Stanley?

[toStanleyornottoStanley]

We are expecting a boy and Stanley is the only name we agree on - DH 100% loves it; I’d say I’m 80% there but I’m worried it’s not… aspirational enough?

We have (repeatedly and at great length) gone through the top 1,000 boys’ names list, I have maybe 5 that could be potentials but DH is adamant he doesn’t like any of them. Which is fair enough, if a bit reckless!

So I thought I’d put it to the hive mind. Sometimes I think Stan/ley is a kinda cool guy, but sometimes I wonder if the name is a bit… not very special? Hard to explain. Please help!

The name Stan reminds me of a creepy old man

Stanley is doomed to be Stan for all eternity. And Stan doesn't exactly make the heart sing.

Sorry I hate it

Lovely name! I know an 8 year old Stanley and he’s great!

Loads
Of 10-15 yo Stanley's here it was very popular, not that that's a bad thing. I like it.

It's a cool name but I have noticed it's been quite a popular choice in the last couple of years. If you like it, go for it but if you are trying to be different you might want to think again.

I’m biased because I’ve got a Stan, he was born v prem so we had to choose his name in a hurry and decided Stanley is a good strong name. Never regretted it 18 years later and it’s fairly unique in these parts. He’s mainly Stan but Stanley if in big trouble 😀

Stanley makes me think of Laurel and Hardy.

Do you like ..
Manly
Manfred
Constantin
Sandford - love this
Anton
Sylvester
Silvano
Henley
Daniel
Fintan
Quentin
Stafford
Shepherd

I'm not keen on it. It's an old man's name but not in a good way. I feel the same about Frank.

I have a Stanley, born 2020. He is NOT Stan, not to me, and anyone who knows him and me, wouldn't dare call him Stan. He is Stanley. Everyone loved it, women, men, Older, younger. "What a great, strong name", especially with his 2nd name. George. I never wanted my kids to have names that be shortened, I am Victoria, mine has forever been shortened. Stanley is the only 1 of 4, who has such a name, but he is very much STANLEY, and, when he isn't listening or "those moments" he is STANLEY GEORGE. I had no other name for him, n I have never found out the sex of any of my 4. 2 girls, 2 boys, ive never had boys names I loved, lists. Girls, loads. Stanley, was Stanley if he was a boy from the minute it hit my mind. Anyone I suggested it to, adored it. Im happy with not too many though lol 😉

Stanley knife is what comes to mind, how about Xavier?

I met a 2 yr old Xavier and he's very 😎 but more importantly the name has a bit more gravitas than Stanley. This is your main concern, that the name Stanley isn't aspirational enough.

@Dippythedino did u mean inspirational enough? As Im not sure 'aspirational' (showing the need for more money and status) is what many go for, when choosing a name 🤷‍♀️ and xavier, wouldn't be top of the list. And "gravitas", dignity, gravity??? Stanley is a strong, British name. One with character, determination and a cheekiness that draws everyone in. The first part of Stanley, means "stone" in the meadow, grounded, unmovable, he is, at his core, but the wildest, Inquisitive, most gentle, creative, focused on visions/dreams, little boy (just 5) ive ever come across. Stanley will have been a strong name in the industrial areas of the UK. Stanley may well make you think of the knife, probably because Stanley is far sharper than you 🤷‍♀️ Stanley is inspirational, and definitely, someone we will all aspire to! It's a strong name for great, strong lads.

Hmmm.. it was the only name I heard after DS was born that I wished I'd used.

And now that ds is 21, am v glad I didn't. It's a funky little boy's name - probably gets shortened to Stan? - but I just can't see it on a young man.

FWIW, the other one I liked was Daniel - I think Dan as a nn really stands up to the young man/aspirational test.

I prefer staniel

Knife????

Like the cup? Sorry can't get past that 😂. Or the knife...

…like David, Gordon, Anthony, John.

Love love love. I met a young one almost 20 years ago and it’s just great. FWIW the Stanley I knew was from a very affluent family and he is a very successful adult now. I think it’s one of those names that suits all ages

I met a man called Stanley
Who said I'd come in handy
Who started me on Monday
So I had a bath on Sunday

Lines from the song 'Up the Junction' by Squeeze.

Seems a name from times past to me.

I love it, and have one, he is very much a Stanley at the moment. I hated it the first time DH suggested it, but it grew on me! But it's also a family name, DH great grandfather was one, his great uncle is one.
Interestingly I was on a hen do and one of the ladies (mid 20s) was browsing the dating sites and a Stan came up, they all commented that they thought someone around that age would be pretty cool. I have no regrets, and everyone else comments how lovely DS name is.

Stan / Stanley great retro name

We don’t do it in the end. DH was all for it, but when DS was born I just didn’t love it enough. We’re just not cool enough to use it!

Stan Laurel! As you can tell from my username I’m a massive fan. A true genius.