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Baby names

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

Original poster

Why are boy names so difficult?! Help!

41 replies

Russell19 · 24/04/2019 17:48

Hi all,

I've seen a few people saying the same, so glad it's not just me. I'm due in 4 weeks, girls name sorted. Boys name I'm clueless. Hmm

We like classic, English names but nothing too popular. Think lines of Sidney, Elliot, Hugh etc. Nothing seems to be striking us. Family names such as grandparents etc aren't quite right and wouldn't suit a child of this generation (Gary type names)

Looked through what feels like the whole internet and books.... nothing.

Any suggestions of names or advice if you have had this situation? Really don't want to regret our choice or it just be a 'that'll do' name. Confused

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KarineAimee · 29/04/2019 00:09

Until my 20 week scan, I was convinced I was expecting a boy, and was really struggling for names! The only two I had on my list at that point were Marcus and Gregory.

Hope you find your name!

Original poster
Russell19 · 26/04/2019 19:57

@chocolatecake12 Yes sometimes some names just remind you of work! Not necessarily in a bad way always. It's mainly knowing the really popular names and having to say them over and over Haha!

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 26/04/2019 17:35

My DS's name is on your list Smile

Chocolatecake12 · 26/04/2019 17:22

There are some really lovely boys names out there, you just have to find the one!
As a teacher are there any names that you just couldn’t have? Because you’ve taught so many of them? Or all insert name are naughty/rude etc?
Some of my favourites
Stanley
Joseph
Joel
Christian
Isaac
Alexander
Oliver
Ben
William
Jacob
Saul
Solomon
Nicholas
Henry

Cbeebiesrehab · 26/04/2019 17:15

When I was pregnant with my son I felt like I had looked (and vetoed) every single name and came to the conclusion we would never ‘love’ a name so settled on Rowan. Then one afternoon when I went for a nap the name ‘Jude’ came to me and I realised that it was perfect (had family connections!) this was a name we had discussed and vetoed during one of our million conversations about names but suddenly it felt right. Sometimes inspiration hits when you’re not really focusing on it. His name is absolutely perfect for him and no other name I ever considered comes close now. Good luck-I am sure you will find the perfect name for your son!

Original poster
Russell19 · 26/04/2019 16:23

Thanks everyone. I'm currently liking Charles with Charlie as a nn. Still not decided though...seems like such a big commitment Haha xx

OP posts:
FishCanFly · 25/04/2019 15:36

Adrian, Graham, Frank, Ronald

ryanreynolds · 25/04/2019 15:22

I started a similar thread so in the same boat!

I like Douglas but can't use it because of a close friend.

Also Leonard/Lenny but DH hates it.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 25/04/2019 15:20

Classic undatable names.
James. Adam. Thomas
Sam. Louis.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 25/04/2019 15:18

Dexter. Casper. Finbar. Wilbur. Conrad. Jude. Rufus. Reuben.

Icklepup · 25/04/2019 11:50

Hector?

Icklepup · 25/04/2019 11:49

Rufus
Jasper
Silas
Malachi

LokiDokiArtichoki · 24/04/2019 23:33

My youngest is called Leonard (Lenny)
It was in my shortlist for all 3 of my pregnancies but didn’t feel right for #1(she’s a girl) or #2.
But when Ds2 was born it was just him.

My advice is to keep your shortlist to a minimum and only add to it if you love the name rather than just like the sound of it.

Tiramisu1 · 24/04/2019 23:26

Quentin
Marcus
Reuben

Ikeameatballs · 24/04/2019 22:49

Vincent
Stephen
Winston
Ptolomy
Atticus
Wilbur
Seth
Amos
Edwin
Cooper
Colin
Magnus

Sophronia · 24/04/2019 22:44

Eric?

Harebel · 24/04/2019 21:57

Charles

(What girls names do you have in mind?)

NameChange30 · 24/04/2019 21:29

Yes. FWIW, I didn't love DS's name straight away. It was on our shortlist and it wasn't my favourite, but it really grew on me. We settled on it but waited until DS was born before confirming, and it suited him so we went for it. It still felt strange using it for a while. Now (he's 2) i absolutely love his name.

Sorry for rambling... all that to say that the name doesn't have to feel like "the one" straight away!

Original poster
Russell19 · 24/04/2019 20:35

@theblinkowl great advice I'm going to do that! Thank you!

OP posts:
mclady · 24/04/2019 20:13

Stanley
Albert
Alfred
Harold
Henry

theblinkowl · 24/04/2019 19:58

Oh, and Harold and Toby too!

theblinkowl · 24/04/2019 19:58

It took till my children was born to work out their names!

I'd work on a short list you like, rather than trying to find "the one". I just couldn't find "the one" until they were here - none hit me beforehand. Or to be more exact, I had a reason why not for each! Then when my children were here, a couple of the why not reasons seemed to disappear, if that makes any sense!

It looks like so far you have:

Sidney, Elliot, Hugh and Oscar?

Can you add to that, more names you like, even if not the one?

Original poster
Russell19 · 24/04/2019 19:54

Thanks, some good suggestions. Not sure I've found the one still though :(

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 24/04/2019 19:30

Oops Ivo wasn't mentioned but I added it because I like it. Not a classic though!

NameChange30 · 24/04/2019 19:30

I think boys' names are quite easy actually.
If you like classic but not too popular, consider Biblical names.
My favourite suggestions already mentioned are:
Daniel
Elijah
James
Ivo
Leo
Max (I like Maxim if you want a long version)
Reuben
Rory
Toby

Personally I hate all the old man names that are fashionable atm. With the exception of Ray, for some reason! It sounds cool Grin