Is 'Isambard' child cruelty?

[SnuggleBuggleBoo]

Ever come across one in real life?

Wayne and Kevin have NEVER been fashionable. People might like them, but they've never been fashionable.

Honestly if you were growing up in the 70s and 80s did you ever think that Wayne or Kevin was a good name? They were shit names even then.

There were a lot of Kevins around. Lots wouldn’t have chosen it but it wasn’t unpopular. Didn’t Joan on Mad Men call her son Kevin? I assumed that was around when it came ‘in’.

I only knew a couple of Waynes though!

This is an interesting article - had no idea there were French Kevins! The is/was class prejudice about the name in the UK too.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/05/kevin-french-name-national-mockery

I didn’t grade the names of the people I went to school with on how “good” or “bad” they were. They were just the names of the people I went to school with. Kevin was a really common name, there were two Kevins in my maths class alone, and as someone who grew up in the North East Kevin Keegan became something of a local hero when he signed for Newcastle, he was a role model for football-loving boys.

Of course as I’ve grown older I’ve developed likes and dislikes for certain names, and in some instances that’s influenced by the character or behaviour of people I’ve known with that name, including at school (I never knew a nice Wendy or an unkind Sarah, for example), and I can recognise now that many of the names of my generation - including my own - are seen as unfashionable, even comical. (And a generation ago many people felt the same about Elsie or Wilf and look at how many little ones with those names are running about now.) But growing up…no, I can’t say I did judge Kevin, Wayne, Colin, Paul or any of the other 70s names around me as “a shit name”. That only came with age and perspective, and is subjective to each of us anyway.

I agrée with this. Only you know how it will stand in your social setting, OP.

It's very little used in the UK, with very few babies registered with the name Isambard.

When I was talking names of my future grandchild with my children when they were younger Isambard was on the list. I approved, I like unusual names, and IKB was a great man. Another was Balthazar, which I also love.

And another was Roger. The child that wanted to name his child that has been disowned and banished from my house. 😜

Though I don't think OP ever returned after their initial post. I asked a question very early on...

He could change it to Sammy if he wanted something ordinary.
Go for it if you love it.

We were not brave enough to go with it as a first name so our son has Isambard as his only middle name!

I love it. But I think it would take a strong personality to pull it off as it's so unusual and you can't guarantee when naming a baby.

I now wish we had gone with it really....I think even Sam would be fine as a nickname!

I believe that a strong name helps to form a strong character.

Fascinating!

OP didn't return to the thread after their first post.

Check out the band The Men Who Will Not be Blamed for Nothing. They have a great and catchy song about Isambard Kingdom Brunel (he built a bridge and he built it well)

It’s long isn’t it. Be prepared for shortening.

Is, Sammy, Bardy, Bruno (as in Brunel) sound much better being yelled by the football coach across the pitch when he’s 10.

What about Monty, Archie, Wilf?

Sincerely hoping this is wines not wives

I just think what if he's utterly shite at maths/science but is forever associated with one of the greatest engineers? That would be tough for a kid to cope with at school getting teased for that.

Kevin was in the top 20 in the 50s and 60s. So presumably it was considered fashionable then even if it isn't anymore? Wayne was top 40 and Peter used to be top 5. Fashions change 🤷‍♀️

Could you imagine being down the park and calling out 'Isambard, Isambard, time to go home now Isambard?'

No one would bat an eyelid in Hampstead to be fair

I ran a course attended by a small girl named Rioja. I was desperate to ask whether her sister was Chardonnay.

I had this on my list. Perhaps fortunate I had a DD...I'd totally use it, nn Sam, could be perfectly ordinary if you wanted it to be. I love it though!

There are two in our small neighborhood. I quite like it. And, because of the Kingdom Brunel connection at least it is recognizably a name for most people who hear it.

Due to the name he will ensure he isn't. 😂

To be fair when I'm in the park and people shout names I'm not sure if they are calling to a child or a dog.