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Baby names

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

Is Nelson terrible?

53 replies

keven11 · 30/07/2026 06:22

We’ve incidentally named our kids with the final consonant /n/ sound and are considering this name for a third. I love that it follows the pattern and it’s an honor name. My husband also likes it. That being said… is it awful? We’re no strangers to “old” names for our kids, so that’s not the issue. I’m just wondering about public perception. Is it classic, or “nerdy?”

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Bobbyelvis4ever · 30/07/2026 06:25

I don’t like it at all - it screams neither classic nor nerdy, I just don’t particularly like it,

But only you have to. It’s not off the wall enough that they’d be teased. I suspect shortened to Nelly though, which might not be great for them.

Tiptopflipflop · 30/07/2026 06:31

I think of it as a cat's name.

Johnogroats · 30/07/2026 06:32

DS has a friend called Nelson and it suits him.

IStillHearTheWaves · 30/07/2026 06:38

Awful.

What about Nathan instead if you're keen to continue the pattern.

Oreosareawful · 30/07/2026 06:38

I immediately thought of the Simpson’s character and his “Ha ha” laugh. Other kids are likely to make the same connection

Amiacoolorwarmcolour · 30/07/2026 06:39

Awful.

youalright · 30/07/2026 06:45

Horrible name

ha ha simpsons GIF
Thewalrusandthecarpenter · 30/07/2026 06:45

It makes me think of Mandela or a friend’s dog. It’s not horrible so go with it if you like it. I think it means “son of Neil” on the off chance that’s your husband’s name.

Likeiloveyou · 30/07/2026 06:48

Yes

user1492757084 · 30/07/2026 07:18

Nelson is handsome.

Do you like ..

Zelman
Samson
Wilson
Jason
Justin
Gordon
Ian
Owen

Mousespoons · 30/07/2026 07:26

id put it in the same bracket as Wilson :)

Friday Night Dinner Emoji GIF by STARCUTOUTSUK
UrOutdoors · 30/07/2026 07:30

Yes, it is!

SummerSummerSummertime · 30/07/2026 07:46

Just makes me think Nelson Mandela.

ExplodingSmittens · 30/07/2026 07:49

I quite like the name. Not sure I’d use it though but don’t think it’s that out there. Afterall there are plenty of Winston’s about.

PancakeCloud · 30/07/2026 07:49

Not awful

Myblueclematis · 30/07/2026 07:51

Tiptopflipflop · 30/07/2026 06:31

I think of it as a cat's name.

A work colleague had a cat called Nelson, I think it's a great name for a cat.

MinnieCoops · 30/07/2026 07:59

Honestly one of the worst I’ve seen on here

ForPinkDuck · 30/07/2026 08:02

After the war leader?

ACynicalDad · 30/07/2026 08:04

Is a pattern so important the child has to suffer this name for life?

PetiteParakeet · 30/07/2026 08:13

If I was asked to picture someone called Nelson it would be a guy originally from the Caribbean, aged maybe about 70, quite cool.
But it was a little white British kid I’d wonder if their siblings were called names like Churchill or Raleigh.

VoteForCountBinface · 30/07/2026 08:14

How about Harrison, Cameron, Aaron, Samson, Norman, Colin, Jason, Duncan or Gordon?

Nelson would end up being Nels or Nelly.

Twinkletoesandspaghettios · 30/07/2026 08:15

Immediately think of the Simpsons character

NoisyUmberBalonz · 30/07/2026 08:49

As a name it seems armless.

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 30/07/2026 08:50

anyone from the north west will associate it with a rough town near Burnley