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Baby names

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

Original poster

Baby boy name dilemma

34 replies

Babyboynames · 20/08/2025 11:51

I’m expecting a baby boy in a couple of weeks. My husband and I cannot agree on a name!

I prefer Lucas and my husband prefers Finlay. What do you think about either name? And if you’ve been in a similar position what have you done to make a decision?

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17caterpillars1mouse · 20/08/2025 13:21

I much prefer Lucas. There's something about Finley I just don't like, think it's the ley bit, it just sounds juvenile. I like Finn though and Fintan and Finnian.

Emanwenym · 20/08/2025 12:27

H'll end up being Fin(n) or Luke. Finn and Luke are both fine, but would need to go with the surname. Both are far nicer than Finlay and Lucas etc.

Finley is by far the more common spelling, so Finlay will spend a lot of time getting his name misspelt.
Luca and Lucas will get mixed up and both are popular.

I don't like Theodore at all.

Babies with names beginning Finl in England & Wales since 1996
Babies called Luca in England & Wales since 1996

BeaLola · 20/08/2025 12:25

Your update changed everything (for me). - absolutely love Theodore

Original poster
Babyboynames · 20/08/2025 12:18

Thank you for the comments everyone!

to answer a few questions:

baby’s surname will start with a G, middle name will be Theodore. Both names work well with either name. Initials would be either FTG or LTG, neither comes up as having a strange meaning.

I think I also prefer Finley to Finlay, but my husband is adamant it has to be an a.

OP posts:
Moreteaandchocolate · 20/08/2025 12:17

Both are good names. I personally prefer Finley as I love Finn for short. Luca / Lucas is very popular round here.

Could you compromise by whoever doesn’t their choice of first name chooses the middle name? Or is there another name you can find that you both like equally?

roshi42 · 20/08/2025 12:10

There are a few Finlay/Finleys per room in my child’s nursery right now, in case that matters to you.

I much prefer Finn. Lucas can give Luke or Luca, both of which are nice names too.

BeaLola · 20/08/2025 12:07

I like both
Your surname might be the decider for me eg

Lucas Lawson - NO

Lucas Andrew's - Fine

Finley Foster - No

Finley Jones - Fine

Scorpion84 · 20/08/2025 12:02

I prefer Finley as I have one .

i decided against the Finlay spelling as people prounounce it wrong and empathise the Lay when the pronunciation is still Ley

as my son has got older gets called Finn a lot which I love

JDM625 · 20/08/2025 11:57

I really like both names. How do they flow with your surname and do the initials spell anything odd? FUC for example.

I can't think of anything negative. I guess that Finlay 'might' be spelt incorrectly more often than Lucas such as Finley/Finnly but that is all that comes to mind. Congrats.