A boy's name that travels well!

[Peregrane]

I am due in weeks and need a name for DS2. I like classical names that are timeless and classless. DH would probably prefer something mellifluous/with artistic flair but still fitting into the classical category. Bonus points for a name that works in several languages as we are a multilingual family.

My preferred names were:

Peter (DH thinks it's too boring, doesn't like the nicknames in his mother tongue or in English. I pointed out that the child could just be called Peter, without the need for a nickname...)

Paul (again DH finds it boring and too short - I pointed out that shorter names work better with his surname)

DH has advanced some suggestions that just would not work - e.g. because they are too strongly associated with another nationality that we don't actually have any links to.

We would be both ok with Francis as a middle name (it's a family name on my side) but not as a first one. We both like William and Edward but they are taken. I would veto Lucas and Oscar as they are much too popular round here and I don't like them very much.

Any ideas?

Martin. Easy to spell and say, not overly popular.

I’m going to try something different and throw out a few names from the top list of various countries which I like to see if anything meets your fancy.

Antonio
Bruno
Elliot
Elias
Isaac
Emmanuel
Emilio
August(us)
Dominic
Lorenzo

Biblical names are your best bet as they'll be translated in the vast majority of countries

Alexander is probably your absolute best bet.

Peter and Paul are really boring and dated.

I don't think that Peter and Paul are dated. They're classic.

I dunno.

I am only moderately well travelled, only a bit international cosmopolitan, but do live in London. A list of names from the Summer Concert includes Polish, Eritrean, Nigerian, Vietnamese, N,W and S African, Columbian, Welsh, Transatlantic Celebrity, all corners of Europe and Scandinavia, Russia, China....

All names presumably chosen by loving parents who really liked the name. All absorbed by children and parents alike.

Do your research, avoid names that translate as obvious swear words or other embarrassments and trust to your friends and community.

Had this problem. James is the answer. While J is pronounced differently in different languages EVERYBODY knows how to say it due to James Bond!!

Alexander would fit the bill nicely i think :) it has many possible nicknames e.g. lex, alex, xander. it's also a classic in many countries/cultures with a few variations. dont forget to consider things like how it goes with his surname, initials etc. check out my blog post on baby names for some tips! mamainpyjamas.com/2018/06/06/whats-in-a-name-naming-your-baby/

@YogaPants, top marks for creativity- my DH would love your list and you included two of his actual suggestions!

I’ve gone through a list of biblical names again and tried Adam on DH. Turns out he hates it...

Rather different, but what do you think about Marcel?...

We know far too many Alexanders and some of them do not come with pleasant memories, so that is unfortunately not a contender.

Travels well.......

Ka?

Gulliver that name travels well.

Marcel is lovely op, what about Marco, Matteo, or Etienne?

@peregrane Sounds like your husband and I would have an easier time of this than you together

Not to mention I wish I had a suitably European background to pull off having a child with a name like Emilio, so someone should use these nice names for me.

I've noticed at school which is like the UN Max, Louis, Olivier/Oliver

Marcel Marceau. Marcel Waves. No.

Leo
Sebastian/Sebastien
Mattis