Really struggling for a boy's name. We don't like names which are too popular; ideally nothing in the top 100 on the ONS data. Our surname ends "son" so any boy's names with an "un" sound at the end - of which there are many nice ones - tend not to go with our surname. It rules out lots of potential names because even "ian", "an" and "en" endings to boy's names can have that "un" sound when you say them aloud.
We have a short-list, but DH and I can't agree and we're not 100% happy with any of them. So far, we've got:
Rafferty - This is our current favourite, because we like Raffey, Raffa, Rafe etc, but we're not so keen on the full name.
Rupert - I worry it's a bit effeminate and can't use Roo or Ru as a nickname as we have a pet called Roo.
Ludovic - We like Ludo but perhaps it's a bit... odd?
Zephyr - We both really loved this (and the nickname, Zeph) but have seen it slated online. What do you guys think?
Myles - We like this, but I know my brother really wants it for a boy, so I don't think we could have it.
Hamish - DH's family are Scottish, so I was tempted, but he hates it.
Felix - Again, it seems a little bit weak, perhaps? Just inside the top 100, it could continue to rise in popularity and become the new Jude (which we love, but can't have because we know so many people with sons called Jude, now).
Travis - I like it but I'm not mad for it. DH doesn't like it at all.
Archer - DH loves it. I'm not totally convinced, and my Dad's next door neighbour has a young son - who plays with my father a great deal - who is called "Archa". Might this be a bit weird?
Pascal - I quite like it. DH does not.
Rufus - DH is keen but it makes me think of dogs.
Crispin - I've always liked it, but don't like "Chris", which people would probably try to shorten it to.
Matteo - (After a family member called "Matthew). Not sure if it sounds too Italian?
We've gone through all of the ONS data, so we've looked at thousands of names, but just can't agree. Our daughter's name is relatively rare in the UK, without being "strange". Also worth saying that the baby will go to a slightly hippy (not posh) private school, where our daughter's friends have names like "Bart", "Basil" etc, so we probably have a little more scope than some parents in certain parts of the UK, simply because many of his future classmates may have slightly unusual names, too.
What do you guys think of the above? Do you have any better ideas? Thanks :-)