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Baby names

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

Original poster

Toby, Robin or Saul?

123 replies

NameChange30 · 16/09/2016 11:41

Which do you prefer:
Toby
Robin
Saul

If you like Toby, would you just call him Toby or would he be Tobias on the birth certificate?

What nickname(s) could we use for Robin other than Rob (which I'm not a huge fan of)?

Would you assume Saul was Jewish?

DH really likes two of the three in the list but I'm leaning towards the other one!

FWIW, my favourite boy's name is Leo, but I can't use it sadly. I also like Maxim (Max for short) but it doesn't work with the surname.

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ThroughThickAndThin01 · 16/09/2016 18:29

Toby is the best, with Tobias on bc.

Ignore anonymous user OP. Most children's names are also dogs or horses names these days. In my circle dogs are all Max, Sam, Lily, Maggie, Jack, Alfie etc

Uiscebeatha85 · 16/09/2016 18:41

Tobias on bc, everyday as Toby. That was our choice if we had a DS.

Funnily enough, we had a DD and called her Robyn. Not too fond of Robin for a boy though.

GiveMyHeadPeaceffs · 16/09/2016 18:48

I have a Toby but he's Tobias on his birth certificate. I'm a bit of a stickler about using full names on official documents but ds is always referred to as Toby. So obviously it's my favourite Grin

Saul and Robin are nice but I really like Felix!

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 16/09/2016 18:54

User bog off.

HumphreyCobblers · 16/09/2016 18:55

I thought I would call my DS2 Tobias but he is always known as Toby. But he might like to use Tobias when he is older.

Footle · 16/09/2016 19:21

NameChange30, there are loads of children called God. That's what Theo means.

RitchyBestingFace · 16/09/2016 19:30

Saul would set off my Jew-dar as o have never come across a Saul who was not Jewish.

Well you need to meet my DS then. Grin

Old Testament Saul is a good Saul (not the road to damascus guy but the stepfather (?) of David).

There are many great Sauls: Saul Bass, Saul Bellow, Saul Williams, Slash, Saul Zaendtz (sp?) - it's not a popular name but there are a lot of artists/writers/musicians called Saul - I think that's a good omen.

Winifredgoose · 16/09/2016 19:32

Robin. I wanted to use it but couldn't due to our surname(not Redbreast). I also loved Rufus.

Sophronia · 16/09/2016 20:47

Love Saul. What about Sol/Solomon? Not keen on Toby, but Robin is ok.

Original poster
NameChange30 · 16/09/2016 20:55

Footle Using a name that means God isn't the same as using the actual name God!

A couple of people have mentioned Sol/Solomon, thanks, but I'm not a fan. Can't quite put my finger on why, maybe because to me it sounds more Jewish than Saul, and I don't think it would work in DH's language either.

OP posts:
Chewbecca · 16/09/2016 20:56

Toby is my favourite.

I know a 12yo Robin, also known as Bob. Not too keen.

Saul I like. I would definitely think Saul was likely to be Jewish.

Asuitablemum · 17/09/2016 00:25

I know several Robins. All just called robin, actually a few people call one Robbie.

AmyC86 · 17/09/2016 00:32

Better call Saul - although I do like that one the most.

You could always use Saul's original name "Jimmy/James"

celeste83 · 17/09/2016 00:41

Toby. My brother's best friend is called Toby but his name gets shortened to Tabs.

Buntysoven · 17/09/2016 01:47

Love Saul. Conjures up a kind gentle but strong chap to me.

Original poster
NameChange30 · 17/09/2016 11:01

Amy Jimmy and James are very different from the other names on our list! I like James but it doesn't work in DH's language. Not a fan of Jimmy.

OP posts:
CormoranStrike · 17/09/2016 13:54

Robin
Then Toby
Then Saul

Ladybunnyfluff · 17/09/2016 14:03

A close friend of mine told me a few weeks ago that top of her hypothetical list (she's not yet pregnant) is Tobias, Robin and Saul and I probably shouldn't use them even though our baby is a girl.

You are either my friend (so hello Smile) or she would be shocked by this thread!

Original poster
NameChange30 · 17/09/2016 14:44

Lady
I'm not your friend (I am actually pregnant haven't told anyone the shortlist in real life) but she has excellent taste! Wink However she is a bit cheeky to reserve three names despite not being pregnant yet! Grin

OP posts:
Ladybunnyfluff · 17/09/2016 17:55

I thought she was a bit cheeky too to be honest .

I like all three names by the way (as I told her!).

Tiffany101 · 17/09/2016 18:00

I prefer Soul. Robin is also good.

akorda · 17/09/2016 20:04

Saul is a fabulous name, and there are hardly any around so it would be very fresh.

Robin is also nice

I would say DON'T go for Toby/Tobias on the grounds that it seems to be a "trending" name at the moment. There are sooo many little Tobys around where I live at the moment(and Theos/Teddys) and I think it might be top 10 in a few years. It's a nice enough name but, as with all names, loses some of its niceness through overuse.
Please go for Saul! As someone else said, it has so many positive associations apart from Better Call Saul maybe.
All just my opinion of course-you must do what you like! Good Luck!

Original poster
NameChange30 · 17/09/2016 20:12

Thanks! I quite like Saul from BCS/Breaking Bad actually... Although obviously wouldn't want my son to turn out quite like him Grin

OP posts:
ScarletForYa · 17/09/2016 20:15

Saul, it's strong and masculine.

Toby and Robin are whimpy.

Original poster
NameChange30 · 19/09/2016 18:47

Cheeky bump...

OP posts: