In total meltdown over boys names, help!

[Crazycatlady]

Expecting DC2, we're sorted for girls names options but having a complete crisis over boys...

So far we have on the latest shortlist:
William (DH likes, I think it's too popular)
Hugo (mad scientist?)
Arthur (too Eastenders?)
Stanley (dustman?)

Or a combination of two of the above for first and middle names. Not 100% loving any of them yet.

We're looking for an old-fashioned but not too popular name that will sit well with a polish last name beginning with K, and will complement DD's name which is Beatrice Clementine.

Needs to be a good strong name in its own right and also have decent nickname potential. We live in London so unusual names not really a problem in school etc but I don't think I could go as far as Artemis for example.

What do you think of the names on our shortlist and can you suggest any similar?

Have browsed all the name threads for days and can't see much I like

William. I love Billy (but realise it is unlikely to be your cup of tea )

No, no, no, Billy is brilliant! My only concern with William is its popularity. Love Billy as nn, love all the brilliant Williams there have been throughout history, goes with our last name etc etc...

But it's no 10 in the top 100 which is putting me off.

I know a Crispin.

Great nicknames; started life as "Kit" and is now a "Spin".

Stan is horrid
Arthur is too try hard
Hugo is OK (a bit 80's?)
William is nice.

Hugo is nice, Stanley is fab. I know a Crispin as well and quite like that.

William might be very common but there are hardly any Billys.

Not in my neck of woods.

I used to know a horse called Crispin. He was cool but I think it would have to be a no as it's a little too equine in my mind!

Stanley really divides people doesn't it?

Albert nn Alby / Bert / Bertie / Berty ?

I really like your daughter's name and so for that I am willing to offer the name Wilfrid.

Thanks Merle!

DH has just vetoed both great suggestions with the following one word comments:

• Albert and
• Wilfrid

This is going to be hard work

Agree that Wilfred could be a goer.

Stanley is horrible imho, sorry. Quite like Hugo but Hugh nicer.

How about Laurence or Sebastian? Or Bartholomew? Or Gregory? Or Tobias?

I like Hugo and Hugh.

I also had Gregory on my list.

Spencer?

Mark?

Edward has excellent nn potential and is also a great name.

I may persevere with Wilfred.

Laurence is good. DH will try to insist on the w spelling in recognition of rugby hero...

FIL is Gregor so I'm vetoing Gregory on that basis.

Spencer, Mark and Edward are all exes of mine sadly (haven't had that many boyfriends, honest )

WilfRID, FRID ; only way IMHO. Old English spelling, not Victorian.

Lawrence would be good - not popular, everyone familiar with it, shortens easily.

Edward good for the same reasons.

Bartholomew fabulous, but obvious associations make it a bit tricky.

I could have happily used Gregory.

Benedict?

I like Hugo and love love Kit!

How about:
Louis
Henry
Felix
Harry
Milo
Theodore/ theo

Benedict gorgeous too. Far prefer Wilfred to Wilfrid.

Edmund nice too, if you don't want Edward.

Luke/Lucas?

Philip?

my nephew is Edward nn Ted. I love Ted, it sounds so decent !

Is Beatrice and Lawrence a bit of an awkward combination?

Edwin?

I think Beatrice and Laurence sound lovely together - both fab names. DD1 would have been Laurence/Laurie had she been ds.

Vincent or Theodore perhaps

Oh god, I'm so picky...

Vincent I just don't like, no real reason. Theodore sounds like he should be accompanied by Alvin and Simon, and sing in a very squeaky voice.

Laurence is better than Lawrence isn't it?

Is Arthur awful?

Like all except Hugo. My Dad's middle name is Hugo, he got teased rotten for it.

Henry
Edmund/Edward
James
Benedict
Nathaniel/Daniel
Seth

I have a Thomas and am surprised how uncommon it is for a name that is meant to be very common. Only Thomas in DS year group despite it being top of table in our area, the year of his birth!

Yes, Laurence is better imho.

Thomas is a lovely name. Seth is one of those names that I really, really dislike but can never quite articulate why.

I really like Thaddeus - is that a bit TOO weird?

Or how about Christopher/Kit?

Do you think Simon might be due a revival?

Arthur is utterly lovely, not awful at all (though I may be biased)