Thoughts on these baby names and how well they travel abroad?

[radiantlilflower]

I'm wondering what everybody thinks about these names and who is likely to go for them? If he grows up and attends a state school and lives in a semi will he fit in or is it a name that isn't very universal/will potentially be seen as pretentious?

Magnus
Reggie
Fergus
Ivor
Maximus
Otto
Gus
Hector
Jude
Romeo
Keir
Rupert
Jasper
Charles (nn Charlie)
Rafe
Tobias

Also we move overseas from time to time for DH's work and the next one is likely to be the U.S, so will any of these names travel badly/have different associations abroad?

I'm not sure about travelling, but Reggie and Romeo are definitely the opposite of pretentious.

Otto, Jude, Gus, Charles and Tobias are the most universal to me, with the rest maybe being slightly pretentious. Names are so diverse now though, and none of these seem super pretentious, so I wouldn't worry about it.

I think they are generally okay. I wouldn't go for Romeo. Too loaded with Romeo and Juliet.

Ivor and Reggie maybe easily turned for bullies?

Maximas is fine is shortened to Max, otherwise it is pretentious.

Maximus and Rupert are atrocious names. Keir would be very unusual outside of the UK. The rest would be fine anywhere.

If you move to the US, Reggie would be read as 'African American grandad name' and Hector as Hispanic.

Romeo Beckham
Reggie Kray
Keir Starmer
Gustav Breaking Bad
Hector Breaking Bad
Charles Charlie Charles, a Kingpin druglord 😂 Or simply just King. Or Chalk.
Jasper Carrot
Rafe - mid 90s poncy
as is Tobias
Fergus is very Irish
Magnus is... Very Mastermind!
Otto is becoming increasingly common. Not sure why. I have an Eastern European Uncle Otto and hadn't heard it in this country growing up, but it's picking up speed.

Why don't you choose a name that you both like and ignore everyone else.
I've no idea how names will be perceived in America.
I would love it though if somebody recognised the name Jasper Carrot randomly in New York.

Most are nice names.

Reggie, Jude, Romeo and Keir are the only names from your list that I would not use due to associated vibes being negative or segregating.

My favourites are ..
Charles
Gus
Maximus
Fergus

Ivor, traditionally Welsh.
(with an Engine) my old boss has an Ivor and that's the only time I've heard of it since.

Go the whole hog...

Maximillion.

Rupert, Fergus, and possibly Gus (unless if it’s short for like August) are likely to be made fun of or at least teased by mean kids. These type of names are not liked in the US. They’re seen as nerdy and not cool (especially Rupert).

Reggie is likely to be perceived as an older African-American man. It’s usually short for Reginald.

Hector is likely to be perceived as Hispanic/Latino. No other demographic uses it in the US.

Ivor and Rafe are not common at all in the US and are likely to be perceived as a foreigner.

Keir/Kier will probably be assumed to be short for Kieran, but most people will like it a lot. Some Americans will be familiar with Keir Starmer but not many.

Magnus and Maximus are likely to be perceived as a rich frat boy, but Max is very liked and used in the US. Tobias could possibly be perceived as a rich frat boy if he goes by the full name rather than Toby.

Charles/Charlie is very associated with Charlie Kirk right now but is very common/popular and would be fine.

Jasper and Otto used to be uncommon but have risen in popularity.

Older people will mention Romeo and Juliet after hearing Romeo. Younger people won’t.

I forgot to comment on Jude, but it is common enough and will generally be liked.

As an American, I would avoid Fergus and Rupert at all costs! Those will definitely travel badly. They won’t fit in and will be considered ugly. I’d also avoid Magnus but for a different reason (it’s considered more of a dog name). Rafe will confuse everyone because it’s so unusual. Jasper is popular now, but some still think of it as a hippie/outdoorsy name.

My favorites are Charlie, Jasper, Jude, Keir. I kind of like Reggie, but it just makes me think of Reggie Bush (and therefore Kim Kardashian). I prefer Maxwell or Maxfield (after an amazing painter named Maxfield Parrish) instead of Maximus.

I've taught in state schools and honestly don't think the kids would bat an eyelid. I've seen children called Prince, Remus, Legend, Brian, Doris, Nasteeho. No bullying because of names

I like Otto and Jude

Charles and Max are your safest bets on that list. You’ve got a lot of US dog names on there.

I like Jude and Romeo the rest are an absolute no

Seriously Keir?

With the exception of Charles they are all quite stylised names that I’m not sure will travel that well (even within uk) eg Ivor is definitely a train! If travelling names are a major concern I’d choose classic names- I had the same issue and checked meaning is major languages too

American from Texas here

I think Maximus (although Maxwell is more common here), Jude, Romeo, Keir (although I would spell it Kier), Jasper, and Charles will be ok. Tobias is alright, but it feels slightly pretentious. Hector will be assumed to be Mexican (but there's honestly nothing wrong with that). Reggie is outdated. The other ones (Magnus, Fergus, Ivor, Otto, Gus, Rupert, and Rafe) are a little strange to me.

Magnus - different pronunciations
Reggie - 'j' sound not used in some countries
Fergus - ok
Ivor - not sure
Maximus - just call him Max
Otto - don't like it
Gus - ok but might sound
Hector - to hector
Jude - trendy and will be more so because of the World Cup
Romeo - no
Keir - too linked to one person
Rupert - no
Jasper - dog
Charles (nn Charlie) - like, might be Chuck in USA
Rafe - dreadful
Tobias - ok

If you travel a lot it might be worth saying the ones you like in a few different accents to see if you like how peers/teachers etc might say them in future.

Just as someone who had Gus on their shortlist, but had only recently moved to the north east. I love the local accent, but the 'u' sound is totally different to how we'd say it and ultimately led to it coming off the shortlist. I'm sure we'd have gotten used to it, but worth thinking about.

If you're ever likely to end up in Germany Otto is very much seen as an unpopular old man's name among people I know there (Hamburg, Munich and Berlin). Any J names would also need correcting in Germany and Spanish speaking countries. But we know people living there with J names and everyone adapts eventually 🤷🏼‍♀️

Rupert and Fergus are not usable in the US. Those are names that would be mocked.

Turned into what? Reggie is more likely to BE the bully 😂 (I joke)

I know twins called Ronnie and Reggie and they really do live up to their names

I'm American and still live in the US. I love Keir and Jasper. I've never heard of Rafe or Fergus. I hate Rupert, Otto, and Gus.

Magnus might be too similar to Magnum (a condom line).

Keir; honestly, is this a joke?
To me many of these read as stereotypical "upper class Brit" names (with some normal names thrown in like Charles and Jude).

I just have a feeling that the kids in my school would have gone Reggie = Wedgie. Then again, in my experience of school, kids will find a way to use almost any name and turn it into something else not complimentary.