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Baby names

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

Original poster

A brother for Edward

36 replies

CaitlinsYellowSocks · 03/04/2018 07:27

We have just found out that we're expecting a second boy. DS1 is Edward Patrick.

The middle name for DS2 is likely to be John (a family name on both sides - Patrick was also chosen for a family member). However, we're completely stuck for first names.

DH doesn't like 'old man' names like Arthur or Stanley, or anything that sounds too pretentious/try-hard. I don't really like surnames as first names, and would like to avoid names in the top 20 if possible. We'd like something classic/timeless but not too popular, ideally a full name which has some options for shortening.

Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you very much.

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GreatDuckCookery6211 · 08/04/2018 08:34

I think James goes well with Edward. James John doesn't go brilliantly though.

Frazzled2207 · 08/04/2018 08:19

The one I know has a brother Benjamin.

user1472377586 · 08/04/2018 07:46

I had to reply to this thread!
Our eldest son is Edward.

Our second son is Arthur John!

So sorry your dh doesn't like Arthur. (We've found it to be a good name and I think it is more 'fun' than "Edward" as he can be Art or Artie although we don't use either of them!)

Along with others, I think John is a great choice for a first name. It is so much nicer than 'Jack' that was so popular 10 years ago.

FWIW We're not having any more children but if we had a third son I would argue for either Adam or Theo. If you don't like those, how about Francis (can be Frank)?

Downeyhouse · 08/04/2018 07:39

Barnaby John
Benjamin John
Henry John
William John
Oscar John
Tobias John

gwen25 · 08/04/2018 07:35

What about

Frederick
Hugo
Lawrence
Albert
Gabriel
Alfred
Jason
Louis
Ronald
Caleb
Sebastian
Leon
Evan
Stephen
Walter
Jeremy
Luke

Hightidelowtide · 07/04/2018 20:13

Timothy

BunnyEars1 · 07/04/2018 20:11

Thomas
William
Nicholas
Alexander

BlackberryandNettle · 07/04/2018 17:22

I was going to suggest John or Jonathan for first name. Edwards I know have brothers called Robert and Magnus. Or how about James?

pipilangstrumpf · 07/04/2018 11:48

What's wrong with Will and Ted?

NeitherNowtNorSummat01 · 07/04/2018 00:41

I have an Edward who we call Ted for short.
My second son was very nearly William until we realised we would have our own Bill and Ted. Went With Alexander instead

Almahart · 04/04/2018 22:48

Also Guy

Almahart · 04/04/2018 22:47

Nicholas

Love it and wish I’d used for one of mine

Jonathan
Alexander

I like those very classic names

Mulberrybaby · 04/04/2018 22:45

Willem, Tobias, Maximilian, Jude

pilates · 04/04/2018 22:39

Henry John sounds lovely

Threeandabit · 04/04/2018 22:32

Crispin

HeadingForSunshine · 03/04/2018 21:48

I think John's lovely and overdue a comeback.

Other engines:): Thomas, Oliver, Henry, Douglas

itssquidstella · 03/04/2018 21:10

Charles
Thomas
Peter

Original poster
CaitlinsYellowSocks · 03/04/2018 21:06

Thanks so much everyone, and sorry for not responding sooner - I've been at work and haven't had Mumsnet access.

There are so many lovely names here, it's making me feel more optimistic about finding something we both like.

A couple were on our shortlist for DS1 (including Alexander which was runner-up) but there are also quite a few I hadn't thought of. Also thinking that John could be a potential first name, rather than a middle name.

OP posts:
summermeadows · 03/04/2018 12:01

Thomas
Samuel
George
David
Henry

ILookedintheWater · 03/04/2018 11:35

First thought was James until I saw that you were using John as a middle name.
Robert
Richard
Charles
David
Oliver
William
Alasdair
Alexander
Peter
David.
All great names, not too 'old man' but many are very underused at the moment.

YoucancallmeVal · 03/04/2018 11:30

As per all the above. Nathaniel as a longer version of Nathan.

DarkRoomDarren · 03/04/2018 11:08

Already suggested, but I really like Thomas, Toby, William and Henry.

Or how about Jonathan or John as a first name and then something else in the middle? I don’t hear either of those very much these days and I really like Johnny for a little boy.

user1472334322 · 03/04/2018 10:51

Samuel John

WhereIsBlueRabbit · 03/04/2018 08:35

Lucas
Thomas
Nicholas
Samuel
Nathaniel

The most popular names in my circle at the moment are names like Oscar and Max.

I would have suggested Joseph but probably not with John!

HeadingForSunshine · 03/04/2018 08:33

Brothers of Edwards

Alexander
Nicholas
Oscar
William
Matthew
David