Reactions to the name Merlin

[nijntje]

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!

a bit hippy-ish,but I like it,tho' might be better for a dog or cat

I like the name but is might sound a little pretentious to some.

I like the name but not sure i would call a child it tbh.

Its a hell of a name to live up to really and belonging to a certain section of society. At least to me it feels like it belings to new agey types. What if he didn't turn out to be new agey? You could always have Arthur if you wanted a name from the round table (not being funny, btw)

oh nooo I'm sorry, but I really don't like it

cute as anything - ignore the others!

actually do you know what - there are so many more 'unusual' names around nowadays I dont think anyone would bat an eyelid (well not for long anyway). If you love the name go for it.

awwww lockets ! we always agree - well most of the time - infact i am converting a little to that middle name of yours !

Granted you can have a very plain name and have the piss taken out of you, but if you call your kids Merlin, they will have the piss taken out of them!

If you must, give it as a second name. If they decide they like it, they can use it later in life.

But in a classroom? Seriously, the kids would take the piss.

Message withdrawn

for a boy, unwise, i think

I do love the name Merle though. It means blackbird in French, which is what a lot of babies looks like. Sadly it does not go with our surname but...I love it.

i only heard your daughters names once and can only remember one now ( the S one!) but i remember theinking - gosh they are similar to mine!

"if you call your kids Merlin, they will have the piss taken out of them!"

Anyone called Scarlett would have had the piss taken out of them when I was at school, now they're all over the place. As would names like Lily, Lola, Alfie....

lockets i have CAT ed you!

True, but do you really want to hand them a reason on a plate?

And many many kids don't get picked on. But if you call you kid Merlin, it will happen. Shouldn't, but it will.

i'd still rather have one merlin than have him be one of eight daniels on the register. anyway, as i said, where we live i really don't think it is an issue - might stop us moving to surrey though!

i really like the name, but it makes me think of black cats and long vevet cloaks. but, it's kinda cool. where do you live, is it a very trendy area?

Ive got a Teddy and even that gets odd looks!

no not trendy. it is very uncool east london - wide ethnic mix, no two children share the same name (that i've met anyway). could have called him trolley or wigwam and nobody would notice.

my friends BF is half dutch and they have just named their son Espen. I love it - i think it means peaceful.

sorry to jump in so late on the conversation but just saw it.

I have a lifelong friend called Merlin and it suits him. People always do a slight double take at first when they hear it but that's it really. I've never heard anyone go on and on about it being a weird name.

It's cool and different but your kid would have to be able to carry it off!