Thoughts on these names

[ArialAnna]

We're in a dilemma over names for our on the way baby boy. I really like Jenson, but my husband thinks it's too closely associated with Jenson Button only. My husband likes Jasper, which I can't stand as I associate it with a dog (a very cute dog, but still)

I want to find something not too out there, but not too common either. (I have a first name that was very popular at the time, and throughout school there were loads of other people of the same name. Being quite introverted I always seemed to be referred to as the 'other XX' which I hated). So I'm trying to avoid anything in the top 30 baby names.

So far the name we've both come closet to liking is Arnold. It's traditional but it doesn't even seem to be in the top 100 for babies now. I like the shortening 'Arnie'. But something is holding me back. Maybe because it could sound a little old fashioned. What are your associations with this name?

The other one we've been thinking is Cedric. But I associate this very strongly with the character of the same name in Harry Potter! (My husband hasn't read all the books so doesn't). What do you associate this name with?

[Oysterbabe]

The cartoon Hey Arnold and Cedric Diggery :)
TBH I don't like them at all but I haven't really got on board with this old fashioned names trend.
We were considering Jenson for a boy but mostly because DH is a huge F1 fan. It's a good name and your child's generation won't make that connection, he's pretty much retiring next year.

[AmberEars]

If you like Jensen and Jasper, how about Jeremy or Joel? Both ranked outside the top 200 last year. Or Bradley? For some reason the others you mention made me think of Bradley!

I don't particularly associate Cedric with Harry Potter, but I think of it as a v old fashioned name.

[2014newme]

Arnie will always be svhwarzrnegger (but spelled correctly 😂)

[2014newme]

Joel much better than centric or jenson

[Giratina]

I like Jenson. I hate Arnold and Cedric, sorry.

[ArialAnna]

Yeah Oysterbabe, totally agree that our kid's generation won't know who Jenson Button is and made that point to DP, but he's still not convinced.

I like Jeremy, but Jeremy and Joel are both close friends of my husband's and they're not so common that I wouldn't feel a little strange using them (like we're naming them after them). Bradley I'm not loving that much as I rather associate it was aussie surfer dudes (blame Neighbours!)

Boy's names are so hard! I was happy to hear we were having a boy, but I've had my girl's name chosen for years! (and DPs on board with it).

[RiverTam]

I prefer Jenson to all the others, and JB's not a bad person to be named after! Jasper is OK, but very Twilight, Cedric I don't like and obviously Harry Potter.

Arnold - for some reason I think of an ageing Lower East Side Jewish dude. I have absolutely no idea why. He'd be pretty cool though. Is this a character in a film??

[RiverTam]

If you're just after suggestions, my favourite boys names are Ezra and Keor, which are obviously nothing like what you have in mind .

[RiverTam]

Keir!

[dalmatianmad]

Arnold is awesome!

I like Vinnie and Frank too?

[Thetruthfairy]

Gregory?

[Ilovewillow]

I love Jasper but I see your point! Arnold is good, if you like the Jewish vibe how about Reuben? If you like the J - Jude?

[ArialAnna]

Again we know a Gregory amongst our friends. Or are we being a bit precious about this? Are other people put off by using names of friends, or is this not an issue for you?

[skyyequake]

I like Jenson but your DP seems set against it... I don't like any of the others sorry!

If you're after suggestions my favourite boys names are Leo and Harrison!

[ArialAnna]

I'm interested to hear why Arnold is associated with being Jewish? Nothing wrong with that but it hadn't occurred to me before.

[NoCapes]

I love Jasper, it was on our list for DS2 along with Zachary (DS's name) Reuben, Finley, Oscar & Thomas
I also like Casper but this was immediately vetoed as DS was due around Halloween and Casper is a ghost

Not Arnold though - really really not Arnold

[NoCapes]

Interestingly lots of our names people said were 'Jewish' too we're not Jewish and didn't really care though

[RiverTam]

Your friends have very cool names, all of my friends are just called the usual 1970s names like Sarah and Claire. So I would never name my children 'after' a friend. I don't really matters.

[AmberEars]

Personally I'd have no problem naming my DC the same name as a friend.

[ArialAnna]

Ha NoCapes, we're exactly the same but the other way round! - DH likes Casper but I vetoed that as to me he's Casper the ghost!

[skyyequake]

I wouldn't name a baby the same name as a friend, because I would associate the name with that friend whenever I heard it! I do mean friend though, I wouldn't mind if it was someone at school I used to know,or a colleague from my first job who I don't speak to anymore...

[skyyequake]

NoCapes my brother is a Kaspar but he was born in March

[RiverTam]

Caspian?

[MiketheKite]

If my dd had been a boy, she'd have been Arnold. I like that it's 'endangered' as it is rarely given as a boys name.

That said, if I was to have a boy now i'd choose Sebastian (even though it's fairly popular now) but DP doesn't like it because of Sebastian Vettel!!

I think Jenson is in the top 100 now so I don't think everyone will assume Button

[kiwiscantfly]

My first rule when choosing names was no double ups, so no friends names etc. I figure there are enough names out there not to need to share with people we know well.

Also, I love Jenson, maybe spelling it differently could help. I remember reading that JB's parents changed the spelling of the name, this is from his Wikipedia page:

He was named after his father's Danish friend and rallycross opponent Erling Jensen, changing the "e" to an "o" to differentiate it from Jensen Motors.

Good luck!