Is Beau pretentious?

[CinderellaRach]

What do you think of when you hear the name Beau?Thanks

See my profile for MY Beau

He is cute (luckily some might say...)

I don't give a toss what you think either way mind He suits his name.

imo avoid contrived unusualnames usually= wanky and trying too hard

I like Beau

LG&T..... you are quite right, he is very cute and his name suits him !!

It really is only relevant what you think of a name... the chances are the child will always dislike it.... my children all dislike their names (the ones who can speak)

I'm not sure why people have such harsh feelings towards names...

how can you try to hard ??? Trying to hard to what exactly ???

The trouble with unusual names is that it's very hard to find one that is delicate and unusual and charming.

Too often they err on the side of wanky and trying too hard. I give you for example - Mungo, which is only defensible if you are scottish

Or they err on the other side, which is ...

... plain old chavvy

I don't think Beau is chavvy at all! I can think of lots of names that are are chavier !(sp?)

Mungo?! What.the.fuck.

I don't think it's a bad name. I certainly wouldn't say it was pretentious. Wouldn't pick it myself - and I have to agree with the PP who pointed out that you don't want to give a child the initials B.O. - but I think it's okay.

It's down to you, though, seriously. Pick a name you love and stuff what a bunch of strangers on tinterweb have to say on the matter I mean, it really is a crying shame that everybody isn't just called James or Harry or Elizabeth or Sophie or Sarah, but, y'know...they'll get over it. Gotta hope so, anyway. That or they'll just keel over in a fit of apoplexy that some idiot gave their kid a name deemed "awful"

cute

Thanks everyone!
Largeginandtonic-your Beau is lovely!Did you get any raised eyebrows when you told people his name??Just thought I'd ask as most people think it is a trying too hard name.Thanks anyway.

Thanks for that jazzdalek-you're right so many boys names that I like(Joshua/Harry/Oliver)but feel there will be so many in his class.
Also think an op confused me with someone else when she said my surname begins with O!!Would never give my child the initials BO!!

I love Beau, it's currently at the top of our list if DC2 is a boy. Wouldn't give it to a girl though.

I love Beau. Before dd was born she (we thought she was a he) was nicknamed Bo (short for Bojangles - long story!), but we got so attached to the name that we actually thought Beau for a boy would be lovely. Then she was a girl and Bo didn't suit her...

Anyway, I say go for Beau if you like it.

Beau is a GREAT name, ignore everyone else and do what you like.

Although, OP, it's a BOY's name.

Belle is the equiv. for a girl.

Yes it is a boy's name.Although in Sweden Bo is a girl's name and sounds exactly the same(just a different meaning!)

Thanks everyone for comments.Really love the name but will now wonder if people will think negatively towards me or ds when people know his name..

Beau is a great name IMO - theres one in DDs class, and he is gorgeous, and has a lovely personality.

I dont think its pretentious at all.

Thanks cluckyduck!

Also to expatinscotland-surely as I'm in the UK then the redneck and hillbilly connections shouldn't apply to a British Beau?

Well, Cinder, if you don't want peoples' opinions it's probably wisest not to ask.

Stay out of the kitchen and all that.

You name your child whatever you like, of course.

No expat I'm no sensitive soul!I appreciate every single comment good or bad!That's why I asked!
Love finding out what people think.Just hope that people in UK would't think 'hillbilly' etc as it's an American thing!
Thanks

I know a Beau, I've always loved the name, he is 40+ and I've never actually met another one. It really suits him.
I've NEVER heard any negativity around the name until reading this thread.
If you like it choose it.

Thanks thornrose

You've still got the Dukes of Hazard, even in the UK.

And I think part of the thought behind the names on that show was that Beau would be seen by hillbillies/rednecks as a name a duke might bear, so it had hoity toity pretentions, and Luke Duke was something only a hillbilly would consider too, because it rhymes. (They could have been the Smiths of Hazard, after all). Beau is like Earl, namewise, in the US -- it's an aspirational name.

Cinder we got a few raised eyebrows i suppose. Mostly people say 'Oh'. Lots say 'That's unusual'.

The thing is once you have named your baby people don't really comment. Maybe behind your back

If you like it use it. It's easy to stand by a name if you really truly like it.

I don't get the trying too hard. Trying too hard to what?

Agree with LGandT but would add please only use it if you are prepared and able to truly stand by it. You don't want to be half apologising / wincing inside when you introduce your DC for the rest of his life....!