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Baby names

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Original poster

Down to final three - Russian boys names

131 replies

Goostacean · 26/06/2019 14:21

Thanks to everyone for their help on my other thread, still mulling over options!

I'm down to:
Mikhail (Misha)
Constantin
Anton

And just missing out from the shortlist are: Stefan, Artyom and Fyodor (Freddie). We live in the UK so name needs to be pronounceable, spell-able, etc!

What do you think?

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behindlocknumbernine · 26/06/2019 16:49

I don't like Anton. For reasons I cannot put my finger on.
Mikhael is nice. I'm possibly swayed by the fact my first proper boyfriend was German, his name was Michael and his nn was Misha. He was a nice chap!
Stefan is ok. But in my mind it is a German name. And a rather over-popular German name at that....
Now, Constantin. I LOVE this. Beautiful, strong, rolls of the tongue nicely. Love it!. Different but not too 'out there'.

IThrewItOnTheGround · 26/06/2019 16:37

It only seems to be a thing for English speakers that names ending in "a" are feminine - hence all the female Nikitas you hear about. I don't think it's a problem re Misha, since it will only be a nn and not his "official" name.

MarshaBradyo · 26/06/2019 16:33

I was pronouncing Stefan your way in my mind

Still love Misha - I wouldn’t think a girl

hanahsaunt · 26/06/2019 16:33

Fyodor would really irritate me because to my British ear it ought to be TH so sounds like sloppy speech.

I adore Constantin.

PCohle · 26/06/2019 16:30

Mikhail because I love Misha (I don't think of it as a girl's name at all - I'm in the UK).

Anton just makes me think of du Beke. With Constantin I wonder if you'd have people assume an "e" was missing and I just don't love virtue names in general - what if your son is very fickle?

Original poster
Goostacean · 26/06/2019 16:25

@ThumbWitchesAbroad That's a good point, like the actress Mischa Barton... But I have a unisex name often used for men, in fairness, and it's fine. I don't think it's a big concern in the UK.

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Cookit · 26/06/2019 16:19

I’ve always loved the name Constantin.

Don’t really like Anton.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 26/06/2019 16:19

Not really relevant to you, I know, but my only reservation on Mikhail/Misha (apart from pronouncing it Michael) is that I know of a few Mishas here in Australia, with different spellings, and all girls.

Don't suppose that's the same in the UK - it's not a name I heard much when I was still there 10 years ago.

Original poster
Goostacean · 26/06/2019 16:16

I love Theodore but it's too popular for my liking. Same with Leo...

Looks like it's between Constatin and Mikhail. Baby Cos or baby Misha... Will probably leave the final choice up to DH!

My reservation with Stefan is that I'd put the accent on the second syllable - Ste-FAN. But in the UK it'll be STE-fan. And a nn... Stef? Steve? Mm. Not sold. Constantin/Mikhail win out, I think.

OP posts:
Saucery · 26/06/2019 16:14

I love Constantin.

Stationeryqueen · 26/06/2019 16:13

I really like Mikhail (Misha), also Stefan is fab too. There is nothing wrong with Anton, but initially I wouldn't have thought Russian.

Constantin is really nice and unusual, but it makes me want to say Constantinople, (now i've got the song as an ear worm! Smile)

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 26/06/2019 16:13

*anglicise

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 26/06/2019 16:13

You could always anglicist Fyodor to Theodore instead?

Loopytiles · 26/06/2019 16:13

Anton is dull.

Loopytiles · 26/06/2019 16:12

Like most of them, but not Constantin.

Original poster
Goostacean · 26/06/2019 16:09

DH would veto a Konstantin, too Kardashian! Fyodor is lovely but I fear it will be painfully mispronounced. No comments on Artyom, so that one's out, I think....

OP posts:
TatianaLarina · 26/06/2019 16:08

Misha is one of my fav names. I knew a Misha at school, he was gorgeous.

Out of those 3 I’d go for that.

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 26/06/2019 16:06

I actually love Fyodor as well - it's my favourite of all your names mentioned.

Original poster
Goostacean · 26/06/2019 16:03

The problem with Anton is that it's very similar to an old boyfriend's name - for me they're completely different names and I'd not made the connection, but it was the first thing my best friend said about the name when I floated some options in conversation... Don't want everyone thinking it was anything to do with him! It's a lovely name though, urgh.

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IThrewItOnTheGround · 26/06/2019 16:02

I'm prejudiced against Anton because it was the name of the school bully in my primary class - horrible little snot-nosed creature, he was. I appreciate that has nothing to do with you, but you did ask for reasons for dislike!

I like Mikhail and the diminutive Misha. Constantin is nice but I feel like, if you're in the UK, people might think it ought to have an e on the end, and pronounce it as if it did. You could minimise that by spelling it with a K, if you like that option?

ThumbWitchesAbroad · 26/06/2019 15:54

I love Constantin too!
but I'd probably go with Anton.
Mikhail is lovely but may be anglicised to Michael (which may or may not bother you), whereas Anton is the same in every country and language (pretty much, anyway!)

Constantin though...

Original poster
Goostacean · 26/06/2019 15:49

Yep, Kostya. Although I reckon we'd end up with "Coz"/Cos for ease of use.

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MercedesDeMonteChristo · 26/06/2019 15:42

Tough choice for me between Constantin and Mikhail. Is Kostya the diminutive of Constantin? I love them both and considered Mikhail.

AnonymousP · 26/06/2019 15:31

Love Constantin! Mikhail is also nice.

Original poster
Goostacean · 26/06/2019 15:03

Ooh mixed views... feel free to say why, or what you dislike about any of them. Am leaning towards Mikhail, but love Constantin (and feel it goes best with DS1). Interesting to see Stefan get so much love!

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