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Baby names

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Original poster

Samuel...is it too "safe"?

37 replies

Wannabuyawatch · 23/09/2013 17:27

I love the name Samuel but is it a bit of a safe option? His surname is Spinola so I thought the name Samuel Spinola was quite a cool combo...thoughts?

OP posts:
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jobwoes · 23/09/2013 17:52

It is safe, but it's a nice name.

MrsGSR · 23/09/2013 18:00

I love the name 'Samuel', that was our boys name for this one before finding out she's a girl. It is a tiny bit plain, but I think that's good with an unusual surname (ours is long and double barrelled and I have to spell it out all the time!)

viola28 · 23/09/2013 18:00

I find it very cute and perfectly matched, i don't even understand what you mean by 'safe'...

weaselinthenight · 23/09/2013 21:02

Wow the surname is fabulous! I prefer Samson to Samuel but it doesn't go nearly so well with Spinola :-)

tanfastic · 23/09/2013 21:06

I have a Samuel so probably slightly biased. He is five and the only Samuel in his year at school.

The only thing that grates on me is if people call him Sammy. I get the rage! Confused

elcranko · 23/09/2013 21:09

I love Samuel, it's not safe at all! Smile

peachypips · 23/09/2013 21:10

I love it. However, there are FOUR in DS1's class. But if you don't know any this doesn't matter!

peachypips · 23/09/2013 21:11

They are called Sam S, Sam St, Sam P and Sam H!

Ilovekittyelise · 23/09/2013 22:15

i have a samuel (sam) had similar worries but now just love it. loathe it when the annoying inlaws call him sammy though.

Tikkamasala · 24/09/2013 00:48

I really like it

claracluck1978 · 24/09/2013 00:53

I love it! And my little Samuel was born on Saturday with his identical twin brother Joshua!

TooTryHard · 24/09/2013 08:17

I love the name but it really is by far and away the most popular name I've come across in classes and DC's peer various groups. If you don't mind that then go for it.

rachel234 · 24/09/2013 08:35

In ds's class of 13 there are 2 Sams and we know loads outside school.

So yes, perfectly nice name but perhaps a little too common.

ErrolTheDragon · 24/09/2013 08:42

Sam Spinola sounds quite dangerous actually, but in a good way! Grin

WaspInTheHouse · 24/09/2013 10:02

I have one, there's absolutely loads of them about, but don't care because it's lovely. Also, with that surname, it does sound fab.

My other child has a very very very unusual name. But if you love a name you love it whether it's incredibly popular or not.

BettyBi0 · 25/09/2013 09:19

Love Sam Spinola! Really memorable and I wouldn't worry too much about having a "safe" first name with such a gorgeous unusual surname.

MrsDibble · 25/09/2013 10:52

Why safe? I think it's nice. Hadn't thought it was that popular but may vary depending on where you live.

My husband doesn't like Sam (because of Sams he has known) but I think it is a solid, trustworthy sort of name.

duchessandscruffy · 25/09/2013 22:14

I really like Samuel but it is just so common - as a teacher i have taught millions of then! it is very safe (but lovely if that doesn't bother you!)

duchessandscruffy · 25/09/2013 22:19

Btw Sam spinola is a great name! But I think you have potential for loads of great names with that surname. One of my friends has the surname Lopez and I think whatever first name she had it would just sound cool!

Original poster
Wannabuyawatch · 26/09/2013 11:32

Thank you for all the replies! I am pretty convinced but maybe another cool S name instead??

OP posts:
MrsBungle · 26/09/2013 11:37

I think it is very safe but it is a nice name .

tammytoby · 26/09/2013 13:03

Sam is fine but yes, it is very widely used and he may well need a modifier to differentiate him from other Sams. Two Sams in our Cub group even share the same surname initial - can get a little confusing at times.

Retroformica · 26/09/2013 22:33

I love that name and Sam . If he has a brother call him Joseph - perfect match

clary · 27/09/2013 01:24

Your surname is great!

I think with an unusual surname it's not a bad idea to choose a fairly familiar name that is easy to spell. Abernathy Spinola (for example) is probably too much to swallow.

Sam is very popular tho - I teach secondary and there is one or two in most of my classes. It's right up there with Josh and Joe. Popular names because they are nice tho Smile

argylesocks · 27/09/2013 02:38

An S name sounds nice but I just know so many baby Samuels it's getting a little overdone to me. I only know two baby boys born last year that weren't a Samuel! So that's four baby Sams and another due this month. It's a nice name but getting too popular for me.