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Baby names

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

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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Axx · 29/03/2024 13:55

Jonah the jinx and Billy no mates. On your Jonah means alone here

I love Sonny.

Turnoffthelight · 29/03/2024 13:53

I know a 4 year old Jonah and he is the sweetest little boy. The other two names remind me of dogs.

Original poster
PinkPeonies32 · 29/03/2024 13:51

Neverpostagain · 29/03/2024 13:42

Sunny is great as a shortening for Sunil. I find Toby a bit wet. Are you aware that kids call 'billy no mates' Jonah's?

Not the biggest fan of Sunil - thank you for the suggestion though!

Nope - never heard that re Jonah’s being Billy no mates. I have heard the bad luck connotations, but we’re not particularly superstitious people. Also we live in a seaside town and I have never come across the Jonah and bad luck link until we’ve considered it as a name, so it’s clearly not that widely thought of.

OP posts:
Chewbecca · 29/03/2024 13:50

Toby is a great name IMO

Sonny is too 'try hard to be cool and crazy' and also feels like a child's name, not an adult's.

Jonah - I just associate with the kid on their own 😥

MinervaMcGonagallsCat · 29/03/2024 13:47

Toby is alright

Sonny isn't

Jonah ok

Riverlee · 29/03/2024 13:46

Love Isaac (and Zachery) .

Riverlee · 29/03/2024 13:45

I’ve come across a few youn g Sonny’s and Tobys ( or Tobias). Jonah, not come across.

Neverpostagain · 29/03/2024 13:42

Sunny is great as a shortening for Sunil. I find Toby a bit wet. Are you aware that kids call 'billy no mates' Jonah's?

Original poster
PinkPeonies32 · 29/03/2024 13:35

DSD9472 · 29/03/2024 10:13

My immediate thoughts:

Toby- Carvery
Jonah- whale
Sonny- I always have to think, is it pronounced Sony, Sunny or Sonny?

I too prefer Tobias. What about Levi or Isaac?

I love Tobias and Tobiah but my OH didn’t like either - his argument was if we’re going to call him Toby, he should just be called Toby.

I love Levi but we’ve already got one in the family. I do also like Isaac but it doesn’t work with our surname unfortunately.

OP posts:
MerryChristmasToYou · 29/03/2024 10:22

Toby.
Jonah is ok but has an association with bad luck and seems to be blend into the OT names.
Sonny looks like a small child's nickname.

Sunnnybunny72 · 29/03/2024 10:18

I know one Sonny, er, not a nice name.
Jonah- no. Far nicer biblical names
Toby - jug. At a push.

DSD9472 · 29/03/2024 10:13

My immediate thoughts:

Toby- Carvery
Jonah- whale
Sonny- I always have to think, is it pronounced Sony, Sunny or Sonny?

I too prefer Tobias. What about Levi or Isaac?

InTheRainOnATrain · 29/03/2024 10:13

Never met a Sonny but I just really don’t like it because it sounds like an old man telling off a young boy ‘look here sonny…’

I’ve met 2 adult Toby and one young Jonah who would be about 5 now. Both are great names.

ToasterChic · 29/03/2024 10:08

I know at least 5 young children called Sonny and 2 older children. I don’t like it and I think it will date. It’s a trend.

I know one teenage Jonah.

I only know an adult Toby.

Nanasueathome · 29/03/2024 10:06

I’ve opted for Jonah
its the name of one of my 3 grandsons
love it (and him)

Katela18 · 29/03/2024 10:05

There are two Sonny's in my child's nursery! Have to admit I'm not keen although can't put my finger on why, I just feel like it's not a real name?!
I'd also go for Jonah out of your list, only because our neighbour has a dog called Toby and I'm sick of hearing him shouting it 😂

GreyhoundGal1 · 29/03/2024 10:00

I live in North East London, just had a baby, and haven't met any of those names in our baby classes. I only know a Toby who is a friend's sister's baby and is about 8.

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 29/03/2024 09:56

Toby is a good, strong name.
Sonny is a bit nickname-y for my taste.
Jonah is OK, but a bit wet for me.

timoteigirl · 29/03/2024 09:52

Know of 1 Sonny, loads of Toby's and only one Jonah. To me definitely the choice would be Jonah.

sunights · 29/03/2024 09:42

I am in SE and there are a lot of Sonny's aged 10 and under.
Toby is a nice name (I know one age 8, and adults I've met called Toby have all been sound people).
Jonah would be my choice for unsual / trendy but not widley used..

OneWildNightWithJBJ · 29/03/2024 09:42

I taught a Sonny a couple of years ago. He’d be about 7 or 8 now. There’s a young Toby at my current school. Don’t think I’ve ever met a Jonah, but that’s probably my favourite.

Willmafrockfit · 29/03/2024 09:39

i think sonny is gaining in popularity

FionnulaTheCooler · 29/03/2024 09:37

I love Jonah. Sonny is the name of my neighbour's labrador so that puts me off it a bit.

Willmafrockfit · 29/03/2024 09:36

out of toby
sonny
and jonah

i prefer jonah

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.