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What's the Most Pretentious Name You've Ever Heard?

134 replies

closetoshore · 25/09/2009 18:30

After reading the other thread I thought it might be interesting to see and list the different names we all think are pretentious.

OP posts:
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bellissima · 27/09/2009 16:40

I do, to a certain extent, take your point annasmami (although I wonder quite what you are doing reading opinions on names if you feel that they are in principle wrong). However, as far as my target (Lucretia) is concerned, whether I comment on it or not will, I am sure, make no difference as to the number of 'poison' and other comments the poor child gets. And indeed, whilst previously noted, like all MNers I am sweetness itself in real life, quite frankly if someone told me they were going to name their poor child that - or some of the other names on here - I would open my big fat gob and say please don't.

As to whether opinions/'classification' of names is mainly an anglo-saxon thing then again, there is some truth (although my French friends will happily tell me that some names are smart and some not exactly destined for ENA). But do remember that in other countries the church has, until very recently, limited and 'approved' the number of names which can be used (which, when one hears of some ludicrous 'TallulahdoestheHula...' names one feels might not be a bad thing!).

Finally, my own elder DD's name has been described as 'dull' on here. I don't mind. She's named after a beloved grandmother and I love the name and have confidence in my choice. But others are always entitled to their own opinions.

I do agree that to mock the poor (chavs if you must) is a rather mean pastime. I also note that some who find it great sport to laugh at 'Chardonnay' get incredibly offended if you dare to suggest that you don't like Annabel or Tarquin. But again, we are all entitled to our opinions. And I presume that, ultimately, people read them because it's entertaining.

sorry for long post.

mrswoolf · 27/09/2009 19:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Kathyis6incheshigh · 27/09/2009 19:07

Nimrod

Bellsa · 27/09/2009 19:10

Nimrod's a perfectly acceptable Jewish name. Not so much here, for obvious reasons, but I knew a couple in Israel.

ilovesprouts · 27/09/2009 19:15

i done care less what ppl think y i called my dcs i like there names ,and if you like them its no ones beeswax !!

MovingOutOfBlighty · 27/09/2009 19:16

There is a woman in the Times yesterday or today who, with a straight face, kept crapping on about her baby boy - Thor.

MintyCane · 27/09/2009 19:19

Jocaster and Oberon

Pekkala · 27/09/2009 19:24

I raised an eyebrow at the name of the chap who is in the news for being stuck in a blizzard in Patagonia - Tarka L'Herpiniere. I thought it was an example of mad upper-middle class English-ness but I suppose he must be excused cos I've found he's French. Where it may be normal.

sonniebonnie · 27/09/2009 19:31

Can we all try to be a bit less 'insular' here in the UK. Just because you may find a name unusual does not mean that the whole world does too!

I know many Swedish Thors and several Jewish Nimrods. I also don't know what is 'pretentious' about a name like George, Benedict, Rupert, Barry etc etc... And, without knowing the family's background it's difficult to 'judge' a name.

But maybe I have strange views, having lived abroad for several years.

Tidey · 27/09/2009 19:35

Jolyon and Blue-Envy.

chegirl · 27/09/2009 19:46

Pekkala I wondered if it had something to do with them coming from Devon. I assumed he had been named Tarka because of the Tarka trail. Thought he might have been conceived on it?

Not that probable I admit but it is a theory

TheMightyToosh · 28/09/2009 15:05

Calypso

The poor girl

StrictlyAvadaKedavra · 28/09/2009 15:08

I was once invited for a Nanny interview to siblings called Hector and Urqhart.

messCottage · 28/09/2009 15:18

Giselle/ Gisele.
Though it's probably turned chavvy aspirational mainstream now that it's a feckin' porn model and disney princess...

indiechick · 28/09/2009 15:26

I heard a 'chequer' being shouted across the park yesterday. Not exactly sure that's how to spell it, but seemed pretty poncy to me.
Checker perhaps

FuriousGeorge · 28/09/2009 19:09

I wanted to name dd1 Artemis,but dh refused point blank,saying that 'we didn't live in Islington and we weren't pretentious'.I don't care,I still like it.

RnB · 28/09/2009 19:17

I love the name Artemis. And I have a Benedict.

My name is RnB and I am pretentious

DorotheaPlenticlew · 28/09/2009 19:27

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YouLukaStunning · 28/09/2009 19:34

What if you name your cat Artemis? Is that pretentious?

sleepwhenidie · 28/09/2009 19:40

Solaris

DorotheaPlenticlew · 28/09/2009 19:44

Mine were quite good but I suddenly realized they might be identifiable in RL.

Tidey: Blue-Envy? Really?

Fruitbatlings · 28/09/2009 19:45

movingoutofblighty - I've heard there is a new boy in DS1's class called Thor I can't wait to meet him! Maybe I should invite him over for tea........

lilmissmummy · 28/09/2009 20:06

There is a boy in dd class called Phoenix which at first I thought was pretentious and its really starting to warm on me!! The kid is a sweetie so that helps! x

MaggieVirgoLeo · 28/09/2009 20:13

I think if somebody names their child Persephone or Antigone and then gets hurt if other people feel the name is a little pretentious then they are being thick unreasonable, because they can't have it both ways...

Either a name is a relatively common-place and attracts no particular comment, or, it's so unusual and has erudite baggage ifykwim.... If you choose the latter then you can't reasonably expect people to react to the name as though it were the former,,,,.

mopsyflopsy · 28/09/2009 21:16

MaggieVirgoLeo, why is the opposite of a common-place name necessarily one that is pretentious and has erudite baggage attached to it (and therefore deserves hurtful comments)?

I really don't understand this. With SO MANY lovely names to choose from, what is wrong with choosing a name for our children that is less common and therefore more unusual? To me, that is part of 'naming' someone or something.