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Baby names

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

8 days old and at this rate we're going to be stuck with "Nigel". Help!

59 replies

Sparklies · 06/05/2011 16:55

This is DC3, we have two DDs Bethan and Catherine. We've been calling the baby "Nigel" as a joke since we found out he was a boy but at this rate it's going to stick, especially amongst our DDs, unless we name him properly and soon!

He has red hair like his daddy and one of his sisters, and his surname is two syllables starting with "Th". We don't like very popular names, but at the same time we don't want to go too far out there. Think position 60-250 in the baby boy name charts - the further down the better.

We really liked "Flynn" but it sounds too close to "Catherine" his sister. We also liked "Ethan" and "Nathan" but they sound too close to "Bethan" his other sister Sad At one point we considered "William" but already having a "Catherine" and being born the day before the royal wedding.. yeah. Not good.

Our shortlist is currently:

Raphael
Gabriel (DH's favourite, but I worry over the "Gay" nickname possibility?)
Ellis
Elliot(t)

Other ones we've considered (but probably ruled out) are:

Asher
Elias
Myles
Griffin

Thoughts on the top four especially appreciated, but any other ideas welcome as you never know. However we've been running around in circles with this for months so I doubt there's a name we haven't considered!

Thanks!!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
gruber · 07/05/2011 12:37

Joshua - too popular?
Xavier?
Hector?

brightcopperkettles · 07/05/2011 12:31

I love the name Elias, my favourite from your lists. Followed by Flynn and Ellis.

I also really like Seth that was suggested above.

nickelbabe · 07/05/2011 09:34

I have to disagree with tammy - I have a friend in his 50s called Nigel, and he hates the name.
He's always hated it, even when it was fashionable.

rainbowrain · 07/05/2011 09:26

I love Elliot!

mathanxiety · 07/05/2011 05:26

Declan
Lachlan
Kieran/ Ciaran
Benjamin
Vaughan
Owen -- I think this is my favourite and would go well with your other names.

HighlandTea · 07/05/2011 00:04

I know of two Gabriels, one is 9 the other an adult and they are both known s Gabe. I like Elliott and Griffin

cityangel · 07/05/2011 00:01

Corbin is silly... maybe Aidan

cityangel · 06/05/2011 23:59

Love Ellis. Or would pick Russel, Eason or Corbin

Sparklies · 06/05/2011 23:50

Thanks everyone! Brilliant - lots of food for thought - not easy just debating names amongst the two of us :)

Any more thoughts keep them coming!!

OP posts:
MollysChamber · 06/05/2011 21:52

Go with Flynn. I think it goes nicely with Catherine.
Catherine, Bethan and Flynn.
Cute.

tammytoby · 06/05/2011 21:49

Agree, why not stick with Nigel - while not 'fashionable' at the moment it is a perfectly good name, classic and easy to spell/pronounce. And with not many other small Nigels around, he probably won't have to share his name with too many others in class.

heavenstobetsy · 06/05/2011 18:24

My DD is Bethan and my DS often gets called Nigel by certain friends as an affectionate play on his real name, which is Elijah!

From your list, I love Elias and Gabriel, both of which were vetoed by my DP

missmyoldname · 06/05/2011 18:20

Ellis and Elias are both nice. Raphael is a bit pretentious IMO (sorry).

verycherry · 06/05/2011 18:16

Love Raphael - I wanted it for both ds3 and ds4 but was vetoed by dp.

Also considered ruairi, lovely and unusual and has meaning for you.

Actually I considered all of your top 4, did think about the gay thing with Gabriel but think its a lovely name and Gabe is a cool nn....

Ooooh tis so hard!

pilates · 06/05/2011 18:09

How about Henry after Henry VIII - I think he had red hair?

emmanumber3 · 06/05/2011 17:20

snice Rufus would be a lovely name if they were naming a puppy Hmm.

MercurySoccer · 06/05/2011 17:18

I like Gabriel, Elliot and Elias best from your choices.

emmanumber3 · 06/05/2011 17:18

Rory is the tiger from Haven Holidays. So many people on here seem to love it, but, as a family who generally holiday at Haven parks, there will always be an association. And we are not the only ones as little Rory at DS2's school is nicknamed "Tiger" by the children. Not a bad nn, but perhaps not what the parents were intending Blush.

And, no, my son did not start it Grin. Thankfully.

KvetaBarry · 06/05/2011 17:17

Gabriel is a lovely name. Alexander is also a good one - or Iain, nice Scottish name!

snice · 06/05/2011 17:17

you should go for Rufus

nickelbabe · 06/05/2011 17:14

I love Gabriel.

MelinaM · 06/05/2011 17:13

Love GabrielSmile Children will find a nasty nn whatever name you choose, it's their nature!!!

Raphael is lovely too, Ellis sounds 'surnamey', Elliot(t) is okay but a bit bland for me.

Some further suggestions for you:

Alexander
Amadeus
Bay
Cassian
Crispin
Damien
Inigo
Joaquin
Phineaus -Phin
Rafe
Rufus
Sebastian
Seth
Theodore -Theo /Teddy
Wilf
Willow

meditrina · 06/05/2011 17:10

Why not just stick with Nigel? Not in fashion, but a perfectly good name.

I like Raphael, Ellis and Elias.

How about: Iain, Neil, Rupert, Ivo, Piers, Gregory, Lemuel, Martin, Angus, Dominic?

BrigitBigKnickers · 06/05/2011 17:10

If you like Elias- what about Elijah- similar.

Rory always strikes me as a good name for a red head.

emmanumber3 · 06/05/2011 17:07

Oh, and Raphael is quite sweet - there is a little Raphael at DS2's school & although I was a bit sniggery when I first heard it, it really suits him & now seems like a great name! Smile