Name shortlist help please

[OliveOrTwist]

We've been finding it so hard coming up with names. We've got a shortlist but I'm still not convinced any are the 'one'. Can you let me know what you think of the names. Good or bad? I've listed them in our current order of preference:

Girl
Lois
Francesca
Naomi
Melissa
Megan (I'm not sure we'd use this because we don't want to look like we're naming after Markle)

Boys
Joshua
Conrad
Nathaniel
Isaac
Felix (I dont think we'd be brave enough to go for this as a 1st name. Maybe middle though)

We will give the baby a middle name but there's no family name or anything. We'll just go with names that we like and sound good together.

[LastNightsMakeUp]

Girl
Lois - absolutely love this name. It's on our list. I know an adult Lois who is lovely however she has people unable to pronounce it fairly frequently which is a little offputting for me.
Francesca - I know a 30 year old 'Chessy' I think the full version is classy.
Naomi - I'd say it's quite an '80's' name, I went to school with a couple. I think it's a generation too early for my ears.
Melissa - view this the same as Naomi as went to school with a couple.
Megan - I think it's a lovely name, I think Markle would put me off though.

Boys
Joshua - love this
Conrad - not keen on this. I just think 'Conrad Hilton' businessman. I guess it's not a terrible association.... a successful businessman... I think I just don't like it!
Nathaniel - I like this, along with Daniel... but I don't like the nn Nath or Nat personally.
Isaac - I love Isaac. It's up their on the popularity scale but as far as I can remember I haven't met one at the various baby groups I attend FWIW! (SE)
Felix - I really like Felix. I don't think it's particularly 'our there' so I wouldn't worry about that. I know of 2 - one early 30's and the other is around 10.

[TatianaLarina]

I like Francesca and Melissa.

Like Conrad. Hands down over any of the others.

[Maximusmomma]

i love Francesca for a girl and issac for a boy

[foxycleopauper]

I like Naomi, Francesca, Isaac and Nathaniel best.

[Winchester13]

I like Isaac, Nathaniel and Francesca best

[daisypond]

I like Francesca, Melissa and Naomi the most, with Megan and Lois quite a way behind - I find those two dull. I think I like Francesca the most - it's a classic name. Although it's quite long, I don't find it frilly at all.
For boys I really like Conrad (I'd put this first) and Nathaniel. I think Joshua and Isaac (Zach) have maybe passed their time - all the ones I know are in their 20s. I like Felix, but not sure if I'd use it.

[OliveOrTwist]

I've just come back to this thead and realised that I think Naomi has been the most favoured girls name, which I'm surprised at. I didn't think it would be well liked at all. DP has said currently that is his favourite girls name and he prefers Lois as a middle.

So who knows, if we have a girl we could end up with a Naomi Lois. Which does actually sound fab with our surname

Then again, so does Lois Francesca and there's still 15 weeks to change our mind again......

He is really not loving Conrad which is a shame as its my favourite

[autumngold6]

Naomi and Nathaniel

[RedDwarves]

Love Naomi and Joshua.

[YoucancallmeVal]

Lix even!!

[YoucancallmeVal]

Love Lois. Do like melissa but there's a bit of 1980s cheerleader about it. Love Nathaniel, esp nn nate. Felix is not a weird out there name, but where I'm from, EVERYTHING is shortened and I couldn't countenance a boy known as either Fi or Liz.

[LionAllMessy]

I LOVE your boys list! All of them were on our shortlist!

My favourite was Nathaniel (but I like Nate too, if I didn't, then maybe not) and then Isaac.

Agree with you about Felix maybe being a bit too "now", even though it's awesome.

[HappyLollipop]

I really like Naomi and Francesca from your girls list and Nathaniel and Isaac from your boys.

I have 10mo DS called Isaac and it is a fairly popular name although it's beautiful but if your wanting something more unique, it's probably not it!

[Buntysoven]

Lois is the name I yearned for and DH rejected because of bloody Family Guy. I love Isaac and its meaning. Great list.

[ABitOTT]

I'm going to stand up for Naomi. I love the name!
Least favourite is Melissa. I knew plenty growing up (70/80s) & all were moody spoilt brats. Lois is a gentle & pretty name & I can see why you like it.

Conrad is a cool name & one my cousin chose 30 years ago for her DS. It was out of fashion then & the family all hated it. Conrad is a great name that deserves a revival. Also like Isaac.
Least favourite is Felix. That's a cat's name in my book.

Just shows we all have differing opinions.

[ellalouise90]

Issac Nathaniel sounds beautiful as a full name💙
Out of your girl list I like Megan , would you consider Meggie 💖

[Sugarpiehoneyeye]

Melissa is very pretty !
Conrad is cool, love Rad as a nick name.

[Ohcomeonn]

Lois is the top of my list if mine is a girl. I also adore Francesca and like Melissa. Not mad on Naomi (I just think Campbell) and I find Megan a bit drippy.

I'm not particularly keen on your boy names but Isaac can be shortened to Zac which I like.

[OliveOrTwist]

caterpillars I've never watched family guy. If it comes on the TV by accident I can't even bear the characters annoying voices. So I don't associate Lois with family guy. But its off putting to know one of those characters is called Lois!

Like some of you I'm not a huge fan of Josh/Fran/Nate so with family they would be known the full name. This actually wouldn't be a problem. We have adult Thomas Charlotte and Fredericks in my family and they are always known by full names within the family despite being Tom Charlie and Fred to friends (not real names)

I know I can't control school and nursery but I'm ok with them having shortened names there, I would just prefer not to use them myself.

Thanks again for all input. Its really helpful

[deptfordgirl]

They're really nice. I particularly like Naomi and Lois and Isaac and Felix.

[pilates]

Francesca and Nathaniel

[17caterpillars1mouse]

Lois - I want to like it but it just makes me think of the mother on family guy

Francesca - love it. My favourite of your choices

Naomi - lovely underused classic

Melissa - pretty but a little dated

Megan (I'm not sure we'd use this because we don't want to look like we're naming after Markle) - lovely name and I dont think anyone would think that


Boys
Joshua - lovely but I dislike Josh which always puts me off using it

Conrad - nice and uncommon

Nathaniel - love it
Isaac - I like it but know alot

Felix (I dont think we'd be brave enough to go for this as a 1st name. Maybe middle though) - makes me think of cats. Saying that I know quite a few so wouldn't view it as a name you need to be brave to use

[TroubledLichen]

I really like Joshua, Nathaniel and Issac from your boys names. I don’t think we share the same taste in girl’s names as I’m not wild on any of your choices. I really want to like Francesca but it would probably get shortened and I don’t like Fran/Franny/Frankie.

[InkSnail]

Lois - OK, a bit abrupt, prefer Louise/a
Francesca - not keen on Fran or Cesca so the nicknames would put me off
Naomi - like
Melissa - like
Megan - I bet everyone avoids the name because they think it will now become overused... so it won't, and you're safe

Joshua - like
Conrad - dislike
Nathaniel - like
Isaac - OK
Felix - great

[OliveOrTwist]

Its so interesting getting other opinions. We don't want to discuss with others IRL so MN is great.

Bridget Ha so you've got the exact same order for girls and the boys is almost upside down

I must admit I do really like Felix but I thought it might be a name that people raise their eyebrows out. But you're all making me reconsider that. Its staying firmly on the list for now.

It really is bloody difficult. Especially the having to agree with DP part