Barnaby, Rupert, James, Benjamin?

[yummymumtobe]

Needs to go with Annabel. Dh thinks Rupert is too posh but we live in sw London so think we can get away with it! I like names with more than one syllable so think James would end up being Jamie. I love Hugo but our surname ends in 'ow'.

[Lionchair23]

Love James and Jamie

[Chocolateteabag]

Rupert is top of my list - but I am a Jilly Cooper fan

I'm married to a Tristan - not met another up here in the wilds of the North. It's always seen as posh, but really French IYKWIM

Also love Lysander and Siegfried (JC again and James Herriot)

[yummymumtobe]

I love jilly too and also suggested Lysander but it was vetoed and is also v similar to the name of my dads boat!

Ah, Rupert Campbell black, a king among men!

[Canidae]

I would want to shorten baby Rupert to Roo, like Kanga and Roo from Winnie the Pooh!

[SolomanDaisy]

Barnaby rudge is a Dickens novel and he doesn't have a happy end! I am probably a bit superstitious about names of ill fated characters!

[SolomanDaisy]

Barnaby rudge is a Dickens novel and he doesn't have a happy end! I am probably a bit superstitious about names of ill fated characters!

[justhayley]

I like them all. really helpful Be nice to hear James used as a first name though. Not 100% on Rupert out of all of them.
How about about
Robin, Noah, Josh/ua, Oliver

[Mollie272]

I really like Rupert - it's on my list if I ever have a DS. I also like Edward (nn Ted), Hugh, Alexander (nn Xander), Angus, Fergus & Theo

[sleepingbeautiful]

I have a very normal un-posh relative called Rupert, so I don't find it posh. Just a nice, under-used name, probably due to the bear in a yellow scarf!
Barnaby is ok, but don't like nn Barney.
Love James and Ben, but not if you really want something less used.
Hugo, meh. I know a few and they have Hyacinth Bucket type parents...
For the Kit suggestion earlier with poster not liking Christopher - this came up on another thread and someone suggested Kester nn Kit...
Also: Austin, Julius, Julian, Giles, Marcus.

[Southeastdweller]

James and Benjamin are OK but a bit boring and very common. Barnaby is nice - classic and a name that won't ever be overused but my favourite is Rupert for the same reasons as Barnaby, plus I like the nicknames for it - Roo, Rupey, Rupsey (I've read Rupert Everett's two books). I think it's good to have a name that's a bit unusual - like mine - as long as you don't stand out too much, so no problem in your bit of London. Don't know what your DH is on about saying it's 'aspirational'.

[Littlecherublegs]

Rupert and Barnaby are a bit 'posh' for me.
Benjamin is ok though much prefer Benedict (though know you have ruled this out).
Like James but would never risk it as a first name as Im sure it would end up as Jim / Jimmy which I dislike! Like Jamie though.

How about:
Jasper
Casper
Elliot
Rafferty
Oliver
Quentin
Rufus
Tobias
Xavier
William
Alexander
Louis
Yannick

[roseandpercy]

I have a Barnaby Rupert George
Jasper Hugo Charles
and Baxter Stanley Harry.

[roseandpercy]

I have a Barnaby Rupert George
Jasper Hugo Charles
and Baxter Stanley Harry.

[EmilyGilmore]

I think Annabel and Rupert sound like sloaney ponies from the 80s. But I sense that's what you're looking for... I do think it's a very obviously "we're really posh" sort of name. I can see why your DH is uncomfortable with that. I would feel a bit self-conscious about it too. James is lovely.

[florascotia]

I rather prefer Barnabas to Barnaby. I like Rupert and James. 'Rupert plus Annabel' is perhaps a little bit aspirational, but your children are not likely to spend their adult working lives as a pair, and won't be in the same class at school, so how much does that really matter? And in London, there is a such a wonderful variety of names that many people probably won't even notice.

As alternatives, have you considered Roland/Rowland (often nn Roly)? Edmund? Edwin? Humphrey? Gregory? Swithin? Wystan?

This Old English list (17th cent, Norfolk) might perhaps be of interest:
www.britishbabynames.com/blog/2014/11/most-popular-restoration-names-a-study-of-47-norfolk-parishes.html

Just a afterthought: earlier poster suggested Kester as a 'long' name for Kit. But Kit and Kester are both short forms of Christopher.

[CitronVert]

I like Rupert and know a very nice down to earth 10 year old one so it doesn't seem too posh to me.

If always think Toby has a similar feel to Hugo. I also love Dominic which I think goes well with Annabel.

[Sophronia]

James or Benjamin.

[stuckonnames]

You mention Henry earlier which I think fits your bill and goes well with Annabel - but I know your friend has used it. Could you talk to her and see what she thinks? She might be flattered!

[ScrambledEggAndToast]

James is lovely, it balances out the three syllable's of your DDs name.

[FrogsGoWaaa]

I love Rupert and it was on our long list but I can't quite get past the bear! It does sound good with Annabel though. I know two sets of siblings called Henry and Annabel and it is a great combination. I agree with stuckonnames. Could you ask your friend? It's not like it's a really unusual name which I think does make a difference.

Of your shortlist, I'd go with James for a safer option; if you can persuade DH, go with Rupert!

[ViviPru]

I think its interesting that people think Rupert is an obvious 'we're posh' name. Its my 1st choice for imminent pfb. Its classic and inoffensive and underused. And little baby boy Roo? Die of cuteness.

I guess we might be considered posh by some standards so we'll get away with it. I'm hope the vast majority are put off by the supposed poshness of it. Means it'll avoid ubiquitousness.

[fishfingerSarnies]

Barnaby and Rupert are great James and Benjamin are pretty boring.

[Leeds2]

I prefer James from the names you list.

Personally think Rupert is dreadful. And I am a professional.