Atticus or Cassius?

I like Atticus.

I would personally stay away from top 100 names. They're just uninventive! No offence to anyone with one of those names either for themselves or DCs, I just think it's really nice to not having to be Sarah B or Becky A or Lauren C. Where's the fun in that! I don't have a particularly odd name but got much joy as a child never meeting anyone who shared it

I have said Atticus quite a few times out loud and it's really grown on me! Do agree though that neither go with Otis - all end in 'ssss' sound.

I prefer Cassius. There's definitely a rise is the number of kids named Atticus recently.

That's not what ontopoftuevsunset said, gummi. Though you're right, and, for example, many of Uk top 100 names have such origins.

"But they're not really well-known old names in this country"

Most names used these days derive from other cultures or countries. Does that make them bad or unusuable in the UK?

I think Otto is the perfect name to go with Otis.

Is it such a bad thing to have a name that isn't top 100. I love Noah, I love Xavier. One of them was top 10 in literally the whole western hemisphere so Cue a lifetime of Fat Noah, Ginger Noah, Naughty Noah, Quiet Noah to decider between them vs Xavier, no surname needed

I think neither of them go well with Otis. Far too similar in sound. Saying them together sounds medical or horticultural, like something you'd hear on Gardners' World -"for this sunny corner, a row of Otis Atticus would give good spring colour".

But they're not really well-known old names in this country. They're faddy retro cool names. Apart from Atticus Finch and ancient Romans, how many Atticuses can you name? And how many from this country? And the same with Cassius. I'm sure I could google some but they're not classic names in the sense of 'widely used for many years'. They are classical names but so are Tacitus and Cicero. And then you've got the whole slave thing.

And for those who haven't met anyone called Atticus or Cassius yet, wouldn't it be nice to meet one?
You'd probably remember their name better than another Jack or Oliver (and I have nothing against these names, I just know lots of boys with these names).

Shouldn't we encourage more name diversity?

They may be uncommon, but they're both well known, old names that are easy to spell and pronounce. And they're not overused as so many popular names. Actually that makes them perfect name choices in my opinion.

They're unheard of for me, except for their regular appearances on MN I've never met anyone with either name, but they're often mentioned on here

Wow, Flora, I wanted to add all that - very well put by you.

Cassius is in hell for Dante and Atticus is Cicero's bff

OP I love that you are thinking of Roman names! Chose which one goes best with the child's last name maybe :)

I'm quite surprised at how many people seem to really dislike these names. They're not common but far from unheard of names...

You're surprised that uncommon names are not as widely liked?

Love both names but feel that Cassius go a best with Otis.

However I LOVE the suggestion of a previous poster of Rex it's goes so well with Otis!

I had a Thursday child, totally missed. Y opportunity for Castiel! I think of the Angel off Supernatural tho

Not a fan of either name to be honest. I much prefer Atticus though, it's a name thats rising in popularity, people will have heard it. Whereas Cassius...I don't know, it sounds like an electrical company or something, oh or the boxer ?Cassius Clay I think he was called. I do think Cassius would get shortened to Cass, which is nice, if a little feminine.

I love all the old classic names ending in 'us' as well as your 2 I love Augustus, Magnus and Marius which makes me think of Les Miserables.

I LOVE Cassius, but much prefer it pronounced as it is spelt - Cass-ee-us. Traditional pronounciation cash-us is clumsy and doesn't sound very nice IMO.

lol

Cassius goes better with Otis.

Atticus sounds like Attic

Cassius was Muhammad Ali's birth name.

They're both strong names. They wouldn't suit a baby/child/person in this day and age.

True... ;)

But I just meant that most names rhyme with something or could be used to taunt somebody. Like, the diminutive (?) version of my name in my native language rhymes with little rabbit (and tons of other little things.). Sounds cute, right? But I nearly cried because of it on some occasions because somebody bullied me like that...

I only thought of the Romans and obviously of how to kill a mockingbird. That were my connotations...

I don't think Julius rhymes quite as well with Platypus as Atticus

Re connotations I actually only think of the obvious literary one

flora

that is really interesting! I didn't know this about the American connotations.

Isn't Castiel the patron of people born on a Thursday? if you have a Thursday baby that would be a really lovely choice :)!