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Baby names

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

Classic/boring vs unusual/weird - help us choose!

40 replies

Bubbinsmakesthree · 08/03/2017 15:07

DH and I have very different ideas on boys names.

I prefer popular classic names with clear diminutives - top of my list are Alexander and Thomas. DH is not a fan, he thinks they are boring and too common.

DH likes more unusual, strong names - his suggestions include Adair and Conrad. I think they are too 'hard' sounding and I don't like names that don't have potential for a diminutive/nickname (unless they are softer sounding short names - I quite like Leo).

Any ideas for names that DH and I might agree on? We're probably looking for vintagey/classic but a bit unusual with option for a nickname/diminutive. I have got literally nothing that meets these criteria!

OP posts:
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meettherussians · 08/03/2017 15:11

OP some suggestions to meet in middle:

Laurence
Piers
Miles
Spencer
Rex
Jude
Evan
Ethan
Jasper
Caspar
Elliot
Finn

jolene900 · 08/03/2017 15:25

Leon?

Gummibears · 08/03/2017 15:36

I'm with your husband. Whilst classic, Alex and Tom are so so common that they'll need to add a surname initial to their name. I too find them a little dull.

I love both Conrad and Adair - both cool, classic and not as overused. How about Dominic, Reuben, Quentin or Marcus?

Nousernameforme · 08/03/2017 15:37

How about bringing back Arthur

Bubbinsmakesthree · 08/03/2017 15:49

I actually like Adair and Conrad in principle but I can't actually imagine calling my own child by those names - cooing it to a baby or shouting it a across a playground.

meettherussians

Of your list I like Evan and Ethan and Finn. Jude and Jasper I like too but already have a DS with a J name so a bit too matchy.

Laurence maybe? Piers, Spencer and Miles I hate!

OP posts:
Bubbinsmakesthree · 08/03/2017 15:57

Leon - maybe!
Arthur - nah!

I think problem is DH has a classic but v common name and has always had classmates/friends/workmates with the same name and finds it a bit dull. I have a more unusual name that I've never really liked and I can't even shorten it to something less awkward.

OP posts:
Neolara · 08/03/2017 16:02

I knew a lovely baby Conrad.

Pallisers · 08/03/2017 16:08

The only Adair I ever met was a woman.

How about Galen, Emmett, Jonah, Theo, Julian, Everett?

I really like Alexander and Thomas.

Sistafromanuthamista · 08/03/2017 16:12

Leonard
Isaac
Rafferty
Jonathan

WallisFrizz · 08/03/2017 16:12

There has got to be middle ground between Adair and Tom. Your dh may like unusual names and so may your dc in the future, or he may resent going through life with the results.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 08/03/2017 16:32

❤️ Conrad (Rad).
How about ;
Edgar
Wilbur
Luther
Hudson
Willis
Austin
Benedict (Ned).

OneSecondAfter · 08/03/2017 16:36

Felix
Leo
Hector
Vincent
Victor

OrlandoTheCat · 08/03/2017 16:42

Julian....shortened to Jules?

Possibly not 'hard' enough for your DH

OrlandoTheCat · 08/03/2017 16:43

Ludovic...shortened to Ludo?

OrlandoTheCat · 08/03/2017 16:43

Arlo
Milo

ToastVacuum · 08/03/2017 17:05

Caspar
Sebastian
Alistair
Samuel
Lucas
Christopher
Gregory
Austin
Niall
Leonard
Clement
Victor
Curtis
Gabriel
Saul
Edwin
Anthony
Levi
Dominic
Maxwell
Tristan
Frederick
Benedict
Nathaniel
Alaric
Nicholas

witsender · 08/03/2017 19:22

I'm biased as we have an Alex, sometimes known as Xander. Someone once called him Sandy which was a diminutive too apparently. I haven't met another little ones recently.

Sugarpiehoneyeye · 08/03/2017 20:39

Dashiel (Dash).

Bubbinsmakesthree · 08/03/2017 21:10

witsender Xander and Sandy are part of the reason I really like Alexander - but there's also the safe option of Alex and I like the full name too.

I like Edwin from the recent suggestions and will try some of the others out on DH.

OP posts:
OneSecondAfter · 08/03/2017 21:17

Ivo

MadameJosephine · 08/03/2017 21:32

Franklin
Edison
Vincent
Sidney
Stanley

MelinaMercury · 08/03/2017 21:49

Conrad/Konrad is very popular around here (largely amongst the Polish community), as is Finn and Leon. Very much depends on where you live with respect to popularity though i guess!

Ruairi and Evan were both top of our list for a boy second time around.

How about Thorvin, Blake, Sebastian, Issac, Corey, Callan, Ethan, Luca, Luke, Derren, Jacob, Ellis, Hayden, Harris?

SchnitzelVonCrumb · 08/03/2017 21:49

You are getting so many great suggestions!

Leo
Casper/Caspar
Archie

Joinourclub · 08/03/2017 21:53

Dominic
Cameron
Callum
Nathanial
Lachlan

OrlandoTheCat · 08/03/2017 22:48

Wilfred...shortened to Wilf, which is cute.