Baby names too posh?? Craicnet's Opinion!

[CheeseWineBainne]

Hi all, we are having our second baby soon, and while we have a girl's name picked out, we are more stuck on boys names.

We have a DD, Anna, already.

Didn't want to post in the baby names forum as I specifically wanted the opinion of users in Ireland - we are rural Irish, born and raised, and live in Ireland; and I think our name list might be perceived differently here to in the UK...

Our current list:
Matthew
Isaac
Hugh
Hugo

(Like but ruled out: Leo, Theo, Joshua... and basically every Irish name ever, because we have two massive families and all the loveliest Irish names are taken!)

I love Matthew - my only reservation is that I'm afraid he might get called "Mattie" by my in laws, and I don't like that nickname.

In recent days I've really fallen for the name Isaac - it's probably my top choice, and I think it pairs so well with Anna; but my husband seems unsure.

He suggested Hugh, which I do like, but think it runs into our surname a bit, so I'm thinking no. Hughie is cute though...

Hugo we both quite like... but the problem is, I'm worried it sounds too 'posh'?? In rural Ireland, will it make people raise their eyebrows/ cringe/ think we have notions?? (Similar re Isaac?). I'd like your opinions on all the names, but this is where I most need your help, Craicnet....

Personally (in rural Ireland), yes I’m sorry I’d see them as too posh but saying that things have changed so much with names- between my sons’ classes in primary were two Pauls, two Conors and two johns now none of any in the whole school!!!

Matthew - not posh. standard everyman name
Isaac - not posh but OT names are more of a recent thing to Ireland
Hugh - not posh. feel this is a really common name in Ireland? know loads of them. more adults than kids though.
Hugo - will prob get some 'ooooh posh' 'ooooh notions' comments. But who cares!

Please don't let other people put you off perfectly fine names that you like. It's funny how conservative Irish people can be with names. I feel like Jack will still be the no.1 most popular boys' name in 3024.

Matthew and Isaac are both lovely names, both very normal in Ireland. I would be wary of the Matt-Chew pronunciation depending on the accents where you live. I dislike both Hugh and Hugo - they just sound horrible to me.

I'm not Irish but I can't imagine that Isaac or Matthew would be perceived as "posh" anywhere. They are classic biblical names with no other connotations than that really. Isaac is often shortened to Zac which is a great nn in my opinion. I love all your name choices but the only one that could be thought of as posh is Hugo and to a lesser extent Hugh.

There are three Hugo’s in my son’s not-overly-posh primary school (Dublin) - I wouldn’t see it as partícularly out there. I think Isaac would probably raise more of an eyebrow as it’s a bit ‘biblical’ although not on the Enoch scale. The other names are all mainstream enough.

Pick the name you want - even if some don’t like it it will be a two minute wonder and after that no one will care.

I like all your names. I like Higo. It's a bit posh but not over the top.

Hugh, Aodh, Matthew all nice. Isaac wishy-washy. Hugo is peak notions.

They are quite British sounding although Hugo seems popular in south county Dublin too! Personally if you love them, I wouldn’t worry too much! Matthew is my favourite but I do think it will be shortened for you!

I’m not keen on Hugh as it seems a bit old man to me.

Really like Isaac.

Am biased as I have a Matthew and yes he did get called Ma-chew by some of my Dublin family. But they got trained out if it! And he now prefers to be known as Matt. Was never Mattie/Matty.

I think Hugo would probably be seen as posh.

I felt Hugo was a bit posh for us 10 years ago, but I wouldn't feel this now as the name has become much more commonly heard, and in non-posh circles (quasi-rural). Love Matthew and Hugh, too. Matt is lovely and Mattie has grown on me over the years. Not a fan of Isaac but if you love it that's what counts. That's said, I'd probably go with a name you've liked for a while. Good luck!

I've actually came across a few Hugo's recently so it's obviously becoming popular(I'm not rural but not Dublin) Pronunciation is always the main thing for me. I'd avoid th names. My neighbour was Nathan which would often be pronounced Naaatttin. Definitely Matthew would be butchered around here.

My ILs would definitely be ‘Matchoo’ ers, as they live close to a road with Mathew (only one t!) in the name. Baby Matthews in the extended family seem to get Mattie’d a lot. I love Isaac. Hugh I’m completely neutral about. ‘Hugo’ I have strong class-related feelings about after spending a rugby match sitting in front of some Leinster supporters who kept (I swear to God!) shouting things like ‘That’s an educated left boot, Hugo!’ I’m not even sure whether Hugo was a player or one of them, but I wanted to kill him with my bare hands by the end of 80 minutes.

I’m in favour of if you like it, go for it!

We have an Isaac. It means “he will laugh” which was one of the reasons we chose it

It never occurred to me that it was posh, timeless but not posh.

Ha a few years ago my friend was thinking of calling her child Hugo and asked my opinion and I said god no sounds like
a posh English bloke. (She went with Hugh).

i’m from Munster and you will definitely get Machoo (or even worse, Mackew).

Isaac is nice and not posh.

Matthew would be Mattchew here, which isn't great. Hugo and Hugh sound posh to me, I have a nephew Issac and I like it but uts what you like that matters.

I'm in Munster. Hugo sounds posh to me. Lots of Hughs around the place, it's nice and not posh. Matthew will likely get Ma-chew, which is unfortunate as it's a lovely name, not over popular. I'm not keen on Isaac, but it does go well with Anna.

I live in quite a wealthy suburban area so a Hugo wouldn't surprise me but I would think of it as a bit pretentious, I'm a country girl at heart and I wouldn't use it personally. Love the other options.