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Baby names

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

Original poster

Tom

62 replies

sunriseoversea · 21/08/2023 17:57

Baby boy is due in two weeks and DH and I are still struggling for a name!

My favourite is Alex. His favourite is Joe. We both quite like Tom. In all cases these would be the name on the BC (not Alexander, Joseph or Thomas).

Is Tom dated? Or is it common? Is it a bit plain? Or is it cool? I just don't know! Any insight much appreciated. Thank you :)

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Whatsthepoint1234 · 21/08/2023 20:50

@ZoyaTheDestroyer dh’s family is Muslim and I am from abroad. We wanted easily translatable names and the full name would be spelt different back home and harder to convert into different scripts.

ZoyaTheDestroyer · 21/08/2023 20:46

Whatsthepoint1234 · 21/08/2023 19:02

Ive never seen the point of putting a name on a birth certificate if you are never gonna use it!

I have never understood why you wouldn’t give your future adult child the choice 🤷🏻‍♀️

Tom is fine. It’s a bit like Jack insofar as Thomas was consistently top three for the 90s and early 2000s so there are a lot of them around. It’s a
popular classic.

discomoves · 21/08/2023 20:26

I have a Tom, Alex (girl) and a Joe!

KirstenBlest · 21/08/2023 20:23

I like Tom too, but if looking on darkgreener, look up Tom, and the other Tom names like Tomos, Tomas, Tommy, Tommasso, Tomasz etc AND Thomas.

continentallentil · 21/08/2023 20:20

There are many Toms and Alexs right now, I think maybe a few less Joes (check on darkgreener, and add in the full name.)

I like Tom

RitzyMcFitzy · 21/08/2023 20:18

Men called Tom are practical and good in a crisis. Good attributes.

Whatsthepoint1234 · 21/08/2023 20:16

KirstenBlest · 21/08/2023 19:12

@Whatsthepoint1234 , it can be a PITA when people assume that your name is the full version. Not such a huge deal if you're Tom not Thomas, but is if you are just Tina, Mandy or Tony because of the different initial.

Yeah that is why ds is just Tom not Thomas, plus I’m not from the uk and the spelling of Thomas and pronunciation is different.

AtticusMcPlatypus · 21/08/2023 20:07

I have a Tom, registered as Thomas, but he prefers Tom. My Tom is early 20s but I know other teenage and primary aged Toms. It's a classic imo.

johnworf · 21/08/2023 19:56

I have a Tom/Thomas. Hardly anyone calls him Thomas. His name was popular when he was born (he's in his 30s now) due to Thomas the Tank Engine. It doesn't date though and is a good solid name (yes I'm biased!)

TotalOverhaul · 21/08/2023 19:52

I love all your choices but I would go for the longer versions of all three on the birth certificate to give them choice later in life.

Tom is a lovely name. So are Alex and Joe.

PurpleReindeer2 · 21/08/2023 19:49

Tom is a great name.

Valerie23 · 21/08/2023 19:30

I like Tom and I love Thomasina for a girl.

EconomyClassRockstar · 21/08/2023 19:14

I love Tom. It’s a proper classic that suits over all the ages.

KirstenBlest · 21/08/2023 19:12

@Whatsthepoint1234 , it can be a PITA when people assume that your name is the full version. Not such a huge deal if you're Tom not Thomas, but is if you are just Tina, Mandy or Tony because of the different initial.

RibertRobertRibert · 21/08/2023 19:11

Nice choice. I like it.

IWant2bBetter · 21/08/2023 19:09

Not dated in the slightest!! Classics don't date 👍

PurBal · 21/08/2023 19:09

I know an Alex, a Joe and a Tom all under 3. Solid names and not dated.

NoUseForAName · 21/08/2023 19:08

I have a Thomas - Tommy/Tom he's 11

ElfNotOnHerShelf · 21/08/2023 19:08

Lovely, succinct, classic

pastypants · 21/08/2023 19:06

I know an 8 year old Tom and a 5 year old Thom. Nice little boys name without needing to be a Thomas.

Beersinshropshire · 21/08/2023 19:06

I love Tom!

Original poster
sunriseoversea · 21/08/2023 19:04

@Whatsthepoint1234 That's what I think, too.

OP posts:
AperfectMess · 21/08/2023 19:04

@Whatsthepoint1234 · Today 19:02
Ive never seen the point of putting a name on a birth certificate if you are never gonna use it.

I think the point is that the child gets alittle more choice when they're older.

Whatsthepoint1234 · 21/08/2023 19:03

My Tom is primary age but I know another ‘just Tom’ in his 20’s.

Whatsthepoint1234 · 21/08/2023 19:02

Ive never seen the point of putting a name on a birth certificate if you are never gonna use it!