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Baby names

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

Original poster

A name that fits both baby and man...

57 replies

OnNaturesCourse · 18/01/2021 22:35

We are having trouble with boys names. All the names we like (like Theo for example) we can picture on a baby, but not on a grown man.

We also dislike names that are commonly shortened ie Alexander to Alex, Nicholas to Nick, Archer to Archie etc.

Any suggestions?

Our "kinda" okay list at the moment are - Hunter, Issac, Caleb, Jack, Kian, Leo, Liam, Lincoln, Cole.

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Ellmau · 22/01/2021 18:53

Lawrence
Conrad
Felix
Jasper
Adam
Victor
John

Strokethefurrywall · 22/01/2021 15:03

Loved Lincoln for DS2 but we also have a Carter so would look like proper presidential nutjobs if we'd gone with that!

My friend has a 2 year old Lincoln (she's American) and his nn is Link, great nickname!

CuddlyDudley71 · 22/01/2021 14:53

I have a Dexter-Dexy, Dex and Dexter.

NoPupIsTooSmall · 22/01/2021 13:17

Archie and Alfie (ok possibly Alf or Fred) I would consider grown up names as I know various older men with those names (all lawyers).

When people I knew all started called their babies Archie in the past 5-10 years I was surprised as I thought it was old fashioned (but nice) and now it's everywhere for little ones. I'd say the same for Angus and Hamish etc. Funny how people can have all different perceptions of names based on their own experience.

The only names I don't think translate all that well into adulthood are very cutesy names like Buddy, Teddy, Bear etc or names that very themed like Hendrix, Khaleesi, something like that.

ivfbeenbusy · 22/01/2021 13:08

Hunter, Issac, Caleb, Jack, Kian, Leo, Liam, Lincoln, Cole.

Other than Liam and jack none of the others would be suitable for a "man" like your posts requests - and certainly not Blake or dexter! You are way off if that's what you've come up with so far?

Februaryisnear · 22/01/2021 13:04

How do Archie and Alfie not fit men?!
I’m maybe biased as my great grandfather was Archie (not Archibald) and Alfie becomes Alf?!

BurtonHouse · 22/01/2021 12:26

I see your problem. Dsis, dbro and I all have just one, short unmesswithable name, although dbro's is deeply out of favour now so I won't suggest it.
What about Adam, Will, Frank, Leo, Sam, Tom?

Edenember · 21/01/2021 15:55

I think biblical is a good way to go for the parameters you’ve mentioned. Other names I’ve always thought cute for a boy but nice on a man - Alasdair, Hamish, Oscar (although v. Popular), Angus, Finn and Jonathan.

Smallonesaremorejuicy · 20/01/2021 20:26

Theo is a brilliant name baby boy & man .
Please not Caleb , where has that witchcraft name even come from , same as Ethan 🤮
Isaac is another strong name too, love it.

midsomermurderess · 19/01/2021 22:21

Tom, Sam, Matt.

ParisJeTAime · 19/01/2021 21:51

I like Rory and Arlo a lot. I don't think either would really get shortened... they definitely don't have obvious shortened versions like Dave for David etc.

I know what you mean and I do think Alfie and Teddy etc don't sound great on an older man, but there are bound to be a lot of them around in 70 odd years time!

How about Gus? One of my favourites! Think it works on both babies and adults.

Crankley · 19/01/2021 19:41

I don't have a long list but how about Marcus?

Sausagedog1 · 19/01/2021 15:44

OP I totally get you. There is a difference between affectionate nicknames and a name becoming permanently shortened by everyone.
I feel the same way.
I do like some nicknames but my favourite names are usually appreciated in their full glory and I would hate for them to automatically become a shortened version.
I have a Rory and a Cillian. Rory is never shortened as Ror just doesn't sound right.
Cillian is hardly ever shortened, occasionally Cilly ( pronounced Killy) but it's an affectionate name that is unlikely to replace his full name which I think is beautiful (which is why I chose it)
Names like Alexandra, Benjamin, Zachary are almost always shortened.

dottiedaisee · 19/01/2021 14:16

Laurie...Baby/Child/Young Adult
Laurence for adult/professional

Original poster
OnNaturesCourse · 19/01/2021 14:14

@Awwlookatmybabyspider

You can't really control if a name gets shortened. I mean I suppose you can to a point but you just end up sounding like a crank in the end. Plus you can't be telling your DS when he's 16 that he can't shorten his own name. Also don't be fooled that a short name can't be shortened. Even Rory could become Ror. Kian(Key). Tom. Paul Joe. Jay Hugh. Ted. All stong names and I can't see how they could be shortened.
I mind nicknames like Ro for Rory etc, I just do not see the point in Dave instead of David for example. If I wanted the shortened name then I'd have used that on the birth certificate if that makes sense.

DP and I, and our daughter, all have names that cant be shortened but we do have nicknames that are used occasionally but not as a every day "replacement name"

Tobias is absolutely lovely, but again we have a family pet called Toby so I'd worry its too similar?

We've added Axl to the list, and Dexter is back on the maybe pile too.

Thank you all for your suggestions so far, it's refreshing to have some new names to chew over!

OP posts:
Bluesername · 19/01/2021 14:14

I like Leo, Isaac and Cole.

Ezra
Saul
Jude
River
Abe
Frank
John
Ivor
Eli
Conan
Ray

MondeoFan · 19/01/2021 13:37

I like Kiaan from your list

Jack is far too common as is Leo

How about Henry?

SleepingStandingUp · 19/01/2021 13:20

Even if it isn't shortened, kids will find a way to change it. Friend called her daughter Felice , her friends called her Felicity.

Conversely I try to shorten DSs name but he resolutely introduces himself as the full version so it's only really close family who shorten it

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 19/01/2021 12:46

You can't really control if a name gets shortened. I mean I suppose you can to a point but you just end up sounding like a crank in the end. Plus you can't be telling your DS when he's 16 that he can't shorten his own name. Also don't be fooled that a short name can't be shortened.
Even Rory could become Ror. Kian(Key).
Tom.
Paul
Joe.
Jay
Hugh.
Ted.
All stong names and I can't see how they could be shortened.

Redsquirrel5 · 19/01/2021 00:58

Tobias That was one I was trying to remember. I know two.

Redsquirrel5 · 19/01/2021 00:57

Theo is a lovely name.
Sebastian
Leon
Finley
Adam
Nathan
Ellis
Hugo
Kane
Isaac
Jack
Andrew
Felix

It is difficult DH and I found it very difficult to agree on DS1’s name girls names weren’t a problem. We went on to have three sons then a daughter. I agree they grow into their name. Good luck.

SleepingStandingUp · 19/01/2021 00:53

Tobias

SleepingStandingUp · 19/01/2021 00:53

I like Lorcan

Lucien?

Torbien?

Happenchance · 19/01/2021 00:28

Callum
Conner
Niles
Ross
Lorcan

HopingForOurRainbowBaby · 18/01/2021 23:58

Terrence

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