Help! Edward or Ernest?

[kitty1013]

Advice please!
I am expecting my fourth boy.
So far we have Frederick , Theodore and David. (We call them Fred, Theo & Dave.)

I want something not too unusual ie they won't spend their lifetime spelling it out, but equally not too common...so not Oliver! (It's a lovely name, but there are 3 in Fred's class...)

I like Edward (to be called ed or Eddie), my husband for some reason likes Ernie (I quite like the full name Ernest)

Views please?...or other ideas!

We foolishly gave our sons 2 middle names each so we are thoroughly boys-named out, ha ha!

Love both. Ernest isn't as common though.

I love Ernie, and I think Ernest is a great full name.

I really dislike Ernest, and the nickname Ernie reminds me of Benny Hill’s song about the fastest milkman in the West.

Edward, Really don't like Ernest.

Edison
Edmund
Eric
Derek

Erik (better with a K, more Viking-ey )

I love Ernest! Also think Ernie is an adorable nickname but equally like Ernest as a standalone

I really like Ernest, I don't know of any. My first doll was called Ernst (renamed Ernest as I couldn't pronounce that) and he's now my DD's first doll - so that's the only connection I'd make!

I really like Edward. But your kids are right.....Eric is the best!

Edward

I really like both and both were on my list for DS. I'd personally go for Ernest as Edward is very popular at the minute.

Ernest is awful. I wonder if there's a generational split here. I'm in my 50s. Much as I loved Morecambe and Wise, I associate Ernie with my Dad's generation. Edward is much better.

Ernest.

Ernst for short

Eric was the funny one op!
You can't have a Theodore and and Edward both with possible nn Ted/Teddy. Both lovely names but they will suffer - and as theybgrow parents lose control of nn's.
Ernie will always be the fastest milkman in the west.
We have an Ed(ward)
Frederick and Theo go well. David and Matt, Kit, Will, George, if you are turning back the clock Jeremy? Jerry. Arnold, Arnie. Albert (Bertie).

Ernest is vile.

Oh Eric is brilliant.

Ernest, but Eric is very cool !

Not keen on Ernest at all despite liking your other Dc’s names. The others are timeless classics whereas Ernest/Ernie is an old man.

You could call an Edward by the nickname Ted (that would be more usual than Theodore -> Ted fwiw).

I love Ernest! It's very classy and reminds me of Hemingway and Wilde's play.
I also like Edward (nn Teddy).

Ernest. Because if you go with Edward, you'll have a Fred and an Ed.

I like Ernest. I like Edward too but know a lot of baby Edwards so Ernest is refreshing!

Thank you everyone. Although some of you aren't keen , the decision is made- I am going with Ernest. I love it! Thank you all. Xx

Aww glad you've made a decision, and thanks for coming back with an update.

I have an Ernest!
He's Ernie, Ern, Ernesto Che Guevara, Ernie MacMillan, all sorts.
If people ask why we named him we get all snooty and say its after Hemingway & Shackleton actually.
My mum's the only one who brings up the milkman song, which is fine because it reminds me of listening to All Aboard when I was young, and it's a great song. (She said Ernie I'll be happy if it goes up to my chest...)

He has my husband's surname, which is a traditional english name - when I first took him to GP for his 6 week check she called out his name in reception and was expecting this elderly gentleman next to us to stand up.

Edward.
Sorry, Ernest is really pretty dire.