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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

A boys name that works in English and Spanish.

38 replies

Chica31 · 19/09/2010 12:41

We are really struggling with this. We live in Spain and both my husband and I are English. I really want a boys name that works in both languages. Girls names are easy, loads work both ways, but boys I am finding really hard!

Our dd is called Isabel Naiomi to give you a clue of names we like.

Help please, I don't know why but I am getting really stressed about it!

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badtime · 12/10/2012 13:48

Inigo (montoyayoukilledmyfatherpreparetodie)
Gabriel

lalabaloo · 12/10/2012 00:24

Lucas, Nicolas, Marcus, Michael/Mikael? George/Jorge?

peterpie · 11/10/2012 17:53

I spent ages trying to find boys names that work in both languages. I am English married to Spanish DH and we live in Spain.
I really don´t think there are any names for boys that are pronounced the same, like you say it is much easier for girls.
Fast forward a few years and I wish I hadn´t have been quite as bothered and just gone with names I like.
All the British couples I know here just went with English names and I don´t think it has caused them any problems.

Good luck -I think boys names are really difficult!

redskyatnight · 10/10/2012 13:15

Was also going to say Sebastian - which was quite high in last year's baby names list, so no one will find it "odd".

AbbiG · 10/10/2012 13:08

We had the same issue ... our boy is called Sebastian.

BikeRunSki · 24/09/2010 19:41

Ricardo/Rick... nothing wrong with alliterative names.

I went to uni with an English/Italian Richard know to everyone as Ricardo!

mathanxiety · 24/09/2010 19:34

Efraim
Angel
Elias
Elian
Felix
Leo
Leonardo
Luca
Mateo
Nicolas
Lavrans
Simon
Teodor

Original poster
Chica31 · 24/09/2010 10:45

Thanks everyone, Love the name Jordi, I had a little boy called Jordi in my class a couple of years ago and he was a real cutie.

William was also one of the names I was thinking of.

OP posts:
Kathleen123 · 23/09/2010 17:19

Oooh Ruben is nice too.

Kathleen123 · 23/09/2010 17:17

Love love the name Rafael.

Kiki84 · 23/09/2010 12:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sebsmama · 21/09/2010 16:59

What about Sebastian? I am biased but it would sound great in either language. Ony prob would be that I believe the Spanish version is Sebastien (might be wrong..)

PutTheKettleOn · 21/09/2010 16:20

I used to live in Spain, love Spanish names, but wouldn't have worked for us as we are both English and now live in England. If I could move back to Spain I would call my little boy (if I had one!) Gabriel - love the name, works in English too, but less airy-fairy sounding in Spain so you can get away with it!

Otherwise I was going to suggest David - different pronunciation but same name. Or Ignacio and shorten to Iggy for English relatives?

giddly · 21/09/2010 11:37

Jordi?

Sari · 21/09/2010 11:33

William. Everyone will be able to pronounce it even if it's not a Spanish name. I know a William with a Spanish mother and British father.

Original poster
Chica31 · 20/09/2010 19:28

DH doesn't like Ruben as our surname begins with a R. Plus we really need to use the name Robert as a middle name at least, DH, his Dad, his Grandad ..... are all called, Robert something but are called by their middle name

OP posts:
Original poster
Chica31 · 20/09/2010 19:25

Thanks meow I love the name Tomas, but 3 of my friends have a Thomas.

OP posts:
Original poster
Chica31 · 20/09/2010 19:22

I wish I had let the doctor tell me the sex of the baby at the scan now. He was just about to say, when I suddenly remembered, I don't want to know. All my friends, who are Spanish, think I am mad! But we didn't know for DD either. The doctors at the hospital think it is some funny old English tradition not to find out.

Please keep more names coming I need more ideas. Thanks every one.

OP posts:
Meow75 · 20/09/2010 19:22

My nephew who is British, but has lived in Lanza since he was 4 months old, and his name is Tomas (I think there is an accent of some description on the "a" but I'm not sure.

He is now nearly 4 yrs old, btw.

Original poster
Chica31 · 20/09/2010 19:19

I really like Ruben, great name! On the list now.

Oliver is another great name, but a childhood friend has recently used it and our mums are still very good friends, so no

OP posts:
Sari · 20/09/2010 13:16

Oliver works well. Also shortened.

Tuschinski · 20/09/2010 13:10

Ruben

Original poster
Chica31 · 19/09/2010 17:27

Yes, we are planning on being here long term, we have already lived here for years and both speak Spanish well.

I love the name David, but it is my Dad's name.

OP posts:
ProfessorLaytonIsMyLoveSlave · 19/09/2010 13:48

If you're planning to stay in Spain long-term I don't think it would sound affected to use a Spanish name (actually, personally I don't think it would sound affected anyway, but I don't see how a Spanish name could sound affected for a family living in Spain, assuming the children are growing up speaking Spanish outside the home).

ProfessorLaytonIsMyLoveSlave · 19/09/2010 13:46

A Spanish-Scottish couple we know who are expecting in a few weeks