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Baby names

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

Original poster

Nicholas vs Eric

33 replies

NameChange1180 · 21/05/2024 19:16

Which do you prefer? Nicholas to be called Nick most of the time. Is Eric too old?

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skeettch · 22/05/2024 22:28

Eric was the strangest looking character on the 'Guess Who' board and that's all I've got.

Since we're going there, I much prefer Ernie.

Neverpostagain · 22/05/2024 22:24

Both excellent, can't go wrong with either.

NewName24 · 22/05/2024 22:18

To my old ears, Eric is an old fashioned name, but that means it is fashionable for new parents these days - like Reggie, Stanley, Arthur, Ivy, Edith, Elsie, etc. All my Aunts and Uncles names.

So personally I prefer Nick / Nicholas but in terms of what babies are being called these days, Eric will probably be more popular.

resm · 22/05/2024 21:40

I love the name Nicholas, but not so keen on Nick. I didn’t realise how much I loved Eric on a baby until I seen there was one in my son’s daycare. I thought a baby Eric was so refreshing and cute.

webuiltthiscityonrockandwheat · 22/05/2024 19:57

My DS is Eric so I'm bias but it's a fabulous name. Still unusual but no issues with spelling or pronunciation. It's a family name for us which makes it even more special

urrrgh46 · 22/05/2024 19:39

I prefer Nicholas of the 2. I have a 21 yr old Nikolas (I'm of greek decent so used the Greek spellings). He was Niki when he was young and now goes by Nick mostly. Eric to my mind suits a little boy or an old man. I can't really see a cool 25yr old being called Eric.

MountCaramel · 22/05/2024 19:35

Nicholas by a country mile. Eric has a bit of an Eastenders vibe and not in a good way.

AliceCallous · 22/05/2024 19:29

Eric is the cooler name there.

RogueFemale · 22/05/2024 19:24

NameChange1180 · 21/05/2024 19:27

Thank you! I wonder whether to do with a C or a K? Our main criteria is for it to be international and so I think Eric works. If anyone has any suggestions of similar short international names I’d be most grateful!

Nicholas is more flexible than Eric in terms of international versions of it.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas .

William are George are equally flexible https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_(given_name)

Nicholas - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas

RuthW · 22/05/2024 15:49

Eric my a mile. Don't like Nicholas. Very dated.

DoYouSmokePaul · 22/05/2024 12:55

NameChange1180 · 22/05/2024 12:52

ooh! Does your DH like his name? Does he shorten it to Nick?

Show quote history

Yes, he likes it.

His dad only ever uses his full name but he actually goes by Nik, I’ve no idea why it has no “C” but I like that’s a bit different to Nick! Probably something he decided as a pretentious teen long before I met him and it stuck 😅

Original poster
NameChange1180 · 22/05/2024 12:53

greglet · 22/05/2024 12:06

I prefer Erik, Nic(h)olas is a bit boring to my mind. Nicolas is nicer than Nicholas, though.

I like the spelling of Nicolas, but it would be odd if we didn’t pronounce it the French way?

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Original poster
NameChange1180 · 22/05/2024 12:52

DoYouSmokePaul · 22/05/2024 12:52

Hate Eric. Makes me think of old bald men.

Love Nicholas although I may biased as it’s my DH’s name 😃

ooh! Does your DH like his name? Does he shorten it to Nick?

OP posts:
DoYouSmokePaul · 22/05/2024 12:52

Hate Eric. Makes me think of old bald men.

Love Nicholas although I may biased as it’s my DH’s name 😃

user1492757084 · 22/05/2024 12:47

Nicholas is my pick but both are great.

Nick and Erik are good.

Christopher
Griffin
Casper
Peter

AdaColeman · 22/05/2024 12:26

I like both of them, but I think Erik would be my favourite.

Or have you considered Ragnar?

YesIReallyDoLikeRootBeer · 22/05/2024 12:20

My middle son is Nicholas and goes by Nick so that's my vote. But I also like Eric prefer it with a K though, Erik

Needmorelego · 22/05/2024 12:10

Eric feels very dated.
Nicholas can have many variations Nick, Nicky, Nicko which all sound fine.
Definitely prefer Nicholas.

greglet · 22/05/2024 12:06

I prefer Erik, Nic(h)olas is a bit boring to my mind. Nicolas is nicer than Nicholas, though.

KirstenBlest · 22/05/2024 12:04

I like both. They have different vibes. Which goes best with the surname?

ZiggyZowie · 21/05/2024 23:07

Neither

Vimtoad · 21/05/2024 23:05

Adore Eric! Nick is a bit bland to my ears

shoopshoopdedoo · 21/05/2024 23:04

I love both

Moreteaandchocolate · 21/05/2024 22:48

I love Nicholas. I’m not too keen on Eric.

Mandarinaduck · 21/05/2024 21:14

I love both names; you can’t go wrong.

Work well internationally:
Marcus, Marco
Julian
Adrian
Gabriel
Rafael
Dario
Dimitri

but why look further than the two excellent options you have?

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