Probably the final combos. Which do you prefer?

X-posted with you meadowlarks. Think the hybrid is even better than 1)

I really like Atticus.

I think Asa is a girls' name in Scandinavia?

Atticus - cool, masculine and classic.

Asa - very feminine and 'trendy' sounding.

It doesn't really matter what middle names you choose, you rarely say/see them all together. First name is much more important to get right.

oh I love them both. I have an Asa myself so obviously that's my favourite!!!

I have 5 first names, although one is a baptismal name so thankfully not legal (and now doubled surname, the last part of which is actually 3 words long).

I don't use them. Ever. My initials are quite frankly ridiculous.

They don't fit on any form known to man and it takes forever to fill in forms (8 words in all). Add to that the fact that my surname doesn't fit when I book plane tickets so I can only use part of it

Signing the marriage register took forever and that was with my maiden name.

So before you do this be aware:

He will probably end up with writers cramp before the exam even starts.

He will have to learn to write really, really small.

You'll probably have to live with at least 1 if not 2 of his middle names being chopped off for lack of space.

But at the end of the day if you want to then go for it.

I love Arthur and Stanley but I am not keen on Asa, sorry.

My DH didn't believe me when I told him how so many MN-ers like Atticus. I told him why and he was still making this face .

I like it tho. But I thinkl it may be asking a lot of a child....

My DS1 has two middle names which is a bit mad really but there was a good reason for the third name. He tends to use his first name and then two initials actually. He's 11 btw.

Am struck by your second choice as my dad was Arthur Stanley and he was known as Asa at work as they were his initials...

4 names does sound like quite a lot to me though...

A couple of people have asked, and I'd love to know too - Why? The poor boy will never be able to fill in his whole enormous name on any form, it is slightly ridiculous. Is it a family tradition? Could you just not decide? Is it to embarrass him and be character forming?

If pushed, Asa is better that Atticus, but the four other names are really offputting.

Asa is best...don't like the use of so many MN's though, it's a bit like "I'm going to use every name I've ever wanted to name a child on this one child!", also he'll take ages to put his name on exam papers, application forms etc, not to mention how much space he'll take up!

Asa - definitely

I think that Asa is quite cool, and Atticus a little ridiculous (plus as a three syllable name will be shortened, but to what?). Having lots of middle names is a nuisance (I have two and I'm not bothered about writing them on forms when it is possible, but often there is only space for one initial or middle name, and I really dislike that because it means I can't actually use my proper name).

I might assume a child with such a moniker had parents who were: minor royalty; had hoped to have many children but for whom that wasn't possible; were very indecisive; or were a little pretentious. I don't think I'd assume anything of the child though, after all they don't get to choose their names.

Asa Tobias Arthur Leopold Somerset?
Asa Stanislas Arthur Leopold Somerset?

I think Stanley sounds like a plumber in among Asa, Arthur, Leopold and Somerset. I think Asa And Tobias have a nice, early Victorian feel to them, and Arthur and Leopold are later Victorian. Stanislas and Leopold have an attractive old-fashioned European vibe.

Atticus and Caleb are too far apart in style to belong in the same name combination, imo.

Atticus Louis Tobias Arthur Somerset would be my suggestion there, instead of Caleb, (even though I know you've reached your final two combinations...)

Overall, I like Asa more than Atticus. Asa is much more socially fluid than Atticus. I would place a child with A) so many names and B) those names in particular as the child of creative, educated parents, perhaps with a career trajectory ahead of him similar to the children who ended up as solicitors and barristers from the Michael Apted documentary '7 Up'. I hope I would judge the child on his own merits though. A rose by any other name, etc...

I really like Atticus. However, it also blends into Somerset. From those two options, definitely Atticus.

Is this the last child you intend to have? If so, by all means give him as many names as you can think of. If not, you may want to save some for later. Can just see the post in 2 yrs time: Would it be ok to use one of DS1's middle names for DS2?

Don't like either of them, actually. Atticus Tobias the best combo but my first thought on seeing them both was WHY? I know a kid with a really long-winded name and it just sounds silly IMO. He only ever gets called by his nickname anyway.

prefer the first as I like Atticus better but I prefer a combination of the middle names and yes... pretentious

The only names I dislike are Caleb (too Old Testament for me - one of Noak's sons?) and Asa (sounds made-up, too unisex). On balance I prefer the first combination.

You wanted honesty - if I heard "Atticus!" being shouted across a park I'd think "Pretentious". I suspect I wouldn't be the only one. Your DS might not be judged for it, but you will be.

What would they be like? Well who knows. More than the sum total of their considerable names I would hope.

Atticus definitely nicer than Asa but dislike Louis and Caleb.

Definitely 1 but agree that there are too many middle names

Of the names particularly like Louis, Arthur and Stanley

Leopold makes me think of the Belgian King who did very bad things to the Congo