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Baby names

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

Original poster

Naming baby who may be born prematurely

83 replies

ActonBell · 28/07/2021 22:11

We’re at a very high risk of premature birth for various reasons. We’re taking it day by day, week by week, at the moment and haven’t reached that crucial 24 week mark yet.

But I know that whatever happens this beautiful baby will need a name. DH isn’t in a place where he can talk about it yet but I keep turning it over in my mind. I’m worried we may not have a lot of time to find the right name if little one arrives very early.

This is my list for boys at the moment. I find boys names so hard. We already have a DS who has a classic and popular (top 20) name. There are also loads of boys in our family so if there’s a classic name missing from the list below, it’s because we already have a relative with that name and can’t use it again (Peter, Nicholas, Oliver, James, etc. are all out).

Surname begins with a hard ‘c’ sound so I’m not sure that Luke or Isaac work very well but they’re still on the list.

What do people think? I want to find this little one the most beautiful name. They are so loved already.

Theodore
Arthur
Rowan
Luke
Gabriel
Toby/Tobin
Charles (nn Charlie)
Rory
Robin
Isaac
Rufus
Reuben
Seth
Ivan
Alfred (maybe nn Fred)
Aidan
Zachary

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Hm2020 · 29/07/2021 12:08

Gabriel love it!

Marcipex · 29/07/2021 12:04

Zachary is lovely, and Rowan is nice too.

LouLikesLollies · 29/07/2021 11:12

Gabriel is beautiful and gets my vote. Also a fan of Zachary and Theodore xx

bloominglovelyorange · 29/07/2021 11:07

Gabriel, Toby and Aidan are brilliant choices. I really love Nathan and Nathaniel (Nate) too

I love your list! Here are my thoughts if helpful:

Theodore - quite popular but still like it
Arthur - a classic
Rowan - this is my baby girl's name. Already gets shortened to 'Row', which I hate and the name seems to continually get muddled and misheard with the name Roman with an M and Reuben. Both are two of the most popular fast rising trendy boys names. If i'd realised all this in advance, I wouldn't have chosen it. Irritates me but might not you.
Luke - love this - a classic
Gabriel - top choice
Toby/Tobin - top choice
Charles (nn Charlie) - ok
Rory - sudden surge in popularity , its boomed up the charts and there's loads of popular similar sounding names (like Ronnie) all in top 100, I'd avoid
Robin - same as above - all the Reuben Rory etc type names just merge into one a bit. Very different names but when there's a few in the same class they don't sound that different
Isaac - nice
Rufus - nice
Reuben - overused, very trendy, overdone
Seth - love this - top choice
Ivan - ok
Alfred (maybe nn Fred) - nice
Aidan - top choice
Zachary - love it

Chilldonaldchill · 29/07/2021 09:48

Toby is gorgeous.
I like Tobias but also really Toby as a stand alone name.

Original poster
ActonBell · 29/07/2021 09:02

Thank you everyone.

Gabriel, Toby (does it need to be Tobin/Tobias?), Robin, Rory and Aidan are probably in the lead at the moment.

I do like Nathan and Ethan but not quite as much as some of these other names.

My dad made a face when we said we were thinking of Rory for DS1 but he’ll just have to get over it! I think I prefer Toby though…

It’s so hard as DS1 just seemed to arrive with his name. It wasn’t something we’d thought of but it seemed just right for him. This time though I don’t know if I’ll get to see the baby immediately after their born and I feel like we need to be prepared in case they’re really poorly. Then again, things might turn out much better than expected.

OP posts:
Rockmehardplace · 28/07/2021 23:31

I love Gabriel and would also suggest Ethan as it means ‘strength’.

I was a prem mum too, you are in for a rollercoaster but these wee babies are stronger than you could ever imagine x

Chilldonaldchill · 28/07/2021 23:27

I hope all goes well for you x

sarah13xx · 28/07/2021 23:27

Reuben or Rory I love! Hope he stays where he is for as long as possible x

Chilldonaldchill · 28/07/2021 23:27

Gabriel, Reuben, Rufus and Seth are all beautiful.
I also like the suggestion of Rafael.
Nathaniel and Barnaby would be my suggestions.

Namechangeforthisquestion7 · 28/07/2021 23:19

I absolutely love Rowan, and I've known it used for both boy and girl. Same for Robin. Both such beautiful names for either sex.

jackstini · 28/07/2021 23:14

Aaron, Asher, Nathanial all mean miracle

Adam is life

Jonathan, Matthew, Mikah all mean gift

All the best

Kollamoolitumarellipawkyrollo · 28/07/2021 23:10

I too love Gabriel and whilst it has increased in popularity I only know two younger children with the name.

Really hope your baby stays and grows until they can meet you with strength Flowers

Antiqueanniesmagiclanternshow · 28/07/2021 23:07

Matthew is lovely and means gift from god.

GalaxyGirl24 · 28/07/2021 23:05

Another vote for Gabriel, beautiful name.
Hope all goes well Op💐

Original poster
ActonBell · 28/07/2021 23:03

I like Nathan. I’m going to add that to the list.

David is my boss, so that feels weird for some reason! Lovely meaning though.

I really like the idea of a name that means gift/love/strength/life. We lost baby no 2 in January and now we’re hoping and praying to get to where we need to be with this pregnancy.

OP posts:
Nannyamc · 28/07/2021 22:59

Nathan... a gift from god
Which i am sure this little one will be.

EssentialHummus · 28/07/2021 22:59

Another vote for Gabriel. Hope he/she stays put a while yet OP Flowers.

Foxhasbigsocks · 28/07/2021 22:56

Old school but I love David - means beloved in Hebrew

Original poster
ActonBell · 28/07/2021 22:54

Theo does seem to be very popular at the minute.
DS was going to be Rory but it didn’t suit him.

Gabriel is one of the front runners for me. I’m not sure how well it works in real life as opposed to in my head. Some family friends have a teenage Gabriel but otherwise I’ve not come across one.

Unfortunately we already have a Raphael in the family and relatives have dogs called Wilfred and Jasper, so those are out!
I like Benedict but I don’t really like Ben and DH’s cousin is Ben so that might not work.

OP posts:
Kanaloa · 28/07/2021 22:50

Theodore would be lovely, it means a gift from God which seems fitting. I also have such a soft spot for Seth - wanted to name one of my sons Seth but people where I live would say Seff and that would enrage me. All the names on your list are nice though, you really can’t go wrong. Hope everything is well for you and you reach that 24 weeks safely.

anxiouscrazymum · 28/07/2021 22:49

Love Theodore, Teddy or Theo fir short x

Onemorewouldbelovely · 28/07/2021 22:47

Benedict means blessing.

emmathedilemma · 28/07/2021 22:46

Every other baby seems to be called Rueben or Theo at the moment! I like them both a lot but I think the popularity would put me off.
I like everything else on your list except Gabriel, it’s too feminine for me and I don’t like Gabe as a nn.

giantwaterbottle · 28/07/2021 22:46

Gabriel or Arthur