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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?
DuchessOfNarcissex · 28/11/2025 21:45

Did you mean Archimedes, @NewDogOwner ?

NewDogOwner · 28/11/2025 21:44

Archimedis

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 28/11/2025 21:42

Tristan

Handrearedmagpie · 28/11/2025 21:20

I know 2 Christopher’s under 7, no kit’s, no rafe’s and 1 Joe.

Jonah
Elliott
Abraham (Bram)
Gavin

mathanxiety · 28/11/2025 20:32

Clement
Ambrose
Conrad
Ivo
Edmund
Thaddeus

The names on your list are great - recognizable and classic, but still uncommon,

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 28/11/2025 20:13

Lyndon
Otto
Jude

Forthelov · 28/11/2025 19:40

I love the name Christopher - and nickname Kit

Wornouttoday · 28/11/2025 16:01

CurlewKate · 27/11/2025 08:26

Patrick. Fab classic name with loads of shortenings.

Gorgeous ❤️

Mimosa3andmore · 28/11/2025 15:58

Rowan
Harrison
I also like Barnaby.

DuchessOfNarcissex · 28/11/2025 15:40

Silverbirchleaf · 28/11/2025 15:35

Probably outing but there was a son named Hereward at my son’s school.

It'd have been more outing if it had been a daughter called Hereward.

Silverbirchleaf · 28/11/2025 15:35

DuchessOfNarcissex · 28/11/2025 12:39

Hereward, Howard, Horatio, Edmund, Guy, Simeon, Timothy, Crispin, Tristram.

Probably outing but there was a son named Hereward at my son’s school.

DuchessOfNarcissex · 28/11/2025 12:39

Hereward, Howard, Horatio, Edmund, Guy, Simeon, Timothy, Crispin, Tristram.

DuchessOfNarcissex · 28/11/2025 12:36

Quentin is another I kept thinking that about, but I have seen it feature on quite a few threads lately.
Probably the same poster each time.

Calliopespa · 28/11/2025 12:22

What about Harold?

Old, traditional, but seldom used - which really surprises me because it is easily shortened to the hugely popular Harry.

Quentin is another I kept thinking that about, but I have seen it feature on quite a few threads lately.

blueskies23 · 27/11/2025 21:10

Nic.
I grew up near a Hungarian Raphael, his son was named after him,but, went as Rudy.

NET145 · 27/11/2025 20:45

Cecil
Ernest

twinklelake · 27/11/2025 20:26

Barnaby
Angus
Walter
Winston
Rafferty n Raphie
Stanley
Sid

SwedishEdith · 27/11/2025 20:01

Anthony
Dominic
Gregory
Paul

Silverbirchleaf · 27/11/2025 19:56

Richard
Adam
Herbert
Wilbur
Edwin
Silas
Guy
Gideon

MinnieCauldwell · 27/11/2025 19:55

I knew a Bartholomew (sp?), he was always known as Bart, he was very Boho so it suited him. Never met another one.

Zitroneneis · 27/11/2025 19:51

I like Christopher and Nicholas.

How about
Quentin
Marcus
Felix

AmberBeaker · 27/11/2025 19:34

Robin from a pp is a great suggestion for classic but stands out. Bobby and Rob good nicknames for different ages and stages.
I think Rupert and Jasper also meet you and DH criteria.
What about Oscar? It's a classic name but relatively less common so maybe memorable. Ozzy is a nice nickname.

I really really really want to use Kit for my 3rd if a boy bit I'm not that keen on Christopher :(

YesItsMeYesItsMe · 27/11/2025 18:14

FullOfMomsense · 27/11/2025 02:09

I met a baby Laurie recently and have decided our next DC will be named the same.

DD would have been a Lawrence (Laurie) Joel if she was a boy 😍

OP, DS is Joseph but goes by Jos, if that’s any good for you?

Really like Nicholas and Matthew too but couldn’t use. Think they’re very pleasing to say and well known but not overused (for current babies)

matchingmoll · 27/11/2025 18:03

Robin
Gregor(y)
Francis
Augustus
Martin

weatherthorp · 27/11/2025 10:46

I really like your shortlist, especially Christopher/Kit and Joseph which were top of my list too. Out of the names you mentioned, Bodhi is by far the one I've heard most often at baby groups. Also a couple of Olivers and Theos, and one Raphael.

I lean towards classic names so am biased, but I find that non-traditional names stick out more so you wouldn't bat an eyelid at meeting your third Oliver of the day but you would at your third Forest. Which makes them feel more 'popular' if that makes sense?

Other possible names: Samuel, Edward/Edmund/Edwin, Dominic, Robin, Hamish, Elias, Isaac, Zachary, Joel, Miles.

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