6 weeks old... No name... Not even a list... HELP!

[AnnieC12]

Hi there, I stumbled across this website, as I was looking for feeding advice. However, this seems like a perfect place to ask about his name. Though, now I'm wide awake!

My son is 6 weeks, the official name deadline is today. Last week, I tried to get a week longer (at the time, 2 weeks), but got the answer of "definitely not", so I have no choice.

To be honest, I haven't enjoyed anything about the pregnancy. My husband's mum was taken very ill at the end, so he had to fly to Spain (where his parents live) and missed the whole birth. When he was born, we did begin to look at names, but then his mum went further down hill, so he had to fly back. So he hasn't been here for weeks and I have found it really hard, so the last thing I have been thinking about is his name! It has come around so quick.

He is 1/4 Spanish (FIL is Spanish) so we do have a Spanish surname (Carlos) my surname was awful, so I have gotten rid of it completely. Even though he does have a Spanish surname, I still want him to have 1 English name and 1 Spanish, as it was my choice that my surname wasn't included. I think Diego will be his middle name, we both like it.

I now need an English name, so he will be:

___ Diego Carlos

I would like something from the top 100, but it doesn't need to work in Spain, as he could always go by his middle name, when we are there. As we do stay in Spain for the holidays (we both work in schools). I want it to sound like a very English name, as my whole family is English/husband is half English and he will mainly grow up here! However, as we have come across loads of children, due to our careers, it's going to be impossible. Every time a name comes into my mind, I think of a child that I have worked with, so it does put me off. Not because I don't like the child, but for a variety of reasons.

I'm really upset, I can't believe he has to be registered today I'm so not ready!

Any help would be fantastic x

I have a 5 week old (up feeding) here are a few of the names we had on our shortlist but didn't use. Hope you find a name you love ( and remember it is relatively easy to change in the first year if you need too)
Elliot
Reuben
Dexter
Max
Marshall
Benjamin

Poor you, sounds like it's been a bit mad!
First of all. Do not panic! You can change the name on a birth certificate within the first 12 months so worst comes to worse, you can choose a name tomorrow, try it out for a while and then change it if it doesn't work.

Just having a look at top 100 for you. It would be good if you could mention some names you like but won't use so we have something to go on. Also, I'd you want to you could post a picture of his face. Ive seen people on here come up with cracking names which totally suit the baby!

Little list below of names which I think ate quite nice, in top 100 but not too common
Seth
Rory
Leon
Jude
Elliot
Alex
Elijah
Reused
Toby
Zachary
The
Dylan
Edward
Harrison
Benjamin
Max
Joseph
Henry
James

Anything from there have any appeal??

Sorry your MIL has been ill and your DH has been away, that must be very hard for you.

If you change your mind about your son's name after today, it will be easy to change it as long as you do it before his first birthday. Hope that helps you feel less anxious about it?

FWIW I think it would sound a bit strange to have an exclusively English sounding first name with very Spanish middle and last names. I suggest you pick a classic English name that is reasonably international and not impossible for Spanish people to pronounce, in case he wants to be known by his first name and not his middle name in Spain.

I'll get my thinking cap on and post some ideas for you... Meanwhile would you be happy to share a photo of your son? That would help with inspiration!

Meant to add Dexter too! Dex is a cool nickname

If you want a "very English" name look at the male members of the Royal Family . So you have:

William
Henry/Harry
George
Philip
Charles
Andrew
Edward
Louis (a Royal middle name)
Or look back over the English Kings through history (admittedly most of those names are also in the list above):

Stephen
Arthur
Richard

Benjamin
Daniel
Isaac
Jonathan
Leo
Max
Samuel (Sam)
Sebastian (Seb)

Nicolas
Thomas
Daniel
Isaac
Sebastian

All traditional English boys names that also work with a Spanish accent

Raphael

Goodness, the replies are very quick! Thank you so much.

Elliot is very nice (I have never come across one!), so is Isaac. I do like the names that work well in Spain, such as Daniel, Sebastian, etc. but I do feel like I have met loads (not a bad thing) but so much that they don't feel particularly special, if you know what I mean? I always assume I will be working with one in the new school year, so they are never a 'ooo, I like their name'. Whereas, I had that with Elliot and Isaac (that I just read). I do like William, Henry and Edward too! Do you think the Diego is just too much Spain, with the last name? I just feel like that's quite important, as he will be growing up in the UK.

A picture you say? of course! Any reason to show him off

He's lovely OP! Congratulations. He looks like a William to me. I would stick with your chosen middle name if I were you - save yourself the need to decide on another name in time for the appointment!

Oooh, he is too beautiful for words!

Congratulations!.

Toby
James
Ethan
Luke
Isaac
Alexander
Thomas

He looks very gorgeous Annie! I think that having a Spanish middle name to reflect that part of his heritage is great, and Diego is a cool name too. Have you been calling him by any pet names for the moment? Might help us find a name with a diminutive that you would like to use (assuming of course that you'd like a name with a formal and informal form).

If you work with children and so want a name that's less likely to be used by children you work with might want to consider names that are currently off trend. Boys names tend to follow a three generation pattern, so if you look at names popular in your parents generation you are likely to find names that feel comfortable and traditional but aren't in common use right now. So

Richard, Andrew, Michael, David, Simon, Nicolas, Jonathon, Stephen, Christopher etc

Adam
Ethan
Harvey
Jamie
Max
Freddie
Eli
Theodore
Matthew

I too would go with a more international first name. Maybe biblical. I did that with mine who have English last two names but my family aren't English.

When I say international the names are pretty common in England too.

Also Scott hasn't been mentioned.

I thought that if you didn't register a name that one would be assigned to you?

He's adorable! 😍
I think he looks like a Daniel, Toby or Eli.
Diego is a great middle name, I definitely think you should stick with that and just focus on picking a first name!

Actually I think he looks like a James! But how would a Spanish person pronounce it?

He is so ridiculously cute that any name will feel special when you pick it for him

He's gorgeous. Some names , Edward , William , James, Benjamin, Ruben, Oli, Jacob, Michael , Adam , Joshua , Ethan.

I think with the surname Carlos he needs 3 or 4 syllables:

William Carlos
Sebastian Carlos
Alexander Carlos

(I may change my surname to Carlos - those names sound ace in my ears)

He's gorgeous. Good luck!

He looks like a Joseph to me. He's gorgeous btw!

He's beautiful!
I think something like Ben or Tom would work
Alex or Luke?

I think Elliot suits him well, and plus you like it so win win! I don't usually say this but that is one beautiful baby! Such a little charmer!

Dont fret too much. Once he has a name he will grow in to it and it will just be part of who he is.

Oh my god he's beautiful! He looks like an Elliott to me!