Is this really so bad?

[angelaartsstudent]

Hubby really loves the name Algernon for a boy. (Al-jer-non...stress is on the first syllable)

I see nothing wrong with it and it works well with us because it is a literary reference - from 'The Importance of Being Earnest" and a poet we both like called Algernon Swinburne. I am ambivalent about the name...I like it but don't mind if we come up with something else. However hubby is totally enamored with Algernon and it just so happens that we cannot agree on any other boys name.

The girls name we have chosen is a big literary reference as well and never actually existed as a name before the particular author used it. Same with Algernon...it was never a name before being used in literature.

My mum HATES Algernon because nicknames for Algernon include 'Al', 'Ally' and 'Algie'...she says we cannot call the baby Algernon if it is a boy because when my sister was 3 years old she had one of those tank cleaning fish and called it 'Algie'.

However

My mum said I should call my kid Zebedee (sp? a biblical name) if it is a boy. I mentioned that Zebedee was the name of the grumpy, snarly, snappy terrier dog she had before her current one. Yeah mum, that makes sense.

[[M]umma[M]ia]

yep.. it really is that bad. sorry. AT the end of the day its your kid.

[Inanna]

Well I like it! It's unusual, it means something to you both and I actually really like the shortened versions as well.

Something I have learnt is not to share what you might call your babies - people rarely agree and then you are left disappointed and confused.

Once a baby is born the name just fits it - no more discussion. Good luck in your choice!

[Mum030709]

Well I like it! It's unusual, it means something to you both and I actually really like the shortened versions as well.

Something I have learnt is not to share what you might call your babies - people rarely agree and then you are left disappointed and confused.

Once a baby is born the name just fits it - no more discussion. Good luck in your choice!

I have to agree here..
I am a lover of unusual names, or at least trying my best to spell them slightly differently..
At the end of the day, as long as YOU & the DAD-TO-BE are happy with the name you pick, that, ultimately IS all that matters

[fatbellylady]

I love the name Algernon and if it didn't clash so badly with our surname would seriously consider using it.
I love the nickname even more - 'Algy' - and I believe that is the correct way to spell it (not Algie)

[Salsa]

I have no advise sorry as our baby is now a week old and we are having the same problem - DH is very into a name, and I`m not so much.....guess I`ll have to start a thread too

[angelaartsstudent]

LOL I thought so. As I said, I am not 100% stuck on it, but hubby really is. I really like Mitchell but hubby hates it :-(
I also adore Hebrew versions and variants of Michael - Mikel, Michel, Mikayel etc etc...but again. Hubby hates them. He is so totally and utterly stuck on Algernon and just will not budge. I can see both pros and cons to Algernon...so am a bit of a fence sitter. I like the name but when it actually comes to giving it to my child I am not 100% yet...

Maybe I tell him "if it's a girl I name it, if it's a boy, you name it" and just grin and put up with it???

[Maruschke]

Angela, in the end it is up to you and your partner. Personally, I don't really like it and can't imagine calling a boy that. However, diversity makes the world go around... we can't call all boys Peter or Zebedee LOL.

[AliBaby]

I am not a fan. I would worry that he would get teased. Kids can be cruel and I would worry if it was my child. He would have to have a certain type of personality to carry it off and its hard to tell when they are born.

If your partner likes it so much and you arent 100% keen on it then you shouldnt have it as your child's first name. Maybe a middle name???

It is both of your decisions so make sure you agree. He needs to compromise as well not just you.

It is such a hard decision isn't it.

[AliBaby]

Out of curiousity...what is your girls name??

I think girls can get away with more unusual names then boys. Oh and another thing to tell your DP is ppl will almost ALWAYS shorten other peoples names, esp boys! Think of when he is in high scchool...running on a footy field or playing cricket, they all shorten each others names.

[LimeSlice]

hey there
As a huge Oscar Wilde fan, I understand the reference, but as you sure you wnt your child named after Algernon? - he was not the sharpest tool in the shed, iykwim...
It is of course your decision, but if you are not 100% with it yourself, find something else - I would hate tot think that in 3 years time when youare sick of it that you dont like your sons name!

Also, the name Algernon was around long before it was used by Oscar Wilde. It is French (Norman) in origin and means "wearing a moustache" It was first used as a nicname for Wiliiam de Percy, companion of William the Conquerer in the 11th century as he uncharacteristically for the time wore facial hair.
Just for your information! I love etymology! lol *geek*

Good luck with your name search and the rest of pregnancy, I am sure when you meeet your little person their name will be obvious

[mrsmac]

Children aren't that into teasing about names these day I have found being a teacher. Honestly loads of people go for very unusual names these days, just look here on BB for example, and people just get used to them.
At the end of the day some people will think OMG what a terrible name about anything that is not what THEY would use so I wouldn't be too stressed about what people think.
Whilst I may not be a big fan of Algernon you might hate the name Riley so who am I to advise you?

[Ellibam]

i think there is nothing wrong with it.....
and on the kids being cruel they are to any kid no matter what there name is...even something plain and boring like peter will get paid out.
you still have 20 weeks to get your head around it or not..

[~Aveta~]

um...my algae-eating fish is Algernon...

google "Flowers for Algernon" classic science fiction.