Honest opinions please!

[mersmam]

We're having trouble with boy's names this time round... dh likes Francis but I'm not sure (have always preferred Frances for a girl). I like Reuben but dh isn't sure. We both like Bede - we'd like to have a saint's name and it goes well with our surname - but I'm not sure what the rest of the world will think! Honest opinions please - will he get beaten up in the playground??

I like Francis, shortened to Frank or Frankie when they're small.

I kind of like Bede. It's one of those names where I'd need to hear it in real life to know what I thought. He'd have a very amazing namesake.

Sorry but I really don't like "Bede"

Reuben is getting very common now I think; if that bothers you.

Benedict is lovely.

Mrs Boring - do not believe it - my ds1 is called Edmund!!!!!!! It's the honest truth!
You are copying off me

Sorry. We just have good taste.

Don't be sorry janeite - i really want people's honest opinions. Yes, the comoness of Reuben may bother me. Benedict is shooting up my list - but i'm slightly worried that it might also be a bit common.

Sorry - you said honest. I think Bede is bonkers! 99% of people will think it's Bead - the other 1% will say "You don't look very venerable Ha Ha Ha!"

Really? Well I've never met a real life Benedict.

Edmund is nice too - says the Jane Austen freak!

You need to do the Tescos test. I heard someone shout Benedict there the other day and I didn't like it. I think it's the 'dict' syllable.

yes we do mrsboring! I LOVE ds's name and have had nothing but compliments about it, also have not come across another one - UNTIL NOW You are making a wise choice! we also found we got given lots of Turkish delight when he was born (due to the narnia connection) - an added bonus!

There are so many great names on that site, though I'd strongly suggest avoiding norbert.

But I think Bede is only considered bonkers because it's not commonly used (or perhaps it's not commonly used cos it's bonkers??) I do like Benedict despite the 'dict' but have heard of 3 or 4 other Benedict's in the last few years so that would be my only worry.

can I chuck Gilbert into the mix then? I love gilbert nn gil or Bertie

feel even stronger about herbert nn Herb, herbie or Bertie

love it!

Yes norbert is NOT one on my list

Gilbert I love, purely because of Anne of Green Gables, dh would not contemplate it.

Reuben is lovely, i wanted that for our second child, but it turned out to be a girl!

swoons over Gilbert Blyth
gah at your dh

what about Gabriel or Gideon?

I like Gabriel but dh thinks it's too girly (but no - he does not think that about Bede!) I also quite like Raphael - but again considered girlish.

I like Reuben best. Frankie is nice.

Ambrose! He sounds like Lawrence Llewelyn's younger gayer brother or something! Bede sounds like an antiques dealer or a fabric designer. Wouldn't use Bede. It's a very Boden catalogue name. Too pretentious.

Francis is a bit poncey but Frankie butches it up a notch. Reuben lovely, and normal.

That's it.I'm naming my future child Edmund,even if it's a girl, in the hope of receiving lots of lovely Turkish delight.

Michael? to continue that angelic theme!

your dh is just going to have to step up to the plate here as he's ditching some FABULOUS names!!!

friend just used Raphael as a mn for their wee boy

what about Rafferty with nn Rafe?

I am just getting a bit worried about Reuben being too 'normal' - do not want a name that's really common. I like the Frankie shortening... but the Boden catalogue thing does not turn me away from Bede - I thought they were all called Charlie in there anyway?

if any of my DDs had been blue we would've used Reuben and nn Rudy when he was wee if that helps?

How woud one pronounce Bede? I can't say that I've ever heard of it.

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