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Baby names

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

Original poster

It's a boy - looking for early opinions

35 replies

Buffyanne · 27/06/2020 00:58

I'm 16 weeks pregnant and through genetic testing already know I'm having a boy. Was really wanting a girl but I'm settling into the idea of a boy except names are a huge question mark. Husband wants to wait a few more weeks to start discussing names (completion of genetic test results) but I'd like to have ideas to bring to the table.

I really loved Callahan but rhymes with husband's name and our dogs name too actually, so was maybe open to considering Callister instead.

Callister Blaine or Callister Dean (or open to other middle names. We arent doing family names. Last name is kinda a mouthful though so trying to keep middle name simple).

I also like:

Marshall Breccan
Rhett Callahan (was thinking if I did Callahan as a middle it's not as bad with the rhyming issue)
Elias Grant
Brantley Austin
Archer Lachlan
Colin Elias
Leonardo Everett (Leo)
Wyatt Austin or Wyatt Asher
Hudson Graham
Elliott Reese
Heston Grant
Sullivan (? - dont have mn yet)
Fintan James
Liev Archer

Opinions or suggestions welcome. I'm not super married to anything yet. I want something not overly common (I had Noah on the list but its much too popular) but simple and handsome. I want something original I guess but not out there, which I'm sure is what everyone wants but with boys it's tough!! Appreciate all and any advice!

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Amzka · 29/06/2020 11:36

Some great names on that list. To my (UK) ear, Colin sounds a bit dated... a bit like Ian, Gary and Graham, a name that is more likely to be someone's dad's name than a baby's name. I like Lev / Liev, we have a son called Leon and we usually call him Leo but sometimes call him Lev.

Happenchance · 28/06/2020 22:20

Huxley
Cillian
Finbar
Holden
Bronson

GiGi18 · 28/06/2020 18:50

Yes, Cailean would rhyme with Alan traditionally but I have heard of people pronouncing it Kay-Len too, but then you prob wouldn't naturally shorten to Cal. Hope you find the name soon!

Strokethefurrywall · 28/06/2020 01:11

If you do an advance search OP you'll find a thread called "Sullivan or Lachlan" which was mine when I was deciding for DS2!! 🤣

DH is called Fraser and his middle names is James. There's a lot you can do with any of those names and I adore them all!

Original poster
Buffyanne · 28/06/2020 00:33

Thanks @Ardessa - great suggestions! I also love the name Dermot but it rhymes with Kermit and I already know I'm on my own with that one but I think it's so handsome!

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Ardessa · 27/06/2020 23:15

Wyatt James
Hudson Grant
Rhett Calahan (or Callan)

I think these all sound better and go nicer from your list. Would suggest looking at authors names to get inspiration from such as Evelyn Waugh, Ernest Hemingway, Aldous Huxley, Ralph Ellison, Raymond Chandler, Thomas Hardy etc.

Original poster
Buffyanne · 27/06/2020 22:54

Associations will definitely make you not like a totally get it! Callister is a little out there I agree. I love it ine day and dont much care for it the next.

Cailean is really beautiful! I love it. Would the pronunciation rhyme directly with Alan?

I like Liev too but worry people wont pronounce it correctly. It's of the more exotic on the list, which I can appreciate so would love more suggestions similar.

Still crushing on Sullivan and Lachlan. Marshall and Rhett too. At least I have a worthy list now.

I think the Cal names may just have to take a backseat to middle name status as I cant get them to really work!

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FizzyGreenWater · 27/06/2020 22:52

Lachlan is great. If you like that, how about Struan, Fraser?

Babymabel · 27/06/2020 21:42

I like Wyatt, Hudson, Elliot, Liev & Sullivan our of your first names. Asher, Archer, Reese & James as middles.

Brantley is the only name I really don't like actually, it's is quite ugly. Not keen on Callister either, I work with a woman with this surname and she's a pain in the arse.

Strokethefurrywall · 27/06/2020 21:38

Haha OP we have very similar name tastes. My Sullivan was almost a Lachlan, but he was born on St Patrick's day so Sullivan was the obvious name choice between Scottish or Irish.

Also on names list was Brandon, Elliott, Bodhi, Griffin and Vaughn.

GiGi18 · 27/06/2020 21:32

How about Cailean? It's a Scottish name (Gaelic for Colin) pronounced Callan. It's one of my favourite names. Can use Cal or Caley as nicknames.

Original poster
Buffyanne · 27/06/2020 21:06

Thank you for the suggestions! I just thought about Lachlan, which I am adding to the list! I really love it!

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FizzyGreenWater · 27/06/2020 18:27

Cowboy is good!

OP, if your last name is a bit of a mouthful then a 'simple' middle name isn't the answer - that makes no difference to anyone. Callister Mouthful-Surname is all 95% of his acquaintances will ever know.

If you need to offset the surname, have Callister as the middle and a simple first name. If you really want a Cal, Callum would be perfect, but if you're into the American WASP-meet cowboy vibe, you could even be creative?

Calson
Calney
Calton.

Cass names are great. Cassiel, Cassius, Casey would be good?

From your list I like Rhett, Wyatt and Fintan, and would suggest:

Erland
Heath
Thurston

Original poster
Buffyanne · 27/06/2020 18:09

Thank you for understanding what I was trying to say @mylittlesandwich. Exactly!

Greyson is a cool name but trending in the US so you were correct. Reuben is a solid name- we have two friends named Reuben!

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Original poster
Buffyanne · 27/06/2020 17:59

My taste may be a little "cowboy" haha, I get it! I don't mind it personally. Rhett Akins and son Thomas Rhett are country singers but I actually think about Gone with the Wind, which is more sophisticated I think!

Marshall means "love of horses" or "one who looks after horses," which I actually really love.

To me Wyatt is the ultimate "cowboy" type name buy in the US it's also used for girls now which I think has softened it some. I still prefer it for a boy personally.

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BackforGood · 27/06/2020 17:34

I read the list and was taken beck to my youth when I used to enjoy watching (and reading) Western films (and novels) Grin
Strange how very different names can be in 2 Countries that, on the surface, speak the same language (I'm in the UK). Smile

mylittlesandwich · 27/06/2020 17:34

Eh, I thought I'd have a girl, found out at 18 weeks I was having a boy. So I get where you're coming from. Once he's here you'll forget all about it. I love my wee guy. We toyed with Greyson but I thought it was a bit american. We went with Reuben in the end. From your list I think my favourite is Rhett. But that could be country music clouding my judgement.

Original poster
Buffyanne · 27/06/2020 17:29

Thank you! I like Leo too - it's one if those few names for me that even if its really popular it's still a contender!

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Original poster
Buffyanne · 27/06/2020 17:28

Hmmm I think Castiel sounds too much like Castle but Cassiel I actually find intriguing! Not sure it flows with our last name but I kinda like Cassiel. Definitely on my mind now!

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Roselilly36 · 27/06/2020 17:26

I love the name Leo, I also love Curtis, Carter. Lucas, Dexter. Have fun choosing.

Original poster
Buffyanne · 27/06/2020 17:21

My husband's name is Alan - which is why I think Callahan sounds too similar. And I think I'm having the same problem with Callum. It also kinda sounds like Golam or column. I want to like it and the combo Callum Ezra is quite lovely - but I just have too many reservations.

Yeah I'm trying to like Callister. I know it comes from McCallister. Somehow Mc/Mac names became feminine (like Mackenzie). I'm not a fan of the Mc/Mac part.

I think my top runners may be Marshall and Rhett.

Thoughts on Rhett Callahan or Marshall Breccan?

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ButDoUAvocado · 27/06/2020 16:57

Callister sounds too feminine.
Love Archer and Liev.

Castiel if you like the sounds in Callister?

Original poster
Buffyanne · 27/06/2020 16:34

Wow, I never said it was. I just always pictured a girl is all. Definitely had more names in mind for girls. To get back to the actual point...

I love Elliott and Leo but they are rather popular, I agree. I've tried to like Callum - maybe it will grow on me. Thank you for the suggestion.

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Blursula · 27/06/2020 10:59

Altering my mind away from girl fantasies to boy realities if that makes sense.

Yeah, because having a child is ALL about the decor and the baby shower themes Hmm

FixItUpChappie · 27/06/2020 06:09

I think Elliot and Leo are trending too much - your going to end up with tones of them.....I like Levi Archer and Archer Lachlan personally.