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Baby names

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

Original poster

Fav of these 'traditional' names

61 replies

LuckyMum3 · 17/12/2021 19:06

Benjamin, Joseph, Maxwell, Charles/Charlie,

Too boring? Will be 1 of Several..
Traditional, can't go wrong?
My girls all have 3 traditional/well known names but not overly popular.

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MirandaBlu · 17/12/2021 20:01

Charles.

Quite like Benjamin too, but I grew up with a Benjamin that didn't want his name shortened and it was a constant battle for him. Most people seemed convinced that if he was weird enough not to be a Ben, he must be a Benji instead.

RedRobyn2021 · 17/12/2021 19:54

I really like Benjamin

PleaseReferToMeAsBritneySpears · 17/12/2021 19:52

I've got a teenage Joe (Joseph but that's never used). I don't know any others but he says there are two others in his year at high school. (240 in the year!)

Benjamin also gorgeous. Adore Charlie too but it's v popular. Not as keen on Maxwell.

TuftyMarmoset · 17/12/2021 19:49

My favourite is Benjamin, least favourite Charles. Not keen on Joseph and Maxwell makes me think Ghislaine at the moment… which is a shame because I used to think James Clerk. So might hold off on that one for the minute.

3rdchilddilemmas · 17/12/2021 19:49

Joint first - Benjamin and Joseph, then charles/Charlie, i like Max but Maxwell would be my least favourite but I don't hate it

AdaColeman · 17/12/2021 19:47

Benjamin would be my first choice. I also like Benedict very much.

I wouldn’t use Charles, as Charlie has been a top ten name for very many years, so there must be thousands of them! Xmas Wink
I’m not keen on Max/Maxwell, again that has been quite popular in the recent past.
Although I like Joseph and Joe, I’m not at all keen on Joey as a nn, so wouldn’t use that, and would rule Joseph out for that reason.

Wpeoruahryclabegtt · 17/12/2021 19:46

@DaisyWaldron

I like Max, but as short for Maxim or Maximilian rather than Maxwell. Maxwell makes me think of Robert Maxwell and family, and also instant coffee.
Search Maxim and see what comes up Blush
autumngold6 · 17/12/2021 19:46

I like Benjamin and Joseph

Somepup100 · 17/12/2021 19:44

I like Joseph and Charlie. I know a large number of annoying Charlies now so would choose Joseph over Charlie because of that.
Do not like Benjamin at all.
Maxwell is not a traditional nice name imo.

EverNapping · 17/12/2021 19:44

Benjamin is my if I ever had a boy name

MincePieIceCream · 17/12/2021 19:43

Max

MincePieIceCream · 17/12/2021 19:43

I like Benjamin and Joseph / Ben and Joe. Classic.

Mac and Charlie are a bit more ‘it’s the lads!’ nabes to me. Along the lines of Jack & Harry. Not so keen.

Wpeoruahryclabegtt · 17/12/2021 19:43

Maxwell

Adventing · 17/12/2021 19:42

Definitely Joseph

dotsandco · 17/12/2021 19:39

@romdowa

Joseph definitely needs to make a come back , the nn joey is just so cute 😍

The perils of being a teacher...I have 3 x Joeys in my current Year 2 class, and all 3 are 'interesting' characters 😬

(Naming your own children, when you're a teacher, is really, REALLY hard...and any partners of teachers must find the constant 'no we can't use that name because....!' so annoying 🤦‍♀️)

BlueFlavour · 17/12/2021 19:34

Joseph is my favourite

toastofthetown · 17/12/2021 19:33

I prefer Charles from your list. I'm not sure what previous posters mean by Joseph not being common means; it's number 38 in popularity and has never left the top 100 in England and Wales.

I'd say they're both boring and traditional/can't go wrong at the same time. Just depends if that's what you want.

NigellaBangBangTurkey · 17/12/2021 19:32

Joseph and Benjamin, classic, ageless, suit anyone.

WearyLady · 17/12/2021 19:28

If you want a Ben, go for Benedict. IMHO much classier and far less common.

DaisyWaldron · 17/12/2021 19:23

I like Max, but as short for Maxim or Maximilian rather than Maxwell. Maxwell makes me think of Robert Maxwell and family, and also instant coffee.

RoseMartha · 17/12/2021 19:21

Joseph

Then
Benjamin

NovemberNovemberDarkNights · 17/12/2021 19:19

I like them all except for Joseph. If I was choosing out of those , I'd choose Charles Maxwell

AutumnAlmanack · 17/12/2021 19:16

I love them all - the only connection I have for Maxwell is the Beatles' Maxwell's Silver Hammer! Charlie I adore (my first and greatest love!).

ofwarren · 17/12/2021 19:15

Benjamin or Joseph
I don't like the others

17caterpillars1mouse · 17/12/2021 19:14

I love Benjamin NN Benji

I also love Maxwell. I have met a few Max's (though not that many and none under 5) but I've never met a Maxwell.

I like Joseph too

I would avoid Charlie as it seems to be very popular and has been for a while