how it fits with your surname and its "punability".

Personally, Tully reminds me of a guy who used to play for my local footy team in the 70's (Kevin Tully). A dashing bouffanted winger who was never as good as he thought he was.

...do what you feel. Do bear in mind, though, that there are certain names which (and this is no word of a lie) predispose teachers to take against kids. Terrifying but true. There's research and everything. It really does impact on prospects, apparently.

Tully sounds like a girl, I suppose, if I had a gun to my head. It's basically pretty unisex, but reminds me most of "Tilly".

Personally, I'm a fan of orthodox names. My kids are called Emily and Charlotte, because I'm English and quite traditionally-minded. But, y'know, whatever floats yer boat.

Like Sue Tully who used to play Michelle in EastEnders? Personally, it's not for me.

I've always liked Sylvia. And Alex for a boy. Or Adrian.

Why don't you spearhead the revival of those names our classmates were called at school? You know, Alison, Peter, David, Richard, Susan, Caroline, etc. They've all but died out. Can you imagine anyone these days introducing you to their baby Paul? Or Ray?

And while your at, you might want to consider that most Seventies of schoolboy names Perry. Or Warren. Or Darren.

Just a thought.

going to be called Chlamydia. Harley, Madison and Taylor can't wait for their sister to arrive. Can't wait for them all to get accepted at Oxbridge (wherever that is).

Straightforward opinion? Tully? What are you thinking? Poor kids going to have to live with it, not you.

My advice? Go for something normal like Brian, Trevor or Colin.

Well you did ask!!

Tully = boy. As in Tully Potter ex editor of International Classical Record Review.

But what do I know?

My random question to the Massive: last year I got flashed by a speed camera, 37mph in a 30 zone. I booked on to a driver awareness course to avoid the points, but couldn't make it to the venue so I just waited for the Fixed Penalty Notice to arrive. But it never did. Is there a chance they've decided not to fine me after all? I'm hoping they've forgotten all about me, and I'm a bit reluctant to chase them up in case I 'remind' them. But I'm also worried that they have actually been trying to contact me about a steadily mushrooming fine...

is an Irish name I think.

At school it'll get abreviated to 'Tul and then everyone will think he's called Terry. And they'll be asking questions like "What's on tully tonight?"

Call him Tarquin instead.

used as a first name and that's Tully Blanchard an American wrestler.
It's your choice but as happy harry says do you really want to burden a child with a name nobody knows?

.....can't say i'm a fan though. But thats the risk you run when you ask other peoples opinions. With both my kids we made sure we kept quiet - we were always being asked what we'd call our offspring.

We chose Joni for our daughter, after a certain Ms Mitchell.

both really want to use that name? It could be difficult for the girl/boy to live with.

...the more I think "don't do it". It'll be a royal pain in the arse for the poor kid.

May be the expert on this (at least when dealing with the UK) but my full name isn't common and I have spent my life spelling it out over the phone even though it's quite phonetic in nature. I can see someone called "Tully" having to explain their name's origin at least weekly which could be a grind. Can you give them a more common place middle name as a fall back and not be too offend if they choose to use it when they get older possibly?

but that may only be because the first thing that came into my head was Susan Tully...

Personally, I'm not a fan of the name (no offence intended, you did ask after all). I think unusual names are a nice idea in theory, but often require lots of explanation in later life and you get your name spelled incorrectly on mail.

Mind you, I may be the last person to ask. Joe is a fairly simple name, yet I'm forever getting called John or having it spelled Jo. In short, you can't win

We have two kids under 2. As soon as they're born, and you name them, that's their name, and you love them forever. The kids have both our surnames and my wife's surname is in Irish which causes a huge amount of fun living in London - but do you know what? That's their name. End of. Do what you like.

Tully. Cool. I can see it.

Next time your local paper reports a story about a kid falling out a bedroom window or getting strangled accidentally on a venetian blind cord or falling into a garden pool and nearly drowning, check out the nipper's name.
Guaranteed it will be a Chantelle or a Jayden or, and this is the latest one round our way, Teejay .

Tully for crissakes ....... give me strength,and will you be tattooing the sprog and piercing his lugs

thought it might have come from a love of the Tull. Please don't do it. Went through the same "Let's be different" thoughts a few weeks ago and settled on the rather normal Tessa.

Couple of recent stinkers from round our way:
Ptolemy which will be shortened to, funnily enough, Tolly
Dee Dee - nuff said

of Mark Tully BBC journalist, expert on India and grumpy old so and so.
I'm generally in favour of normal names. Is the name after the fillum? If not you could call him/her Tullamore, and Tully for short...

...think about what it will sound like when you have to shout at them (and you will have to at some point).

I’ve recently overheard a "Santiago !! wait to cross the road !" and quietly thought to myself "Santiago ? What *were* you thinking"

That would leave the door open to Jethro as his first name.

Ho ho.

It's unusual, but not out in Bowie / Zappa territory, and well away from here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_most_popular_given_names

My mum's theory was it's got to be something that you see / hear yourself yell across a field or crowded park and feel ok.

Mind you, she also claimed I was named "Youlittlebastard" until the vicar objected.

I think Tully sounds pretty cool.

Completely agree with the above comment but I'll comment anyway....
Tully, isn't that the name of a boat?

Let's go pop music.
Beatles.....'Eleanor Rigby'.
Stones.....'Lady Jane'.
Name of baby.....Eleanor Jane.

Family name? Favourite aunt/uncle? It's totally up to you. Our last sprog my wife chose the girl's name (Cara) and let me choose the boy's name (Jan). Yes, you guessed; she already knew we were having a girl.

Eldest daughter was given an unsual name. Even cool - but not for long. Kyllie. Of course Neighbours comes along and she gets it spelt wrong everytime. She is 29.

Met young Caspian at the weekend. Sorry, not my cuppa.

When she has the baby you will be so utterly in awe of her courage that you would give her the world if you could. So her choice of name will do for a start.

Girls name I think. Think its nice enough. I go by the rule that you are gifting the person with a name they have to live with for the rest of their life so pick carefully. I like a traditional sort of name without it being ubiquitous. We went for Ellis and Anya.

But enjoy the process - we had names lined up but when the twins were born we changed our minds and swapped the first and middle names round for both. They just seemed to suit them more.

...on your impending bundle of joy!

Tully sounds like a boy's name to me, for what it's worth.

The thing is though - as others have said - if you like it, go for it.

Do prepare some back-up names though... when Junior pops out, you might look at him / her and decide that they don't look like a Tully after all. Indeed, all my favourite names suddenly seemed wrong once our little girls made an appearance; hubbie and I had to go back to the baby names book in a hurry!

But once we'd named them... their names felt perfect. And still do.

I don't understand why people give their kids names that they'll share with their peers. It's so dull. Names should be unique, as much as poss. Tully is a great choice for boy or girl.

I'm afraid.

Honestly, there's loads of unusually named kids in my son's school and I just feel really sorry for them. It's obvious the parents have just done it to demonstrate their own kookiness but as has been said above, it's the poor kid who gets stuck with it.

I've decided to call my first born girl, Amber Ella.

do I like it? No.

Third, if you were sure you wouldn't be asking.

Fourth, some unsolicited advice, having kids is much harder than you can possibly imagine.
And more rewarding too.

Best wishes.

It is normally a pretty good indicator of social class and of your rough year of birth. I'll wager that not many kids called Charlize-Mae, Jayden, Ty, Tegan, Myla or Lexi (found after perusing the "births" column of the Pompey Evening News) will find their way to Eton, Radleigh, Westminster or the like. And, similarly, very few kids called Hugo, Rory, Milo, Ortensia, Felix or Casper (same exercise but with The Times) will be found at Scuffminster Terrace Comprehensive.

I don't know what Tully says as a label. I also don't know which sex it makes me think of.

Holly, Maiha, Damia, Kura, Laria, Rowan, Bracken, Carla, Honey & Amber. Lovely names for lady dogs.

Congrats sir.

Are you prepared to shout it across the park?
Are you happy to introduce yourself as -----'s parent at his or her school.

If you can comfortably envisage this then go ahead.

It's a very personal and subjective thing.

Good luck with it.

I think it's something to do with the "u" sound.

It made me think of a coffee shop chain in Tokyo called Tully's. A quick google show that it's an American company, so there could be teasing and tears if they ever decide to expand over here.

Up to about the time when I was learning Latin at school, the orator Marcus Tullius Cicero was often referred to as 'Tully' in an anglicised form - I haven't noticed him being called anything other than Cicero for several years. I don't like the name, but possibly it's because I remember the way one of my Latin masters used to pronounce it.

Whatever you do, give the baby a name which is good for grown-ups, not for children: all being well he/she will be an adult most of his/her life. I can't take seriously anyone over the age of ten who is called 'Wendy' - even if it's a woman.

...makes it masculine for me. I can't explain why, just a gut feeling. Is it a good name? I've heard worse, far worse, so don't be disheartened.

Personally I like 'traditional' names. My 2 girls are called Charlotte and Abigail. Our eldest got her name from a patient at my girlfriend's work (she's a Mental Health Nurse) who used to call her (the girlfriend) Charlotte all the time. We laughed about it, and thought, mmm that's quite nice. The youngest got her name because we didn't put much effort looking through a book of baby names. Abigail was the first entry....

So will Tully be a boy or a girl? Or don't you know yet?

At Latitude a couple of years ago a friend and I amused ourselves by deciding which was the most ridiculous child's name that was called out by an exasperated middle class parent.

The winner was Atlas.

I mean for fucks sake.

Sounds like a boy to me.

Ok, but not my favorite - then again as per the above discussion, it doesn't have to be.

One test you may want to try is does his/her potential full name sound right with "Doctor" in front of it.

Basically, get an effin' grip.

The poor kid has got to live with your decision for the rest of its life.

Show a bit of nous and think of the kid, not yourselves.

Well, you did ask.

and grew up in the 1970s among a throng of Pauls, Steves, Marks, Ians and Kevins - I hated it because I was the only one I knew, although things got a bit easier when Minder became popular. All I really wanted as a kid was a normal (ish) name and to some extent I still hate it now.

I'm not saying you should choose a popular contemporary name, but Tully is way too unusual and I think you should reconsider.

is Tully from the novel by Paullina Simons?

Avoid taking advice would be my advice, but I'd advise you to avoid that.

I'd suggest Destiny-Chantelle for a girl and Nickelback for a boy.

I immediately thought of Susan Tully. And like Prestonia, I absolutely hated growing up with an uncommon name. Kids want to fit in, not stand out.

Sounds like a boy's name.

I used to work in a financial institution and one of the questions I asked customers was "Do you have any children?" This was followed by asking for the child/children's name, sex and date of birth.

I only got discombobulated once. Answer to question of eldest child's name? "Jobi". Jobi - WTF. I had to ask "Is Jobi a boy or a girl?" Judging by the customer's reaction I think she thought I'd asked if it was okay if I shit in her handbag!

If the name has a family or other worthwhile connection then fine because your child won't mind explaining as I'm sure they'll get a wholely positive reaction when asked for the etymology of the name.

My son is called Matthew.

Oh, and Jobi is a boy's name.

Scully!

Not for me or Mrs Umpire, seeing as you asked. Sorry.

My sister called her first daughter Elliott, well before the one in Scrubs was on TV. Elle, as she is called, hated her name from the first moment someone asked her why she had a boy's name. I suspect that Tully would be in the same boat, whether a boy or a girl.

The wife and I run a toy store,so we've met a lot of children over the years, including a few called Tully, all of whom have been girls.

All this baby name talk is eyewash. The sprog's got to arrive first. Then you can meet them, and then decide on a name. This is essential.

PS Harriet is a great name!

You are very much like my other half. She seems determinded to come up with something 'interesting' and 'different', whereas I prefer something nice but traditional that doesn't stand out too much.

We've reached an impasse.

I was discussing this with Mrs K last night and unfortunately both agreed that anything else would be better suited. But, I swear I had a dream last night and decided to call my newborn 'Muntz' - I've booked myself in with the psychotherapist to explain what all this means....

Thanks everyone for all your feedback... lots to think about!

I honestly think that choosing a baby name is the hardest decision I've ever been involved in! It really is so important, and permanent!

This thread has confirmed some of my fears, but also some of the things I like about the name. I think these days, in an increasingly diverse and multicultural society, we encounter names we've never heard before on a daily basis, and I think there's a lot greater understanding and acceptance of the more unusual names. But at the same time, we don't want to be different for the sake of being different. We just like the name Tully.

Still thinking about it! 3 months to go yet!

Calling a kid Jobi would be the same as calling him turd.
See also Toby

To be honest, I'm not really sure if Tully is a boy or girls name and I don't think its one I would go with.

We have two boys and wanted to be not too common, but not too obscure so went with Jonathan and Nicholas. We felt that both gives the kids flexibility to shorten if they want when they get older.....

1. A film, named after the lead character, a boy. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0212604/

2. Wikipedia offers the following:

"Tully was also an alternative to the Scandinavian word "troll", referring to the mythical creature, but is now used to describe someone who is short and obnoxious."

One day your child may be puzzled at why you called it Short Obnoxious Troll on Day One. Even harassed parents wait for the child's personality to emerge first.

3. More generally, there both male and female versions

Tully Banta-Cain, an American football player (male)
Tully Bevilaqua, an Australian professional basketball player. (female)
Tully Blanchard, an American professional wrestler. (male)
Tully Crook, a British artist. (male)
Tully Jensen, Model (female)
Tully Marshall, an American actor (male)

There seem to be much more with Tully as a surname, so is this what Billy Connolly used to refer to as The Surname Clan Are Taking Over ?

The choice is yours.

... as Mrs Dotcom's due in 5 weeks ... My brothers have a Tilly (Matilda), a Tolly (Ptolomy, middle name, but seems to have taken over) and a Lottie (Charlotte) all are delightful children despite the handles. I had considered Tully as a piss-take - but inspired by the BBC's excellent, but now ex long-term Indian Correspondent Mark Tully: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Tully - but prtobably not going down that route.

We're currently debating a very silly middle name which I'm reluctant to admit to ...

To me it sounded neither male nor female, I imagine when introduced to a Tully that many would asume it's their surname. I did meet a Tully once and it's never occured to me until now that it could have been their first name, as I know a few people who, from school to adulthood, only ever get called some form of their surname.

You'll never know in the end whether they'll like it when they're older though, it's impossible. I've never been keen on being a "Roger" but I suppose I'm used to it now. I always think the best thing to do is give them options, call someone "Elizabeth" and there must be at least ten different forms from that they can choose from later.