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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Baby names

Worlds most popular name, but I like it!

56 replies

binkybonk · 07/02/2013 13:18

At 40 weeks (due date was yesterday!) so really need to get sorted! I think Harry is just a good solid name. DH doesn't like a) no long version/ no option to change/ adjust b) he read somewhere it was number 1 in UK last year and although I don't really mind this, I think he's let it colour his judgement.
If you have been lucky enough to avoid my other name posts, DS1 is Charlie (Charles) and his cousins are William, Oliver, Max, Sam and George x 2- all names we would have happily had but over a 3 year naming span it's a bit close!
To this naming malarkey. Feels so vital and life changing now and then once baby's out it seems pathetic to have worried!
Help!!

OP posts:

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poppydaisy · 07/02/2013 13:25

As long as you are aware that he will be known by his surname initial, surname or other modifier (e.g. little Harry, big Harry, etc) and, depending on his surname, may have a hard time differentiating his name (depending on what area he works in can be very useful), then go ahead and use Harry.

poppydaisy · 07/02/2013 13:26

Have a look outside the top 100 - there are thousands of solid, short, classic underused names.

rachel234 · 07/02/2013 13:31

In our cub scout section we have 3 Harrys, two of which share the same surname...can get a little confusing. We sometimes forget why we name someone, I think.

SanityClause · 07/02/2013 13:38

What about Wilfred?

Then he could be Will, Wilf, Fred, Freddie, or even Ed or Eddie!

It's a lovely solid name, like the others, and not in the top 100!

Elizadoesdolittle · 07/02/2013 13:40

What about Henry? Isn't as popular and sounds similar to Harry. But if you love Harry then I'd use it. It's a great name. My DD1 has the most popular girls name. Wasn't nearly as popular when she was born but I don't regret it. She's the only one I know with that name. I know that when she goes to school she is likely to be one of many but my DH had the same with his name and its not done him any harm. I have an unusual name and hated it at school as nobody knew how to spell it.

Tinyflutterby · 07/02/2013 13:42

We know a couple of baby's called Harris, similar but slightly different?

AmandaPayne · 07/02/2013 13:42

Well, actually Harry is a nickname for Henry as per Prince Harry. So there is a 'formal' version - though I will grant you it is the same number of letters so no 'long' version .

belleat40 · 07/02/2013 13:46

We chose a really popular name for dd2, she's the only one in her year so it doesn't necessarily mean Harry will be one of many. If you like it, use it.

belleat40 · 07/02/2013 13:46

Year at school I mean, I'm sure other parents called their child the same name in 2009!

rachel234 · 07/02/2013 13:50

"I have an unusual name and hated it at school as nobody knew how to spell it."

Sorry to hear that. But there are lots and lots of names that are easy to pronounce/spell and yet are outside the top 100, reducing the likelihood of having to share your name with potentially lots of others.

ZolaBuddleia · 07/02/2013 13:54

What about Thomas/Tom/Tommy?

thegreylady · 07/02/2013 13:58

Henry is Harry
I don't think you want a Harold do you?
How about Edward? Not too popular and lots of great nn's from Ed via Ted and Woody to Bear!

mummybare · 07/02/2013 14:02

He could be Harrison/Harris/Henry if you want a 'long' version.

Or, if you are after other suggestions, how about Edward, Jonathan, Max, Alexander or Benjamin?

Congratulations on your imminent arrival :)

Startail · 07/02/2013 14:04

I was Star 1/4 in my year at senior.
DD1 is usually 1/2
And DD2 varies widely from 1/2 - 1/5 dependent on group.

DHs name is also stupidly common and I've had phone calls involving him and two colleagues of the same name which were fun.

Generally it causes very little confusion and it's actually useful, because people tend to make the effort to learn your surname, preferred NN and not mix you up.

I find Ellie, Élan, Evie, Elsie, Eve and Eleanor who doesn't shorten it, all together more confusing.

catladycourtney1 · 07/02/2013 14:11

I love it too but I can't get past the fact that it's so popular. And I'm having a girl anyway. But if you like it then go for it!

FranglaisMaman · 07/02/2013 14:43

Love Harry, it's top of our list for a boy too. I also considered putting Henry on the BC as someone suggested as the 'proper' name, but as MIL pointed out, this might be confusing for people when he's in school etc, who might not be aware that Harry is a pet name of Henry, because they're so similar & it might complicate things. I too am struggling with a 'proper' name for it though as I hate Harold! You could have Harrison nn Harry?

I say go for it, never mind that it's popular! These names are popular for a reason, because they are lovely. I would quite happily have had the uber-popular Jack if my SIL hadn't beat me to it

Panzee · 07/02/2013 14:46

There is a reason that it's popular. Don't worry about it.

mamalovesmojitos · 07/02/2013 14:49

Harry is a lovely name. I have a very popular name. I still really like it .

eminemmerdale · 07/02/2013 14:49

When I was doing youth work around 12 years ago, I had a group of girls in one of my groups named thus: Kelly, Kylie, Kerry, Kacey and Kayleigh (x 2) I kid you not.

Booyhoo · 07/02/2013 14:52

how is harry the world's most popular name?

binkybonk · 07/02/2013 14:53

Have looked quite extensively outside the top 100, but tbh I'm happy for my child to have a popular name- they'll make it theirs. But more to the point I couldn't find any I liked
I teach 4 year olds (200 in one year group!!) and we haven't had a Harry for 2 years and there's only 1 coming up next year. We have tons of Cosmos, Arlos, Tigers and Kits though. So I think the fact we are thousands of miles from the UK helps, but DH still worried about it as we are UK nationals although can't see us living there for at least 10 years .
Only name I prefer is Frederick (family name) and he would be Fred.

OP posts:

SanityClause · 07/02/2013 14:54

I was one of 6 girls with variations of my name in one year at school. (A bit like Marianne, Mary-Anne, Mary-Ann.)

I hated my name, and still wish my parents had gone for the choice that they thought was "too unusual".

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JaneLane · 07/02/2013 14:55

I've got a Henry who goes by Harry most of the time (he is 5). He is one of two Harrys in his class - there are more Charlies, Olivers and Jacks.

If you like it then that is what matters!

binkybonk · 07/02/2013 14:56

Sorry for the melodramatic title Booyhoo but people's responses have all involved it's popularity rather than the fact it's just a nice name

OP posts:

Booyhoo · 07/02/2013 15:03

doh!

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