My friends say my husband and I have chosen 'cruel' names

[BooksBooks]

My husband and I are expecting our first child together in early June this year and we're both a mixture of nerves and excitement. We are both fans of traditional names and so have decided on Arthur for a boy or Edith for a girl (we've decided to wait until the actual birth to find out the gender). I think these names are really sweet and could work for both a child and adult. Both our families have said they love the names, however when I mentioned it to my friends they started laughing and told me it was cruel to name our child something so old fashioned as they'll be ridiculed at school. My husband and I don't see where they're coming from but I was just wondering if anyone had any opinions on this?

[wheelywheelynice]

Sex, not gender.
IMO Edith is an unattractive name but Edie is nice.

[Bigpinktrain]

It’s bullshit not just cruel, I can name three Ediths’ and more Arthur’s! (I’m in east London)

I would tell your friends to piss off

[FlounderingFruitcake]

I’m guessing friends obviously don’t have kids yet or if they do that they’re considerably older?

I’d personally avoid Arthur, not because it’s not a nice name but because he’ll likely be one of several in his class at school/nursery because it’s THAT popular. I know 6 little Arthurs! I’ve also met a toddler Edith. Those sort of names are really fashionable at the moment. But don’t share names until baby is here, there’s really no need and you’re inviting ‘feedback’ that you neither want or need.

[PinkSyCo]

But Arthur is a VERY common name these days and Edith is pretty popular too. You should tell your friends they need to get with the times! 😂

[Thoughtful2355]

my son is named Arthur, and my daughter a traditional name, i dont like Edith i wont lie

[FfaCoffi]

Wow, your "friend" has issues!

Arthur and Edith are lovely names that are pretty popular these days, so not even old fashioned any more, I'd say they're very now!

But even if they were, how outstandingly rude of your friend to laugh. Your friend is an arse.

[ArabellaScott]

Lovely names.

Ignore your friends.

[Aurorabored]

I love Edith.

[honeylulu]

Neither are unusual these days. I'm sure some people don't like my children's names but so what.

[LucyLeave]

I'm not a fan of either name and wouldn't choose them. But if you like them then just ignore your friend.

[BooksAndHooks]

Both names are very popular so they won’t be unusual at school at all. Do your friends have young children? Old fashioned names have been popular for several years now so certainly nobody will bat an eyelid at those names.

[FlatWhiteExtraHot]

My nanna was called Edith/Edie and when I was younger she made me swear that I would never call a future daughter after her. She hated her name with a passion and said it was a “maid’s name”, which was pretty ironic as she was a live in maid from age 14.

She was horrified when it became popular and there were lots of little Edies running around 😂. I was sad that I had to keep my promise to her, as I think it’s a lovely name.

[2bazookas]

You need to set a higher bar for "friend" ship.

[Velvetween]

Your friends sound very immature.

[JFDIYOLO]

Both great historical / legendary names - there were quite a few Ediths around the Battle of Hastings time.

We live near a prep school heaving with little Hamish, Tilly, Poppy, Tristram - and none of them are bothered. My grandmother's generation included Gladys, Maud and Ada. Mum's generation included Joan, Peggy and Betty. Mine included Dave, Tracey and Steve.

They won't have the faintest idea - Fashions change and turn. You love them, you use them! Chances are they'll demand to be called something else, regardless ...

[RedDoughnut]

Gorgeous names.

I'm a bit disappointed I wanted this post to have outrageously awful names.
Like Spoon or Flange.

You have lovely taste OP

[Maireas]

Edith's a very elegant name. I teach a couple, in yr11 and yr13. Arthur is a bit more popular.
The other kids are all called Lily, Eva, Evie, Ollie, Charlie, Archie and there are lots of permutations of Isabella, Isabel, Izzy etc.
I think you're choosing very appropriate names, and at least with Edith, probably ahead of the curve.

[CouchToOuch]

I have an Arthur and I get nothing but compliments on his name ☺️

[DonnaBanana]

Albert / Albie is just as old fashioned as Arthur and quite common right now. Go for it.

I imagine in another 10-20 years, we'll be inundated with Rebeccas, Kates and Jessicas again.

[alotoftutus]

How odd and horrible!

Firstly I'm pretty sure Arthur is in the top 10 baby names in the country right now - possibly even top 5. It's not seen as old fashioned or outdated - it's extremely popular, your Arthur certainly will not be the only one in his school, or playgroup etc.

Edith is lovely - "Granny" names are also popular, what does she think about Rose, Ivy, Florence, Elsie - they haven't just appeared in the last few years, They've been around forever and have made a comeback.

Ignore your friend she sounds clueless and I'm going to assume has no children of her own.

[Haribobreshnio]

My daughter is Betsy, in her class is Edith, Betty, Mabil and Maude. All old names, all lovely and never mentioned kids being mean. Edith uses Edie sometimes, ignore your friends. I think a lot of old names are coming back round.

I know two Arthur's under 10 too.

[caringcarer]

OP I read you were accused of giving a cruel name I thought of Hitler or something terrible. Arthur and Edith are lovely names and very popular ATM. Just ignore your strange friend.

[SemperIdem]

They’re fine. Ignore your friend. It’s not like you’re suggesting Zeppelin or Ermentrude.

[Luana1]

But Arthur is a top 10 boys name so how can it be old fashioned? And Edith is in the top 100. Your friends are very odd. Both lovely timeless names. I wonder if your friends are the type of people who only like faddy names that will date horribly.

[AliceTheeCamel]

I know about 5 little Arthurs and 3 little Edies at the moment. I would say the only negative about those names is that they are so popular right now!