Ptolemy???

[SpangleMaker]

Found out today we are having a boy

DH has suggested calling him Ptolemy... at first I thought he was joking but now the name's really growing on me and we're seriously considering using it. Trouble is, we're not mega posh & the kid will be going to a state school.

So what do you think? Acceptable in this age of weird names, or are we being mean to the poor child?

We've discussed using this name for our next baby, and it really is growing on me. Like you, it was DH who suggested it and he is really keen on using it. I just can't commit to it yet there is no other name that I like more.

DH would shorten it to Tom, however. I think there will be quite a few Ptolemys running around due to Restoration.

My ds is called Ptolemy so (obviously) love the name! We don't shorten it, though I knew a Ptolemy years ago who was called Tol or Tolly. Only a couple of people say his name wrong and they call him Ptomely so for that reason I would hope that when his peers give him a nickname it isn't Tom.

Ptolemy tortoise is in Beatrix Potter's Tale of Jeremy Fisher.
Fabulous name, don't listen to the negative comments on this thread. There is nothing wrong with choosing an unusual name... go for it!

I think it's lovely. And it wouldn't stand out among the names at my son's state primary, and we're in Birmingham!

Sorry but a big NO from me.

For some reason it reminds me of Pterodactyl - you know the same strange thing of having a silent P!!!!

FWIW my dh has an unusual Christian name, and although it only has 4 letters, he has to endlessly spell it for people. Now if he has to spell it out for others, can you imagine how much Ptolemy is going to have to be explained. Especially the silent P!!!!

Why hasn't it got a silent Q or a silent Z???

Lovely name.

But what's state / private school got to do with acceptance of unusual names? Am I missing something?

Besides, if your DCs go to an inner city state school like those I used to work in, the demographic will most likely be much more ethnically mixed than your average private school, so there will most likely be plenty more 'strange' names around. In the state schools I worked in I doubt other kids would have given the name Ptolomy a second thought.

OK the spelling isn't straightforward, but then nor are Siobhan, Niamh, Sian etc. People learn how to spell them. I have to constantly spell my surname, but it really doesn't bother me.

I also don't understand why it should matter whether a child goes to a private or state school...

A child and will accept whatever names they hear (unless the name is really silly, like Poopoohead or something . It seems that some PARENTS may have a problem with 'unusual' or 'different' or names.

as in 'father of history, father of lies'?
I wouldn't personally. Unless you have a greek surname.

georgiemum does that mean you wouldn't use (for exampe)names such as alexander or agatha unless you had a Greek surname? same difference imo

Wouldn't do it, myself. Having a distinctive name is one thing, but Ptolemy is a step too far for me.

I know a 7 year old Ptolemy who goes to a state school in Surrey and he is very popular, clever and, I think, happy with his name !

you can't be serious

Girl called Ptolemy here

It's a name that goes beyond 'unusual' 'creative' and 'stylish' into the 'wilfully absurd' camp, I'm afraid. Don't do it.

MDM - it's a teeny bit more unusual than Alexander (which is common in quite a few countries).

Personally I think it sounds dreadful (connotations of pretensiousness etc)...I am quite sure you are not pretentious, just telling you my unedited first reaction

I think a child will grow into any name - it's the person behind the name that people associate with a name. And if the person is nice, clever, funny or whatever then that is what people will associate with it.

If you like Ptolemy I would definately use the name for your son. It's then up to him what he makes of it. He'll be much more likely remembered than if he was another Jack, Tom or Harry etc.

I don't understand why people can 'hate' a name. Surely its the person behind the name that matters more!

I had a baby boy in December and called him Ptolemy - I love the name, and it suits him - yes we get alot of how do you say/spell that and sometimes 'did you make that up?', but we love it and really that's all that matters.
If you are offended by that name then you will totally hate that my DH choice for one of his middle names is Robot

I love this name - i am working class and proud :)

I would love to have called a son this, but there was no way DP would have allowed it because he couldn't spell it besides, we had a girl, i chose and easy to spell name.

At my DDs school i think you may get a few raised eyebrows from the mums but i shouldn't imagine that the kids would bat an eyelid. Its a very conservative school with not a Sharla or Kyon in sight

As to folk growing into their names, is that true - i just think the name grows with them.

If he is the camp arty type i guess he will keep the full name

If he is the sweet guy who works in advertising/nursing - Tolly

If he is a builder or architect - Tol

:) HTH

Not crazy just because i don't like the way it sounds - a bit hard - rather that for reasons of pretentiousness...

I live in one of those London areas, and I would say don't do it. Poor child, imagine learning how to spell it, understanding it from a phonics point of view.

I have a difficult to pronounce maiden name, and married name, which causes hassle everywhere we go. Restaurant reservations, doctor's appointments and so on. My maiden name was mis pronounced continually at university.

Finally a few years ago, my husband looked for work for six months, and got no joy, until he shortened his long to pronounce foreign name.

It may not just be mispronunciation issues, but people, where it really matters not bothering to call, to avoid the embarrassment if mispronunciation. I can assure you that it will not just "act as a filter" to (how did someone put it earlier) route out the ill educated. Should your little one prove not to be academic and need to operate outside the well educated world, this name will not be a bonus.

Wow, 2008 thread!