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Baby names

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

Original poster

I like baby name Rowan BUT....

59 replies

MissHenty · 04/09/2019 09:16

I already have one DC (now 5yo) go through preschool and baby groups, and everywhere I go there has been a selection of Rowan, Roman and Ronan’s (also Reubens but that’s less confusing). I think all those names must now be top 100 so they are likely to mix regularly and are SO SIMILAR. I’ve noticed the parent has to keep explaining how their child’s name is spelt to decipher them from the other names. No thanks!

Anyway thinking of alternative names.... perhaps Lucas? What do you think? Something fairly soft and gentle sounding. ie nothing like Hunter or Wolf.

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Atlasta · 05/09/2019 20:48

Love Owen

Whereland · 05/09/2019 20:46

Evan

Tattyjet · 05/09/2019 20:44

Hi, I had the same quest for a ‘gentle’, interesting name for a boy. Names I liked that were vetoed (!):
Amos (nickname Moss)
Joseph (Joss for short)
Gabriel

ToddlerTwinsAndUnhinged · 05/09/2019 20:30

I think Seth, Sonny and Peter are all lovely. Liam is also nice (I have a husband and son with the name) but it is common!
Good luck with it :)

IsobelRae23 · 05/09/2019 12:24

Asher, Avery, Alister, Atticus, Ashton, Barrie, Baxter, Caleb, Cory, Cain, Cole, Carter, David, Ethan, Emmett, Fredrick, Fletcher, Finley, Fabian, Felix, Gideon, Grayson, Gulliver, Horacio, Huxley, Hudson, Hunter, Ivor, Jasper, Jacob, Joshua, Leon, Levi, Lester, Micah, Matteo, Morgan, Nate, Nathaniel, Oskar, Percy, Quinn, Rufus, Riley, Reid, Raife, Rupert, Samson, Saul, Seth, Sean, Tate, Tobias, Tegan, Wilson, Watson,

Original poster
MissHenty · 04/09/2019 21:49

I don’t mind the fact that arlo is getting more popular

It’s the confusion that I’ve seen arise between all the RoMan/RoWan and RoNan’s at nursery at playgroups. Parents having to spell the names out each time.

Arlo is fairly popular but I don’t think you’d hear it and get it mixed up with another name

Thank you for all the lovely name suggestions

I really like Cody and Louis- thank you xx

OP posts:
Shadow1234 · 04/09/2019 21:30

Luca
Micah
Elliott
Ellis
Ethan
Aiden
Cody
Wyatt
Leo
Lewis
Louis

Sparklypurpleunicornsaremyfav · 04/09/2019 20:59

The two rowans I know are girls

Rhi11 · 04/09/2019 20:43

I have a 5 month called Rowan don't know of any his age.

MrsIronfoundersson · 04/09/2019 20:26

Ditto Owen.
Arlo getting very popular.

Original poster
MissHenty · 04/09/2019 20:20

Sonny!
lovely - thank you for the suggestions!

OP posts:
Baboutheocelot · 04/09/2019 19:21

How about Owen?

IckleBear · 04/09/2019 19:15

Zachary
Sonny
Fabian
Daniel

Original poster
MissHenty · 04/09/2019 15:04

RoMan and RoWan were the two fastest rising boys names in the top 100 this year I think (except Arlo and Hunter I think). Plus as RoMan is quite a bit higher up the charts than RoWan (or Ronan), people often hear the name RoWan or RoNan and assume it’s just another RoMan. It’s a minefield 🤣

I really like Arlo too. It’s gentle sounding and doesn’t sound identical to any other popular name I can think of

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averythinline · 04/09/2019 15:03

Love Rowan - also some nice 2 sylablle names,....
Matthew
Edward (could be a Ned)
Justin
Conor

Original poster
MissHenty · 04/09/2019 14:57
  • hadn’t not Both !! Sorry
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Original poster
MissHenty · 04/09/2019 14:56

Aaron and Liam are nice. Both thought of them. Thanks x

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Original poster
MissHenty · 04/09/2019 14:55

12 years ago neither Rowan or Roman were in the top 100 (now they both are!)
In fact there were hardly any 12 years ago- RoMan would have been a completely obscure name back then! It’s a different landscape now 🤣

Thank you for your input

Oh dear that’s not good that Lucas was a “bogan” name- dont actually know what that even means but it sounds bad 🤣 I’ll have a google

Peter is a nice gentle name thanks

OP posts:
Satchell · 04/09/2019 14:38

People don't mistake it for Roman.

Satchell · 04/09/2019 14:37

I have a Rowan and would say its uncommon amongst his age group. Hes nearly 12.

BogglesGoggles · 04/09/2019 14:36

Lucus was a popular ‘bogan’ nsne when I was growing up but I’m not sure I’ve ever met any in Britain.

Original poster
MissHenty · 04/09/2019 14:35

@FantasticPhyllis yes I see Lucas is higher up the name charts but it’s not almost identical to a load of other names (eg Mucas isn’t a popular name 🤣)

I suppose it’d be like Gary/Barry and Harry all being in top 100 (which I know they aren’t!). You’d have to continually say “Garry with a G” for example 🤣

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Original poster
MissHenty · 04/09/2019 14:32

Grayson is lovely too and doesn’t sound too similar to other names

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Original poster
MissHenty · 04/09/2019 14:31

Abel! - that’s nice!! Thank you

It’s only recently that RoMan’s popularity has gone a bit mad. Maybe it’s that’s Roman Kemp who is on the radio. Don’t know where they’ve all suddenly sprouted from.

But yes thank you very much for all the gentle name suggestions

OP posts:
Laquila · 04/09/2019 14:03

Also just thought of Abraham/Abe, and I know an absolutely gorgeous baby Graeme! Or Grayson? That was on our list.