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Baby names

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

Original poster

Felix, Sebastian, Zachary...opinions and suggestions please

36 replies

Threelittlebirds1 · 26/01/2025 14:19

Really struggling with boys names. This is our current shortlist but I don't think any are quite right - would love opinions on these names and also suggestions.

Felix - this is my favourite but I have a friend with a son called Felix so I'd rather avoid using the same name (although haven't ruled it out, he is quite a lot older and I genuinely wouldn't mind a friend using the same name as one of my dc)

Sebastian- love in full but not keen on Seb so thinking this is better as a middle name

Joss - have always loved this, possibly as a nn for Joseph but wouldn't want it to be shortened to Joe.

Zachary- Zac day to day, like it but feels a bit safe

Max - again, nice enough but doesn't feel like the one.

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YourAmberFawn · 25/03/2025 20:02

zachary is my favourite

couldcareless · 28/01/2025 16:35

Max is always a popular name!
My DH's brother is a Max, and he's in his mid-30s so yeah, it's classic.
I love that it can't be shortened!

Original poster
Threelittlebirds1 · 28/01/2025 14:38

Iwanuspdgwia · 27/01/2025 22:22

I had to comment because this was my EXACT boys list! Max, Felix, Sebastian, Joseph and Zachary! We went with Max and glad we did - he is now 5 and is definitely a Max. Obviously I love them all, but was never keen on the nicknames for Sebastian and my husband thought Felix was a bit ‘wet’. Zachary is probably my next favourite. I like Isaac as well! You can’t go wrong in my opinion!

How funny, we obviously have very similar taste! I also like Isaac but a close friend has an Isaac. Max is definitely a solid choice, and husband's current favourite.

OP posts:
Maybepossibly22 · 28/01/2025 03:13

Love your list. I have a “just” Zach, we decided not to bother with the full name as he would always be Zach anyway so saved him a few extra letters!
We also liked Rowan, Sullivan, Sebastian and Atticus

ODFOx · 28/01/2025 01:25

Rufus.
Just switch to Rufus.
Essentially similar vibe to your choices but none of the downsides.

Ellmau · 28/01/2025 01:09

I like Felix and Sebastian.

Have you considered Jasper?

Sonolanona · 28/01/2025 01:07

I'm biased because my eldest son is Zachary (Zach) Grin
He never had another Zach in his class at school , and he's grown into a lovely man. He's also a musician and his name is just still unusual enough to be cool !
My cat is called Sebastian and he bites me , and yes it gets shortened to Bastard as a result!
He also eats Felix cat food...
I love Joss tho!

Iwanuspdgwia · 27/01/2025 22:22

I had to comment because this was my EXACT boys list! Max, Felix, Sebastian, Joseph and Zachary! We went with Max and glad we did - he is now 5 and is definitely a Max. Obviously I love them all, but was never keen on the nicknames for Sebastian and my husband thought Felix was a bit ‘wet’. Zachary is probably my next favourite. I like Isaac as well! You can’t go wrong in my opinion!

Original poster
Threelittlebirds1 · 27/01/2025 15:47

Thanks all. Appreciate the suggestions, although it seems dh and I have complete opposite taste so it is difficult to extend the shortlist! He likes Max and Joe while I'd prefer something a little more unusual, but still fairly traditional. I think Sebastian and Felix are along the right lines as seem to strike a good balance, but think we've ruled them both out based on not wanting Seb, and not wanting to use the same name as a friend. The trouble is I'm an older mum so it does feel like a lot of the good names have been taken!

OP posts:
LoudPlumDog · 27/01/2025 13:30

I love Sebastian.

Suggestions…

Oliver
Elliot
Evan
Rufus
Campbell
Julian
Jeremy
Christian
Heath
Elias
Fraser
Ewan
Baden
Jarrad
Caleb

couldcareless · 27/01/2025 13:28

bluebunnys · 27/01/2025 13:25

That may work outside the UK but unfortunately in English speaking countries it's way too close to Bastard Shock

Show quote history

I wasn't suggesting the name Bastian as a name the OP might consider, I was merely confirming re: a previous post, that yes, Bastion IS a diminutive of the name Sebastian.

bluebunnys · 27/01/2025 13:25

couldcareless · 27/01/2025 08:54

My Dutch friend is Bastiaan, shortened to Bas.
It' is a derivation of the name Sebastian.

That may work outside the UK but unfortunately in English speaking countries it's way too close to Bastard Shock

sel2223 · 27/01/2025 10:08

I really love Sebastian, it's such a strong, solid name.

Not a fan of Felix at all, just think of cats and cat food. Also, I personally would never use a name that a friend had already used.

Joss I think looks and sounds very feminine. I'd think Joss Stone or a nickname for Jocelyn, Josephine.

Zachary I also like a lot. Max is more common but still a good name

SatinHeart · 27/01/2025 09:00

I think a lot of people will think Joss is feminine e.g. Joss Stone, or else that it's a typo/mishearing of Josh.

I'm not a fan of Felix but I can't put my finger on why.

Joseph is great and as pp said, doesn't need shortening at all. I really like Jonah as well.

Zachary and Sebastian are great, lots of other good names on this thread. Max is waaaay popular at this moment, they seem to be everywhere! I also like Brandon.

couldcareless · 27/01/2025 08:54

My Dutch friend is Bastiaan, shortened to Bas.
It' is a derivation of the name Sebastian.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 27/01/2025 04:09

This reply has been deleted

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Which country are you in? I’ve normally heard bastian as a name in its own right and Bas short for Bastian.
no reason it wouldn’t work fork for Sebastian though

catisnoisy · 26/01/2025 17:13

Ellis
Linus
Magnus

Hedjwitch · 26/01/2025 16:53

Joseph really doesn't have to be shortened to Joe! Our Joseph is 23 now snd still Joseph to all and sundry. If people call him Joe he just says " It's Joseph".

couldcareless · 26/01/2025 16:36

I voted for Felix, I don't think it screams upper class not to me anyway.
It's not an overused name and I like the X sound, my own DS is Alex.
It can't be shortened either although I'm sure some will try!

I too went to school with a girl named Joss, it was short for Jocelyn.
Joss is different though, Josh has been a popular name but I've never heard Joss for a boy.

Original poster
Threelittlebirds1 · 26/01/2025 16:28

CharlotteLightandDark · 26/01/2025 16:18

The only Joss I know are all female so it’s defo a girls name to me. Also if you call someone Joseph and don’t want them called Joe I think you’ll be disappointed

Yes I do agree and probably wouldn't use Joseph for this reason. Although I do also like Joseph in full and know of a couple who always go by Joseph rather than Joe. I think if we go for Joss it would just be Joss. I've never met a female Joss but I certainly wouldn't be surprised if I introduced a baby Joss and people assumed girl. I think it's very unisex though and wouldn't be offended by this. There are a couple of famous male Jos' who are actually Josephs - Jos Butler and Joss Whedon off the top of my head.

OP posts:
Original poster
Threelittlebirds1 · 26/01/2025 16:20

BoleynMemories13 · 26/01/2025 15:13

I found it hard to vote as I seem to be the opposite to you when it comes to nicknames. I love Joseph nn Joe, but really dislike Joss. I'm not keen on Sebastian as a full name, but I love Seb which is super cool.

I voted for Zach in the end as Zachary is ok as a full name and I quite like the shortening of Zach too, but I do prefer Seb and Joe. Max is ok but not a particular favourite of mine.

I'm not a fan of Felix. It depends how close your friend is, but personally I wouldn't use it despite the age gap between the boys. It just seems to lack imagination a bit to use exactly the same name as a close friend (assuming they are a close friend), no matter how much you love it. I've never been one to be bothered about name popularity, or one to think children need 'unique' names, but I can't imagine using exactly the same name someone close to me has already used.

Edited

Yes I would definitely rather avoid using the same name, but it's not a really close friend - we haven't known each other too long and see each other in a group but not 1-1. However do meet up with the chikdren. It's tough because I don't want to not use it just based on not wanting to use the same name, and then find we don't really see each other any more in a few years time, but equally I do agree it's not ideal using the same name, so I'm desperately trying to find a name I like as much!

OP posts:
CharlotteLightandDark · 26/01/2025 16:18

The only Joss I know are all female so it’s defo a girls name to me. Also if you call someone Joseph and don’t want them called Joe I think you’ll be disappointed

CharlotteLightandDark · 26/01/2025 16:17

I have a Zachary, we call him Zac (not keen on it spelt with an extra h or k).

he doesn’t know anyone else with his name, neither do any of us so it’s not super common but still very much a name that is recognised so a good balance I reckon

Firsttimebabymummy · 26/01/2025 16:15

This reply has been deleted

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

Agree

Original poster
Threelittlebirds1 · 26/01/2025 16:12

Thanks everyone, really appreciate the comments and pleased that Joss has had quite a good reception. I went to school with a male Joss, not short for anything and have always loved the name. I wonder whether having a longer name on bc gives more options though. I do like the suggestion of Josiah too.

Think I've ruled out Sebastian based on not really liking nn options.

Thanks for other suggestions too.

OP posts: