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Baby names

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

Original poster

Short go-anywhere boys' names. Adam? Simon?

166 replies

MrsBadger · 27/09/2009 14:43

we have tight criteria and are low on ideas.

Must be one or two syllables, not too easy to shorten and not an abbreviation of a longer classic (so not Tom, Ben, Joe).

Erring slightly on the side of poncey rather than ch modern or unique.

So far ideas include
Adam
Simon
John (tentative as is an uncle)
Alex (tentative due to Alex / Alexander rows)

wish we could use James but is already bagged.

middle name will be Henry, surname is one long syllable (think Stone or Rowe).

bring it on, oh wise MNers...

OP posts:
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kentgirl73 · 10/10/2009 10:03

i have an adam, love the name and he is a cutie, a real adam!!!

Jamieandhismagictorch · 10/10/2009 09:51

MRS B

Come back and tell us what you've decided !!!

fin42 · 09/10/2009 22:24

Aled?
chorister,welsh, and a bit like Alex.

Loujalou · 09/10/2009 09:23

I love Adam not popular but not out there and my little on is adorable!! But am totally biased.

Met a teacher the other day who had a brother called Adam and he said he can't remember the last time he taught an Adam.

busybutterfly · 01/10/2009 20:16

Stephen
Michael
Stuart
Daniel
Oscar
Charlie

Any use?!

pointydoug · 01/10/2009 18:21

Jem sounds like a nickname for Jeremy or a pretty stone. Neither of which bring a brickie to mind.

titchy · 01/10/2009 09:39

Ooh I've got a good one - Jem. Close enough to Jim if he's a brickie, but would easily go with friends called Sebastian and Rupert.

FimboFortunaFeet · 30/09/2009 14:04

I guess Linus really wouldn't be a builder.

Original poster
MrsBadger · 30/09/2009 11:53

BadPoet, the trouble with most Sodor names is that they are too easily shortenable.
Except for Duncan, obv.

Everhopeful, Alec would be lovely but conflicts with surname

OP posts:
Everhopeful · 30/09/2009 11:33

I'd add:

Alec (similar enough to Alex, but gets you out of the arguments)
Eric
Toby (one of my nephews - nice bloke!)
Stuart (may end up Stu, if you can cope)

Of course, somehow, they invariably get shortened, no matter what you do, or they get a nickname. I once knew a Nigel (I hate that name, though all the Nigels I've ever known were really lovely, so no offence) who was called Doggy the whole of his school life!

BadPoet · 30/09/2009 11:26

Honestly, to pull off the chorister/brickie aspect you are going to have to embrace Sodor. Thomas, Edward, Duncan all work perfectly (you don't want Tom, but didn't specifically say no to Thomas?)

Lancelottie · 30/09/2009 11:08

Nah. For true floppy-haired choristerdom, it surely has to be Gareth.

Iwillpopthekettleon · 30/09/2009 10:47

Finn
Theo
Leo
Ivo
Milo
something else with an o
Adam
Liam
Jude
Miles
Rex
Asa
Ivan
Jonas

all probably old news, but i had fun thinking of them!!

jazzandh · 30/09/2009 10:43

Hugo (can be Hugh if he's an electrician - Hugo for a pimlico plumber)....

AnotherMuesliPleaseBarman · 30/09/2009 10:34

Caspar

purlease · 30/09/2009 09:46

we have an Adam too so my vote is with that as well. I and believe it fits all the criteria and it works well with Henry .

StableButDeluded · 30/09/2009 09:42

Sorry, just realised all my suggestions already done.

Go for Adam, Evan, mark, Leo or Leon.

StableButDeluded · 30/09/2009 09:29

I vote for Adam, but then it is my son's name so naturally I like it. For all the reasons you stated in OP: two syllables, can't really be shortened, though his Grandad sometimes calls him Ad which makes me grit my teeth. Classic, classy (well, I like to think so) and timeless; it's never really gone in our out of fashion. Not very common here, I don't know any other Adams in his school.

I also like Joel & Louis, maybe Luke?

Friend of mine has a Seth...I quite like it but it also makes me think of Emmerdale Farm (showing my age here)

What about Leo? Can't really shorten it, not common but not outlandish and if it's good enough for Tony Blair.... It would also be a good chorister name, methinks

becknsteve · 30/09/2009 09:24

I second Dylan cos that's DS, though I don't know that it'd work for a chorister...

So-oo many lovely suggestions made already - I'll try not to repeat any:

Dante was ruled out of our short-list for being too poncy, though I love it.

DH doesn't know yet but the short-list for our next, if it's a boy, is Byron or Corin. I'm worried he'll find them too poncy too!

Or, if you like Colin, how about Connor? It's a bit popular atm for my taste, otherwise I loved it. Ooh, or Ronan (might not work with the surname)? My shortlist is all coming back to me!

In terms of a name working for him as a brickie, I think it comes down to his personality more than anything: a poncy name could be quirky, or he might just get a nickname that has no relation to his given name... You can only factor in so many eventualities!

Rebeccaj · 30/09/2009 08:28

I have a Hugo Isaac. I also loved Milo, but DH wouldn't as it's the name of a milk drink from his childhood!

Clary · 30/09/2009 00:20

oho yes.

It's only cause it's you tho, if you ask me

Original poster
MrsBadger · 30/09/2009 00:06

dear god, we are a Discussion of the Day

DH will kill me

OP posts:
baconsandwich · 29/09/2009 23:48

I second Ralph (could be posh and pronounce Rafe)

Clary · 29/09/2009 23:47

lol @ "not aiming for ponce" btw

Clary · 29/09/2009 23:46

Ah OK I getcha re Henry.

Felix is OK isn't it? I know a few...

I think in 20 yrs' time our electricians are going to *have to be called something else other than Kevin and Dave. I don't know any 10yos with either of those names.

How about George then, that's a fine fine name.