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Baby names

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

Original poster

Henry or Ethan? Help us decide!

37 replies

doliketobebesidetheseaside · 13/04/2024 18:35

Baby boy due soon and after a lot of discussion we think we’ve narrowed it down to a top two.

Which would you go for - Henry or Ethan?

Middle name will be Jacob (family name).

Big sister is Isabel.

We love William (but can’t use with our surname) and also liked Sebastian (but worried about “Belle & Sebastian” references!) and Ralph, but not sure if it’s “the name”.

Thanks in advance!

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NannyR · 14/04/2024 20:00

Both are great names - I prefer Ethan personally. Henry is far more popular than Ethan in this area, I don't know any Ethan under 13.

IWillBeWaxingAnOwl · 14/04/2024 19:59

I know 3 baby henrys and no baby ethans - definitely agree with @BoleynMemories13 that they are switching.

Both names are nice. Also like the similar Evan. Ralph and Sebastian I'm not so keen on

BoyMum170 · 14/04/2024 19:56

Definitely Henry

smellslikecinnamon · 14/04/2024 19:51

Soooo many Ethan's around atm. Although the ones I know are all around 16-18 so you may find there are fewer being named but now. Or you may feel it was a trend you caught on late. I don't know. It's weird how names come and go

DuchessOfSausage · 14/04/2024 19:21

Henry. I know a few Ethans and most are Eefun

BoleynMemories13 · 14/04/2024 12:36

I prefer Ethan, but think Henry possibly flows better with the middle name Jacob. Both sound fine with Isabel.

For those talking about Ethan being far more popular than Henry, that may be the case among school age children currently but in the last 4-5 years they have definitely switched, with Henry on the rise and Ethan on the decline. Among this baby's peers, Henry will be far more popular statistically. Not that that matters of course.

I'm not keen on Sebastian or Ralph, personally. I really like Seb, just not the full name. Henry is preferable to either of those, even though I do prefer Ethan overall.

Do you like Harry? Just worth bearing in mind that if you go for Henry he may end up being know as Harry when he's older. Personally I actually prefer Harry to Henry!

theduchessofspork · 14/04/2024 12:15

Henry I think, they are both popular but Henry is more of a classic so it stands up better. Also goes better with Isabel.

If you like Sebastian I’d go for that though, Belle and Sebastian are a pretty minor reference now (and who cares anyway) never mind for their peers.

Ralph always makes me think of a small dog yapping so I’d avoid that, although Rafe is nice.

user1492757084 · 14/04/2024 09:04

I voted Henry but I also love Sebastian.

IamnotwhouthinkIam · 13/04/2024 23:21

I adore William too ( and Isabel!), shame you can’t use it. But Henry is lovely as well - like you, I don’t think popularity should be a crucial factor (most names are only one or at most two to a class these days, it’s not the “4 Sarah’s in my form” like it was in my generation).

Henry’s much more classic/timeless and so a better pairing with Isabel imo. Ethan’s okay but it sounds trendier - you rarely seem to meet Ethan’s older than their twenties/thirties in the UK.

Really dislike the sound of Ralph ( unless you are using the UC “Rafe” pronunciation, Ralph reminds me of vomiting ) and Sebastian , though beautiful, is somehow slightly “fancy” sounding for me (I’m not sure the Belle and Sebastian thing really matters, but the nn Seb would put me off instead).

Daisy12Maisie · 13/04/2024 22:52

Ethan. It means strong and is an old Hebrew name.

pambeesleyhalpert · 13/04/2024 21:53

Henry

fishfingersandtoes · 13/04/2024 20:50

Henry is a bold and clever Scottish boy.

Ethan is an intelligent Londoner who is into Warhammer.

Celynfour · 13/04/2024 20:49

Ethan was really popular in my daughters peer group , she’s 19 now . I know little Henrys now but no little Ethans
i really like both (unhelpful !)

SpringOfContentment · 13/04/2024 20:43

Ralph or Henry

lavenderjump · 13/04/2024 20:33

Much prefer Henry!

RichinVitaminR · 13/04/2024 20:30

Henry sounds perfect with an Isabel. Love Ralph too though!

Firebird83 · 13/04/2024 20:11

Henry goes better with Isabel

Sleepnplay · 13/04/2024 19:54

I prefer Ethan by far, but haven't come across any in my kids circles/classes (ages 4 and 5), but know a few Henry's.

Lynnestevens · 13/04/2024 19:42

Henry would be my preference out of the two but both fine names. Not keen on Ralph or Sebastian

Workawayxx · 13/04/2024 19:35

Henry is lovely. Ethan was front runner for DS 12 years ago (but we went with a different name) and I’ve gone off it since as seen so many! It’s a lovely name though. I do adore Ralph though 😍😍. If I had twins I wanted them to be Ralph and Lara but DP vetoed both 🤦🏻‍♀️.

onedayiwillbecontent · 13/04/2024 19:34

Henry. I know a few and they are all lovely people so it has influenced my like for the name.

Duckinglunacy · 13/04/2024 19:33

I don’t think anyone will make Belle & Sebastian references so I wouldn’t rule out a name on that basis. Tbh Belle & Sebastian feels quite niche in 2024, and now I want to go and listen to them.

jlb1988 · 13/04/2024 19:32

Ethan. So much nicer than Henry.

Eloraa · 13/04/2024 19:29

Deff Henry. I don’t like the hissy sound of Ethan.

Roselilly36 · 13/04/2024 19:27

Ethan