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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Methuselah or Dismas?

58 replies

OswaldArnoldGottfriedSpengler · 25/04/2024 13:21

Just kidding! Now I have your attention, please rank these mostly 'vintage' names from best to worst. Please also vote for your favourite in the poll if you can see it. Surname's Cooper. Cheers!

Lawrence
Edmund
Edwin
Robert
Philip
Walter

Methuselah or Dismas?
OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Katiesaidthat · 25/04/2024 13:34

Robert, Philip at a push, don´t like the rest.

NewWater · 25/04/2024 13:35

I voted for Edmund, because it always makes me think of sneaky Edmund and the Turkish Delight in the Narnia books. I do like Lawrence, but it has a terrible habit of ending up as 'Larry' around here.

mogtheexcellent · 25/04/2024 13:36

The first three get my vote with Edmund in 1st place.

Nightblindness · 25/04/2024 13:38

Lawrence (love Larry too)
Edmund
Robert

Not keen on Philip, Edwin or Walter but would probably rank in that order if I had to.

BoohooWoohoo · 25/04/2024 13:41

Lawrence makes me think Fox then Llewelyn- Bowen so No. They might be Laurence though. Only pro is that your child’s peers won’t know who they are.

Philip is a good name but I don’t like the nickname Phil.

Walter is not my taste.

Edmund/Edwin - I don’t mind Ed or Eddie as nicknames. My brother is an Edward so I am biased.

Robert is my fave. I like all of the potential shortenings as well as the full name.

I know that it’s possible that your child ends up with a shortening of his surname or something completely different instead but potential nicknames would be a big consideration for me.

stopringingme · 25/04/2024 13:46

Edwin and Robert are my favourite.

Don't really have an opinion on any of the others except Lawrence which I do not like at all.

JaneJeffer · 25/04/2024 13:51

Robert

Nicebloomers · 25/04/2024 14:18

Edmund
Walter
Edwin
Lawrence
Robert
Philip

Comedycook · 25/04/2024 14:20

Robert is the best.

You put Edmund and Edwin but why not Edward. It's much nicer than those two imo.

Glitterbiscuits · 25/04/2024 14:42

Edmund!

Please pick Edmund!
It's my favourite name and very much the one that got away.

KirstenBlest · 25/04/2024 14:45

Philip, Edwin, Robert - all good but will be Phil, Ed and Rob
Edmund- OK but Blackadder and TLTWATW
Walter - Wally or Walt
Lawrence - Larry

They're all OK but I've listed them in order of preference. I prefer Michael and Peter. I also like Edgar.

Moreteaandchocolate · 25/04/2024 14:47

I’ve based my rankings mostly on the potential shortenings because having a kid in secondary school has made me realise that’s what their mates will use (regardless of what the parents think!)

  1. Robert - great name and I like Robbie / Bobby / Rob
  2. Edmund / Edwin - get second place just because of the potential to use Eddie / Ed for short
  3. Laurence - nice name but I’m not keen on Laurie for short (a bit feminine sounding)
  4. Philip - ok, but Phil sounds dated and Pip a bit childish for an adult imo
  5. Walter - not keen
Haveagreatday24 · 25/04/2024 14:48

I only like Lawrence.

Walter is awful sorry.

piechipsgravy · 25/04/2024 14:51

My favourites are Philip and Walter but that's because I've always adored the nickname Pip and I think Walt is super cute.

TheCultureHusks · 25/04/2024 14:51

There is something really weird about Edmund. I know two people who have used it (acquaintances of friends, not close) and they have both regretted it and wished they’d gone with Edward. 😵‍💫

Walter is fantastic

mathanxiety · 25/04/2024 15:01

Robert Cooper
Edwin Cooper

Both sound great. I'd choose Robert by a hair.

Floralnomad · 25/04/2024 15:04

Lawrence is the only one I would use .

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 25/04/2024 15:09

Austen, Maurice or Minnie

MadKittenWoman · 25/04/2024 15:11

Robert

Squish12 · 25/04/2024 15:12

We had a very very creepy neighbour called Lawrence when I was a child. So that's a massive no from me. I love Walter.

TheGirlOnTheLanding · 25/04/2024 15:17

Edwin - but only because of the mighty Edwyn Collins, so if I was to use it I might have to use that non-traditional spelling.
Laurence - because I've known and liked a few, which cancels out the 2 famous less agreeable ones mentioned upthread

NewWater · 25/04/2024 15:24

Dismas is actually growing on me.

OkPedro · 25/04/2024 15:35

piechipsgravy · 25/04/2024 14:51

My favourites are Philip and Walter but that's because I've always adored the nickname Pip and I think Walt is super cute.

I'm not sure a child would appreciate you loving the nickname pip when they have grown up

OkPedro · 25/04/2024 15:36

Robert would be the only name I'd choose from your list. The rest seem very stuffy. Agree with a pp why not Edward?

ElleLeopine · 25/04/2024 15:37

I voted Lawrence, but really I am team Methuselah 🤣