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Baby names

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

Original poster

Boys names - so hard!

34 replies

Leleophants · 20/05/2019 10:03

Is it just me?

It seems with girls you can be more creative whereas with boys there are such strong connotations to whatever you choose! Please note these are names I LIKE. Other people have told me the connotations already...

  • Boring e.g. James, Matthew, Sam (and tbf these would be middle names as that's half my male friends!)
  • Old man names and now just as common as the first lot! E.g. Arthur, Alfred (Alfie), Archie
  • Sound overly posh and potentially camp (and we have a long and posh sounding surname as it is) e.g. Rupert, Castor
  • Sound like a dog/cats's name or just a joke Hmm Sad e.g. Jasper, Casper,

Anyone found a name without these big assumptions? Any regrets?

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diddlediddle · 24/05/2019 06:07

Yeah I totally get what you're saying OP, ignore the haters. Boys names are harder.

Still, some pps have suggested lots of great names that don't fit your categories so hopefully you'll find something there.

IcelandicYoghurt · 23/05/2019 22:02

I get you OP!

Peter is a lovely name which I think avoids those categories, also maybe David?

sundowners · 23/05/2019 21:57

OP you sound seriously annoying, need to chill and just focus on your baby and names that you think sound nice, not about every possible stupid connotation/connection/ other people’s potential assumptions.
Astronica is spot on.

Purplelavenders · 22/05/2019 14:27

Sorry about the multiple posts Blush it always said 'failed to post, try again'.

Purplelavenders · 22/05/2019 14:26

Ridiculous assumptions about names, op, especially for ruling out great names for fear of them being canine or camp ConfusedShock!

Purplelavenders · 22/05/2019 14:26

Ridiculous assumptions about names, op, especially for ruling out great names for fear of them being canine or camp ConfusedShock!

Purplelavenders · 22/05/2019 14:24

Ridiculous assumptions about names, op, especially for ruling out great names for fear of them being canine or camp ConfusedShock!

Purplelavenders · 22/05/2019 14:24

Ridiculous assumptions about names, op, especially for ruling out great names for fear of them being canine or camp ConfusedShock!

Purplelavenders · 22/05/2019 14:23

Ridiculous assumptions about names, op, especially for ruling out great names for fear of them being canine or camp ConfusedShock!

Purplelavenders · 22/05/2019 14:23

Ridiculous assumptions about names, op, especially for ruling out great names for fear of them being canine or camp ConfusedShock!

Purplelavenders · 22/05/2019 14:23

Ridiculous assumptions about names, op, especially for ruling out great names for fear of them being canine or camp ConfusedShock!

Whoops75 · 22/05/2019 14:23

I’d pick Alan over jasper/Casper any day Grin

Boys names are hard, just remember he’ll be a man far longer than he’ll be a boy.

FizzBuzzBangWoof · 22/05/2019 13:03

Benjamin is the ultimate what London?

Ben has been massively overused for the past 30 years so if the OP is looking for something what can't fall into the 'boring' category then Ben(jamin) definitely isn't it!

CherylLousie · 22/05/2019 12:50

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londonmarathonhalfwaypoint · 22/05/2019 12:49

Benjamin is the ultimate.

outsho · 22/05/2019 12:46

Grin at someone suggesting Alan, in 2019...

outsho · 22/05/2019 12:45

I definitely found boys names harder than girls. It took me ages to decide on my DS’s names but DD’s were very quick and painless, also felt I had more choice.

Having said that, Rupert is a great name!

missmouse101 · 20/05/2019 17:37

Adam is perfectly nice and straightforward.

mycatisblack · 20/05/2019 17:34

My DS has what could be argued is a dog's name but I like it and no-one else has it at his school, so that's just grand. Grin

stayhomeclub · 20/05/2019 16:58

You might get flamed here but I totally agree with you, I’m finding it almost impossible to find a name I like

sparklysunflower · 20/05/2019 16:50

Boys names are exceptionally hard, either common, or posh wankery, or just made up.

Wow, I hope you're not my sons' teacher!!

NorthernRunner · 20/05/2019 16:46

Boys names are exceptionally hard, either common, or posh wankery, or just made up.

I have two names on my boys list. And I don’t think I really like either of them. 🤦🏻‍♀️

EspressoPatronum · 20/05/2019 16:45

Orin
Patrick
Finn
Dominic
Jacob
Efren
Caleb
Rufus

Whoops75 · 20/05/2019 16:33

Dominic
Johnny
Alan
Matt
Elliot
Jack

I agree with a lot of what you said but a name won’t make a child anything and they will own their name in time.

Astronica · 20/05/2019 16:12

I don't get why Jasper or Casper would be a joke? Or why some names sound like pets' names, admittedly something often brought up on MN. Dogs and cats can be called anything and I just can't see what that obvious fact has to do with naming your child.

I think you need to develop some confidence in your own taste and stop listening to other people's 'connotations' of your favourite names. One person's boring is the next person's solid classic. Only someone in the UK would describe a name as 'overly posh' - the rest of the world is not so worried about a name out of their class... Anyway sorry for the late night rant here, but sounds like you have lots of perfectly usable names you like but no confidence in using them.

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