The 'popular' boys names

[thegirlwhouk]

DS is due in a few weeks and my DH and I have a 'shortlist' of names we'll pick from once bubba is here and we've seen what he looks like.

The names we like are :

William
Miles
George
Edward (Ted)
Arthur

William, George and Arthur are all family names and we both like the idea of continuing the family tradition.

I love Peter but DH doesn't. He's also not so keen on Miles, but agrees that with our surname it's a strong sounding name.

I'm a bit unsure as our two favourites - William and George are quite popular. My DH has a common name (Tom) and he said it has never bothered him being one of many Tom's at work and at school. My name however is unusual and I like it, though can see the advantages of having a more widely known name thats easier to spell.

I do like the name Arthur, but I'm worried it's a little bit faddy and will seem outdated in a few years time.

I'd be interested to know what other people think? Anyone regret naming their child a very common name?

Any suggestions for alternatives we might not have thought of?

I think Miles is great. I also really like Arthur.

I don't think William and George (or Tom) are that common that you end up being one of four in a class, they are just classic names that remain popular.

William, Edward or Miles. But they're all great.

I have an Edward who is Teddy/Ted. People have told me that "Ted is for Theodore, not for Edward!!" which shows a) they know nothing and b) it's not as common as Ed and Eddie and therefore a good compromise for a fairly common fullname..?

I really like William too.

Arthur is cute for a little boy, and strong for a grown man, so my vote is for Arthur lol

I love William, George & Edward. Not keen on Arthur or Miles.

Tbh I find it weird when people discount their favourite names as they are popular and try and be unique for the sake of it. Go with what you like best! Both my kids have top 20 names (DS is top 5, I think) and neither have had another in their class so far (DS has another in his year group of 125). Obviously I hear the names when I'm out and about but it doesn't bother me at all as I love the names! Personally I'd be more irritated if I went for a non top 50/100 name so as to avoid popularity and there were 2 in the class.

Fwiw all your names are classics and not in any way faddy or of the moment. Yes maybe George has become more popular in the past year or so but it's still a lovely, classic name. I feel the same way about Oliver, James & Thomas that are very popular but haven't come out of nowhere.

For one year at school, I was one of 4 girls with the same name in my class, but since then I've never had another in my class or workplace...I do have a popular name. DS had 3 x Luca's in one of his baby classes out of 6 boys so it can happen regardless of what the stats say.

I almost have Miles on my list, but hesitating as I don't want to choose a name that's to posh that we can't pull off. But then I have a leaning towards posh names (monty, Hugo)

Miles is my favourite.

scenicroute - I sort of agree actually about the poshness of Miles.... I think it's borderline for too posh for us, despite being my fave. It is a lovely name!

I'm now leaning towards William :-) thanks for all the opinions!

I think that if you really love a name then you shouldn't let popularity put you off.

William or George may end up being one of 3 or 4 in a class, yes, but that's not a given thing. Popularity of names varies across the country, so a name that's in the top 10 nationwide doesn't mean that it's in the top 10 in every town and city. I'd be really upset if I ruled out a name I loved because it was too popular, and then there wasn't a child with that name in my DC's class.

Funny how the top 10 boys names seem less faddy and more timeless than the girls. James, Oliver, Thomas etc are just classics really and I don't think they'd date whereas Ava, Olivia, Mia (whilst very pretty) do seem a bit more "now". Perhaps parents are less willing to take a risk on a boys name?

I think there have been studies on naming patterns showing that people of all cultures are more adventurous when naming girls than boys.

Can't remember what conclusion said studies came to as to why though.

Love love Arthur and Miles.

William and George are soooooo dull.

Edward is ok but will get shortened.

Love Miles.

William is my favourite of the traditional names.