What does the name ‘Noel’ make you think of?
Does it conjure up images of Oasis’s Noel Gallagher or of Deal Or No Deal host Noel Edmonds?
Maybe you associate it with comedian Noel Fielding or with ‘Supervet’ Noel Fitzpatrick.
It’s a very festive choice of baby name but there’s no denying that it’s fallen out of favour with new parents in recent years.
Now one mum-to-be has caused a stir online by admitting that she’d like to call her baby Noel once he arrives.
Taking to Mumsnet, the anonymous woman said that she and her other half both liked the name but wondered what others might think.
In a post titled ‘Opinions on Noel’, she wrote; “Me and DP love the name Noel for our baby if it’s a boy. Thoughts?”
Most of the forum users who responded weren’t into the name.
Many found it old-fashioned or said it was too strongly associated with a famous Noel.
“Not to my taste but it’s not awful. I immediately think of Noel Edmunds and then Noel Fielding. It’s just a bit dated I think.”
“Dated, rather like Malcolm or Trevor.”
“It’s a bit middle aged.”
“It will be pronounced Nowl, which is ugly.”
“I think it would be rather like naming a child born in November, Summer.
Nice names, but your child will have a lifetime of first introductions being ‘Ah, a Christmas birthday!’”
There was, however, a handful of folks who liked the name.
“I think it’s classic, lovely and unusual. I’d think Noel Coward before anyone else.”
“Noel Gallagher was born in May! The name is growing on me.”
“I like it. My favourite Noel is the Supervet.”
We don’t think it should matter what anyone else thinks of your baby’s name once you’re happy with it, plus having an unusual name can play to your advantage in life.
Still, people aren’t shy with opinions so we understand why some parents are reluctant to go for something that might be perceived as strange.
Would you take into account what other people think when deciding what to call your child? Let us know in the Facebook comments or on Twitter.
