A couple has named their baby boy with a soon-to-be-extinct name, confident that he will be unique among his peers, despite concerns that he might face teasing. Casey Hennessy, 21, and her partner, Zacchaeus Harper, 25, have a strong preference for traditional names.
When they learned they were expecting a boy, they considered names such as Winston, Axel, and Finnegan. However, they ultimately chose the name Arnold. Their son was born on December 9, 2023, at 11:13 PM, weighing 8 pounds 3 ounces.
Casey, a healthcare assistant from Eastbourne, East Sussex, said she felt an immediate connection to the name Arnold when she first saw her son. She and Zacchaeus are excited about their choice and hope he will be affectionately called Arnie, inspired by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
“I like the idea of him having a traditional name—it will sound smart,” Casey said. “We use Arnie as a nickname to make it sound more youthful.”
Despite their enthusiasm, reactions to the name Arnold have been mixed. While older people appreciate the traditional choice, younger individuals are less convinced. Casey noted that while some people refer to her son as Arnold Schwarzenegger or Hey Arnold, she remains steadfast in her decision.
Casey had her first child, Maggie, in April 2022. When she became pregnant with Arnold in March 2023, she was determined to choose another traditional name.
“We both like traditional names and wanted something classic for him,” Casey said. “It was difficult to find the right name, but as soon as I saw him, I knew Arnold was perfect. It just felt right.”
Casey also revealed that while some appreciate the name Arnold, others have expressed doubts. Nevertheless, she remains proud of their choice and hopeful that her son will stand out positively among his peers.
