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Baby names

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

Original poster

HELP…rate my boys names?!

37 replies

RateMyNames · 10/12/2022 14:24

My partner has vetoed every name I’ve suggested but hasn’t bothered to put forward any names himself 🙃

Helpfully…he’s said he’d like “us” to choose a name that nobody we know has and that isn’t too popular. Our daughter is Cora and we both fell in love with the name when I was expecting her. Her name is Greek in origin but has Scottish and English meanings. Something similar would be great but given my OH is so fussy I don’t think we can be too particular!

I’ve had to let go of some lovely choices (I think anyway) and I’m not sure I love any of these yet but here goes…can you rate them?

Innes
Calan
Irvine
Nicol - Scots version of Nicholas
Cohen
Blake
Caden
Emmett
Flynn
Ezra
Reuben
Errol
Rafe

Open to other suggestion too 🙂

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Original poster
RateMyNames · 10/12/2022 23:13

@Fivebeanchilli @Mumofgirls2017 thanks. The constructive responses are helping me narrow down options and I’ve added a few others. It’s hard starting from a place where your OH has said no to any names you love. And I’m still not sure I love any on the new shortlist! So tough!

Might start another thread some time. That’s if my poor pregnant heart can keep taking a flaming 😅

OP posts:
Blowyourowntrumpet · 10/12/2022 22:05

I'm really sorry, but you did ask. They're all awful. Really, really dreadful. I'm not sure if you're serious

Mumofgirls2017 · 10/12/2022 21:59

Innes- no
Calan- no
Irvine- no
Nicol - Scots version of Nicholas- ok but might get mistaken for nicole
Cohen- no
Blake- no
Caden- definitely no
Emmett- like
Flynn- love
Ezra- meh
Reuben- meh
Errol- like but most won’t!
Rafe- love

Fivebeanchilli · 10/12/2022 20:50

Innes - lovely. Not sure it works with Harris though.
Calan - I like this but it feels a bit matchy for me with Cora
Irvine - it's ok.
Nicol - Scots version of Nicholas - I like this
Cohen - no I dislike this a lot - especially with Cora
Blake - no
Caden - no
Emmett - no
Flynn - nice
Ezra - nice
Reuben - nice
Errol - no
Rafe - gorgeous

blondie185 · 10/12/2022 20:44

Rupert?
Peter?
Arthur?

KirstenBlest · 10/12/2022 20:11

Innes - ok. Means island I think
Calan - can be a Welsh name meaning eve (as in Christmas eve, not Adam's wife)
Irvine - not keen
Nicol - Scots version of Nicholas - not sure. Too much like nickel?
Cohen - Jewish surname
Blake - not unusual
Caden - will blend in with the Jayden, Kayden, Aiden tren
Emmett - sounds weak
Flynn - lots of Finns and Flynns
Ezra - popular
Reuben - very popular
Errol - You Sexy Thing
Rafe - not unusual

Original poster
RateMyNames · 10/12/2022 17:56

@Adultchildofelderlyparents yes I agree! I’m not put off by the spelling thing. My name is so common in my age group - think Hannah - and I sometimes have to spell it when I’m on calls. So I don’t think it matters how popular or unusual your name is, there will always be instances where you have to spell it out.

Most of those names are out due to connections, sadly. Lyle I like but my little one started singing Lyle, Lyle Crocodile when I mentioned it in front of her. Niven is lovely!

OP posts:
Luredbyapomegranate · 10/12/2022 17:51

Innes - I like it, but too similar to Ines/Inez for a girl which is on the up I think so will cause confusion (unless you are actually in Scotland)

Calan - Bit nothingy. Corin or Caleb maybe better

Irvine - quite like it. I think it needs a nn though..

Nicol - Scots version of Nicholas - alright, I like Nico as a short form.

Cohen - especially weird if you aren’t Jewish, but odd as a surname anyway.

Blake - meh

Caden - no, Caleb is better

Emmett - I don’t like it but it’s fine

Flynn - great

Ezra - great

Reuben - nice but v overused

Errol - behave yourself

Rafe - great

Rufus

Kester (Scots version of Christopher)

Casper

Silas

Jerome

Jethro

Ivo

Struan

Hamish

Angus

Alistair

Lorne

Patrick

Ronan

Rory

Alistair

Gregor

Gillies

Duncan

Douglas

Donal

Donald

Alexander nn Sandy

Robert

Gawain

Idris

Ethan

Jared

Mammyloveswine · 10/12/2022 17:44

I like Cohen, Reuben and Rafe

Original poster
RateMyNames · 10/12/2022 17:42

@Bideshi this is something that came up (think I spotted it on a similar thread) when we were looking for names for our firstborn (long time ago) and I had completely forgotten. So thank you for reminding me.

OP posts:
Adultchildofelderlyparents · 10/12/2022 17:40

@RateMyNames Yes I think Cora/Ezra too matchy.
Adding more suggestions,
Finlay, Lachlan, Lewis, Lyle, Niven, Scott?
I'm still loving Innes and Nicol though.
I only ever hear comments about spelling or being mistaken for the opposite sex on this site. In the "real" world, you tell people what your baby's name is and that's that.

FledglingFountainPen · 10/12/2022 17:31

RateMyNames · 10/12/2022 17:23

@FledglingFountainPen just cross posted. How strange! The mention of Adair!

I loved it when we were looking for boys names but I have no Scottish connections so we ended up with an Edgar :) I think it's very stylish and unusual! Please use it.

Bideshi · 10/12/2022 17:25

Cohen is odd. It's a common Jewish surname. Might look a bit anti-Semitic if you're not Jewish.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 10/12/2022 17:24

I live Innes

Original poster
RateMyNames · 10/12/2022 17:23

@FledglingFountainPen just cross posted. How strange! The mention of Adair!

OP posts:
Original poster
RateMyNames · 10/12/2022 17:22

@Adultchildofelderlyparents yes I’m with you on Corrie. Wondering about Ezra ending ‘ra’ for same reason 🤔

@midsomermurderess i like Adam but am more drawn to Scottish names like Aiden or even something like Adair.

@TheSnowWillGoOn Campbell is a family name - it was my dad’s middle name so it was a contender. Maybe I need to sneak it back on 😆

This thread is definitely helping me narrow down options!

OP posts:
FledglingFountainPen · 10/12/2022 17:22

Adair

Adultchildofelderlyparents · 10/12/2022 16:06

Ah, just seen you have a Cora so perhaps not Corrie.

Adultchildofelderlyparents · 10/12/2022 16:05

From your list I like really Innes and Nicol.
I'd also suggest Arran, Corrie, Craig.

midsomermurderess · 10/12/2022 15:52

really like Innes. Or what about Adam. Cora comes from Greek for girl/daughter. Adam’s roots are in ‘man’.

Slimjimtobe · 10/12/2022 15:46

Cora and Enda (Irish name)

Doowop1919 · 10/12/2022 15:44

Two of my friends in Scotland have Reubens, so for me that's not so rare.

From your list, I like Innes and Caden.

TheSnowWillGoOn · 10/12/2022 15:36

Ellis
Campbell
Angus
Ruairidh
Struan
Magnus

Original poster
RateMyNames · 10/12/2022 15:31

@Otterseatpuffinsdontthey

My OH chose our son’s name. My dad was from the western isles so it’s a place that’s close to my heart. He didn’t choose it for that reason, he just loved the sound, but when he suggested it, it felt right. It’s become very popular in Scotland since he was born seven years ago.

Sadly Angus and Fraser are out due to connections and Cameron I like but vetoed. Going to pop Connall on the list though!

OP posts:
Devakai · 10/12/2022 15:30

Love Errol