I was a teen mum when I called my babies after cars, I didn’t want something boring like Olivia
Psychology masters student Ellie Smith, 25, from Birmingham was a teen mum when she gave birth to Bentley, now six. She knew her next child also had to be named after a car - so welcomed, Lincoln, two, in 2019.
She’s married to Anthony, 30, and doesn’t care if people troll her for her unusual baby names.
I was watching Keeping up with the Kardashians aged 14 when I saw my first Bentley.
One of the sisters was driving the luxury motor. The car was lush but it was the name which really grabbed me - it was wonderful.
I instantly decided if I had a boy Bentley would be his name.
But I didn’t want it to be pinched, so while my mates were selecting potential baby names like Olivia, Ella, Liam and Aiden, I kept quiet about my motor-inspired moniker.
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I got so into it I started researching its origins and discovered Bentley is an old-fashioned boy or girls name, meaning "meadow with coarse grass."
It was the Bentley brothers who set up the luxury car company just after World War One and the first Bentley car was built in 1921.
The name was first used for a boy in 1890.
I fell pregnant when I was 18 years old, becoming a single mum, and welcomed Bentley after a three-hour labour at Birmingham City Hospital.
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When I saw my beautiful 7lb 4oz boy I knew he was my own lush Bentley.
I added Steven as his middle name, it’s traditional in our family.
When I introduced my son elderly people were convinced his name was Ben or Benjamin and didn’t understand why I’d named him after a car.
Some friends thought I was crazy, and others told me they wish they’d thought of the name.
I know some people troll me for using car names but I am not bothered.
Ellie Smith
Every man who heard my son’s name thought it was inspired to name him after such a cool and posh car.
No matter what anyone thought, everyone knew what a Bentley car was, agreeing it suited my boy perfectly.
I met my husband Anthony, 30, a football coach, a month after Bentley was born.
Anthony had a seven-year-old son and while we were both not looking for a relationship we fell in love.
We married in December 2018 and knew we wanted a bigger family.
We welcomed Lincoln Ronald, now two, in December 2019.
He was born in Good Hope Hospital, Birmingham, after a four-hour labour and weighed 9lb 5oz.
Anthony helped me choose Lincoln. He liked it as it was a character in Prison Break and most importantly it was an American car and fitted perfectly with our Bentley.
I wanted my boys to have memorable and unique names.
Lincoln’s arrival meant I had two lovely boys and a stepson.
Bentley and Lincoln are a motoring double and everyone loves the theme.
I know some people troll me for using car names but I am not bothered.
Some friends thought I was crazy, and others told me they wish they’d thought of the name."
Ellie Smith
Bentley loves the fact he is named after a car and has posters of Bentleys on his wall.
He says when he is older, he will drive a Bentley and I tell him anything is possible.
He loves car facts and has a great collection of cars and trucks.
When he gets a new teacher at school, they all say they have never had a Bentley to teach, and I smile.
That’s what I wanted in my children’s names.
We think our motoring dynasty is now complete.
We have three boys between us, and I couldn’t be happier.
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Troll if you like I don’t care. They’re so classy.
And if you’re wondering, I drive an early model Renault.
