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Baby names

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

Original poster

Stuck for baby boy names, our favourite just got vito’d by my mother!

167 replies

Shop90 · 08/10/2025 01:10

We are due our first baby - a baby boy in mid November but we are really struggling with names.
The middle name is going to be George after my dad.

Our top name was Archer, but when I told my mum, she quite angrily said it wasn’t a real name and I should be using Archie, as Archer sounds stupid. So it has put a spanner in the works and now we regret telling her our front runner.

The rest of our list includes:
Wilf
Charlie
Otis
Hugo
Seb (Sebastian)
Tobie (Toby)

We don’t want anything too out there but also don’t want anything too common. Any suggestions would be hugely appreciated.
Middle name George.
Surname starts with a W if that helps.

Thank you :)

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Seebothsides60 · 08/10/2025 20:09

Alex, Travis, Calvin, Kelvin, Theo...I like Archer, but u do realise his pals will shorten it to Archie....

Spinmerightroundbaby · 08/10/2025 19:50

Shop90 · 08/10/2025 01:10

We are due our first baby - a baby boy in mid November but we are really struggling with names.
The middle name is going to be George after my dad.

Our top name was Archer, but when I told my mum, she quite angrily said it wasn’t a real name and I should be using Archie, as Archer sounds stupid. So it has put a spanner in the works and now we regret telling her our front runner.

The rest of our list includes:
Wilf
Charlie
Otis
Hugo
Seb (Sebastian)
Tobie (Toby)

We don’t want anything too out there but also don’t want anything too common. Any suggestions would be hugely appreciated.
Middle name George.
Surname starts with a W if that helps.

Thank you :)

Agree with your mum. I don’t like Archer either. Terrible name. She’s done you a favour! Not keen on any of your name choice tbh but your baby, go with what you like!

Dutchhouse14 · 08/10/2025 19:41

I like Wilf and Charlie, Toby spelt with a Y not an ie otherwise he will be forever getting his name spelt wrong.
I like Archer (and Archie)
Choose a name you and DP love.

GooglieWooglyWooglyWooglyWoo · 08/10/2025 19:41

Archer is a gorgeous name. We had the same issue with my mother (I almost named my son something different to what we wanted to call him), but I'm so glad we didn't and stuck to our guns. Now, my parents couldn't see him as anything else

SwedishEdith · 08/10/2025 19:38

Your mum probably remembers Jeffrey Archer. Enough to put anyone off.

Purplecatshopaholic · 08/10/2025 19:36

Go with your choice, not your mothers! Nothing to do with her. Archer is a great name actually - different, but not too out there. Also like Otis, Hugo and Toby.

Sugargliderwombat · 08/10/2025 19:30

Namesy · 08/10/2025 07:37

Go for Archie, Charlie or Seb. Not keen on Archer.

I vote Archer, I do really love your name list! Although if she hates archer that Explosively she isn't going to like any of those names. She'll hate otis, despise the spelling of tobie, think that wilf, seb and Charlie and just nicknames etc. So just go with what you love anyway :)

Jem57 · 08/10/2025 19:14

Brett
Albie
Carter

Yourcatisnotsorry · 08/10/2025 19:06

I’ve never heard Archer as a name. How about Asher?

Shotokan101 · 08/10/2025 19:04

LivingTheDreamish · 08/10/2025 01:33

Yup ignore your mother. I like all the names on your list so you really can't go wrong. Archer is a bit different to your other choices and I suspect you really want to use it but were too easily put off by the first negative comment.

Don't like Archie! What is is supposed to be short for - Archibald?? I don't think so.

Go with Archer - you and your husband's choice, she has no say in the matter let alone power of veto.... tell her you were informing her of tge chosen name, not asking for her opinion......

Househassles · 08/10/2025 18:59

Archer is certainly "a real name". Archie, arguably, is a diminutive - she'd sound a little less unreasonable if she were arguing it the other way around - e.g., use Archer, not Archie. But yeah: not her baby, not her veto. Regardless of what you decide - Archer or something else - stop talking to her about the subject.

How about Asher?

MelrosePlace12 · 08/10/2025 18:55

We have a really similar taste - love your names! I have a Zachary... his name always gets compliments. We also had Hugo, Jude and Archer on our list. Go for what you love!

despairofbadscience · 08/10/2025 18:55

That would motivate me all the more to go with the name! Why does she think she has a say

midlifemumma · 08/10/2025 18:53

Call your baby whatever you want to call him! We have a William George.

Blablibladirladada · 08/10/2025 18:52

I know a lovely bright boy called Otis.

JaneEyre40 · 08/10/2025 18:50

Shop90 · 08/10/2025 01:10

We are due our first baby - a baby boy in mid November but we are really struggling with names.
The middle name is going to be George after my dad.

Our top name was Archer, but when I told my mum, she quite angrily said it wasn’t a real name and I should be using Archie, as Archer sounds stupid. So it has put a spanner in the works and now we regret telling her our front runner.

The rest of our list includes:
Wilf
Charlie
Otis
Hugo
Seb (Sebastian)
Tobie (Toby)

We don’t want anything too out there but also don’t want anything too common. Any suggestions would be hugely appreciated.
Middle name George.
Surname starts with a W if that helps.

Thank you :)

Your Mum sounds horrible! Go with Archer it's your favorite.

ymemanresu · 08/10/2025 18:49

Orlando, Tobias?

BananaCandle · 08/10/2025 18:46

Your baby. You get to choose his name. It’s got buggar all to do with anyone else. I didn’t tell anyone what I intended to name my babies. My baby. My choice. The End.

QuickPeachPoet · 08/10/2025 18:46

Archer sounds silly. I would be wanting to hum the theme tune to the archers his entire childhood.
Wilf - quite nice
Charlie - nope
Otis - bit weird
Hugo - nice
Seb (Sebastian) - very nice
Tobie (Toby) - nope

Roaminginthegloaming · 08/10/2025 18:41

Not on your list but my Aussie friend’s son is called
Hunter.

Hunter George W…… sounds nice 😊

Contrarymary30 · 08/10/2025 18:36

Me neither. Bow and arrow vibes but it's not my child . So many lovely names to choose from .

Moreteaandchocolate · 08/10/2025 18:36

Toby and Sebastian are both brilliant names - love them!

HRchatter · 08/10/2025 18:33

Archer is bloody awful tbf

Trishyb10 · 08/10/2025 18:32

We have the Archer christian name in our family tree since early 1900s, its been carried thru the generations …. Go for the name you love …and its different, unusual xx good luck xx

Januarytoes · 08/10/2025 18:32

Wait until you see your baby's little face and you will know. Keep Archer on your list, it's a lovely name. Stop talking about it and say "We don't know yet"
Then tell everyone the name when he's born. Grandmothers don't get to choose for you. She can choose what Archer will call her when he can talk, she can consider granny, nanny, grandma, nan, meemaw or whatever she likes. But you get to choose what she calls your son.