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Baby names

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

Original poster

Boys names shortlist/ideas - second child

57 replies

Flint2923 · 21/07/2026 16:30

Expecting my second child later in the year. Don't know the sex, but if we have a girl I think I know what we'll end up going for. Boys names, however, we find a lot tougher.

We have a DD called Marla and it is important to me to have a sibling name that goes with it - at the very least, not something that is starkly different. Surname is Irish, begins with R, three syllables. I get quite fixated on the flow of first name and surname - I like it to be memorable (although trying to avoid alliteration as DH feels it's 'too much'). DH is Irish but we live in England.

Our shortlist currently:
Sidney
Patrick, known as Paddy
Ivor
Fergus
Issac

None are perfect for various reasons, but interested to hear people's thoughts on them. I feel like we've gone through every possible name in existence, and ruled most out, but interested to hear other suggestions too.

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theonlywayback · 24/07/2026 17:53

Patrick yes but paddy no
Isaac maybe
don’t like any of the others

Original poster
Flint2923 · 27/07/2026 08:14

@Italiangreyhound yes I really like Jonah too, the problem we have with that one is there is already a child named that in the wider family on my DH's side (one of the only boys amongst a sea of girls so using the same name would likely stand out more). Jonah and Isaac definitely give me similar vibes.

OP posts:
Original poster
Flint2923 · 27/07/2026 08:22

I've been asking my DD to repeat names to see how well she can say them (she's 2) so that's been quite fun/interesting. Best result so far is Paddy! As much as some people have tried to put me off Paddy I'll keep it in the mix, as I would go full name Patrick and then when he's older he can decide himself if he doesn't like us calling him Paddy.

Thanks to everyone who responded. We'll probably stick with our shortlist for now but considering swapping Ivor for Ivo and I think it's helped narrow down the front runners. We'll wait for the baby to arrive, find out if it's actually a boy or a girl, and then see what feels like a natural fit.

OP posts:
Italiangreyhound · 27/07/2026 16:32

"Jonah and Isaac definitely give me similar vibes."

Is you like biblical boys names here are a few of my favourites

Ezra, Elijah, Thaddeus, Benjamin abd Joshua.

Tryagain26 · 27/07/2026 16:47

Flint2923 · 22/07/2026 00:19

@Sparklinggreen Vincent is my FiL's name - I like middle names to honour a family member, but don't really agree with using family names as first names as I'd like the child to form his or her own identity with their own individual name. Sebastian isn't my cup of tea, too posh sounding to my ear.

@Floppyearedlab I never said they needed to match, just that they go together or at least aren't starkly different. For example, having Marla alongside Elizabeth or Victoria just wouldn't sit right with me as the latter are more formal and give me a totally different vibe. Interested to know why you feel friends can choose diminutives but not family?

@Stressymcstress there are, but we live in England and I suspect they'd probably spend their life (or at least the first few years, depending where they end up) having to clarify the pronunciation and spelling to everyone. Including to my family who would likely struggle. That said, I would seriously consider Darragh but my nephew has it as a middle name and I think it's too similar in sound to Marla. I like Fionn too but the only one I know of is female and not sure how I feel about unisex names. We have associations with Connor too so that would rule out Conal for us which, again, is a shame. We do have Clodagh on our girls shortlist, but in my heart of hearts I don't think it would quite work.

Very interesting as I think Maria has the same vibe as Elizabeth and Victoria. They are all old classic names
It illustrates that we all view things differently.

I wouldn't worry about an Irish name and surname with an English accent. My grandchildren have obvious french first names with a French surnames but they live in the UK and have English accents. It hasn't been a problem.

Lulutortoiseshell · 01/08/2026 17:16

How about Donal, I think it sounds well with Marla x

TheeNotoriousPIG · 01/08/2026 17:24

I like Ivor and Patrick.

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