Please help really disheartened

[Teapot678]

Our top contender is Franklin. Not Frank or Frankie which I know will more than likely happen at school but whenever I say our top name choice, there are comments such as

‘Frank is much nicer’
’Franklin is a gangster in a game’
’Franklin the turtle’
’Franklin is a surname’

is it really an ugly name? 37 weeks pregnant and want to know if our choice is not as nice as I first thought

It’s a great name and your opinion is the only one that matters anyway!

Franklin from Shanklin (summers in childhood on the Isle of Wight).
He was also my mums hairdresser when I was little and he was very like Fronk from father of the bride.

Franklin is fine, you can't really police nicknames once they get to late primary school age though- if they want to be called Frank by then that's what they're going to be

Me too

But then when I hear Frank my head does Fronque like the dude in Father of the Bride.

See also Cack

I adore the name Franklin. Once he’s here if that’s what you name him, people will love him as that ☺️

I like it. I think Franklins Tale, Benjamin Franklin, Franklin Pierce, Franklin Roosevelt, and Hawkeye from MASH (Benjamin Franklin Pierce).
Never heard of the turtle or the game.
Dont be disheartened, there isn’t a name in existence that everyone will like.

I really dislike it sorry (seeing as you're asking personal opinions). Francis, great. Franklin, unpleasant sounding. You can't please everyone and it hasn't got any terrible associations so go with it if you like It. For me, it's the combination of sounds that doesn't work. A mix of starting out too harsh on the first syllable then fizzling out weakly. Some folk may hear that as a pleasing contrast and appreciate it. It's just taste.

I'm not keen, but you are the one giving birth, and if you and your partner like it, it's your choice. I hope he arrives safely and wish you well. Don't worry about what others think, he's your baby.

While surnames as first names are never exactly going to be my cup of tea (because I’m a classic/timeless/“boring” namer especially for boys) - I don’t see why anyone would describe Franklin as an ugly name!

Actually I think he’ll fit right in with his peers - about a quarter of the young boys I meet at toddler/baby groups seem to have surnames as first names (the rest are mostly a mix of nickname-style names ending in ie/y, “Grandad chic” names or the classics - but with the odd “out there” standout name being a bit more commonplace than I remember there being when I was a kid).

And Franklin makes me think of Benjamin Franklin and John Franklin which is cool - so personally I much prefer it to Frank or Frankie.

IMO its an ugly name and it is the name of a chain of sewing machine shops in my area.

my sons are called Jonathon and Matthew. when they were little a mother at play group asked me why I had called my sons such horrible old fashioned names. I was surprised and asked her why she disliked them. She was from the Caribbean and explained that where she came from they were considered old fashioned and only for old men. Similar to how I felt about the names Fred and Bert in the UK. It made me realise that name preferences are based in culture and time.

Her son was called Dwayne.

I personally am not a fan. It will be shortened to Frank, then at secondary school he will see "Speak to Frank" drugs posters everywhere which will be hilarious to The kids.( Knew if someone where this was the case), can also quite easily see the nickname( likely affectionately, but not always so) Frankenstein being given. I think names are often shortened only to be lengthened again with a different new version. This is the case for all my children, it just seems to happen.
Not sure where you are but it does sound very American which doesn't always carry over to the UK so well.
Do you have other choices? I be always found a couple of weeks after the baby is born ( probably due to some hormone alteration) you suddenly have a while new perspective in the names than when you are pregnant. He doesn't need a name as soon as he's born, everyone calls them " the baby", it's like the baby smell, quite lovely in itself for the short time it lasts. Just complete a list of things you quite like and after he's born reconsider. For one if mine a name is never thought I'd whilst pregnant materialized exactly 2 weeks after he was born and that was the absolute right name.

I love it! It's recognisable, international, cute but also interesting. You must be cool people, do not let other people affect your opinion!

I like it. Franklin is a nice, clear name. Children fit into their names when they are born and people will love him and therefore love his name.
Don't mention his name to anyone else until he is born (just say we are still deciding) and then when he arrives just let everyone know.

I don't know about any turtles.
Makes me think of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Go with your name op.

I associate Franklin with the Franklin River which is beautiful.
Franklin is handsome.

I like it! It’s a bit different from all the Alfie’s and Oliver’s out there but not drastically so.

Don't know what this turtle business is. Franklin is the clever kid from Snoopy in our house.

Franklin Blake from The Moonstone - the character everyone fancies. (Also never heard of the turtle)

As you've asked, yes I think it's an ugly name and makes me think of a seedy pimp in Vegas. Sorry.

Sorry OP I think it’s horrible. However if you and your partner like it stick with it, I’ve heard of worse names! Wishing you all the best

People will comment no matter what the name is. It’s best to keep it private until they are born.

I called my daughter a very normal name and people would still comment that it was an old lady name or that they had a dog with the same name.

Your baby. Your name choice.

Franklin is absolutely fine. It's a little different but not too out there. I expect Frank or Frankie will be used a lot anyway.

Don't tell people your name choices before baby has arrived. They will all have an opinion and a different name they would use.

When baby arrives you say we've named our baby..... The correct reply from all involved is "how lovely". Any negative comments and you tell them to stop being rude.

I think Franklin is a good name, as long as you accept that he will get called Frank or Frankie quite a lot, and might even choose one of those for himself.

I think it is usually a mistake to discuss your proposed baby names with others before the birth. It kind of invites unwanted opinions and advice. Just present them with a done deal after the baby has arrived and most will then be falling over themselves to compliment you on a lovely name.

I think it’s ok. People won’t call him Franklin though. He’ll get Frank and Frankie for sure