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Baby names

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

Original poster

Outdoorsy Storybook Boy Names

35 replies

WoodlandStrider · 03/08/2026 11:15

I'm really struggling with boys names. We want something with an outdoorsy, storybook feel, while still being recognisable as a name. I prefer classic names that are still a little uncommon, over the more contemporary names.

I really love Robin, but my husband is less keen!

Any suggestions? Thanks!

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Original poster
WoodlandStrider · 06/08/2026 08:18

Thank you everyone for your suggestions, they are really helpful!

There are many I love!! My Husband is the difficult one 😂 I will pass my favourites onto him.

OP posts:
Original poster
WoodlandStrider · 06/08/2026 08:16

Wadsworthy · 04/08/2026 02:50

Are you “ outdoorsy” people? Otherwise you’re plastering an unborn child with your aspirations.

Most children’s novels/stories featuring outdoor adventures have perfectly standard classic names: John and Roger from S&A come to mind. Or something from Robert Louis Stevenson or Kipling? Or any of the names in the Rougue Herries series. But they’re just standard names. Nothing “unique”

Yes, I run a trail run club in my local town. We’ve also wild camped in every European country that allows it and regular go on hikes. I lead campaigns in my local area to protect the countryside. It is our lifestyle, hence the request for support in choosing a name that suits.

OP posts:
Almakarlinsghost · 04/08/2026 08:57

Julian, of course...a nice name, though the eldest Famous Five was a pompous little prig!

Almakarlinsghost · 04/08/2026 08:55

I might steer clear of Stig or Tarzan...😅

Someone mentioned Rogue Herries. There's a boy in that named Uhlan, which would turn a few heads! But also David - good classic name not much used now.

Dick(on)/Richard etc comes up a lot in classic childrens' literature - Famous Five, Secret Garden and also one of the "Ds" in the Swallows and Amazons was named Dick. I hadn't registered until now how common it is. I still like the name Richard, which was given to every fifth boy when I was a kid but has dropped out of use, and you could get away with Dickon if not Dick

Frankley · 04/08/2026 07:24

Bevis ("The story of a boy" by Richard Jeffries)

user1492757084 · 04/08/2026 04:41

Fergus
Digby
Rupert
Heathcliff
Sandford - Sandy
Craig
Neville
Angus
Edmund
Tex

NutellasKitchen · 04/08/2026 04:30

Diggory
Barney
Sam
Gabriel

Wadsworthy · 04/08/2026 02:50

Are you “ outdoorsy” people? Otherwise you’re plastering an unborn child with your aspirations.

Most children’s novels/stories featuring outdoor adventures have perfectly standard classic names: John and Roger from S&A come to mind. Or something from Robert Louis Stevenson or Kipling? Or any of the names in the Rougue Herries series. But they’re just standard names. Nothing “unique”

RibenaCocktail · 04/08/2026 02:39

Gulliver

BigBrownBoogyingBear · 04/08/2026 01:53

Kit
Finn
Alex
Tom
Samuel
Leo
Max
Rufus

Firebird83 · 04/08/2026 01:21

Peter
Hugh
Edmund
Alaric
Barnaby
Julian
Laurence/Laurie
Finn
River
Christopher/Kit
Jasper
Cedric
Casper/Caspar
Emlyn
Emeric
Jeremiah/Jem
Philip/Pip
Josiah/Joss
Solomon/Sol
Heath
Rowan
Asher
Torin
Lowen
Bram
Silas
Arthur
Miles
Nicholas
George

powershowerforanhour · 04/08/2026 00:50

Abe - The White Horse Gang
Barney - Stig of the Dump
(Stig - if you really want to go wild with the name)
Ralph - Lord of the Flies (he was wholesome even if most of the rest weren't)
Ken- My Friend Flicka
Alec- The Black Stallion
Will -Dark Is Rising (also Simon+Barney) + His Dark Materials + Robin Hood (Will Scarlet)

LilyLemonade · 04/08/2026 00:21

Robin is nice.

Peter
Harry
Jake
Fergus
Leon
Laurie

Silverbirchleaf · 03/08/2026 22:45

Oakley
Rowan

TheBirdintheCave · 03/08/2026 22:43

Hazel. I know most people see it as a girl name but I always think of Hazel from Watership Down first.

Giraffehaver · 03/08/2026 22:20

Rufus

Shloopie · 03/08/2026 21:14

Imagine telling your son you'd named them after the horny farmer in the Go-Between or the horny gamekeeper in Lady Chatterley's Lover 😂

I think the OP meant more wholesome and childlike outdoor pursuits!

HugoThatway · 03/08/2026 21:07

Ted after the farmer in The Go-between?

Sgtmajormummy · 03/08/2026 19:55

I’ve just thought of Gabriel (Oak in Far From the Madding Crowd).
That has very positive vibes if you’ve seen the films!

Shloopie · 03/08/2026 19:51

Robin is the name of one of the brothers in Brendon Chase.

John and Roger are the names of the brothers in Swallows and Amazons.

Most of the storybook outdoorsy names will be very mainstream ones as above. I'm trying to think of any more unusual names in classic kids' books. I suppose there's Tolly (Toseland) in Green Knowe but that's perhaps not the most useable.

There are American (Wild West) names like Wyatt and Jesse but I'm guessing you're going for more of an English vibe.

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 03/08/2026 19:24

LateMumma · 03/08/2026 12:21

kit. I think it’s short for Christopher, but might be wrong

You are right

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 03/08/2026 19:23

Rowan
Heath
Fletcher
Oakley
Ashley
Archer
River

Mumofgirls2017 · 03/08/2026 18:58

No particular reason but these spring to mind for me

christopher
william
rowan
august/ gus
rupert
leo
oscar
river
felix
arthur
peter
eric
caspian
eden
flynn
oliver
henry

Sgtmajormummy · 03/08/2026 18:10

Dickon was the country boy in The Secret Garden.
Dick was the stable boy/man in Flambards.
Lady Chatterley’s Lover was Oliver.

I like Toby, Noah, Forrest or Sam (Samwise Gamgee).
Tom is very popular but it seems rustic to me.

HugoThatway · 03/08/2026 17:47

Tarzan
Mowgli
Skandar