Non-Surnamey boys names

[OnABabyDiet]

Looking for some inspiration:

Our surname can also be used as a Christian name (I'm going to use James as an example) and DH has said he doesn't want this baby to have "interchangeable names" as he gets very annoyed by being addressed by his surname by people who don't bother to read properly!

I love the name Thomas, but dh thinks Thomas James runs the risk of being called James by lazy people! He is fairly certain of this, having lived with something similar for 30yrs so not asking for opinions on his stance.... but what boys names options do we have left?! Surnames usually come from the father's name so we're really struggling!
The only option we have so far is Aled.

All suggestions welcome :)

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

Could you do the Welsh thing and call him James James

[DaenerysTargaryensDragonBaby]

I don't get it?

Surely if the issue of using the surname as a given name is a problem, it will remain so regardless of the name you choose, no?

Are you looking for a name that could not possibly be a surname, is that what you mean? If so, I think most names would fit this criteria?

[meditrina]

Thinking about it, an awful lot of boys names are also surnames.

Your could try ones which are usually only surnames with -s or -son, such as: Peter, Philip, Jacob, Matthew, Robert, Michael?

Or ones that would be unusual as a surname: Dominic, Iain, Felix, Aidan, Marcus, Luke, Titus, Harry, Jeremy, Kevin, Piers, Nathan?

[MaryWestmacott]

I understand what you mean.

My suggestions:
Luke
Matthew
Jacob
Joshua
Ben (but not Benjamin, Benedict would be better, or just Ben)
Harry (but not Henry)
Lucas
Oscar
Garth
Neil
Peter

(this is hard! Most the ones I like could be surnamey as well!)

[soontobeslendergirl]

Callum
Anthony
Rory
Euan
Adam
Sam
Ben
Aaron
Jamie
Gareth
Gavin
Jonah
Jonas
Liam
Louie
Alastair

[HavantGuard]

If it really bothers him that much have you considered altering the surname? So for example James could become Jameson.

[soontobeslendergirl]

Lots of shortened names as first names as Surnames are rarely shortened versions?

Charlie
Freddie
Tommy
Sam
Joe
Tom
Dan

[OnABabyDiet]

Thanks - I love Felix, Ben and Gareth from your suggestions, will try them out in dh tonight :)

[OnABabyDiet]

*on dh tonight!

[27mummmy2boys]

I know what you mean I also have a very common surname which I'm sure the boys will be called in school!

I like
Scott
William

[rosielrh2]

Milo
Luke
Archie
Alfie
Finlay
Jake
Arlo
Danny
Peter
Otis
Keiran
Joseph
Flynn

[beela]

We've got the same problem OP. I even get caller 'Mrs DH's first name' sometimes, when they are really insisting that DH has made a mistake and got his own names muddled up

We've already got a Freddie, and now we are stuck on what to do if DC2 is a boy. So I'm not much help, but am watching with interest.

[MrsTamkin]

We have the same issue ( diff surname) our boys list ( including somewhat either I or DH didn't like)

Max
Walter
Sebastian
Eric
Christopher
Stanley
Robin


Also we used my maiden name as a middle name - which helps break it up and allows the option of double barreling should he decide he wants to

[MissSingerbrains]

Luke, Scott, Finlay, Flynn and Stanley are surnames too :)

I do understand the problem as my surname is also a first name, and it does lead to misunderstandings sometimes.

How about Alex (but not Alexander)