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Reactions to the name Merlin

116 replies

nijntje · 06/09/2006 18:37

Hi
I would love to get some honest reactions to the name Merlin ...
I'm not British or living in the UK right now, but my boyfriend's British. We'd like to find a name that works well in English and Dutch. My boyfriend loves Merlin, but I 'm not sure how strange it sounds to British ears ...
Please let me know what you all think.
Thanks!

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YellowFeathers · 01/10/2006 15:06

I love it.
Its different and tbh there are far worse names you could name your child.
At least your not thinking of names that are normally associated with alcohol, cars or places of conception.
If you gave him a traditional name he could still have the mickey taken out of him.

Go for it if you love it, who cares what anyone thinks.

TambaTheDragonSlayer · 01/10/2006 15:12

I really like it although dont think I would have it for any of my children (I like traditional names) It would had suited my DS2 though.

rustybear · 01/10/2006 16:50

Merlyn Rees spelt it with a Y - he was Welsh. When he was made a peer, he became Lord Merlyn-Rees, so he must have liked the name. He died in January.

TheRealCam · 01/10/2006 17:01

Merlin sounds like a welsh hippy to me, therefore, no.

I love Dutch boys names like Willem and Jens

PrettyCandles · 01/10/2006 17:05

I think it depends on your social circle. Some people will consider it pretentious, some New Age, some quite cool and interesting.

Personally I think it's nice - recognisable but unusual. Merlin is not just the Arthurian magician, but also a bird of prey - an amazing flier and hunter.

tigermoth · 01/10/2006 17:33

Agree with cam that it sound a bit welsh hippy - nothing wrong with that of course - depends on your family and outlook. And you do have a real reason for choosing an indiviudual sounding name.

My son has a unusual name and we've so far never had any problems. I think he's fine with it as well. He d never complains he has been teased at school (he's 8). We are not an ultra alternative family, either.

I thihk it also depends what his second name is -'Merlin Braithwaite' for instance, would sound very funny ha ha , but 'Merlin-with-interesting-Dutch surname' would work much better.

If in doubt, make Merlin a middle name and choose a less unusual first name, perhaps.

handlemecarefully · 01/10/2006 17:34

Sorry but my reaction is "Oh dear!"

tissy · 01/10/2006 17:36

I used to know a Merlin, and liked him, but also had a cat called Merlin, a long time ago.

If you like the name, go for it!

Twiglett · 01/10/2006 17:37

why and how do threads like this get resurrected

no honestly .. do people go searching?

TheRealCam · 02/10/2006 10:33

say what?

MrsJohnCusack · 02/10/2006 10:42

my cat who I just had to rehome was called Merlin Rees (i.e that's DH's surname)

totally irrelevant & dull but hey. I miss him

RnB · 02/10/2006 10:43

Message withdrawn

HuwEdwards · 02/10/2006 10:46

No, it's weird.

EnidMyers · 02/10/2006 10:47

too try-hard

noddyholder · 02/10/2006 10:48

I think its cool new agey and a bit mystical.

SenoraPostrophe · 02/10/2006 10:51

I'm afraid my reaction was to nearly spit tea at my computer! I would avoid it (and don't trust your oyfriend on naming issues: my dh wanted to call our son Darth)

PhantomCAM · 02/10/2006 10:52

PSML Senora

fishie · 02/10/2006 10:54

my ds is merlin, obviously i think it is a lovely name neither dp or i are religious (so not particularly interested in saint's names) and didn't want him to be one of several with the same name on the register.

he's only 18 months but so far nobody has been particularly rude or startled - although we live in a very multicultural part of London where charles or edward would be unusual!

Flamebat · 02/10/2006 10:58

I love Merlin... but then I like all names like that.

EmmyLou · 02/10/2006 11:16

Someone I knew has a dughter called Merlin - they are a pretty conventional family with 5 kids (conventional as in not hippy/hip). After the initial suprise of name choice, thought nothing else of it. They are Scottish.

CheesyFeetcomingtoGETyou · 02/10/2006 11:30

A friend of an ex-bf had a brother called Merlin (after the bird, not the wizard) and he was ribbed mercilessly at school.

I wouldn't do it if I were you, especially if he is going to spend any time at school in the UK

fishie · 02/10/2006 11:35

cheesyfeetcomingtogetyou, my merlin is also after the bird, but very quickly realised that nobody else is interested and he will always be a wizard. but i DON'T CARE it is a delightful name.

i have deeply ordinary name and was also mercilessly ribbed - i think if they want to bully you then anything will do. hopefully schools a bit better on this now anyway.

largeginandtonic · 02/10/2006 17:35

LOVE IT! Sure he would stand out in a crowd, much better than some very dull everyone is called it name. If you think you can help him carry it off go for it.

PhantomCAM · 02/10/2006 18:16

That's the thing though, children don't want to stand out in a crowd

SoupDragon · 02/10/2006 18:22

Thing is, it won't stand out. It would have stood out when he whole class were called David, Stephen or Sarah-Jane but not now.

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