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Baby names

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

Original poster

Bo. Please be gentle.

88 replies

applecore · 27/08/2008 15:24

Bo is a girl's name that caused both me and dp to go 'brilliant!' when we heard it. we haven't told anyone in rl because it's bound to cause huge issues. and i suspect because i'm not entirely convinced.

is it pretentious?
will she be bullied?
will i ever get over saying 'it's spelt B.O.'

the trouble is, i just love it so much and i can picture a funny feisty little girl with this name (no pressure on daughter then..) i have some other, more traditional names lined up - one is my grandma's name, and is a surefire winner with everyone.

any thoughts?

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Pinkjenny · 27/08/2008 15:26

OK, I do like it, although I prefer it for a boy as Beau if I'm honest.

, but what about the Body Odour connotation??

bodiddly · 27/08/2008 15:27

I prefer it as beau for a boy too I am afraid even if my mumsnet name is bodiddly!

Shitehawk · 27/08/2008 15:28

Only ever heard it as a boy's name, tbh.

I think the body odour thing would put me right off using it for either sex though.

swiftyknickers · 27/08/2008 15:28

i actually do like it but reminds me of ali g when he clicks his fingers and goes BO!! sorry, my friends just called her little girl BIBI which i heart and covert

Tas1 · 27/08/2008 15:29

My Niece is named Bobbie and we call her Bo.

Original poster
applecore · 27/08/2008 15:30

yep, the body odour thing is a bit of a hurdle! I wonder how Ulrika gets around it (her dd is Bo)..who am I kidding, its a Swedish name so she has some more licence..

dp also likes bo/beau for a boy - it's something to think about.

thank you for replyng. i just wanted to talk about this before abandoning it for good.

OP posts:
fizzbuzz · 27/08/2008 15:36

I teach a Beau, she's a girl

kitsmummy · 27/08/2008 15:39

I honestly would have chosen Bo myself......but couldn't get over the body odour thing

HonoriaGlossop · 27/08/2008 15:58

I think it's really lovely and very cute for a little girl...

I wouldn't worry about the b.o thing. You can't let people with minds like that affect YOUR choices.

HonoriaGlossop · 27/08/2008 15:59

I also think it's cute to have one name for a boy or girl - Bo or Beau.

MrsMattie · 27/08/2008 16:00

....Selecta!

It's a no from Simon and it's a no from me.

Communion · 27/08/2008 16:04

is there anything it could be short for?
AS a nicknams it would eb lovely and reduce liklihood of BO jokes.

How about Beatrice with Bo for short.

I like Bo.

CantSleepWontSleep · 27/08/2008 16:07

I like it for a boy, but doesn't sound right for a girl.

lastboxoftampons · 27/08/2008 16:11

I love it for a girl and wonder if it can be spelled Beau for a girl too?

In the movie M. Night Shyamalan movie Signs, Mel Gibson's daughter is named Bo.

Original poster
applecore · 27/08/2008 16:13

oh its a complicated one. might use it as a middle name perhaps.

thanks for honest comments - they are really appreciated!

OP posts:
Original poster
applecore · 27/08/2008 16:15

is she, last box? i didn't know that. maybe i should start collecting them - there's diddly, derek, jangles, johnsson, ha ha.

OP posts:
Bronze · 27/08/2008 16:17

Isn't one of Ulrikakas children called Bo?

nooka · 27/08/2008 16:17

Nice nickname, but not for a full name. There's not enough of it IMO. I always think a good test is whether you would like to be called any given name (also like the high court judge/footballer type test too). You have to remember that you are imagining a little girl, but that girl will grow up to be a teenager and an adult, so any name has to have the flexibility to work throughout a lifetime.

Original poster
applecore · 27/08/2008 16:25

yes i agree nooka - i did mention the cute girl, but have also considered her if she decides to work in the city (unlikely, with my brains).

i think i like it because it isn't too girly and my first name is very similar - although mine is a short version of a classic girl's name (which sort of proves your point - and Communion's, who mentioned Beatrice/Bo)

i like having a short, no nonsense name, but who's to say she will?

what a responsibility!

OP posts:
usernametaken · 27/08/2008 16:30

My friend has a DD named Boh. Cute name.

mrswoolf · 27/08/2008 16:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

bikerunski · 27/08/2008 16:55

My sister is Zoe and has been nicknamed Bo all her life - friends, family, school, college, work - everyone knows her as Bo. (I think Zoe became Zozo, became Bozo or something, but it was over 30 years ago!) The BO thing has never even been raised!

janeite · 27/08/2008 17:01

I like it (in fact, love it) as a nickname but not as a full name. I really like MrsWoolf's suggestion of Isabeau though; never come across that before and it's lovely.

LadyThompson · 27/08/2008 17:06

I think it's very nice. I wouldn't think of B.O., I don't think, but it did make me think of Ulrika's daughter. I dislike Ulrika.

However, Isabeau is rather lovely.

Communion · 27/08/2008 17:17

Isn't scarlett O'hara and Rhett Butlers daughter called Bo?

You called called her Boudicca, and Bo for short!

Now that would be daring.