Thoughts on Oliver, Jake, Finley or Liam

[ProseccoPoppy]

Just that really! These are about the only four that DH and I can broadly agree on for a boy (he’s due in a couple of months so we have some time) and even then none feel like a perfect fit!! Not sure why this is so hard - it was so easy to pick DD’s name last time! Other ideas welcome!

DramaAlpaca, I go by kids I know with the names who have that name. I used to have next-door neighbour with a delightful son called Niall. I know a naughty Jake and a spoilt Finn. More than one teacher has told me that they shudder at the name Liam if the parents aren't Irish. Niall's parents were Irish.
It is prejudice, but you get all sorts of prejudices.

I'm a Welsh speaker and I find that Welsh names that Welsh speakers give their children are not the same ones as non-Welsh speakers give theirs.

I suppose I'm just sensitive to labels being put on Irish names in the UK when the names are perfectly normal names in Ireland, where I live.

Prejudice from me too, I guess. I might also have sons with beautiful Irish names that regularly get a pasting on here

I don't like any name being stereotyped as a 'naughty boy name' really, but it does seem to be Irish names a lot.

Drama - I obviously think those on my list are nice - I’m just worried that with a Gaelic/Irish rooted/sounding surname and no actual Irish connection with a typically Irish first name, no matter how lovely, the name as a whole might sound a bit odd when people meet our very boringly English family from rural England!

There are names that I would - probably unfairly - consider “naughty” kid names and wouldn’t even remotely consider but none on that list!

It's Irish or footballer or celebrity inspired names. There are some beautiful celtic and gaelic names.
I think that by the time a name like Liam gets popular in the UK, it will be the name of an adult in the country of origin - guess I'm thinking Liam Neeson.
Theo probably became popular when footballer Theo Walcott hit the headlines.
Names like Dylan, Bryn, Bethan and Carys are middle-aged for Welsh-speakers.

I think that the name Liam is lovely, it's easy to say and spell but that it's popularity ruined it a little bit. If you are Irish and in Ireland DramaAlpaca, it's fine.

That's interesting Mike, those Welsh names you've just listed sound modern & fresh to me as a non-Welsh speaker, not middle aged at all.

It's why I always recommend a name from your own country and language. There is usually a trigger for name popularity.
Royal babies (Zara was pretty out there when Princess Anne had a baby) , Celebrity baby, Sportstar, character in a film or tv show.
Courtney and Phoebe - probably Friends, Tiffany - EastEnders
Amelie - the film, Noah - E.R., Kit - Rooney, Darren - Bewitched etc.

Some Welsh and Irish names have the same origin e.g.
Nia and Niamh, Osian and Oisin. sorry about the spellings.

Welsh names tend to be mispronounced or misspelt outside welsh-speaking areas. Alexander Armstrong just couldn't say Geraint, when a welsh chap was on Pointless.
Names like Seren and Enfys sound a bit ??? as it's like calling your DD Star or Rainbow. Seren is popular on here.
Welsh is phonetic but some of the letter combinations are tricky if you are not a native speaker. I would have to check most Irish names.
I wonder if anyone named their child Snowflake?

I remember when Princess Anne's daughter was born the name Zara was indeed so out there permission had to be sought from the Queen.

Mike I just smiled when I saw you mention liking the name Grainne on another thread - that is a seriously middle aged name in Ireland.

See - it proves my theory.

Doesn't permission have to be sought from the queen for all Royal babies?
With Zara there was quite a delay in announcing the name probably meaning that Lizzie took a bit of convincing

Oliver LOVELY name but way too popular.
Jake - Plain and boring.
Finley - Okay, like Finn as a nickname.
Liam - Nice name, not too popular or unknown.

I really like Jacob, but I’m not keen on Jake for some reason.

I think Oliver is the nicest on your list.

I prefer Finn, Finbar and Finnian to Finley.

I’m Irish and think Liam is nice, but a little bit dated to me. I think it’s because it was really popular about 10-15 years ago.

How about Fionn?

ProseccoPoppy if it helps, my surname is Gaelic, and my first name is also Gaelic - not one that someone would say 'oh that's Irish' straight away, but a few people have noticed. It has never been a problem for me. Liam is a nice name, I know plenty of Liams without Irish roots (the Irish just have a lovely way with names) so don't let it hold you back when you're looking for names. Hope you get your eureka moment!