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

Andrew? David?

Francis, Robert, Edwin nn Frank, Bobby, Ted(dy)

I have an Arthur so love it - my only concern is that it's getting slightly too popular now - we already know another couple of them around here. Ours is nearly always Artie and if he doesn't like that when he's older he can always just be Art.

I think Thaddeus is a bit beyond my spectrum. Very strong name though.

Simon is my dad's name (my mum would never forgive me...).

Andrew is my brother's name and a bit of a family name, should probably go on the list in fact.

David - another ex with a complicated history. Boys names are a minefield

:)

Jonathan or Christopher, Quentin or Frederick?

Like Frederick quite a lot. Are there millions of Freddie's about though?

My nephew is the only one I know and he's 21.

I have a Hugo how about Archie?

Dylan? Henry? Ethan? Nathaniel?

I liked Freddie a lot, and then Jade Goody called her son it - I know it's a really bad reason but that put me right off (sorry).
We think that eventually we will have 3 children and after 2 boys it will be hard to think of a name if we have another one - I will continue to read this thread with interest as I really like a lot of the names on your list! My DH also thinks Albert is dreadful (I love Albie) and isn't keen on Stanley either - I am going to be pretty stuck if we do eventually have another boy I reckon.

Edmund
Edwin
Oswin
Benjamin

I know what you mean Tamasine re Freddie, and what is it with DH's?...

What I really like about both William and Arthur is the meaning and history of the names and brilliant characters in history who have borne the name.

Henry works on that level for me too, but Dylan, Ethan, Nathaniel etc don't really.

Thank goodness we have another 4 months to argue think about this!

Hugo is a great name.

William is too royal for me.

Am sorry but think unusual names are better carried off by girls. Arthur, Stanly??? Sorry who looks at their gorgeous bundle and thinks Arthur?

I know its each to their own and all that but I also think when in the future prospective employers etc make a judgement even before they have met the person and precious/unique names make life just that bit harder.

I'm not saying go totally plain, i like William but prefer Hugh to Hugo. I also like Foster.

Some great suggestions already. How about Markus or Quentin? Also love Arthur.

I LOVE William and Hugo

"Sorry who looks at their gorgeous bundle and thinks Arthur?"

ermmm.... me! :o

And I still think it's a fab name....

My DSs' names have both been mentioned on this thread, which rarely happens .

IMO William is quite common at the moment, but it matters less with a classic name because it doesn't date a child or sound like you were jumping on the latest trend.

What about Magnus?

William is indeed quite common and also has the Willy nickname problem .

I really like Stanley and Quentin. Magnus is also a great suggestion.

Some suggestions:

Eric
Otto
Algernon
Gilbert nn Gil/Gilly
Miles
Benedict
Ambrose
Giles
Sid
Albert
Alfred
Bartholomew
Vere (DP and mine's choice for the future bubba)

OK so we need names with meaning and history....

Edmund
Alexander
George
Gabriel
Emmanuel
Benedict

William is really popular and I know more than one baby Arthur (London based - honestly a name I loathe too so I'm biased).

Stanley isn't a name I like much either, and Hugo - I know a great one (40) but I wouldn't choose the name. I know a Hugh too (5).

Traditional names never really loose popularity, mind you.

That's interesting what you say wellilike about unusual names being better carried off by girls... I think I might agree, but then I know a really cool Atticus and an Ellis and both names work well for them in that 'unusual but not whacky' kind of way.

Is Willy actually a recipe for teasing in school? Can any mums of Williams elaborate?

Magnus is cool. I think I prefer Angus though, and DH thinks this is too Scottish, despite having Scottish parents

Benedict is a great name but ultimately it just becomes another Ben. I love Dominic but DH isn't keen. :(