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Baby names

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

Original poster

Boys names - looking for opinions

28 replies

mistletoe1 · 01/08/2016 16:57

Thinking about boys names and would love some feedback and suggestions - finding it so much harder than girls! The challenge for us is that the child will have a reasonably common surname so we can't use anything too popular for the first name. My name is quite unusual (though not remotely weird) and I think it's handy to be able to find yourself on google. So, with that in mind, any thoughts or suggestions to add to my list as i'm not 100% sold on any of them.

Shortlist:

  • Edwin
  • Wilfred (we like 'Wilf')
  • Rowan
  • Ezra

Would be on my shortlist if they weren't so popular or vetoed by partner:

  • Noah
  • Kier
  • Jude
  • Gabriel
  • Finn
  • Roman

Thanks so much!

OP posts:
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Only1BabyPigeon · 01/08/2016 17:01

Which do you think sounds best with your surname?

From the list I'd say Ezra.

MrsJoeyMaynard · 01/08/2016 17:03

I like Edwin best from your shortlist.

Not keen on Rowan as it's a bit too unisex for my liking.

No particular strong feelings either way on the other two.

Original poster
mistletoe1 · 01/08/2016 17:05

All the shortlisted names work with the last name - I only really have to avoid hard 'r' or 'a' endings.

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 01/08/2016 17:09

Ezra is my favourite on your list.

Some other suggestions:
Ray / Raymond
Eli / Elijah (don't know how popular it is)
Cole
Dexter

Only1BabyPigeon · 01/08/2016 17:10

Always regret not naming one of mine Ryder, if that helps!

MrsJoeyMaynard · 01/08/2016 17:26

Doesn't Ezra have an 'a' ending?

Original poster
mistletoe1 · 01/08/2016 17:31

I would say Ezra has quite a soft 'a' ending... but maybe that's just the way i'd say it. Something like Dexter, as suggested above, wouldn't work I don't think.... I'm making myself sound silly, I fully appreciate it!

I do really like Eli and hadn't considered Cole, which i'll suggest. Thanks NameChange!

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 01/08/2016 17:35

You're welcome! I think we have quite similar taste as there are a few on your list that I really like Smile

Artandco · 01/08/2016 17:36

I like Edwin

Otherwise have you considered: Monty, Edmund, Timothy

marblestatue · 01/08/2016 21:46

I like Edwin, Eli and Gabriel.

Sophronia · 01/08/2016 22:10

I love Edwin and like Wilfred

Ipanema01 · 02/08/2016 06:42

I really like Wilfred. Ezra is also cool but I've heard it so much on baby name forums lately, if popularity bothers you?

Pipilangstrumpf · 02/08/2016 07:57

I like Reuben, Rowan and Roman best. Or how about Quentin or Damian?

ElodieS · 02/08/2016 10:36

I love Ezra! For me it's a very Jewish name though, on a par with Chaim or Eli, and your other choices aren't. I don't think it matters, but bear in mind people will make that assumption.

My girls have French-ish names, and are 1/4 French - they get asked whether they're French all the time and don't really get why...

Original poster
mistletoe1 · 02/08/2016 13:57

Thanks all - super helpful. Edwin is in our top 2 so it's nice to hear that it's liked.

Pipi, I really like Reuben and Quentin but friends have recently used them so they're out. Elodie, we're not jewish and I had considered that there may be some awkwardness for that reason. I'm thinking I may just have to admire from afar!

OP posts:
SteviebunsBottrittrundle · 02/08/2016 14:30

I really like Wilfred, Ezra, Gabriel and Roman.

I must be weird as I'm really not keen on Edwin for some reason (sorry OP). Must have known a horrible one in a previous life Wink.

Hurricane99 · 05/08/2016 08:35

If you're avoiding names that are popular, you might be disappointed with Ezra. It's definitely growing in popularity, I'm convinced it'll be the next Noah.

sparksthefirst · 05/08/2016 08:43

Awww go with Gabriel!! Absolutely love it and want it if this bump is a boy..but hubby not having it. Middle name instead I think! I really wouldn't care too much about popularity, if you really adore a name go for it.

sonlypuppyfat · 05/08/2016 08:44

Wilfred is terrible, what teenager wants to be called Wilf. Ezra is nice a lot of people have Jewish names that aren't Jewish I do!

MrsJoeyMaynard · 05/08/2016 08:53

Wilfred might be a considered a perfectly normal name, or even a great name to have by the time OPs baby is a teenager.

For all any of us know, it could rocket in popularity and shoot up into the top 10 in a few years time. As could just about any name really.

sonlypuppyfat · 05/08/2016 08:54

No, I can't see that happening Grin

Whataboutwhathuh · 05/08/2016 08:55

Outing myself as usual...

I have a Wilfred and a Gabriel. Both excellent names and lots of options for shortening. I'm not sure why a teenager wouldn't want to be called Wilf, I'll tell you what mine Calls himself when we get there.

People (mostly) comment on what lovely names my children have.

sonlypuppyfat · 05/08/2016 08:59

I know a few Gabriels it's lovely

ShakespeareanQuotations · 06/08/2016 14:15

My 18yo DS has a friend called Wilf. Perfectly acceptable name, no teasing from anybody and he seems to like it.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 06/08/2016 20:02

Wilfred nice. Love Rowan.