Psychology masters student Ellie Smith, 25, from Birmingham was a teen mum when she gave birth to Bentley, now six. Her next child had to be named after an automobile, so Lincoln, two years later, was welcomed into her home.
She’s married to Anthony, 30, and doesn’t care if people troll her for her unusual baby names.
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I WAS watching Keeping up with the Kardashians aged 14 when I saw my first Bentley.
One of the sisters drove the luxury car. Although the car was beautiful, it was the name that really caught my attention – it was simply amazing.
It was immediately clear that Bentley would be my name if I had to name him.
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.
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.
This name was first used in 1890 for a boy.
At 18 years old I became pregnant and was a single mom. I gave birth to Bentley at Birmingham City Hospital after three hours of labor.
I was awestruck by my 7lb 4oz son.
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.
Although I’m aware of some people who troll my for using car names, I don’t care.
Ellie Smith
Every man who heard my son’s name thought it was inspired to name him after such a cool and posh car.
Everyone knew exactly what a Bentley car was and agreed that it was the perfect vehicle for my son, regardless of what they thought.
Anthony, a 30 year old football coach, was the man I met when Bentley was born.
Anthony had a seven-year old son. We fell in love even though we weren’t looking for a relationship.
We were married in December 2018, and we knew that we wanted to have a larger family.
In December 2019, we welcomed Lincoln Ronald (now two) to our family.
After a four hour labor, he weighed 9lb and 5oz at Good Hope Hospital in Birmingham.
Anthony helped me choose Lincoln. He loved it because it was a character from Prison Break, and it was also an American car that matched perfectly with our Bentley.
I wanted my boys’ names to be memorable and original.
Lincoln’s arrival meant I had two lovely boys and a stepson.
Bentley and Lincoln are the motoring double, and everyone loves this theme.
Although I’m aware that some people will troll my for using car names, I don’t care.
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.
He smiles when he meets a new teacher at school. They all claim they’ve never had to drive a Bentley.
That’s what I wanted in my children’s names.
We believe our motoring dynasty has been completed.
We have three boys between us, and I couldn’t be happier.
Troll if you like I don’t care. They’re so classy.
And if you’re wondering, I drive an early model Renault.
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