8 days old and at this rate we're going to be stuck with "Nigel". Help!

[Sparklies]

This is DC3, we have two DDs Bethan and Catherine. We've been calling the baby "Nigel" as a joke since we found out he was a boy but at this rate it's going to stick, especially amongst our DDs, unless we name him properly and soon!

He has red hair like his daddy and one of his sisters, and his surname is two syllables starting with "Th". We don't like very popular names, but at the same time we don't want to go too far out there. Think position 60-250 in the baby boy name charts - the further down the better.

We really liked "Flynn" but it sounds too close to "Catherine" his sister. We also liked "Ethan" and "Nathan" but they sound too close to "Bethan" his other sister At one point we considered "William" but already having a "Catherine" and being born the day before the royal wedding.. yeah. Not good.

Our shortlist is currently:

Raphael
Gabriel (DH's favourite, but I worry over the "Gay" nickname possibility?)
Ellis
Elliot(t)

Other ones we've considered (but probably ruled out) are:

Asher
Elias
Myles
Griffin

Thoughts on the top four especially appreciated, but any other ideas welcome as you never know. However we've been running around in circles with this for months so I doubt there's a name we haven't considered!

Thanks!!

[Sparklies]

Thanks everyone! Brilliant - lots of food for thought - not easy just debating names amongst the two of us :)

Any more thoughts keep them coming!!

[cityangel]

Love Ellis. Or would pick Russel, Eason or Corbin

[cityangel]

Corbin is silly... maybe Aidan

[HighlandTea]

I know of two Gabriels, one is 9 the other an adult and they are both known s Gabe. I like Elliott and Griffin

[mathanxiety]

Declan
Lachlan
Kieran/ Ciaran
Benjamin
Vaughan
Owen -- I think this is my favourite and would go well with your other names.

[rainbowrain]

I love Elliot!

[nickelbabe]

I have to disagree with tammy - I have a friend in his 50s called Nigel, and he hates the name.
He's always hated it, even when it was fashionable.

[brightcopperkettles]

I love the name Elias, my favourite from your lists. Followed by Flynn and Ellis.

I also really like Seth that was suggested above.

[gruber]

Joshua - too popular?
Xavier?
Hector?

[Maybeitsbecause]

Elias is divine.

Gabriel also lovely and sort of 'goes' with Catherine and Bethan beautifully.

[LittleMissFlustered]

I like Tobias, some other lovely names going by :)

[pirateparty]

I agree with Rufus or Toby, and also like Elias.

We're thinking of Thomas but think that might not be interesting enough?

[Carrotsandcelery]

I like Gabriel - I think the nickname for that would be Gibby round here (Scotland) but you can instigate an "abe" or whatever you want as nn to pre empt the "Gay" nn.

[MadameCastafiore]

I like Gabriel and think Gabe sounds like a sexy big lumberjack of a man.

[MadameCastafiore]

If you introduced you DS as Nigel I would spit my tea over you - hilarious - DHs best friend is a NIgel and he is really stunning but I could justt not ever date a Nigel.

Poor sod!!

[mathanxiety]

There's a classical violinist named Nigel Kennedy, who goes by Kennedy.

I want to add Ronan to my suggestions.

[onadietcokebreak]

Aidan

[FebreezeYourJeans]

Gabriel is gorgeous (vetoed by DH) I think Gabe is a scrummy nn
I also adore Seth (again vetoed for the South London SEFF)

Jonah
Isaac
Miles

[FanjoForTheMusic]

I love Asher. Also like Gabriel. If you like Elliot, what about Emmett?

[Deaddei]

My dh is a Nigel as are 3 of my friends' dh's .
It is a vile name.
I actually never call him it....his middle name is even worse.
In fact I don't really call him anything.

[Gracie123]

Theo?

[thirtysomething]

I think Elias is ultra-cool, and you can shorten to Eli which is even more cool!

Love Gabriels and all the ones I know shorten to Gabe.

How about Nathaniel shortened to Nate or Nat?

Also love Seth, Aaron, Jed, Xavier, Benedict, Lewis, Theo, Ted, Logan

[jellybeans]

Raphael..dislike
Gabriel ..dislike, know one who does get gay
Ellis..dislike, girly
Elliot(t)..same, abit girly, 'elly' for short?

Really really dislike... Nigel.
Asher...ok
Elias...dislike
Myles...dislike, bit plural sounding
Griffin...dislike

How about
Euan
Evan
Joel
Niall
Kieran
Dylan
Sean

[Carrotsandcelery]

Gracie's idea of Theo works well with your girls' names. Great name too.

[squeak2392]

I don't get it :S Catherine, Bethan, Flynn, Ethan, Nathan and William are all quite popular, yet you want an unpopular name?
As it happens it, I don't think Ethan and Nathan sound too much like Bethan, but you should probably ask her about that. Evan definitely does sound like it though.

Raphael - I would assume Italian/Spanish heritage. Like it though, and love nn Rafe.
Gabriel - Love. Gabe is more likely nn. Becoming quite popular, so I don't think other children would have a problem with it.
Ellis - Okay.
Elliot(t) - Elliot. Love.

Asher - No. It might suit him as a teenager, but as a baby it looks best on Muslims.
Elias - Like.
Myles - Like, although prefer Miles.
Griffin - Silly American name. No.

Gabriel, Elliot or Miles.