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Baby names

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

Original poster

Sebastian or Samuel?

64 replies

Georgia324 · 16/09/2025 21:58

Struggling for a name for a sibling for our 4yo son Alexander. We have narrowed to Sebastian (nn Seb/Sebby) or Samuel (nn Sam), or potentially Oliver (though it’s v popular). Thoughts? I’m worried Sebastian is a bit pretentious and we can’t carry it off. I love Sam but I don’t love Samuel. Thanks!

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efsa82 · 17/09/2025 19:27

Sebastian is a beautiful name. I don’t think you could have a Sebastian who isn’t hansome and cool. I also think Seb and Sebby are adorable nicknames

Allswellthatendswelll · 17/09/2025 16:22

villamariavintrapp · 17/09/2025 16:09

I don't love Sebastian/Seb but Sach and Bash is kind of cute..

I know a Bash who is 4 and gorgeous and then I guess Sebastian might suit and adult. I also like Samuel though.

DeeKitch · 17/09/2025 16:12

Bloodyscarymary · 16/09/2025 22:04

I think Sebastian and Alexander are lovely together and both have the same level of gravitas and masculine elegance. To me Samuel is much softer and doesn’t quite match Alexander in energy? I don’t think Sebastian is pretentious, especially if you feel you can pull of Alexander, which is equally pretentious given its history of emperors!

This! Gorgeous names x

Bluelilacbella · 17/09/2025 16:11

villamariavintrapp · 17/09/2025 16:09

I don't love Sebastian/Seb but Sach and Bash is kind of cute..

Bash? Like bash your head Confused

villamariavintrapp · 17/09/2025 16:09

I don't love Sebastian/Seb but Sach and Bash is kind of cute..

Bluelilacbella · 17/09/2025 16:04

Seb sounds like sebaceous (oily) such an unattractive sound.

Emanwenym · 17/09/2025 13:39

Seb/by makes me think of sebum and seborrhea.

HelloHattie · 17/09/2025 13:36

Sam. A million nos to Sebby.

Elephantangel1991 · 17/09/2025 13:35

Sam is fine on its own.
I like Sebastian (dislike Seb) but if you like it don't be put off by your dad. He'll accept it completely once it becomes who the baby is.
Other ideas of similar vibe:
Maximilian (max)
Felix
Nathaniel (nate)
Christopher (kit)
Philip (pip)
Tobias (toby)

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 17/09/2025 12:31

Gobacktosleep · 17/09/2025 12:00

I have a 6 year old Samuel. He goes by Sammy mainly, or Sam, we use them interchangeably. I'm imagining that as he gets older he may prefer to just go by Sam, however whilst he's still so little Sammy really suits him. I love his name. We only ever use Samuel when filling out forms and it's on his birth certificate!

I have a 17 year old Samuel. Sammy as a baby and toddler. Now largely known as Sam. At high school he chose to be known as Samuel. At college, he’s gone back to Sam. It’s a very adaptable name.

SpottyAardvark · 17/09/2025 12:09

Both are excellent names. Neither pretentious nor chavvy. You can’t go wrong & whichever you pick will be the right choice.

LittleMonks11 · 17/09/2025 12:03

Oscar!

Gobacktosleep · 17/09/2025 12:00

I have a 6 year old Samuel. He goes by Sammy mainly, or Sam, we use them interchangeably. I'm imagining that as he gets older he may prefer to just go by Sam, however whilst he's still so little Sammy really suits him. I love his name. We only ever use Samuel when filling out forms and it's on his birth certificate!

Twoshoesnewshoes · 17/09/2025 11:59

Also my first cat was called Samson (after Samson and the church mice 🐭) so it’s a proper name

Twoshoesnewshoes · 17/09/2025 11:58

I know a Samson and a Samwise!

CagneyNYPD1 · 17/09/2025 11:57

I too have a Samuel. Never uses his full name, should have just called him Sam!

Sebastian has become very popular over the past 10 years. That would put me off. Too many Sebs in the same year group at school.

GonnaeNoDaeThatJustGonnaeNo · 17/09/2025 11:49

Samuel is much better

mummysmagicmedicine · 17/09/2025 11:36

Sebastian works better with Alexander in my opinion and I don’t think it’s too pretentious at all! I work with children and have met Sebastian’s from all backgrounds x

Lifeinthepit · 17/09/2025 07:48

I love both names. Sam is very popular where I live..loads of Sams. I think it's a sturdy plain name which I always think boys should have (personal view obviously). Having said that I do love Sebastian. All the Sebs and Baz's I know are gorgeous though so that might be why!!

ithinkilikethislittlelife · 17/09/2025 07:46

I have a Sebastian. I call him Seb and his younger brothers call him Sebby. Still love the name.

Radiatorvalves · 17/09/2025 07:45

I like both. I know more Sams than Sebastian which would probably push me towards Sebastian.

Summersend4 · 17/09/2025 07:42

I have a Samuel - he is never called that - only Sam - in retrospect I would have just named him Sam

Original poster
Georgia324 · 17/09/2025 07:41

What other strong names might you consider with Alexander, @Bluelilacbella ?

OP posts:
Bluelilacbella · 17/09/2025 06:59

I strongly dislike Sebastian - it reminds me of sebaceous (oily) and bastard. Also hate Seb/Sebby as it sounds so soft and unfinished.

Alexander is such a strong classic name in comparison.

While i don’t love Samuel, I’d choose it of the two.

BoleynMemories13 · 17/09/2025 06:37

Both go with Alexander. Samuel because it's equally classic. Sebastian for the same amount of syllables.

I really like Seb, it's such a cool short form, but I've never been keen on Sebastian as a full name. I agree it sounds pretentious, and 'bast' is such a harsh sound in the middle.

Personally I'd lean towards Samuel/Sam, but if he's going to be Seb day to day and just Sebastian on the BC I think that's fine.