There's 1 Archie in my sons year groups. He's in reception at a 3 form entry school. None in my daughters year, she's yr 5. So yes there are Archies out there but I am surprised it's in the top 10 tbh. I meet more dogs caller Archie than boys.

But their little boy isn’t. And there will likely be 3 in every class at school.

Still can’t believe you wrote you were pissed off that they got there first. 🤪

Still can’t believe you wrote you were pissed off that they got there first.

Why? It's not that ridiculous. Probably the most famous couple in the world announce they've called their baby the name you've always wanted. It was a little irritating to me, yes.

Archie, Alfie etc are starting to sound dated in a bad way imo

I was pregnant at the same time as Meghan and a woman I met at antenatal class was so annoyed when they called him Archie as she had that planned for her son (who was due a couple of weeks after Archie was born). She was worried everyone would think she'd used the name because she wanted to be like Meghan/like the royal family etc.
She did still use the name and it doesn't bother her at all now, and certainly no one references it to her.