How much does a name cost?

[MrsWembley]

I have a short list of boys names and we're probably going to wait until he arrives (little b is late already...) and see what he looks like. Did that with our DD and it worked well. But my partner dislikes most of them (only 5!!!) and the name I have at the top he says we can't afford...

What's the general concensus about Gabriel? Does it mean paying for an education or the poor little bugger gets the crap beaten out of him in state? (Btw, I'm a teacher and I've heard some much weirder names that have had no apparent payback).

Oh, and what's the opinion on the rest of my list:
Alexander
Nathaniel
Daniel
Thomas
?

Thanks in advance for all the shit I'm about to get...

Names between #35 and #85 are neutral. no fine no fee no admin.

I see you have it all sorted. I am full of admiration.
Can you sort out the NHS in five minutes too please?

My husband is called Gabriel and the name didn't do him any harm. My husband was born in 1979, a time when the name wasn't heard of as often as it is now, and he still managed to live out his school years unscathed.

Sure he used to get some 'Angel Gabriel' jokes but nothing he couldn't handle!

ok!

after my plans to do away with time zones. I've often thought why do we bother with them? why can't it be 22.50 all over the World right now. It would just mean different things to different people. In New York 22.50 would be nearly home time. In Australia it might mean breakfast time. (is that right?!).

Kind of like July means summer to us and cold to the ozzies.

I actually ran this idea past my boss a few years back and he liked the idea but hadn't actually got the power to implement it.

Now, do you still trust me to sort out the nhs?

I was thinking like when you buy things with the name on and the amount of letters affects the price. Not sure why it would affect anyone's naming choice or why they wouldn't realise that 7 letters costs more than 5 letters

I like the time zone idea! Wouldn't make it any easier to know what part of the day it is in another country though...

My son has a friend called Gabriel and also a friend called Stanley. They're all 4 and just about to start state schools. I like both names and both the boys are very individual and confident. They're from totally different backgrounds, one more money than the other but neither is any less intelligent or happy.

My surname starts with 'Stan' and I was known as 'Packi' for a while at primary school.

My point is that you have no idea what nickname kids will come up with so you shouldn't worry about it.

As ever I will put forward Duncan for your consideration. Classless IMO.
If you ren't keen, Gavin or Adrian are also good.

If you want my honest opinion, it's one of the wimpiest boys names I can think of.

Even if it isn't shortened to Gay, or he doesn't get called Gay Gabe - I for one would think it! And other nicknames are sooo feminine eg Gabby, Brie, Elle. It's just not masculine at all!

And I can never imagine a handsome macho Adonis being called Gabriel...

Gabriel Byrne's done ok with his name. Wouldn't call him a wimp to his face.

Yes I don't think 'wimp' when I hear Gabriel - Angel Gabriel was kickass.

Wimpy = Nigel or Adrian, surely?

puzzletree - I was just thinking the exact same thing when I read the previous post.

There are plenty of handsome, macho Adonis types in Latin America called Gabriel, where the name has been popular for years and years!

Also 'macho' is not the only acceptable way to be male. There's absolutely nothing wrong with Gabriel.

My first name can be nicknamed as 'lezza' etc but I never suffered from that at all. Even as a child I looked at them like they were morons so they stopped. It's no fun teasing someone who doesn't react.

Iv'e liked Gabriel for years, long before it became remotely popular, but my dh does not like it at all. I think it must be a man thing as they are frightened by the "gay" sound!!!!
I like all your choices op, but I think your dh's choices are horribe, sorry. Perhaps it is an age thing as Stanley to me screams old, bald man wearing flat cap.

Stanley and Albert as old men in caps - YES!! That's what I told him!!! Sorry, I think Adrian is a bit wimpy too. I knew too many when I was younger as well and it has some odd connotations. Duncan won't go with the surname...

What's really annoying is we had a name marked out ages ago... Then some little bugger went and had a big flash wedding a few weeks ago and now it's probably going to be the most popular name of the year, for several years...

If you like the name, then that's the most important thing. Hang everyone else!

My cousin is called Gabriel, was angelic as a little boy and is really very good looking now. Only ever called Gabe as a nn. dd has a Gabe in her class, and again that's all he is called. And they recently chose Homophobic bullying for an outside person to come and talk to them - my children are 12 and 10 which seems to be a peak in the "you're gay' world of insults.

However it doesn't really matter what we think, you and your partner will have to come up with somethign that you both like. I think that William woudl still be OK.

I can see you might have trouble agreeing on Gabriel. So out of your list I think Thomas and Daniel are more middle ground than the other two. Alexander to me is more "posh" than the others. Btw Stanley was my grandad's name but I still wouldn't pick it if this helps to persuade your dh!!!