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Original poster

Vivian for a boy's middle name

94 replies

motheroreily · 30/08/2023 23:15

I'm due a boy in November.

My partner suggested Vivian as a middle name. My mum died 9 year's ago and her name was Vivienne so would be a way of remembering her. I hadn't thought of it before he suggested it. It would be nice to use her name but would it be too odd?

Thank you everyone.

OP posts:
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WearyDeary · 30/08/2023 23:18

I personally wouldn't as it's very feminine. However, your baby, your choice. If it's important to you, then use the name. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks and your son doesn't need to disclose his middle name if he doesn't want to when he's older.

BicOrange · 30/08/2023 23:21

I like it. It will always and forever be connected to The Young Ones for me, but maybe that doesn't matter.

Sunflowers76 · 30/08/2023 23:24

No. He'll get bullied.

WorseDecision · 30/08/2023 23:27

No. Sorry it's too feminine.

Blowitout · 30/08/2023 23:27

Of course he won’t get bullied over a middle name! If you like it, go for it.

TomatoSandwiches · 30/08/2023 23:29

Vian or Vyan instead perhaps? Or maybe just the initial V? Kind of cool actually.

TomatoSandwiches · 30/08/2023 23:30

BicOrange · 30/08/2023 23:21

I like it. It will always and forever be connected to The Young Ones for me, but maybe that doesn't matter.

Yes, he was a character 😂 Vyvyan!

Winnipeggy · 30/08/2023 23:33

I've never heard it as a boys name, obviously a personal choice but I'm not convinced your son would appreciate it. Did you mum have a middle name? It's a lovely idea but I do think possibly not the right avenue

SnapdragonToadflax · 30/08/2023 23:34

Can I just check you have seen The Young Ones? 😬

TheCheeseAlarm · 30/08/2023 23:34

It's DS2's middle name. It was his grandpa's first name and he's named for him.

DS2 has never been bullied for it; noone has ever mentioned it. He's 22 so there's been plenty of time for comments!

He likes it.

TheBirdintheCave · 30/08/2023 23:38

Go for it! Apparently it's ok to call girls Cameron, Ryan, James etc 🙄 So why shouldn't you use Vivian for your son?

Also, it is historically a boy's name anyway so... 🤷🏻‍♀️

Original poster
motheroreily · 30/08/2023 23:38

I used to watch the young ones when I was about 12 maybe I'll have to rewatch it 😄I can't remember alot about Vyvyan

Her middle name was Mary so I don't think that will work

Thank you for all your messages. I'll think on. I've always felt that middle names can be names you'd never use as a first name but are special.

I don't use my middle name except on official documents. So I hope he wouldn't get bullied.

OP posts:
YouLetDougalDoAFuneral · 30/08/2023 23:40

Viv Richards is the first person, male or female, that I think of when I see the name Vivian, so that's cool.

Second person is Viv Hope from Emmerdale - still cool in my eyes but probably less cool in reality!

FlorenceTheFerocious · 30/08/2023 23:42

I know a male Vivian. I don't mind it and it's a nice tribute to your mum. I also know a few men with the middle name Mary! It is a thing in some cultures.

DiscoBeat · 30/08/2023 23:44

Of course, it's originally a boys name and it's so unusual even as a girls name that I don't think that's an issue. We had it on our list of first names and it's the first name of a schoolfriend of my husband's.

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 30/08/2023 23:45

I think of Viv Richards too. I think it would be fine as a middle name.

Whatsthepoint1234 · 31/08/2023 00:15

It’s fine for a middle name, nobody really uses them anyway!

Maltaw · 31/08/2023 00:17

It's a middle name so really doesn't matter. No one except new parents care about,idle names. He won't have to use it if he does t want to.

Whatsthepoint1234 · 31/08/2023 00:18

To everyone saying he’d get bullied, I don’t think my dc know their friends middle names, they aren’t even on the school register! Secondly I highly doubt a child would even know whether a dated name was male or female anyway!!

porridgeisbae · 31/08/2023 00:34

I like it. It's not like it'll be his first name, and he'll know he has it because of a loved one, not just randomly.

Daffodil63 · 31/08/2023 00:49

What about a derivative such as Vinn or Vinnie? I think there was a Vinnie footballer

CallieQ · 31/08/2023 01:05

The young ones?

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 31/08/2023 01:13

Clive James' birth name was Vivian.

According to Wikipedia, 'He was allowed to change his name as a child because "after Vivien Leigh played Scarlett O'Hara the name became irrevocably a girl's name no matter how you spelled it".'

I would instantly think of Clive James or Ade's character in The Young Ones - but then your DS's contemporaries will be two generations after me.

Don't be too blase about nobody ever knowing your middle name, though - think about his wedding day, or graduation ceremony, or similar 'official' occasion with loads of family and friends present!

Sensoria · 31/08/2023 01:16

I’ve met a couple of men with Vivian as a middle name, but they were both much older, so suspect it used to be common and more acceptable for men. Unfortunately not that common anymore, as is evident by this thread.

favouriteyellowsocks · 31/08/2023 01:19

Lovely, go for it OP

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