Honest opinions desperately needed!

[hopetoun]

Ten days overdue with number 2 and really struggling for a boys name. Husband really keen on Miles, nn Milo, or Ray but are they too try-hard cool? I'm torn between both and a classic name like Ben or William.

Very grateful for opinions!

I like miles/milo but don't like Ray at all.

I like Miles, less keen on Milo but fine as a nickname.

Really really dislike both Miles and Milo.

Ben and William are inoffensive but, in my opinion, hopelessly dull.

Ray is very cool. Love it.

I like Miles. I am not keen on Ray

Not keen on Miles, 'cos it sounds sort of slimy to me - honest opinion, sorry! Milo's a bit better, and I like Ray :) Ben is forever tainted by Eastenders (to me) and William has unfortunate nicknames associated with it, though I do know a William who uses the entire name, always has done, and that's fine, especially with his surname (think Braveheart!). I prefer Liam, and Marcus just came to mind, though I have no idea why!

Love Milo, don't like Ray at all.

Love Miles (although will always be associated with the character in This Life for me, but unlikely to be an issue for his generation!), also love Milo. Ray seems like an old man name to me but that probably means it will be back in the mainstream within a few years. Also like Ben, William a bit more meh.

Ray is cool.

Milo is my dogs name

Ray sounds a bit rough to me. Like Miles, prefer Milo.

What about Edward (Ed, Ted, Ned though not if you are anywhere near Glasgow!).

Love Milo. Can't stand Miles (never met one who isn't flaky or a pita).

Ray is a dustman. I'd struggle to fancy a Ray.

Love Ben - prefer Benedict to Benjamin (and always prefer a full name with as nn to just being called 'Ben'.) William is a total classic.

Love Ray! It's cool and quirky but easy to pronounce and spell and there won't be lots of other kids with the same name.
Not keen on Miles or Milo.

I really dislike Miles and Milo tbh, but like Ray

Like Ray, loathe Milo, can tolerate Miles.

I like Milo/Miles a lot.

Ben and William are great names, but as you say, very different to Milo or Ray.

Ray would have to be born 45 years old to me.

Miles sounds posh in a Penny Vincenzi character sort of a way, I like Milo but associate it entirely with the bloody tweenies, I don't hate Ray but would assume you were desperate to be hip, I love the name Ben and all it's 'relatives', William isn't bad at all.

Miles and Milo are both fine but wouldn't choose them myself.
Ray, definitely not.
Ben and William are both lovely, I'd be more inclined to go classic than cool.

I love Ray. It's cool without being wacky or pretentious.

Miles is okay and Milo just sounds silly to me and is the kind of name that will date overnight.

I'm also overdue with no 2 - hospital induction this morning. Everyone has promised me it will be quicker this time round - but I'm still here Good luck to you.

I started the post on boys' names ending in 'o' and I quite like Milo. Bear in mind that it is a milk-based drink in some countries. (I like Jago, Theo, Rowan and Max.)

Miles is a bit posh/dull. Don't mind William (and like nn Billy) and really like Ben (esp Benedict). Ray is ok (Ray Winstone = my wrong crush) and I have a friend with a Ronnie, which is also cool.

Love Miles. So much better than William or Benjamin!

Milo is a different name to me, and a bit 'puppy dog'.

Not sure about Ray.

Love Ray, hate Miles. Milo is a Tweenie or a dog to me.

I like Miles, Ray and William, not keen on Milo or Ben.

I love Miles and Ray! I don't think Miles would need to have Milo as nn though, it's cool enough on it's own

Not a mad fan of Ray. I think it's a very different name to the rest. Makes me think of a 45 year old motorbike mechanic.

I like Miles better than Milo, think they are different names.

Bill and Ben are grand.

Thanks very much everyone! In the end we went for William. Despite not being on our short list, it just felt right for him!