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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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Imisscoffee2021 · 30/05/2025 09:51

He will make his name synonymous with adjectives with his nature and personality, not the other way around. Rowan is the name I prefer from your list. It's lovely and strong but has a sensitivity to it too.

wakeboarder · 30/05/2025 09:49

Rowan is my favourite from your list. As suggested by others , I also like Nathan or Ethan

Original poster
Maero · 30/05/2025 09:49

@StrongandNorthern I presume you’re trying to be ‘smart’!

OP posts:
Original poster
Maero · 30/05/2025 09:45

@timoteigirl yes I am Irish & i lovvvvvveeee Darragh and would’ve called him that, only my daughters name ends in the sound raaaa and I think it’s sounds too similar. It’s just sounds a little silly when I say them both together 😭 which is sad as Darragh is lovely.

OP posts:
Original poster
Maero · 30/05/2025 09:42

@MouldyCandy I love Aaron, but cannot use it..,it’s my nephews name which I suggested my sister name him 15 years ago (whyyyyyy did I do that 🙈)

So the Rian would be pronounced Reee-an (almost like rain). It’s Irish. I like Ryan but it’s so common and again can’t use it as a close relative called her baby that 🫠

OP posts:
timoteigirl · 30/05/2025 09:40

If you are Irish did you consider Darragh?

Original poster
Maero · 30/05/2025 09:38

@JaneJeffer I went to school with a Ruairi (pronounced Rory) and only lately I wondered why someone would name their child that…all I hear is Roar (and I’m from Ireland, so I should technically love it)

OP posts:
Original poster
Maero · 30/05/2025 09:34

@redpombears unfortunately Edward is the name of an estranged relative, so the name hold negative connotations 😔

OP posts:
timoteigirl · 30/05/2025 09:27

I only like Rowan from your list.

Other nature names
Orion
Barkley
Peregrine / Perry
Aspen
River
Terran

Others with R
Bryce (canyon)
Tristan
Roscoe
Fraser
Marius
Marshall
Orson

If you like Roman, how about Norman or Saxon?
Roan is an antelope

Other strong names
Winston

mummyto9angels · 30/05/2025 09:17

Sorry and I like Roman. Also like Casper, Miles and Lysander

mummyto9angels · 30/05/2025 09:14

Rowan or Ruben. All the other names are VERY popular with the teenagers I work with.

bythewaywhichonespink · 30/05/2025 09:04

I like Roman and Mason from your list. How about Nolan?

HarryVanderspeigle · 30/05/2025 09:04

If you like Corey then go for it. With all the ee sounding boys names at the moment, he will fit in as an adult with Charlie, Alfie and Teddy.

Topseyt123 · 30/05/2025 09:00

The only Rowan I have ever come across was a woman so that's how I have the name pinned down. It's not to my taste either way.

From the rest of your list the only one I really like is Jamie. I'd register him as James and then call him Jamie as a pet name.

Jayden seems to me to be one of those names that has been coined from somewhere within the last couple of decades. I don't like it. I find nothing "classic" or "strong" about it and I don't feel that it will age well. To me it's a faddy name.

Fifthtimelucky · 30/05/2025 08:48

If you like Corey but think it’s too cute for an adult, I’d go for Corin and use Corey as a shortened version.

somejust · 30/05/2025 08:40

You have some nice names on your list. Keep Rowan, Roman, Rhys, Jamie. Ditch the rest.

Koazy · 30/05/2025 08:15

Corey means penis around these parts just in case you mind that type of thing

Tulipsontoast · 30/05/2025 08:12

Rowan is my favourite.

Rhys/ Reece and Jayden are my least favourite.

Rian looks like Rhian.

Roman, Reagan, Mason, Jamie and Corey aren’t my taste.

Congratulations!

Mumofgirls2017 · 30/05/2025 08:07

Rowan is by far the best on your list. Other suggestions….

orson
asher
archer
harvey
spencer
huxley
lennox
elliott

Etten1 · 30/05/2025 04:54

I love the name Rory.

user1492757084 · 30/05/2025 04:54

I like Rowan, Ryan and Corey.
Others ..
Cowan
Colm
Charles
Christoff
Ryan
Jasper
Colin
Benjamin
Craig

Yellowwillow · 30/05/2025 04:32

Names that were on our list in case helpful:

James, Benjamin, Samuel, Louis, Callan, Jacob, Caleb, Rhys, Owen, Dylan, Max

CurlewKate · 30/05/2025 04:18

I honestly think if you live in Britain, nobody will pronounce Roman the way you want it pronounced. Which will be tedious for him for his entire life.

CurlewKate · 30/05/2025 04:17

If I were you, I would register him as James, then call him Jamie. Personally, it’s the only one of those I like. Except possibly Rowan.

Nothinglikeagoodbook · 30/05/2025 03:54

Andoutcomethewolves · 30/05/2025 03:50

It's pronounced RoMAN, emphasis on the last syllable. Not like Roman. It seems a very normal name to me but maybe that's my Polish connections 😬

Show quote history

Ok, but I didn’t know that and I don’t think most British people, seeing it written down, would either.

The only Romans I’ve ever met or heard of have it pronounced the way I thought, with the emphasis on the first syllable (e.g. Roman Polanski), even though that might not be "correct".