Name Koa for a boy?

[Soph903]

Hi, we are due our baby boy soon and love the names Koa, Oakley or Arlo but so far Koa seems to be the favourite. We like more of the unusual/less common names what does anyone else think? Any name suggestions? Thankyou.

Teacher of over 20 years. Kids with unusual (read Yoonique) names are constantly teased and there's only so much we can do to stop it (ie we're not on school buses, in toilets, observing every single child on break and lunch).

It's the traditional wood that ukuleles are built from.

Names do change or cycle over time. I didn't go to school with a single George, Arthur or Elsie, but the country is teeming with them now as people use their grandparents names. Æthelstan, Æflgifu etc were very popular in the middle ages, but would be considered out there now. All adds a bit of interest to history if nothing else.

After working in education for over 20 years kid’s definitely get picked on for their names. Best case they get a nickname that they don’t mind but worse case is that they get the piss taken for years. Don’t risk this being your child. If you want your child to be called Koala for years then go for it. He might like it, it might be endearing or it will be the bane of his life. I wouldn’t risk it.

My friend has two boys and a girl and the boys are Oakley and koah!! I think koa is a nicer spelling and prefer it to Oakley. Don't think it matters anywhere other than mumsnet that you're not Polynesian

They are not names
Why do you want to use such ridiculous words for your child. Is it just to be different? I am genuinely interested as to why you would do this

I actually quite like Koa, but it does make me think of Koala.
Don’t go for Arlo if you want something unusual, that’s everywhere.
I don’t like Oakley and don’t think it’s that unusual either.

Me too

I think Kian from westlife has a son called Koa and a member of no doubt definitely does! I think it's alright, better than Oakley!

Sorry it's a bit too 'try hard' for me. My first thought was koala when I saw it. I'm not a fan of any K names but if you like it, go for it. Arlo is my favourite of your list.

Is Koa an actual name? Or just a sound you like? I think you need to think long and hard about your child’s future with a ‘cute’ name. Get a hamster and call him Koa if you like but please give your child a proper name that won’t result in years of embarrassment.

Awful.

Ummmm, sorry, its a no from me. I play a guitar that's made of Koa wood.........😬

I prefer Koa.
Oakley and Arlo are names I come acrooss quite often. Both nice enough though.
What about Cody

Sorry, can you explain why this is? Why would they be ridiculed if their surname is Lambert? I don't get it!

You're trying too hard to be unique..

Being honest here, I would immediately judge you.

You have zero connection to the name, or understanding of it.. same as Coda..??

How old are you? 10? As another poster said, get a hamster maybe?

Sounds like a soft drink

If you want a cute unique name change your own name, don’t saddle your child with it.

Sorry, can you explain why this is? Why would they be ridiculed if their surname is Lambert? I don't get it!

Koa La

My DCs small primary schools has had 3 Oakley since my DCs have been going. Arlo is also popular too. I know a lot of Polynesians so Koa dosnt sound too bad to my ear but can see others being unsure.

I’ve just written in another post that there are so many names now and acceptance with them. If you like it go for it.

Really don't like the name Koa (or the other two). If you really must give your son a daft first name, then at least give him a normal middle name he can use as an adult. Fingers crossed for him...

Please do not give a child a ' cute ' name, a child is a person - one day that person will be an adult.
Kittens and puppies are ' cute '
People's names are not.

Arlo and Oakley are so so so used these days, certainly not ' unique '

I really like the name Koa. I know a little Koa from baby group and the parents are not Hawaiian, it didn't seem strange to me at all. It's also Kian Egan's son's name.

Asa also has a similar vibe to me?

In comparison Arlo is so, so dull, and Oakley I agree with PP is chavvy.

Thanks for everyone's replies, we don't specifically want a 'cute' name, I've obviously worded the post wrong, i would class more common names like Noah, Oliver etc as 'cute too'. I think everyone has their personal taste in names too. We would like more of a unique name than very popular names ideally but obviously not completely ruling them out. Koa is still our favourite we don't feel like it's much different to other K names like Kai and Kian.