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Baby names

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Original poster

Which name would you choose?

61 replies

PinkPeonies32 · 29/03/2024 07:50

We’ve narrowed our list down to three choices (why are boys so hard to name!)

We ideally don’t want a super popular name. We’re aware that none of these names are particularly unusual/uncommon, but they’re all out of the top 50 so figure they’re equally not extremely popular.

Would be interested to get opinions on the names and also an idea of how popular they are in different areas in the UK. I’ve personally only met one Sonny (still a toddler), one Toby (in his 30’s) and no Jonah’s.

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EnterNowhere · 01/04/2024 12:13

I would pick Jonah.
I know quite a few little Toby's and I'm not overly keen on the name, I like Sonny but does seem quite popular.

Purplecatshopaholic · 30/03/2024 13:02

Really like all three of them op. I’d wait until he pops out and then decide which one he looks most like.

DayAndAge · 30/03/2024 12:56

I'd choose Jonah from your list. I know boys under the age of 18 with each of the names you've shortlisted, but think they all meet your criteria if not being overly popular yet still being very normal names.

whiskeycats · 30/03/2024 12:51

I like Toby. I am in my 20s and know lots of Sonnys

DSD9472 · 29/03/2024 17:54

To add to my previous suggestions:
Caleb
Nathaniel
Elijah
Joshua
Zachary
Jared

Jo58 · 29/03/2024 17:48

EmpressOfTheThread · 29/03/2024 17:35

I know what you mean. It just seems a bit fairer, somehow. It's tempting to think you're naming a baby, but of course you're not! I think it's quite sensible to try to future proof, if you can.

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Arguably personality proof too. We went back to the drawing board with our name we had from very early on in pregnancy as my baby just didn’t look or more so seem like one, we learned more and more very quickly.

EmpressOfTheThread · 29/03/2024 17:35

Jo58 · 29/03/2024 17:27

Btw not saying he should hate it as an adult but she wondered IF he might.

I know what you mean. It just seems a bit fairer, somehow. It's tempting to think you're naming a baby, but of course you're not! I think it's quite sensible to try to future proof, if you can.

EatCrow · 29/03/2024 17:34

EmpressOfTheThread · 29/03/2024 17:32

Also cute? Mmmm I think it's a child's name really, but it's obviously subjective!

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The emphasis on cute whilst he’s a child imo. Yes it is subjective.

RuthW · 29/03/2024 17:34

Sonny is just awful for anyone over 5

EmpressOfTheThread · 29/03/2024 17:32

EatCrow · 29/03/2024 17:25

Men can be warm and cheerful.

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Also cute? Mmmm I think it's a child's name really, but it's obviously subjective!

Jo58 · 29/03/2024 17:27

Btw not saying he should hate it as an adult but she wondered IF he might.

Jo58 · 29/03/2024 17:27

EmpressOfTheThread · 29/03/2024 17:24

What about when he's an adult?

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I think you’ve hit the nail on the head why I wouldn’t go for a nickname sounding name as the actual name - although we love a nickname here. My SIL avoided just Teddy on the birth certificate, as gorgeous as it is, as she wondered if my nephew would hate it on his CV one day.

EatCrow · 29/03/2024 17:25

EmpressOfTheThread · 29/03/2024 17:24

What about when he's an adult?

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Men can be warm and cheerful.

EmpressOfTheThread · 29/03/2024 17:24

EatCrow · 29/03/2024 17:20

Me too. It’s a cute name for son and it sounds warm and cheerful.

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What about when he's an adult?

daisypond · 29/03/2024 17:21

I think Toby is the only usable one.
Jonah means a jinx, bad luck. It’s a word in the dictionary.
Sonny is just a bit silly. It’s like you can’t be bothered to think of a proper name.

EatCrow · 29/03/2024 17:20

ohpoowhatnow · 29/03/2024 08:21

Love Sonny

Me too. It’s a cute name for son and it sounds warm and cheerful.

EmpressOfTheThread · 29/03/2024 17:18

I think Jonah is a nice name. He had a bit of bad luck in the Bible, but I'm sure that won't matter!

EmpressOfTheThread · 29/03/2024 17:17

ColleenDonaghy · 29/03/2024 09:22

Don't like Sonny, can't quite put it into words, but seems to centre someone's identity on being their parent's son rather than a person in their own right.

I know one of each, all primary age. I voted Toby but I like Jonah too

I agree. It's like the child doesn't have an identity. You may as well call the child "boy".

Colinfromaccounts24 · 29/03/2024 17:16

The only one I like is Toby, but it is v popular round here (south east) - I know 4 of them. There is a Sonny a couple of years above my daughter at school, and I don’t know anyone called Jonah.

MolkosTeenageAngst · 29/03/2024 17:15

I like both Jonah and Toby, with a slight preference for Jonah. I don’t like Sonny at all.

Jo58 · 29/03/2024 17:14

MerryChristmasToYou · 29/03/2024 15:36

Toby has been a standalone name for centuries

I still wouldn’t pick it as it’s a well known nickname for many Tobiases. My SIL has a Theo (just Theo on his birth certificate- so another standalone name) and he’s constantly called Theodore.

Floralnomad · 29/03/2024 17:11

I don’t like any of them but Jonah is the best of the three unless you are naming a poodle and then it would be Toby .

Mumofgirls2017 · 29/03/2024 17:08

2 Toby’s. 1 Jonah. 1 Sonny. Midlands

id pick Sonny,

MerryChristmasToYou · 29/03/2024 15:36

Toby has been a standalone name for centuries

Jo58 · 29/03/2024 15:35

Whinge · 29/03/2024 09:35

Although I think a couple are actually Tobias (which I prefer).

I was just about to suggest Tobias, rather than just Toby. I also like Jonah, but dislike Sonny as it feels more like a term of endearment than an actual name.

Yeah for me Jonah sounds like the only full name. Toby is obviously a nickname for Tobias and Sonny - I feel the same as you PP. I just wouldn’t name any of mine a nickname personally. They have nicknames though!

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