Who gets the final say?

I think if it is a real issue then leave it until after the birth as it won't be an issue if you have a girl so there is a 50% chance you will be worrying for nothing.

Saying that it might help to think which nickname you would like better. All the Samuals and Michaels I knew at school and the little ones I know now were Sams and Mikes by junior school. If you prefer an alternative nickname (Sammy, Mikey/Mickey/Mick) you should use it from the start or the default will be Sam/Mike.

I guess I'm lucky that DH doesn't have strong opinions on which names he like - just the ones he doesn't like. So apart from the ones he dislikes I can pretty much pick what I like.

Prefer Samuel

I gave in to my husband. We couldn't really agree on a name, there wasn't one I was particularly determined to have whereas my DH really, really liked the name he wanted. I didn't see the point in coming up with a 'compromise name' when there was a clear favourite from my husband, so I just agreed to call the baby the name my husband wanted for him. Our son is now 12 days old and I absolutely LOVE the name and am really glad that he ended up with it by default

I prefer Samuel as a first name - Incidentally though, one of my son's middle names is Michael

I don't agree with you HopelessDei If the DH really loves his choice, why shouldn't it be the nice thing for the OP to give in? Agree with Remus.

I have read, on MN, "tell him that when he's the one who gives birth, he can chose the name. Until then you get to chose" . That is unfair, and sexist, IMO. As if it's possible, or he has a choice in the matter.

And agree with LongDivision. If both are sticking to their guns, then there should to be a different compromise name.

I think you should keep looking for something that you will both love.

There's 4 Sam's in dd's class, lovely but very common. Michael is much nicer.

Both of my dc's have commonly nn'd names but both get their full names from both family and at school. They're much more likely to get a nn from our surname, even I get it from several people at work. Lol

I absolutely detest the idea that a woman 'should choose' because 'she gives birth.' I think it's an outrageous attitude. If you both like both of them, then toss a coin - it's not like either of you end up with something you dislike. Otherwise, you need to go back to the drawing board and find a compromise.

Personally, I like both but prefer Michael.

But Bowlers, ultimately one of them does have to choose. Don't you think that rather than a compromise name, they should go with one of the two that they both admit to liking? Wouldn't it just be a nice thing for the DH to do?

Your salary analogy suggests abuse and imbalanced of power. It's not like the OP wants to force a name the DH hates.

Samuel is a beautiful name, I love it.

But both are good, neither will be the wrong choice.

I think if your DH likes both names - it would be decent of him to let you choose since you're the one doing the hard labour.

Samuel is fab. Not keen on Michael. Although think Samuel is more natural to shorten to Sam than Michael to Mike.

Really don't agree with the woman choosing because she's the one giving birth. That's like saying Sahm shouldn't get a say in spending the household income because it's not their salary.

If you both feel like digging your heels in, is there a third name you could compromise on?

Ah you have - Sam!

Put the names here! We will choose for you

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.

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.

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 :)

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.

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 ;-)

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.

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

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!!

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.

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.