Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

I am choosing a name for my future son: Alexander (Alex), Michael, David, or Jacob.

27 replies

ForDearJadeCat · 09/09/2026 01:07

My husband and I are choosing a name for our son. We’ve narrowed it down to four final options but just can’t decide between them: Alexander/Alex, Michael, David, and Jacob.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
MidnightMeltdown · 17/09/2026 00:40

I think Alexander is best

David and Micheal are frumpy and dated imo

Jacob ok, but slightly chavy sounding to me. Not a name that I would choose.

EveryoneUsingOutro · 16/09/2026 23:34

Alexander my fave by far, love it. Alex, Alec all good. Bring Scottish I know a fair few Sandy’s too. Not Xander though, don’t like it.

Jacob also pretty good

Michael is a bit meh to me

David/Dave very dated. All the Dave’s I know are in their 50s/60s so not quite revival of name cycle yet like we’ve seen with the Albert’s/Elsies generation. And sadly most of the Dave’s are misogynistic twats. Blush

CruCru · 16/09/2026 23:13

These are all nice names. What does your surname start with and how many syllables does it have?

Polesinengland · 11/09/2026 23:49

I voted Alex but in retrospect I think David is a lovely and relatively uncommon name

Notadream · 11/09/2026 23:13

It won’t matter you’ll know when you look in his eyes.

Buzzlightfear · 11/09/2026 22:59

Alexander is my favourite name. So there is no other option :)

Growingaseed · 11/09/2026 22:54

David will be Dave which sounds like a middle aged man. For me Michael is also dated.

Jacob & Alex are nice names.

AgentPidge · 11/09/2026 22:52

They are all fine names. I've always loved Michael (nn Micky). Least favourite is Alex but I couldn't tell you why.

HussleMe · 09/09/2026 21:50

Michael! There’s not enough Michaels these days I reckon. I know one who went by Mikey as a toddler but prefers Michael now he’s a teen.

Firebird83 · 09/09/2026 21:38

Michael or David

user293948849167 · 09/09/2026 18:50

They all lovely.
Voted David just because David and Michael are less popular for babies. I like Michael but not as keen on Mike or Mick

Abracadabra12345 · 09/09/2026 16:44

I love Alexander but Xander not Alex so haven’t voted

HughManity · 09/09/2026 16:34

PauliesWalnuts · 09/09/2026 16:12

I love them all but I really like traditional/biblical names. David is probably my favourite - I had an uncle that we'd call Davey.

I had an Uncle Davey too.

PauliesWalnuts · 09/09/2026 16:12

I love them all but I really like traditional/biblical names. David is probably my favourite - I had an uncle that we'd call Davey.

dayswithaY · 09/09/2026 16:10

I don’t know why but I’ve always liked the name Michael, it sounds strong and honest and a little bit romantic.

As far as trad boys names go I also like James and Nicholas.

Ipsevenenabibas · 09/09/2026 15:40

I like them all except David.

HughManity · 09/09/2026 15:39

David - love it but not keen on Dave
Michael - love it but not keen on Mick. Mike is ok. Gets misspelt (see other posts).
Jacob - don't know many. Jake is ok.
Alexander - know too many. Alex seems a girl's name to me but I like Alec. Alexander is too long so it will be shortened. Not keen on Xander.

Try the names and diminutives with the surname

I'd probably pick Michael.

SkaneTos · 09/09/2026 14:36

They are all good names.
I voted for Jacob.

Wellwellwellwhatsallthisthen · 09/09/2026 07:48

Alexander is lovely but will never be called by his full name, and it feels like there's quite a few around at the moment.

I've always loved Michael and also like Mike.

David is good but depends how you feel about 'Dave' as it will inevitably get shortened to that...

Jacob also nice.

Personally, I'd go for Michael!

Pearlton · 09/09/2026 07:44

Alexander and Jacob are both lovely. Nice nicknames from both:
Alex/al/allie/xander
Jacob/Jack/Jay/Jake
nothing wrong with Micheal and David; maybe a bit older sounding, slightly dated.

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 09/09/2026 07:23

Alexander is great but I prefer either the full name or Xander to Alex.

i also really like Jake so would be tempted to use Jacob with Jake as a shortening.

Michael and David are fine but not something I would choose

Peanutlicious · 09/09/2026 07:01

Jacob

RoxytheRexy · 09/09/2026 06:58

I have a little David and I love it. Classic but not loads around at the minute. He’s the only one in his school

Lurkingandlearning · 09/09/2026 05:45

Jacob

Specialneedsnightmare · 09/09/2026 05:26

I've always liked David and Alexander. Michael is ok. Not keen on Jacob.

Swipe left for the next trending thread