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Original poster

Favourite boy names from this shortlist for a bookish but not nerdy feel

103 replies

danascully96 · 11/09/2026 19:03

Which is your favorite: Miles, Joseph, Luke, Daniel, Pierce, Alexander “Alec,” Nicholas, Cameron, Christian, Caleb, Elijah, Clark, Heath, Max, James “Jamie,” Theodore, Russell, August, Simon, Blake, Rowan, Graham, or Leo?

If this helps, I always picture a handsome, bookish man but hopefully not a dorky name!

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fentalpink · 12/09/2026 22:45

Atticus

Mumofgirls2017 · 12/09/2026 22:44

Long, but generally nice list. I think Leo, Alexander, Nicholas, Joseph,Rowan, would be good (but also love August!)

BeFairOliveBear · 12/09/2026 21:26

Joseph could be bookish and not nerdy.

DelphiniumBlue · 12/09/2026 20:09

MelonSorbet · 11/09/2026 19:24

Jamie is the best one out of all those, but Jamies are sporty not bookish.

My Jamie is bookish and not sporty.

LovelyLassie · 12/09/2026 20:02

Dislike Christian but love the nickname Kit.

Eric

Tryagain26 · 12/09/2026 20:01

I don't like Miles, Graham, Simon , Heath or Blake. The others are ok

RowsOfFlowers · 12/09/2026 19:54

danascully96 · 11/09/2026 19:03

Which is your favorite: Miles, Joseph, Luke, Daniel, Pierce, Alexander “Alec,” Nicholas, Cameron, Christian, Caleb, Elijah, Clark, Heath, Max, James “Jamie,” Theodore, Russell, August, Simon, Blake, Rowan, Graham, or Leo?

If this helps, I always picture a handsome, bookish man but hopefully not a dorky name!

Nicholas, Caleb, Leo

iloveanearlynight · 12/09/2026 19:49

Cameron and Heath are the best there. Miles is pretty nice too. How about Jasper?

Favouritefruits · 12/09/2026 19:48

I like Luke, I’ve never met a Luke I haven’t liked! It’s a great name, very strong!

DemonsandMosquitoes · 12/09/2026 19:39

Luke DS2 name
James DS1 middle name
Also like Joseph

NoelEdmondsHairGel · 12/09/2026 19:00

Like those but I would also add Sebastian (Brideshead Revisited).

Strawberrycheesecake7 · 12/09/2026 18:55

Daniel is my favourite. It was on our shortlist. The only thing that put me off is that it would inevitably get shorted to Dan which I don’t like as much. But I still think it’s a lovely name.

Firebird83 · 12/09/2026 18:49

My favourite is Alexander “Alec” - I considered this for my DS

I also like:

Miles
Luke
Daniel
Nicholas
Clark
Heath
James

Helenbelena · 12/09/2026 09:27

I like Nicholas, Rowan and Miles.

How about Reuben or Quentin?

Verdantview · 12/09/2026 08:06

I really like Joseph or Miles.

Well known without being super popular.

Iamblossom · 12/09/2026 08:00

Edgar?
Robin?
Victor?
Charles?

Iamblossom · 12/09/2026 08:00

I don't agree with a PP that August is more usually a girls' name and you can't use it if your child isn't born in August. 🙄
I think if you are going for bookish that is the best choice.

ExquisitelyDecorating · 12/09/2026 07:24

Miles - no, old fashioned
Joseph - yes
Luke - yes
Daniel - yes
Pierce - just awful
Alexander “Alec,” - yes but may end up as Alex and get fed up with correcting people
Nicholas - no, old fashioned
Cameron - no, David associations
Christian - yes if you are ok with Chris
Caleb - no, unless you want people to think it's after Caleb Cooper
Elijah - no just don't like it
Clark - awful
Heath - just no
Max - yes
James “Jamie,” - yes
Theodore - no
Russell - 70s calling
August - the worst on the list
Simon - 70s calling
Blake - no, again dated
Rowan - more common for girls
Graham - 70s calling
Leo - no

Luke is my favourite

TruffleSlinky · 12/09/2026 07:21

My favourites are Luke, Alexander, Nicholas, James, Christian, Rowan.

Least favourites are Pierce, Caleb, Elijah, Theodore, August, Graham, Clarke.

Lentilcakes · 12/09/2026 07:17

Elijah and James

Madamecholetsbonnet · 12/09/2026 07:13

Alexander is Alex, not Alec surely?

I like Alexander and James. Max and Christian also good.

I wouldn’t call my child Leo unless they were an astrological Leo. It’s a bit like calling a January born child Summer.

MissyB1 · 12/09/2026 07:06

Christian, Leo, or Joseph.

LlynTegid · 12/09/2026 07:05

Luke. Which doesn't get shortened.

user1492757084 · 12/09/2026 07:02

My favourites on your list are:
Rowan, Daniel, Joseph, Alec, Caleb, Max, Russell.

Do you like:
Neville, Grant, Hartley, Murray, Tex, Christopher

mathanxiety · 12/09/2026 03:13

Joseph, Miles, or Simon. Lovely names.

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