'I'm a southerner and these baby names don't suit northern accent'

Here in Leeds, we take pride in the rich diversity of our accents - from the unique Barnsley twang to the gentler tones of North Yorkshire. Few of us would even contemplate how a chosen name for our newborn might sound in a different accent - and why should we? Parents typically choose a name that immediately sounds appealing. This usually means it pairs well with the family surname or looks attractive when written down.

So, when a TikTok user with received pronunciation boldly claimed that certain names do not suit a "northern accent" - referring to the generic Monty Python Four Yorkshiremen accent, which certainly does not represent the entire north - he naturally ignited a heated debate online.

Using "Queen's English", Joel Wood discussed his experience as a southerner living in t