Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

What do you think of my list, 2nd boy due!

106 replies

elfisheyes · 05/02/2026 06:47

Our 2nd boy is due in a few weeks and really struggling to settle on a name, and one we agree on!
I love slightly less common names.. Being half Polish I’d also like it to be pronounced easily by my Polish family but doesn’t have to be a direct Polish version name.
Our first son is Zachary (nns Zach/Zachy).
Here’s the list- honest opinions much appreciated! :

Tobias
Elias
Elian
Caspar/Casper
Oskar
Fabian
Leon
Benjamin

Any other ideas also so welcome, thank you x

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Zov · 05/02/2026 12:15

YouAndMeDays · 05/02/2026 11:28

but if you're UK based, he will have a lifetime of people spelling his name as 'Oscar.'

I have a friend named Ann. She's had a lifetime of telling people it's not spelt Anne. Many bog standard Brit names can be spelled more than one way. Nicola and Nichola, for instance. Or May and Mae.

I like Oskar!

Edited
Show quote history

LOL, don't people just love other people telling them that their own name is spelt incorrectly!

I had a friend in the 1990s (at work) called Hellen (Greek grandfather,) and she had a lifetime of people not only spelling it with one L (Helen) but also telling her that she was spelling her OWN NAME incorrectly! LMFAO. The sheer arrogance!

Yes, the name Oskar is quite cool. 😄

muddyford · 05/02/2026 12:14

I love Elias.

NamingNoNames · 05/02/2026 12:01

but if you're UK based, he will have a lifetime of people spelling his name as 'Oscar.'
Same for Casper/Caspar/Kasper, and a lot of other names.
If he's only a quarter Polish, Oscar would probably be easier.

YouAndMeDays · 05/02/2026 11:28

Zov · 05/02/2026 11:23

Agree. Casper is a great name, and will go with Zachary. (Cas and Zak sound cool!)

Oskar may be a valid spelling in some countries/cultures, but if you're UK based, he will have a lifetime of people spelling his name as 'Oscar.'

Tobias and Benjamin are nice names too that will go with Zak/Zachary.

.

Edited
Show quote history

but if you're UK based, he will have a lifetime of people spelling his name as 'Oscar.'

I have a friend named Ann. She's had a lifetime of telling people it's not spelt Anne. Many bog standard Brit names can be spelled more than one way. Nicola and Nichola, for instance. Or May and Mae.

I like Oskar!

Zov · 05/02/2026 11:23

Dee51121 · 05/02/2026 07:07

I think it's a good list!

I would go with Casper - Zach and Cas sound cute.

I like Elias too, but would you be happy shortening to El if you do like a nickname?

Agree. Casper is a great name, and will go with Zachary. (Cas and Zak sound cool!)

Oskar may be a valid spelling in some countries/cultures, but if you're UK based, he will have a lifetime of people spelling his name as 'Oscar.'

Tobias and Benjamin are nice names too that will go with Zak/Zachary.

.

timoteigirl · 05/02/2026 11:17

Antonio
Jakub
Filip

NamingNoNames · 05/02/2026 10:55

Tobias - Tob-ee-as or To-bigh-us? Toby should be ok.
Elias - El-yas or El-igh-us
Elian - too unusual but not different. Looks a bit unisex
Caspar/Casper - Caspar or Kasper
Oskar - fine, usually Oscar in the UK and very popular
Fabian - Fab-ee-an or Fayb-yun?
Leon - fine
Benjamin - English or Polish pronunciation? Ben is great, whichever you use.

Ignore posters saying don’t use the spelling Oskar…it’s entirely appropriate for your heritage. This. It's a good list.

YouAndMeDays · 05/02/2026 10:38

Thaddeus, which in Polish becomes Tadeusz

Cinquefoils · 05/02/2026 10:36

I like them all bar Elian, which has a skincare brand ring to it for me.

Original poster
elfisheyes · 05/02/2026 10:33

Thank you all! Mixed opinions which is to be expected, but glad some are liking the options and some positive comments!

OP posts:
user1492757084 · 05/02/2026 08:21

My faves from your list:
Zachary and ..

Tobias 9
Casper 9
Benjamin 8
Leon 7
Oscar 7

MapleOakPine · 05/02/2026 07:55

My favourites are Tobias (Toby) and Benjamin.

FailMeOnce · 05/02/2026 07:49

It's Casper or Bejamin for me!

Just a thought about Oskar - the British spelling of 'Oscar' has been one of the most popular baby names in the UK for quite a few years now so, a) it may not fit with your wish of having a relatively unusual name (despite the unusual spelling) and b) it's likely that your child will spend his whole life correcting people who are extremely used to the 'Oscar' spelling. Just food for thought!

WashableVelvet · 05/02/2026 07:37

They’re all nice. Kacper would be fine too (where I live anyway).
The baddie in Oliver Twist is Fagin. Fabian is a left wing think tank, but also a name.

Springtimewillbespringing · 05/02/2026 07:33

Springtimewillbespringing · 05/02/2026 06:50

Love Tobias. If you choose Oscar don’t spell it like that unless it’s culturally appropraite as it will just look like you can’t spell. I prefer Casper to Caspar. It’s a good list of names but Fabian just reminds me off the badie in Oliver.

Sorry I totally missed the Polish bit as I was too busy concentrating on the name list. I would go with the Polish spelling if you choose it.

Kindnesscostsnothingtryit · 05/02/2026 07:30

I love Oskar with Zach, sounds gorgeous together. I disagree with the others about changing it to Oscar. You're Polish and if that's how it is spelt in your home country then go with it, I'm assuming he would need to spell his surname anyway. Always embrace where you've come from, no need to conform and blend in, nice time be different and for him to know why he has a different version.

Glittergargoyle · 05/02/2026 07:21

I came on to say use Fabian - that's a great name!

Possibly a little.boring but Thomas? (Or polish spelling)

timoteigirl · 05/02/2026 07:19

Those are all fine. Like Elias most. What about Marius or Tomas?

DisplayPurposesOnly · 05/02/2026 07:15

Don't like Fabian or Leon, all the others are fine. (Do like Leo if you would have that instead of Leon.)

CheddarCheeseAndCrispSandwich · 05/02/2026 07:14

Dee51121 · 05/02/2026 07:07

I think it's a good list!

I would go with Casper - Zach and Cas sound cute.

I like Elias too, but would you be happy shortening to El if you do like a nickname?

She could use Eli as a nickname.

Mumofgirls2017 · 05/02/2026 07:13

Casper is my favourite followed by Elias or elian

CheddarCheeseAndCrispSandwich · 05/02/2026 07:13

Love this list! (And I usually dislike name lists on here 😂)

Ignore posters saying don’t use the spelling Oskar…it’s entirely appropriate for your heritage.

Footle · 05/02/2026 07:09

Oskar is appropriate for the family. It also looks great in English. Go for it!

Dee51121 · 05/02/2026 07:07

I think it's a good list!

I would go with Casper - Zach and Cas sound cute.

I like Elias too, but would you be happy shortening to El if you do like a nickname?

SleafordSods · 05/02/2026 07:04

I like Fabian, Elias and Benjamin. Agree on not using that spelling of Oskar unless it’s culturally appropriate for your family.