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Baby names

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

Original poster

Bruno or Isaac?

47 replies

LavenderStar · 06/03/2009 15:21

Need help for a boys name. Love the classics but for one reason or another most are not ideal (too popular, family members already using them, or sound ridiculous with surname). - ie Harry, William, Oliver, Hugo, James, George.

We also like Bruno but doesn't it sound Italian? Also worried about the Sacha Baron Cohen film coming out!

The other one I was thinking about was Isaac. What do people think when they hear this name? Very religious? I have also read on other posts that it is becoming very popular but I have not really heard it around much and it is not in the top 10 (or even tope 20 I don't think). And our surname begins with A - will it be too much of a mouthful? Oliver A in the opinion of some people is hard to say ...

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MrsMattie · 06/03/2009 15:22

Isaac is much more common, but I think for a reason. In my opinion, it is far nicer than Bruno (Italian? Yes. But also a bit of a 'dog' name)

Cannot see the problem with Oliver and an A name...

Original poster
LavenderStar · 06/03/2009 15:29

What is the reason?

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diedandgonetodevon · 06/03/2009 15:51

Isaac was 97th on last years top 100 names list (I only looked as DS is Isaac so have an interest!)

Where we live everyone reacts like it is a name they find very unusual but then we have names like Roman and Ocean going around.

I do like Bruno as well.

MrsMattie · 06/03/2009 15:52

The reason is that it is much nicer than bruno!

MarshaBrady · 06/03/2009 15:52

Bruno is adorable, it's a lovely name.

(although I have no idea what the sbc film is you mention).

Original poster
LavenderStar · 06/03/2009 15:58

This is what I thought - 97th is not at all popular in my opinion! But people do seem to be saying it is becoming very popular which I find strange, unless perhaps this year we will find it has risen up the ranks significantly?!

I like Isaac, I wonder why people think it is so unusual, does it sound very biblical but not common biblical? Like Saul or Isiah or Jonas perhaps?

Diedandgonetodevon what is your DS's middle name?

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IwishIwasmoreorganised · 06/03/2009 15:59

I always have thought that Bruno is a dogs name - much prefer Isaac

BoysAreLikeDogs · 06/03/2009 16:03

Ooooh not enough Brunoes in this world

Go for it

solo · 06/03/2009 16:05

I will forever put Bruno down as a Doberman name. There was a Doberman called Bruno where I lived as a child and I always called those dogs 'Bruno dogs'.
Isaac is lovely IMO.

Original poster
LavenderStar · 06/03/2009 16:06

Oh no! Opinion split right down the middle!! Not sure I have the guts to go for Bruno. DH keeps saying "Bruno, eh, your pasta is rrrready eh " in an Italian mafiaso voice.

Is Isaac too biblical? I like classic biblical names but not too keen on the more out-there names like Jonas or Abraham etc.

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diedandgonetodevon · 06/03/2009 16:06

I thought of Isaac Newton before the biblical bit as I'm not really religious.

His middle name is Noel after a family friend who sadly passed away just before he was born. Before that it was going to be George.

Beware however that almost no-one can spell it (Issac being the front runner so far). They remember there is a double letter somewhere but usually pick the wrong one!

solo · 06/03/2009 16:08

Lol! just seen MrsMattie post!

midnightexpress · 06/03/2009 16:11

I think one of the reasons it's becoming popular is that it often gets shortened to Zak, which sounds sort of funky.

Original poster
LavenderStar · 06/03/2009 16:12

Thanks ... Isaac George is nice. As for people who can't spell - hopefully my son will be more intelligent!

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ohdearwhatamess · 06/03/2009 16:13

I love Bruno. Once knew a very sexy French one.

Isaac too biblical for my taste.

MadameCastafiore · 06/03/2009 16:14

Isaac.

If I heard someone shout Bruno I would expect them to be calling their dog and think I would PMSL if a child answered!

diedandgonetodevon · 06/03/2009 16:20

midnightexpress I think you're right. DS gets called Zak most of the time.

Original poster
LavenderStar · 06/03/2009 16:22

Ohdearwhatamess - is it too biblical as in Jacob (which I would be fine with) or really biblical as in Abraham (which I wouldn't be!)?

Sorry to go on, just finding it hard to work out if it is too religious or not. I am not religious and don't want to sound like our family is (no offence to anyone intended!).

MadameCastafiore - PMSL at your post!

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Original poster
LavenderStar · 06/03/2009 16:25

I really like the fact Isaac is a classic name which can be shortened to something a bit more funky. I would call him Isaac and Zak/Zach (as I wouldn't want people to think his full name was Zachary, which is too modern/American-sounding for me).

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ohdearwhatamess · 06/03/2009 16:33

More 'Jacob' than 'Abraham', imo.

mollyroger · 06/03/2009 16:40

Isaac is totally lovely. As long as your surname isn't Hunt. Or Cox.....

Original poster
LavenderStar · 06/03/2009 16:47

Ah - wonderful - not overly biblical then!

Mollyroger - LOL!

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strictmumof3 · 06/03/2009 16:53

I am not religious in any way shape or form and we have an Isaac. Saying that everyone was surprised at our name choice. i love it. Elijah is another gorgeous biblical name.

WinkyWinkola · 06/03/2009 16:54

Bruno. It's lovely.

Original poster
LavenderStar · 06/03/2009 16:56

Why surprised? This is what bothers me ... I don't particularly want people to be surprised, I would rather they thought "what a nice, classic name".

Elijah is a bit too girly and out there for me. Reminds me of the mormons or something - again, no offence intended to anyone!

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