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Baby names

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

Original poster

"Girlie" names for a boy

30 replies

Dalia1989 · 02/01/2019 12:52

Hello. First post here. Only just found out I'm pregnant (eight weeks), so this is all super speculative and will change loads over the next while. I also know I maybe shouldn't be making plans until the 12 week scan but it's hard not to!

DH and I like some quite old fashioned boy's names, including ones which are originally male but are also used for girls these days - Aubrey, Jocelyn are the two main ones.

Are those usable for a boy these days, or do you think he'd get bullied.

Other names we've always liked are:

Nathaniel
Dylan
Robert
Morgan
Bran
Bryn
Owain

DH is Welsh but we live in Scotland if that makes any difference. Thank you for reading!

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OrdinarySnowflake · 03/01/2019 20:06

Cameron
Jago
Jonty
Jude

Shadow1234 · 03/01/2019 18:53

Ellis
Harris

Carouselfish · 02/01/2019 23:40

Florian
Julian
Carey
Kelly

Winona1 · 02/01/2019 19:43

@Dalia1989 Owain will be pronounced as 'OH-WINE' as it should, not Owen. HmmI think Robert is overused and dare I say, boring. I love Jocelyn NN Joss!

BackforGood · 02/01/2019 17:56

Not keen on either Aubrey or Jocelyn tbh.

I really like Robert - strong, classic name, different options to shorten it or works really well as a complete name. Not many other Roberts about as babies or toddlers, but everyone will know the name and be able to spell it, etc.

Any of these are better than your first 2, tbh :
Nathaniel
Dylan
Robert
Morgan
Bryn
Owain

Though not Bran. that just says 'Bran flakes' to me.

I like Bryn and Morgan, after Robert.

MikeUniformMike · 02/01/2019 17:40

I know a female Glyn if that helps. She's lovely too but it is a boy's name.
Lindsay is a unisex name.

Original poster
Dalia1989 · 02/01/2019 17:38

Argh! Yes, good comment about Jesse/Jessie. It would be an invitation to getting beaten up in the playground. Glyn is lovely.

OP posts:
YahBasic · 02/01/2019 17:22

I adore Aubrey.

Joseph (nn Jos)
Cormac
Colm
William (nn Billy)

a few other suggestions!

YouCantBeSirius · 02/01/2019 17:17

I wouldn't call a boy in Scotland Jesse. Shame really it is a nice name. I like Robert the best from your list.

MikeUniformMike · 02/01/2019 17:14

The relatives in Wales aren't the worry! An alternative to Bryn could be Glyn. All the welsh Glyns I've ever met have been really nice. Or you could go for Glen(n) for a more scottish name.

blondeemily · 02/01/2019 17:14

I know two Aubreys and they are both girls. Not keen on it as a boys name.

I think Morgan is a really good suggestion. Also like Jesse but it's a shame about the connotations where you live.

Ifyouthinkiwillsleepyoudream · 02/01/2019 17:13

Colin?

CookieSwirlC · 02/01/2019 17:13

I love Jesse. My grandad was a Jesse it’s a classic boys name for me. It would have been on my boys list but my niece is called Jessica.

4point2fleet · 02/01/2019 17:13

I like Jody.

Joss is good too.

TheOnlyWayIsUpBaby · 02/01/2019 17:10

Aubrey is a boys name!! Very confused when DHs cousin named her dd Aubrey!! I know 4 male Aubrey’s - only 1 girl.

Also if you want a male/female name how about

Lesley/Leslie - I reckon it’s about to come back!!
Beverley
Dale

JellySlice · 02/01/2019 17:08

Aubrey is a nice name, unusual yet traditional, and not associated with girls AFAIK. Some people might think you said 'Audrey', I suppose.

Jocelyn is too associated with girls, now, I think. How about Jolyon? Another very traditional name, and rarely used nowadays.

AltogetherAndrews · 02/01/2019 17:08

You cannot call a child Jesse in Scotland, what with big Jessie being an insult suggesting weak.

PinkCalluna · 02/01/2019 17:08

Jesse in Scotland is highly problematic. (As in “ye big Jessie”)

Jocelyn - hmmm. Depends where you live. Joss would certainly be fine though.

All the rest are fine.

Original poster
Dalia1989 · 02/01/2019 17:06

And yes. I think Bryn is Welsh for hill.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dalia1989 · 02/01/2019 17:05

Oooh...I do like Jesse. DH says he likes that too.

OP posts:
NotUmbongoUnchained · 02/01/2019 17:04

I know 3 male Joss’.

I love Jesse for a boy too.

ReggieKrayDoYouKnowMyName · 02/01/2019 17:04

Bryn, that’s Welsh for “hill” isn’t it?

Original poster
Dalia1989 · 02/01/2019 17:03

Also, I do like Joss.

Morgan and Robert are DH's favourites at the moment.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dalia1989 · 02/01/2019 17:02

Thank you for Welsh pronunciation tips. In laws are all from North Wales so at least they will get it right!

I like the idea of Italian names but neither DH nor I are Italian and I thought that might annoy actual Italian people we meet?

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Sophronia · 02/01/2019 14:48

I like Aubrey and Jocelyn, but I’d spell it Joscelin, which I think was the original version. I’ve also seen Jocelin and Josselin. From the other names I like Robert, Morgan and Bryn.