Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Stuck on baby boy name - please honest opinions

34 replies

Cheburashka · 14/07/2015 11:13

We are expecting our first baby (boy) but are really stuck on a name. The ones we were able to kind of agree on are:
Robin (DH loves it, I like it one day and really not sure the next, worried it's too girly and he will be made fun of. Otherwise like the name and the way it sounds and was thinking maybe with a strong middle name we could get away with it, e.g. Robin Joseph, Robin Elias or Robin Edward..?)
Liam (we are both "ok" with it but not sure any of us love it)
Ryan (I like it but DH doesn't)

Other names that were on my list included Thomas, Aiden, Evan, Ronan, Vincent, Torin but they were all vetoed by DH.
DH's other suggestions include Carter and Lewis..
We were thinking of Robert instead of Robin but I think it's too ordinary and not interesting.

So please any opinions on the names above, particularly on Robin..?
Also any other suggestions are welcome, our family is half international/European roots and family name starts with A.
Thank you!!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
contortionist · 14/07/2015 12:09

I like Robin, but if you're unsure about it I don't think a 'strong' middle name makes any difference. 99% of the people your DS interacts with over his life won't know what his middle name is.

Robert is a great name too. Incidentally, both Liam and Ryan are more common than Robert (which was 98th in E&W in 2013)

BothEndsBurning · 14/07/2015 12:11

I like Robert. It's a classic, but a little out of fashion just now, so there won't be lots of others around which is a plus for me.

It's a strong name, with a variety of short forms and nn's (which include Robin!), so the name will suit any age and is adaptable to any situation. You can call him Robin if it suits him, but he will have other options open to him if it does seem "girly". For instance, if there was a female Robin in his class at school.

LeoandBoosmum · 14/07/2015 12:15

I love Robin. Liam and Ryan are nowhere near as nice.

If you want a strong middle name, how about Tobias or Benjamin?

SquirrelledAway · 14/07/2015 12:36

William - which gives the option of Liam as a short form?

villainousbroodmare · 14/07/2015 12:51

I agree with BothEnds on Robert. Robin then still an option.
Nobody uses middle names. The first name must be able to stand alone.

merlottime · 14/07/2015 13:16

What about Reuben?

Theas18 · 14/07/2015 13:21

Robin is lovely for all ages. Go for it!

Well unless your surname is banks...

Sophronia · 14/07/2015 13:48

Robert with Robin as a nickname. Robert isn't boring, it's actually quite unusual nowadays.

Original poster
Cheburashka · 14/07/2015 13:49

Thanks everyone, some good suggestions!

I have thought about naming him Robert and using Robin as a short form but I'm not keen on the nn Rob/Bob.. However, it's a good suggestion and Robert in itself is a strong name so will discuss this option with DH.

William is a good name but a bit too British/Royal for me.
Reuben - not keen, I'm afraid, but thanks for the suggestion!

OP posts:
findingmyfeet12 · 14/07/2015 13:49

Robin is a gorgeous name. The other two options are nowhere near as nice.

GummyBunting · 14/07/2015 13:52

Liam and Ryan for me are naughty kids' names.

Robert is lovely and far more unusual now.

Tetleys · 14/07/2015 13:53

Robin is ok but I just prefer Robert. Robbie was one of the few names my x and I could agree on so my son was nearly a robert - robbie, so I like that. Robin, I don't know, I think it's gone to the girls, although I wouldn't use it for a girl either.
Liam, if you're unsure, how about using William and then seeing if he looks like a Billy or a Liam, or maybe he will be a serious soul and just plain William will suit him!
Ryan - it's ok. the 3rd most common sur name in Ireland. It's like calling a boy Smith. But it's not dreadful either! and it's better than Bryan!

Tetleys · 14/07/2015 13:57

Oh sorry, just seen William is a bit too British and Royal. I hear you completely. I had very classic names on my boys' list but I did not want to use William, Charles or Harry. I didn't like Andrew. I like names like Peter, Robert.

BothEndsBurning · 14/07/2015 13:59

Robin may end up being called Rob as well, so it makes no difference.

Sophronia · 14/07/2015 14:02

Yes, I could see Robin being shortened to Rob by his friends or he might decide to go by it as a shortened form.

MonstrousRatbag · 14/07/2015 14:02

I love Robert, nn Bert. Not keen on Robin, really. Would Roberto suit the European roots and be less mundane for you?

I quite like Rupert, which is also much less used nowadays.

Leo is nice, as is Leonardo (thoughts of dishy Brazilian footballers spring to mind).

Assuming you've thought of and dismissed all the obvious names, what about: Stefan, Cathal, Arne, Benedict, Dominic, Gavin, Victor, Henry, Gregor, Crispin, Matthias, Ardan, Enda?

ashesandfire · 14/07/2015 14:03

I like Robin, and it's far, far nicer than Liam or Ryan IMO. I like Robert too and think it would make a refreshing change, you don't hear many of them now.
Prefer Robin though.

Original poster
Cheburashka · 14/07/2015 14:11

Thank you all!
I'm so relieved that people aren't saying "Robin, are you mad..?!" or "Definitely a girl's name" :D I feel a bit more confident now. I'm not British so don't have a "feel" for the name and how it sounds to British people, if you know what I mean, so all your comments are really helpful.

I think we will probably agree on either Robin or Robert, though I personally still prefer Robin as a fresher choice.

MonstrousRatbag, love some of your suggestions, Stefan is very popular where I come from, and I absolutely love Matthias but a very close family member is called almost that so can't really use it..

OP posts:
BothEndsBurning · 14/07/2015 14:31

The problem is that Robin has been poached as a girls' name (spelling irrelevant) so it's now seen by some as effeminate. Opting for Robert would solve this issue. Doesn't mean you can't still call him Robin yourself.

CakeRattleandRoll · 14/07/2015 16:45

Love Robert. (And quite like Ryan too.)

pickwickcrocus · 14/07/2015 16:51

Rowan might be an alternative to Robin? It's a unisex name too though I don't think it has the possibly slightly feminine bias you're worried about. As it happens though, I love them both. Not keen on Robert or Ryan though.

Nannynome · 14/07/2015 16:53

DS1 is called Robin, it was originally going to be his middle name, we had a list of 3 names but as soon as we met him he was Robin. We have had a lot of compliments on his name and never had anything negative from anyone. We liked it because it was a bit unusual but not too "out there"

LorelaiVictoriaGilmore · 14/07/2015 17:46

I really like Robin!

sweetpeame · 14/07/2015 17:48

I don't like Robin at all but I'm not a fan of unisex names. I only know of one Robin, a woman in her early 20's. It sounds very feminine to me. Robert is fine, a tad dull IMO but I like the nn's Rob and Robbie and it's a good name for a boy and a man. Robin on the other hand is not a good name for a man IMO. I like Liam, I know plenty of them, none of them naughty! I don't like Ryan, sounds American even if it's commonly used here now. I also don't like surnames as first names and this is definitely in that category for me.

LeoandBoosmum · 14/07/2015 18:02

Robin doesn't sound feminine at all to me. It feels like a good strong name for a boy. Yes, I know Robyn can be a girls' name but I think of Robin as being a boys' name, really. Robert, for me, feels very 1980s. I put it with names like Ian, Alan, Neil, Lee, Paul, Carl, Peter etc. Just feels a bit dated to me.
Robin looks nicer (to me) and sounds more modern whilst still sounding classic. I don't know your DH's name but maybe Robin [DH's first or middle name]?