Luke/Lucas, or Toby as a stand-alone name, or stick with Sam?

[SureIsHisIdeaNameChange]

Changed name because sometimes DP reads my posts and it is essential that he thinks the name we choose is his idea.

Short list of names for DS-on-the-way, which DP and I can (or probably can :)) actually agree on (and can use - my faves already in our families or categorically vetoed by DP)

So we have

Sam (Samuel on birth certificate) - DP's favourite; I have decided it sounds stodgy

Luke (my favourite, but DP thinks it's too biblical, which we're not too keen on)

Lucas - DP likes it, but I worry that it's too trendy (surged in popularity in the US after George Lucas, now is popular elsewhere in English-speaking world)

Toby - my second-favourite but DP is not so keen; also think it could be a little boy's name and has to be short for Tobiah or Tobias (neither of which we like)

So which would you pick? (or why not)?

Sam (Samuel on birth certificate)
Lucas
Luke
Toby - on its own or longer birth certificate name; if so, what?

Thanks, O wise ones :)

[JustDoMyLippyThenWeWillGo]

I'd pick Lucas. Like Sam, but don't lke Samuel. I liked Lucas for my ds,dh didn't agree!

[horatia]

I like Samuel with Sam for short, and Luke.

I don't like Lucas or Toby.

[horatia]

Luke is no more or less Biblical than Samuel (Sam) or Tobias (Toby), which are also in the Bible.

[minipie]

I like all of them! not hugely helpful, sorry.

If I had to rank them:

Sam (but would prob put Sam on BC as don't like Samuel much)

Lucas

Toby (Tobias on BC)

Luke

[MentalFloss]

I like Sam but agree that Samuel sounds stodgy.

Lucas was 36th in 2008 whereas Luke was 25th and Samuel was 11th.

Toby I think is a bit of a boys name. So I think I would go for Lucas.

[horatia]

Sam can also be short for Samson.

[katster37]

I have a Sam who is NOT a Samuel, and he is scrummy. And not at all stodgy.

[DetectivePotato]

Sam is my favourite boys name. We can't use it though as my brother is called Sam, my friends DS is called Samuel and 2 of my female friends are called Sam.

Don't like Lucas or Luke at all. Not keen on Toby.

[englishmummyinwales]

Ooooh we have similar tastes! Our shortlist was Toby or Lukas. (Personally I don't like the Lucas spelling - it's a surname, not a first name, but just my peculiar opinion)

Anyway, DH vetoed Toby on the basis that it is a little boys name and he wasn't keen on Tobias (I was). So we went for Lukas.

Nothing wrong with Samuel, but it doesn't light my fire. I really like Luke, but we have a one syllable surname and DH had a 'rule' (see other post!)that one syllable first names don't work with it.

And one day Lukas will probably moan at always having to spell his name to everyone, but there you go, I love it!

Good luck!

[BikeRunSki]

I have a Sam who IS short for Samuel and he is not at all stodgy!

Lukas looks a bit made up! Sorry.

[eatyourveg]

Tobias

[deborahmb]

Lukas is the Eastern European spelling of Lucas - one of the top names in the Czech Republic etc

I like it and am struggling with this as a top name!

[SureIsHisIdeaNameChange]

Thanks, everyone - quite a mix of opinions :)

I guess DP thinks that Sam is popular enough not to sound biblical (though I agree that it's a bit silly discounting Luke for that reason and not Sam)

Oh yes and I know some lovely little boys called Sam :) - I think perhaps I never knew anyone called Sam when I was growing up so thought of it as an old-timer name, but its time has certainly come again.

At this rate it looks as though DP will 'win' as I still can't decide which (if any) of the others to plump for

Ah well, DP 'thought of' our DD's name (months after he vetoed it when I suggested it) - so I mustn't grumble :)

Thanks again for all your thoughts!

[BreastmilkDoesAFabLatte]

All of them are in the Bible...

[Vine]

Sam (Samuel on birth certificate)- I like Sam & Samuel, it is one of the names that is quite consistent, it hasn't suddenly become popular.

Luke is better than Lucas.

Toby is ok for a young lad or a dog.

[PatriciaHolm]

My DH is Toby and it suits him as an adult! He is technically Tobias but no-one ever calls him that.

[englishmummyinwales]

Lukas is German/Eastern European and Scandinvian translation of Luke, so in those languages, you have the book of Lukas in the bible.

It is definitely not made up and I have Scandinvian origins, so not particularly peculiar!!

Just wanted to clarify!

[natto]

I like all the names, in fact we have a Toby and a Lucas, and would definitely have considered Sam/Samuel if there wasn't already one in the family.

Our Toby is just Toby, and there seem to be plenty of grown up Tobys around, I see it as a stand alone name that could be a nickname but doesn't need to be, like Harry or Jack. It doesn't seem babyish to me anyway.

Lucas does seem to be getting pretty popular, and I think it is likely to date, but I do still love it! I know quite a few babies called Lucas now.

And Sam's a great name too. Sorry for being no help whatsoever!

[llandb]

OP here - I suspect DP won't glance at my open tabs after all, so am safe! :)

Just saying 'thanks again' - and still dithering :)

Sam was the name we'd have called DD if she'd turned out to have a surprise winkle, but only because it was the name we most agreed/least disagreed on. Now DP likes it more.

Gah, girls are easier! :)