Who gets the final say?

[SharonBotts]

Dh and I are expecting a baby in the next few days. We have finally agreed on a girl's name but cannot settle on a boy's name. We both like the final two names that we are down to - Michael and Samuel - but we each prefer a different one. What do you do in this situation? How do you make the final call? Should we go on the popularity of the name (i.e. choose the less common one) or solicit opinions from family and friends? Really stuck. Anyone got any tips or advice on how we make the final choice?

[isisisis]

If it's a girl it's a non issue so I'd wait until they arrive. Do not ask friends/ family for opinion. It won't end well. Good luck with the baby.

[Lweji]

Toss for it.

[SharonBotts]

Don't want to resort to tossing a coin if there is a sensible way to make a decision.

[WhatsTheWordHummingbird]

Wait til you hold him and see what comes naturally?

[curiousgeorgie]

We disagreed on DD2's name so we compromised and I got to choose the first name and he choose his favourite as a middle name.

[SharonBotts]

Do babies really 'look like' names though? With dc1 we didn't make a final decision before the baby arrived, thinking we would just 'know' when we saw them what they should be called. We didn't. And I hated the stress of trying to find the right name on top of everything else that comes with caring for a newborn. Just want to be prepared this time.

[SharonBotts]

Does anyone have a favourite from our final two names?

[shakinstevenslovechild]

When I was pregnant we said if it was a girl I would choose, if it was a boy he would (not always that way round though) with each pregnancy I had an inkling before the gender was confirmed by scan though so I always swung it my way

[squoosh]

Tossing a coin would seem like the only option unless one of you gives in.

I prefer Samuel to Michael. Never met a Sam I didn't like.

[notso]

We ended up having a choice of two for our three boys. DH got his preference all three times as I was too knackered from giving birth to think!
I picked the middle names the day after when I'd had a chance to recover.
I love all my boys names though. I don't think babies really look like a name but they certainly grow to be their name.

I prefer Samuel to Michael.

[yomellamoHelly]

I got my way with the boys; dh with our daughter. Still don't love her name tbh, but doesn't really matter in the overall scheme of things.

[Lweji]

In choosing, consider what other names the boy would be called.
Sam
Sammy

Mike
Mick
Micky
Mickey

Which would you prefer to live with?

[SharonBotts]

Nicknames are another sticking point. My preference in both cases would be for the full names to be used. Are nicknames inevitable? I know of an Elizabeth who is only ever called Elizabeth. Ditto a little Joseph.

[scarletforya]

Samuel.

[Lweji]

Time can only tell.

My sister also initially insisted her youngest would be called by his full name and now even she calls him by a shorter name...

And once they get to school things are likely to change, so I'd consider the possibilities.

Personally, I'd be happy with either, although I know too many Michaels, particularly at my previous job.

[squoosh]

OP there's no way a Samuel will be referred to as Samuel as all times. If you don't like the nicknames don't choose the name.

[KEGirlOnFire]

I definitely prefer Samuel (I actually find Michael/Mike a bit dated...) and like a PP said, I've never met a Samuel I didn't like. I know lots of Michaels who I liked at the beginning but then they showed their true colours and all turned out to be horrid!!

[CPtart]

I prefer Samuel but inevitably he will get Sam. Every Sam I know does.

[Viviennemary]

This happened to us. But I was determined to get my way. I know that wasn't really fair. And I named DS after a family member. But DH's name choice was just a random one which was OK. So I thought my choice took precedence. And I agree you can't stop nicknames or shortforms. I prefer Michael to Samuel. But both are fine.

[ksrwr]

i was undecided on what to call DD but it was obvious from the moment she was born she didn't look like either of the two names i had picked out for her - just see what happens on the day ;-)

[AnonymousBird]

Michael is a good name (my Dad!) but quite old fashioned to my mind, though Mickey for a young boy works well.

Samuel/Sam you can't go wrong with.

[mamalovebird]

I have a Samuel. It was my second choice and DH's first choice but it suited him better than the name I had and I'm so glad we went with it.

I rarely call him Samuel though. Almost always Sam. He really suits it.

not sure what would have happened if I'd been adamant on my favourite name. I think DH would have let me choose on the basis that I was the one doing all the hard work :)

[littlepeas]

I think that when it comes down to it the person who has done all the work (you) should get the final say - he doesn't actually dislike your preference, so i think it's fine for you to decide. My dh has always let me choose in the end. But both of those names will be shortened, no matter how much you try to fight it.

[SharonBotts]

Thanks everyone who has posted. Some good food for thought. Will show dh this thread and see if it helps us make a decision.

[DawnOfTheDee]

I know so many Samuels....there are loads of them round here. For that reason i'd choose Michael.

I like Michael better anyway....always thought Samuel/Sam sounds a bit wet.