Alexander, Brodie or Joseph? Or...?

[twixtwix]

...something else? It took us ages to get our shortlist and now we're not sure we want to use any of them! Any suggestions?

PS I know Brodie gets a bit of a slating on here. We're in Scotland, and I really like it, is it really that bad in England?

[ShroudOfHamsters]

It just sounds like one of those Americanised surname-type names. Probably ok if you're in Scotland, but I lived in Scotland for years and never knew one. And I'd just think of Miss Jean Brodie!

Alexander would be my choice of your three. Or, if you want more suggestions, how about some other Scottish names - there are some brilliant ones:

Struan
Murdo

also my perennial favourites:

Heath
Hector
Dunstan
?

[twixtwix]

I love Heath and Hector, good suggestions, thanks! Off to google Dunstan...

[pilates]

Love Alexander and Joseph

Brodie is awful

[midnightexpress]

I like Joseph (esp NN Joe) and Alexander but hate Brodie I'm afraid (I'm in Scotland). I agree with shroud of hamsters that it sounds made-up surnamy.

[MelinaM]

Alexander is lovely A strong classic name with a multitude of nn's should you wish to use them.

Not a fan of Brodie either, I find it more Australian than American, but of the same ilk I feel!

[forehead]

Joseph is lovely, it's timeless. Alexander is also sweet.

[Dozybear]

I really liked Brodie too but DP (who is Scottish) said it no longer sounds Scottish and just sounds Americanised, to him. Mind you, he says the same about most names that I thought were trad Scots - we ended up with an innoffensive popular name in the end. Alexander also on shortlist but DP rejected it on the grounds it sounded too middle class(!) I love it and also Joseph (which our friends' child is called, so not an option). Hector and Dunstan are also fab!

[twixtwix]

Sounds like we have similar taste Dozybear! What inoffensive popular name did you go for-bet I love it. Actually, I bet it's the name of one of our nephews, we've got 7 between us and they've all got names I love but can't use!

[Dozybear]

Jamie:)

[scarlettlips]

I'm Scottish the only Brodie i know is also Scottish. He hates his names, gets picked on at school and generally get a really tough times. I can't help but think of the place or Brodie Fair. Saying that i'm now going to suggest Moray

What about:
Moray or Murray
Lachlan
Duncan
Campbell
Fraser

Did you want a Scottish names??

[twixtwix]

I would like a Scottish name I think, but there again, it doesn't have to be [hopelessly indecisive]. Think I'm convinced on Brodie now, thank goodness for MN! I like Duncan and Fraser, will run them past DH.

Dozybear, I knew it! Jamie/James is my all-time favourite boy's name...and is DH's brother's name and therefore apparently unusable!

[MoreBoober]

Well my DS is Brody I'm Scottish and DP is a Geordie. I love his name and everyone is very complimentary about it. He's a cool little dude and it really suits him. Also it's not one of the many names that used constantly!

[WhereYouLeftIt]

I must admit I've never come across Brodie as a first name (I'm a Scot in England). Only Miss Jean Brodie and Deacon Brodie.

I love Alexander - it was one of my preferences for DS. So many diminutives that your son could then choose to be known by - Xander, Alex, Al, Sandy, Ally. Sigh.

What about:
Angus
Callum
Cameron
Findlay
Donald (or even Donal)
Creag (pronounced Craig)

[diggingintheribs]

Broderick

As in Broderick Crawford

Give you loads of nn options

Otherwise I like Alexander

[lollystix]

Brodie is on my list and I am a bit worried about the slating I've seen on MN. I do like Duncan though too (Douglas is good but DH said no way). Do u think Duncan is a bit old man? I know only one toddler called Duncan (I'm Scotland too btw)

[nonsenses]

Angus!

[JockTamsonsBairns]

Keir
Fergus
Alasdair
Boyd
Ross
Ewan
Logan
Greig

[sparkle12mar08]

Out of those you mention in the OP Alexander by a country mile. Otherwise, Callum, Hector, Alistair, Duncan are all lovely.

[twixtwix]

Thanks for everyone's suggestions, there are quite a few that I've put on the list! I guess we might just have to see what he looks like when he arrives.

Lollystix, I don't think Duncan is old-mannish at all, although you're right, I don't know any wee ones either. But then I think the good thing about a lot of these names is that they would suit a baby, toddler, grownup equally well iyswim. Douglas is a great name, but my DH didn't like it either...