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Baby names

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

Boy names both classic yet not too common?

117 replies

User3056 · 27/11/2025 00:02

Wondering if anyone can advise? I’m desperate for our soon to be ds to have a relatively traditional/classic name and yet my husband would like something that is not popular as he so likes having a unique name himself.. so we are coming at it from completely different perspectives. If I had total free rein I would love an Oliver or Theo and he would probably like Forest or Bodhi.

Our current list is Nicholas(Nico), Raphael(Rafe), Christopher(Kit) or Joseph(Joey). I’ve obviously looked at ONS data for these to see their popularity but can anyone tell me if these names are particularly common or names they hear regularly/have many of in their baby groups etc, as would like to find a good compromise with dh.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Makingpeace · 28/11/2025 23:56

HopSpringsEternal · 28/11/2025 23:23

Come on Wilbur, Benendict 😂

They're a bit more interesting and less common than Wilfred and Benjamin, is all!

patooties · 28/11/2025 23:53

Dominic, francis, Jonathan (Jonny?) John, Daniel. Alistair, Robert

username2373 · 28/11/2025 23:30

I like Marcus, Gilbert or Peter from the suggestions above.
I’m adding Aidan and Benjamin.

HopSpringsEternal · 28/11/2025 23:23

DuchessOfNarcissex · 28/11/2025 23:09

You are joking?

Come on Wilbur, Benendict 😂

captainoctopus · 28/11/2025 23:22

There aren't many little Brians about at the moment 😀.

Maraudingmarauders · 28/11/2025 23:19

Christian
Jasper
James
Gabriel
Julian
Roger

Then problem with going for traditional with a slightly quirky nickname (Nico, Kit) is you can bet as soon as they’re in school they’ll end up as Nick and Chris, so it depends how you feel about that! We’ve got a traditional first name and an Italian middle name to reference family
heritage. If we were to have another boy I think we’d go with James but stuck on a middle name. I love all of the above but DH is a bit more common traditional - Sam, Jonathan etc so we have to find a compromise.

Cactus12 · 28/11/2025 23:14

I love Christopher and don’t think I have taught any!
Other suggestions:
Peter
Nathaniel
Robert
Alex
Daniel

DuchessOfNarcissex · 28/11/2025 23:09

HopSpringsEternal · 28/11/2025 23:07

That is the poshest name list I've seen for a while!

You are joking?

HopSpringsEternal · 28/11/2025 23:07

moneyadviceplease · 28/11/2025 21:50

I find barnaby along with Tristan to be the wettest names on the planet

Put Crispin and Josh in there for me

HopSpringsEternal · 28/11/2025 23:07

Makingpeace · 27/11/2025 00:13

Rafe/Raife - I hear this a lot! I prefer Rafferty.
Kit - I know one and they're under the age of 18m.
Nico - I know a small handful.

How about:
Benedict
Sebastian
Ralph
Tobias
Jasper
Giles
Myles
Reuben
Wilbur

That is the poshest name list I've seen for a while!

Wornouttoday · 28/11/2025 23:05

DuchessOfNarcissex · 28/11/2025 22:45

You plonker! Smile

😂😂😂

JemOfAWoman · 28/11/2025 22:53

My grown up son is Alexander, known as Xander since a baby. His wife calls him Alex which is a whole different story 🙄
Meet very few Alexander’s irl but it’s a strong classic name.

Calliopespa · 28/11/2025 22:51

TheBirdintheCave · 28/11/2025 22:30

We had Julian, Conrad, Harold (nn Hal) Edmond (nn Ned) and Lucien on our short list for our second child. Our first is Gilbert.

I like Edmond with an O

Flibbertyfloo · 28/11/2025 22:49

I know four Rafes 5 and under. Shortening of Rafferty or Raphael.

Classic yet not too popular: Sterling, Austin, Taylor, Fletcher, Gabriel, Sebastian, Peregrine.

DuchessOfNarcissex · 28/11/2025 22:45

You plonker! Smile

Wornouttoday · 28/11/2025 22:42

Rodney? Seriously?

TheBirdintheCave · 28/11/2025 22:30

We had Julian, Conrad, Harold (nn Hal) Edmond (nn Ned) and Lucien on our short list for our second child. Our first is Gilbert.

DuchessOfNarcissex · 28/11/2025 22:02

Brian
Gerald
Gawain
Cyril
Hector
Tarquin
Stuart
Rodney

DuchessOfNarcissex · 28/11/2025 21:57

Indeed, and only George currently very popular

HatStickBoots · 28/11/2025 21:55

John, Paul, George and Richard, very strong classic names.

DuchessOfNarcissex · 28/11/2025 21:55

Julian is awful.

NormasArse · 28/11/2025 21:50

Julian.

moneyadviceplease · 28/11/2025 21:50

Mimosa3andmore · 28/11/2025 15:58

Rowan
Harrison
I also like Barnaby.

I find barnaby along with Tristan to be the wettest names on the planet

moneyadviceplease · 28/11/2025 21:49

Raphael / Rafael all known as Rafi is very overused, pretty much every boy, 5-20 is called this. Was the follow on to every Zack / Zac / Zak born from 2008 onwards

pambeesleyhalpert · 28/11/2025 21:47

Joseph was the first name that came to mind! There are SO many rafes atm! I love kit as well

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