Basil - stroke of genius or simply silly?

[AisieSusie]

what do you think to the name Basil?

looking for an arabic-brit hybrid which isnt one of the usual suspects (sam, joseph etc)... not sure if basil is a cute & little used name or if i just cannot get past basil fawlty associations...

so, what d you think? and how would you shorten it to nick names? bassy, baz (ugh)...

by no means sold on the name but baby is now 26 days old and we have no shortlist!

[JeMeSouviens]

It reminds me of our old neighbours when I was a kid. Basil and Cyril, two brothers living together into old age, after spending their lives caring for their mum.

It's a little old man for me, but I guess they all had to be babys at some stage!

[LittleSilver]

Umm, I think it's terrible but don't want to offend you!

[BelleDeChocolateFluffyBunny]

I like it. I like Henry aswell, they are both cool.

[ThatVikRinA22]

nope. dont do it.

never mind basil faulty. think basil brush. boom boom

no just dont, its too old for a baby. keep looking op!

[BelleDeChocolateFluffyBunny]

or Herbert, fantastic name. You could call him Herbie.

[AisieSusie]

so my DH just suggested Wafi, i know not at all related to basil, but what do you think?

[BelleDeChocolateFluffyBunny]

No, have a Herbert. If I could change ds's name to this I would but he's 10 so he'll be Joe forever. Herbert rocks, the more I think about it the more I'm sure I made a mistake. It's sooo cute!

[AisieSusie]

unfortunately herbert doesnt do the arabic-brit thing, i love it though...

[BelleDeChocolateFluffyBunny]

[vess]

I've seen the arabic version mostly spelt Basel.
Nice name.

[MrsGubbins]

Ben - Reuben, Bejamin
Sam - Sami, Sameer, Bassam
Adam
David
Moses
Billy - Bilal

[ericnorthmansmistress]

zachariya
Noah
Ali
Haris

My own DS is called Anwar which is not british at all but works beautifully here - it's unusual enough not to be boring but very easy to spell and pronounce phonetically.

[ericnorthmansmistress]

I really really like zachariya but I think my SIL is going to call her bump that if it's a boy. Otherwise I'd use it for another one.

[AllieW]

Basil does immediately make me think of Fawlty Towers but there are plenty of names being revived which could potentially remind people of unpleasant/irritating characters too, eg. George and Mildred.

Why not go for it? Admittedly if you're in a rough-ish area he might end up being Baz, but I think it could be quite distinguished really.

[tummytickler]

I really really love Basil - it is really cute, and no name can be too old for a baby - he will be old one day!

[Tobermory]

Basil Brush!

nonono!

[darcymum]

I really liked Basil, DH would have none of it though.

[Lonnie]

I just LOVE it I wanted it for all of my pregnancies for a boy but dh wouldnt hear of it just kept going BASIIIIILLLL ala Faulty Towers but OMG I love that name

[VermontMama]

NO TO BASIL. And this is why. I love different names... especially those that remind me of nature, plants, etc. However, I met a Basil a couple of weeks ago... nothing wrong with him - except his name. Basil is NOT a good name in real life. I can't explain it other than saying it's really effeminate and unbecoming.

Unfortunately, the plant names belong to the girls. It's much more fitting. I love Sage for a boy... possibly spelled Saige, but I've heard the same complaint I've written above.

[Innat]

It will be associated with the famous Basils but so will any name. And any name you choose may end up the same name as some naff celebrity in the future so don't be too put off by it if you love the name.

I know a man called Baz - he is dutch and i think it's a nice name. although i could see it might depend what kind of accent it was shouted out with!

good luck with your decision, it's a really hard one to make. Your family and friends must be going mental, mine were after only 2 days!

whatever name you choose, he will become that name. i wasn't sure for another 6 mo after choosing my boy's but now i'm happy with it!

[destructogirl]

I love it!
I'm thinking Basil if I have a boy.
Am imagining a toddler running off in ASDA and I'm shouting in Sybil Fawlty style - 'Basil! Basil!'

[AvengingGerbil]

Bear in mind Americans will probably call him Bay-zl if they follow their pronunciation of the herb (or erb)...

[pointydog]

turrible

[dizzydixies]

no, please no