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Baby names

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

Original poster

Help!! I cannot name my son!!

186 replies

Maero · 29/05/2025 22:42

I’m having an awful time trying to choose my son’s name (he’s here already). In my list are Rowan, Roman, Rhys/Reece, Rian, Reagan, Mason, Jayden, Jamie and Corey. Problem is right now he suits Corey, but I’m also aware he won’t look cute forever and am conscious of choosing a strong name that will see him through his later years, which my daughters will. With a boy, I feel like I want his name to portray strength, handsome & cool, which is asking a lot. From searches I’ve realised I’m more drawn to soft names and gender neutral names for boys.

I’d love something unusual like my daughter’s name but with boys I just can’t seem to find that. As my daughter’s name is 3 syllables, I’d ideally like at least 2 or long sounding name eg Rhys.

can anyone share their thoughts on my list and perhaps share any other names they think I might love….

boys names are harrrrrrddddd!

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PanderBare · 30/05/2025 17:18

@JaneJeffer , an opinion, that's all. Irish Liam - Liam Neeson - Wikipedia, Mancunian Liam (List of Shameless (British TV series) characters - Wikipedia)

JaneJeffer · 30/05/2025 17:04

probably a little horror
Same goes for Irish names
charming

PanderBare · 30/05/2025 16:58

Corfield?

PanderBare · 30/05/2025 16:57

Goneril, Regan and Cordelia, @Theoldwoman . It's also a surname.

Baggingarea · 30/05/2025 16:57

WayneEyre · 30/05/2025 16:55

Corson is not a child's name. Coarse.

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What?!?

WayneEyre · 30/05/2025 16:55

Baggingarea · 30/05/2025 16:38

What about Corson but Corey as a nickname for now?

Corson is not a child's name. Coarse.

Baggingarea · 30/05/2025 16:38

What about Corson but Corey as a nickname for now?

Theoldwoman · 30/05/2025 16:23

PanderBare · 30/05/2025 10:07

@Andoutcomethewolves , Not in the UK it's not.

@Theoldwoman , Regan is a girl's name. Reagan seems very American.

@Topseyt123 , Jadon is from the Bible.

@Maero , Rohan is Ro-han.

My grandsons middle name is Regan. I only know boy Regan.

Andoutcomethewolves · 30/05/2025 16:21

Maero · 30/05/2025 10:50

@boxtop while we are Irish, we are from the North and in a mixed marriage (makes things a little more complicated), so there’s certain names we’d be okay with and some we wouldn’t. As lovely as those are, unfortunately, here they would label him as 1 religion, which we don’t really want for him. We’d rather our kids make their own choices in life. I do love them though 🫠

This is a real shame. Two of my friends (sisters) who grew up in Belfast were always told by their mum not to say each others name in public as it'd put them at risk as obviously Catholic names. This was in the 90s, I hoped things had moved on! There are so many gorgeous Irish names out there, it's sad you don't feel you can use them 😔

mathanxiety · 30/05/2025 16:03

More neutral names

Adam
Eli
Jonah
Benjamin
Sebastian
Noah
Amos
Ethan

Stirabout · 30/05/2025 15:56

CurlewKate · 30/05/2025 15:54

I preferred Caleb Staunton!🤣

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Now there’s a good name

Caleb !

CurlewKate · 30/05/2025 15:54

JaneJeffer · 30/05/2025 12:29

I love the name Rory ever since I watched Pierce Brosnan play Rory O’Manion at an impressionable age 🔥

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I preferred Caleb Staunton!🤣

mathanxiety · 30/05/2025 15:47

Maero · 30/05/2025 10:50

@boxtop while we are Irish, we are from the North and in a mixed marriage (makes things a little more complicated), so there’s certain names we’d be okay with and some we wouldn’t. As lovely as those are, unfortunately, here they would label him as 1 religion, which we don’t really want for him. We’d rather our kids make their own choices in life. I do love them though 🫠

Surnamey names might bypass the "what foot does he dig with" speculation.

Harrison
Jackson
Wilson (maybe leans one way)
Sawyer
Holden
Irving
Finley
Davis
Marley
Hayden instead of Jayden.

Some of the names on your list are better than others. I like Rowan, Rhys, and Roman.
I think Jamie would be perfect though, with James or Jamie on the BC.

Suggestions for neutral-ish names:
Ian
Graham
Lucas
Matthew
Jonathan
Nathan
Nathaniel
Daniel
Henry
Oliver
Oscar
George
Alfred
Wilfred
Toby
Charles/ Charlie
Edward
Jacob
Joshua
Walter

PanderBare · 30/05/2025 15:44

@Bababear987 , I'll get torn to shreds too because I think names from other languages but used in the UK when there is no connection, tend to be chosen by a certain type of parent.
Welsh Rhys/Huw/Dylan - probably middle-age & middle class
School age Rhys/Huw/Dylan - probably a little horror
Same goes for Irish names.

Fivews · 30/05/2025 15:34

How about Ruaridh?

Bababear987 · 30/05/2025 15:24

I know my post will get torn apart but its just my 2cents and worth remembering we all have different tastes BUT I've never met a rhys who wasnt a complete melter/toerag/excon.... to me it's one of those names I associate with gobsh**e.

I also feel the -ayden names are similar, just total council estate vibes and so overused.

thas · 30/05/2025 15:16

Roman is such a nice name. It was on our list but I went with something else. Have since met a couple of Romans and love it so much. Strong, cool, different without being weird.

Stirabout · 30/05/2025 14:58

timoteigirl · 30/05/2025 14:56

No, but I am one of the parents who choose according to the meaning of the names as well.

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I do the same @timoteigirl . I can’t divorce the name from and meaning and mine have therefore all ended up being called
names that refer to saviours / defenders and libraries.

timoteigirl · 30/05/2025 14:56

PanderBare · 30/05/2025 14:42

Is your DS called Percy, Dick or Willie?

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No, but I am one of the parents who choose according to the meaning of the names as well.

Stirabout · 30/05/2025 14:52

@Maero have you considered your username because it’s lovely I think and originates from Italy, Portugal and Spain ( after a quick google)

PanderBare · 30/05/2025 14:42

timoteigirl · 30/05/2025 13:44

IMHO the meaning of Corey doesn't matter. For some parents it is just the sound of the name and how it flows that matters.

Is your DS called Percy, Dick or Willie?

PanderBare · 30/05/2025 14:38

80smonster · 30/05/2025 14:28

As in Bueller. You absolute clown.

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But Ferris Wheel is valid.

Allseeingallknowing · 30/05/2025 14:32

Noah

80smonster · 30/05/2025 14:28

pambeesleyhalpert · 30/05/2025 14:26

As in wheel?

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As in Bueller. You absolute clown.

pambeesleyhalpert · 30/05/2025 14:26

I love Rowan