Alexander, Daniel, Dominic, Nicholas, Rory or Sebastian?

[MrsBloop]

Would like opinions on our shortlist of boy's names for DC2 (not sure if girl or boy) DC1 is called Thomas.

We like classic names, and not put off by popularity on ONS lists etc, and don't want anything too 'trendy' that will date. We also have a bit of a difficult surname (short, harsh and a noun) which rules out some other possibilities.

Alexander - I love, but not keen on nn Alex. Is this inevitable?

Daniel - DH's favourite, I think it is ok but I don't love it

Dominic - I like, DH not so keen

Nicholas - I also really like this, and like Nicky as a nn

Rory - think may be too trendy?

Sebastian - may be too 'posh' for us. I really like it, just don't know if I see it as my child's name IYSWIM?

Thanks!

[geminigirl]

I like Rory, Daniel, Alexander,Dominic, Nicholas and Sebastian....in that order. I really, REALLY like Rory. How do you fancy the Irish version Ruairi? Pronounced rooree?

[Mim78]

I like your choices particularly: Alexander, Dominic and Daniel - I would use any of those but they are all taken by family or very close friends (i.e. Dominic is my godson).

I others are nice but I would not pick them.

I also love Thomas btw but like Daniel it doesn't go with our surname - makes the name of either someone very famous or a book...


If I had a free choice of the names you have said I would go with Alexander.

[heidihole]

All are lovely. My favourite is Alexander. Not sure on inevitability of 'Alex' There is a 3 year old at toddler group called Alexander. Never Alex. But that may change when he hits school/teenage years??

Do you like Xander as a nickname? Or Lex?

[Layl77]

Theyre all lovely, my least favourite is Dominic but have no idea why.

I always think of knicker-less for Nicholas but it's a nice name and not really popular! How about Andrew, Marcus, Jack?

[HasItStartedYet]

Love Dominic.

[Shanghaidiva]

My vote is for Alexander as I have one myself!
Alex is not inevitable - mine stayed an Alexander until secondary school and still introduces himself as Alexander.

[looseleaf]

I like Alexander then Rory. Both great names IMO and I don't think Alex inevitable either

[MyNameIsAnAnagram]

You have very similar taste to me and we went with one of those and have had nothing but good comments on it, so they are all good!

[Coupon]

Alexander - lovely name, but yes Alex is probably inevitable

Daniel - like, good solid classic name

Dominic - OK, perhaps slightly frilly

Nicholas - like

Rory and Sebastian - OK but sound like they might not quite fit what you're looking for

[alwaysneedaholiday]

Alexander for me, with nn xander .

[Bowlersarm]

I like all of them. I don't normally say that.

Favourite is Nicholas.

Least favourite is Dominic.

I have a soft spot for Daniel and Rory.

I do think Alex is a very natural shortening of a four syllable name, unless you start from a young age with an alternative nn.

[Hazelbrowneyes]

We have very similar taste.

Alexander - I like this but I'd prefer Xander as a nn

Daniel - I love Daniel, DH does not.

Dominic - I like this but can't see it working on a baby/small child. I also don't like Dom as a nn

Nicholas - I like Nicholas but it's further down my list if that makes sense.

Rory - I don't like Rory, no idea why though!

Sebastian - I really do like Sebastian but I can't use it because I'm a Mark Webber fan so I could not call my child after Sebastian Vettel (f1 geek right here )

I always picture the names together so:

Thomas and Alexander - Yes this works.
Thomas and Daniel - Yes this works too, maybe not as well as Thomas and Alexander (Thomas and Xander...cute!)
Thomas and Dominic - This doesn't work for me.
Thomas and Nicholas - No this doesn't work for me either. I think it might be the fact that both end in "as".
Thomas and Rory - No doesn't work for me.
Thomas and Sebastian - This works too!

[Bowlersarm]

Oh yes...

Dominic wouldn't work..

You'd have Tom and Dom.

[froubylou]

You can't use Sebastian as it is my name.

Sorry.

Obviously it is my favourite. And we are very working class. Don't be put off by posh.

I named my dd francesca so she won't be held back later on in life if you believe all that crap about judging people by their names.


And when Sebastian gets here (edd 20/12) he will have the same.

[charleslingus]

I have a Sebastian, he thinks he has a 'cool' name (aged 11) most people seem to agree. We also had Dominic on the list...nothing to do with my Jilly Cooper problem.

[CinnabarRed]

There are 4 Alexanders in my DS1's year, including DS1.

Of these, DS1 is known as Alex, and the other three are Sandy, Xander and Alexsi.

So, no, Alex is not an inevitable shortening.

[I also have a Daniel - so I like the cut of your jib!]

[capercaillie]

I like them all! All were on our lists at various points. Alexander is my favourite although Daniel, Rory and Nicholas are fairly close behind.

[juneau]

Nice names! Several of these were on my short-list for DS2.

Alex as a nn for Alexander is not inevitable. I know three Alexanders. One is Alex, one is Sandy and the other is Xander. My own son is known universally as his nn (chosen by us). It's even on his medical file and he's know at school by that name rather than his real name. If you want to use a particular version, tell everyone 'His name is Alexander, but we call him XX'. I've found everyone to be totally cool with that.

[eatyourveg]

My family includes a Thomas an Alexander a Daniel and a Nicholas so I think your choices are great. Personally I'd go for Sebastian. Don't like Rory at all - sorry

[Lottystar]

I have a Sebastian, lovely name and we're not posh

Alexander is a bit popular for my taste but I'd advise going with your gut instinct x

[Leeds2]

I prefer Alexander/Xander, and Daniel.

[MrsBloop]

Thanks all for the helpful feedback - our shortlist is now down to Alexander, Daniel or Nicholas!

[Tikkamasala]

I was going to say Daniel, Dominic and Nicholas. I do know a family with a Tom and Dom and it took me ages to realise that it was matchy! I love Dominic but not the Dom shortening so would want to discourage the nickname anyway personally. Also with Alexander I think you may struggle to stop Alex so if you're not keen I would rule that out too.

Daniel and Nicholas both lovely choices.

[Littlecherublegs]

Was going to say Daniel or Dominic.
Like them all actually apart from Rory.
I think I'd go for Daniel - and I do know a Thomas & Daniel sibset! Lovely!