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Baby names

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

I can't find a name we love...

55 replies

iprefercatstohumans · 02/07/2020 13:24

I feel as though I've read every thread, website, book etc etc etc, but I just cannot find the perfect name.

For boys, we like classic known names (possibly with a little twist) that aren't really popular. I like Alexander but that is too popular so would probably be used for a middle name. However, we have recently discussed using Xander or Sacha in the alternative. DH thinks of Sacha as sounding quite feminine though.

I want to avoid any cutesy names for a boy. We like Elliot but unsure of popularity, DH isn't in love with that and neither am I to be honest. Others I like the sound of, to give you an idea, are Edward (too popular though), Felix, Monty, Wilbur, Joseph, Jesse (a friends sister has used this though so I feel like I've pushed it aside already).

For girls, we have a similar taste to boys names on the whole. A known name but not too feminine sounding; strong and bold but still smart sounding. So, we have considered Dorothy and Clara so far but again, not at all sold. Also we have reservations about the ever growing popularity of Clara. Finding girls names the hardest. I think we are happy to go more unusual with girl names.

Surname is Carter if that helps with ideas/ the sound of the full name. Would be grateful for any views on the above names and more suggestions to help us find the ones! ⭐️

OP posts:
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iprefercatstohumans · 09/07/2020 16:10

Thanks all.

@MikeUniformMike Magnus is such an awesome name! I love that. Not sure it's quite our style but I'm going to write it down to think about.

I also love Angus but DH isn't massively keen.

@oldstripeyNEWname1 Such a good point! Kids will be kids and they'll decide themselves. I definitely love a name for shortening options that they may prefer. I will forever be that mother who only calls them by their full name haha!

@MrsCrosbyNRTB thanks for the Clara love, I'm obsessed with it! I really like Reuben and Rowan but I think they're a bit 2020 for us. I adore Peter too.

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MrsCrosbyNRTB · 07/07/2020 20:17

LOVE Clara Carter.

For a boy how about Rowan, Reuben or Silas?

FWIW I’m also a fan of Peter and Edward, lovely and underused names

oldstripeyNEWname1 · 07/07/2020 19:56

Some really good names here OP. All three of my kids names mentioned. We wanted not too popular, with many nn/derivations. (DH a teacher!)

On which point, it's fine saying YOU will stick to a particular name, just be aware your child may have other ideas. Ds 1 is known by pretty much everyone by his abbreviated name. Dd chooses one version of her name at home, one at school, another at dance, another with friends. Ds2 loves being the only one in school with his name, even though we still call him his childhood nickname at home.

Kids eh?

Grufallosfriends · 07/07/2020 19:48

I like Clara.

For a boy I really like the suggestions of Dominic and Quentin. They both sound good with Carter too!

MikeUniformMike · 07/07/2020 19:43

Magnus for a boy
Magna for a girl

iprefercatstohumans · 07/07/2020 18:52

Thank you all. Pretty set on Clara now. DH likes Claudia too but slight preference to Clara.

Just boys names to decide on. @sunandrose thank you, that is really helpful. I really love Edward and would stick to calling him that.

Still considering boys names so please do keep the suggestions coming. All so so helpful, I'm grateful!

OP posts:
sunandrose · 06/07/2020 20:12

I have an Edward and am a teacher- known a lot of Neds, Eddies, Teds and Eds but not Edward, which we stick too. Not popular IMO

Other names on our list:
Barnaby
Felix
Hugo
Kit

Girls:
Tabitha
Etta
Clemmie
Violet
Aurelia

NataliaOsipova · 06/07/2020 17:39

Honestly - just go for what you like and don’t worry too much about the “too popular” thing. It’s very hard to judge what others will choose and, at least in my experience, you often get more than one kid with a so-called “unusual” name in the class. Clara is really lovely. As are Alexander and Edward.

morefun · 06/07/2020 17:33

Ooh, I love Tabitha as someone suggested.

I thought Root wasn't great, glad someone corrected 😂

LarkDescending · 06/07/2020 16:22

Clara Carter is great.

Has Jasper been ruled out?

Whatsyourflava · 06/07/2020 15:10

Totally agree @coco2020 but I loved the name Clara already but surname just totally works
Yes you guessed it @iprefercatstohumans Casper Carter gets my vote but I love Felix too.
Could you come back and update us? Would be so interested to hear what you have and what name you choose

coco2020 · 06/07/2020 14:58

I'm not usually the biggest fan of Clara - but Clara Carter is one seriously cool name! She sounds like the main character in a book. Go for it!!

iprefercatstohumans · 06/07/2020 13:26

@babynamelover I love Dominic and just Griff. The others are a little too American feeling for us but all lovely suggestions thank you.

Love some of the girls names, Rowena, Tessa and Polly (DH loves Polly). My heart is still on Clara though but grateful for your help.

OP posts:
babynamelover · 06/07/2020 11:22

Jethro
Marshall
Heath
Keanu
Cole
Reed
Bede
Dominic
Sebastian
Griffin
Harvey
Jonas
Conrad
Vincent
Micah

Tamsin
Thera/Thora
Annalise
Elsa
Rowena
Bonnie
Eloise
Elise
Tessa
Isadora
Polly
Simona
Sylvie
Gwyneth
Winona
Keturah
Britta
Noelle

iprefercatstohumans · 06/07/2020 08:44

Oh, I forgot Caspian! I love that too

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iprefercatstohumans · 06/07/2020 08:42

@Whatsyourflava I guess you're team Caspar Carter? Caspar and Clara ❤️ I just now need you to come to persuade my husband! 😍

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iprefercatstohumans · 06/07/2020 08:37

Finally had a chance to go through your suggestions:

I think we are pretty set on Clara Carter for a girl. Middle name tbc...

For boys from your suggestions we like: (sorry I've written out with full name as that helps us in deciding usually)

Monty Carter (this has a ring to it)
Sidney Carter
Felix Carter
Caspar Carter (too much?!?!) 😬
Elliot Carter

OP posts:
iprefercatstohumans · 05/07/2020 23:00

@Whatsyourflava that is really good to know, that does alleviate some concerns. DH is firing random boy names at me but thankfully Clara is a name we both agree on if it's a girl. I adore it as a full name too! I'm secretly hoping for a girl but of course I'd be happy with either so long as it's happy and healthy.

Felix is my favourite for a boy!

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Whatsyourflava · 05/07/2020 22:30

I read your first message and you said you're concerned about Clara's growing popularity. Actually if you look at the official ONS statistics, the number of Clara's born has plateaued and held steady each and every year since 2015 so looking at the overall trend, the name is probably going to stick around the number 90 mark. But most importantly, when you're name is as cool as Clara Carter is probably want there to be another Clara in the class, just so that people use your full name as often as possible!
(For what it's worth I've never met a Clara despite past 5 years at baby groups)

iprefercatstohumans · 05/07/2020 21:53

@user1493494961 I actually really like Josiah & Joss!

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user1493494961 · 04/07/2020 22:36

Josiah (Joss), Silas, Nathaniel (Nate), Sebastian, Edmund (Ned). Edward is a great name though and not overly popular.

iprefercatstohumans · 02/07/2020 22:28

@Whatsyourflava you're making me love it even more! ❤️

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Whatsyourflava · 02/07/2020 22:14

Clara Carter is a winner I recon! Wish that was my name tbh! @iprefercatstohumans

CaffiSaliMali · 02/07/2020 21:24

Also, Jenna and Jennifer

CaffiSaliMali · 02/07/2020 21:22

Alistair
Robert
Edmund
Patrick
Nicholas
Dominic
Christopher
Paul

All the Rose names - Rose, Rosa, Rosalie, Rosemary, Rosanna, Rosalind
Juliet
Felicity
Cecily
Katharine
Anne
Mary
Caroline
Sarah
Louisa/e
Christina
Rebecca
Adele
Alicia

Have you been through a list of the top 1000 names for each sex? Might help you find some underused classics.

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