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Baby names

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

Original poster

Henry, Zachary pr Alex?

34 replies

Lora69 · 02/08/2010 00:01

Hi girls,

Please can you help me to decide between the following names, as I keep alternating between my favourites! Any feedback is appreciated too, e.g. what perceptions you would have of each boy etc?

Henry Shailes

Zachary Shailes

Alex Shailes (or Alexander Shailes on b/c)

Many thanks!!

oh, and the mn is likely to be James, or possibly Robert

xx

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Original poster
Lora69 · 02/08/2010 00:02

the title should read or Alex, obv! :/

OP posts:
Colliecross · 02/08/2010 00:04

Henry a bit studious maybe
Zachary ruined for me by dire John Denver song
Alex my all-time fave anyway

trixiechick · 02/08/2010 00:06

Zachary jumps out at me as the best fit with your surname. Zach is a good strong shortened version.

LaundryLyne · 02/08/2010 00:10

I like all of the names on your list Of the first names, I think Henry Shailes "flows" best.

seashore · 02/08/2010 00:13

Zachary, love that name and it matches your surname well too. Not at all keen on Henry though.

Original poster
Lora69 · 02/08/2010 00:17

Thanks everyone so far! I like them all too- thats why its so hard! haha. Im sat here just looking at my oh thinking, hmm which name would suit you best?!

OP posts:
SacharissaCripslock · 02/08/2010 00:54

We clearly have similar tastes as I have a James, a Robert and an Alexander.

Obviously I choose Alex from your list. Best name ever.

StrictlyTory · 02/08/2010 12:13

Zachary goes best with your surname by a long way imo.

twolittlemonkeys · 02/08/2010 12:22

I think Zachary goes best with your surname, but also like Alex(ander). Not so keen on Henry.

jellybeans · 02/08/2010 12:25

Zachary Shailes the best, like Zach too. Not keen on others really.

cinnamongreyhound · 02/08/2010 12:32

I like Henry best.

Wondering why Alex would be Alexander on birth certificate? I Think Alex is a nice name on it's own without having to use the ander on the end, if Alex is what you would be planning to call him day to day.

Original poster
Lora69 · 02/08/2010 22:38

thanks! well i am of the 'proper name on b/c' school of thought haha, and it gves option of zander too. also i know people called for e.g Becky and people ALWAYS ask 'is that short for rebecca?' my friends feel short changed having to say 'no' iyswim.

wow, the consensus seems to be zachary goes the best with shailes
what if i say alexander shailes, is that almost as good as zachary shailes or not quite? :O

OP posts:
Jacaqueen · 02/08/2010 22:45

I like Zachary or Alex.

DS1 was going to be Lewis or Ewan. I honestly couldn't decide untill the first moment I saw him then I just knew he was Lewis.

Just wait and see who he is when you first meet him.

zenoushka · 03/08/2010 10:10

I like Alexander and Henry best - classic and timeless names!

StrictlyTory · 03/08/2010 13:29

No go with Zachary! It sounds the best easily.

I love Zach, much less common than Alex. Every 3rd person seems to be Alex/Alexandra etc.

Poohbearsmom · 03/08/2010 14:10

My favourite would be Alexander with a close second of Zachary

cinnamongreyhound · 03/08/2010 15:15

Sounds like you've already made your mind up Lora69! I am totally opposite, I don't understand the full name that is never used idea . I ask as my stepson is Alex but Alexander on his birth certificate, got very upset when he started school that he had 'an ander on the end of his name and no-one told him!'. He has to write it Alexander even though the teachers call him Alex, it very common in his age group too- he had 4 in his class at one point.

zozzle · 03/08/2010 19:08

Love Alexander and Zachary!

Cant shake the public school boy image for Hooray Henry though - but maybe that's just me!

pointydog · 03/08/2010 19:09

Alex deff

proudfoot · 03/08/2010 21:06

Henry!

Slashtrophe · 03/08/2010 21:11

I have an Alex so thats my vote

Original poster
Lora69 · 03/08/2010 23:35

hahaha! Not made my mind up yet! But now thinking it will be either Zach or Alex.. and then if I have a 2nd boy his younger brother could be Henry :P

Still doint which which of the 2 to use first though xx

OP posts:
StrictlyTory · 04/08/2010 19:56

I think I'm biased as DH wants Alex is DC2 is a boy..... I really don't!

I don't like unisex names

I think it's very very common

It currently brings Jordan's new ugly cage fighter husband to mind as I keep seeing the adverts on ITV2

At least with Zachyou know it's a boy from the name,not that many children are called it and there is no unappealing Z list sleb called it

Original poster
Lora69 · 04/08/2010 22:52

haha, thats true, but seriously how long is that alex person going to be around in the media? about as long as chocolate lasts in my cupboards no doubt!

I still love Alex for a boy, tho I hear what ur saying about unisex. Personally, i detest Alex on girls which is odd considering how much i like it on boys?

If Alexander was used, there could be no doubting his gender..

I think that Zachary has more potential to be fed to the 'chavs' so im waiting to see what happens with the name.. xx

OP posts:
Tortoise · 04/08/2010 22:55

I love Zachary (My DS2) and Alexander (DS2'S mn!)
But i'm not sure Zachary James sounds right. (Not that it really matters!)
Alexander James sounds better.

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