Help us decide between these names - baby due in 2 weeks

[snufkin84]

Our first baby is due imminently and we're not having much luck reducing our shortlists... Which of these names do you like best? Any similar names to throw into the mix? Any thoughts about first name/middle name combinations?

Our surname is very common, starts with G, and is only one syllable long so looking for multi-syllable first names. DH and I are both English but live in Scotland, with connections to France and Japan.

Alexander
Fabian
Farron
Julius
Lucas
William

Anna
Aoi (Japanese, pr. just as written: A-o-i)
Elise/Eloise/Heloise
Freya
Katherine
Penelope
Saoirse (pr. seer-sha)
Sophie

Thank you!

Katherine Elise and Julius Farron.

William or Alexander (or both in that order) for a boy

Anna or Elouise for a girl although I actually prefer Louisa. Perhaps with Aoi as a middle name

Katherine, (obviously )but be prepared for it being spelled wrong all her life (been there, done that and have the t-shirt) I also like Eloise and Freya.

I like Lucas, Alexander and William, the others are a bit too much 'out there' for me - sorry

Alexander- like it but hate Alex. I'd have to use Andy as a nn

Fabian- no

Farron- no

Julius-no

Lucas- loved this until someone went 'rhymes with mucus'

William- no

I'd go for Alexander.

Anna- beautiful and classy
Aoi (Japanese, pr. just as written: A-o-i)- no unless you're Japanese
Elise/Eloise/Heloise- Eloise is beautiful and on my list.
Freya- like
Katherine- very nice
Penelope- no
Saoirse (pr. seer-sha)- not unless a strong Irish connection
Sophie- meh

Anna and William

Thank you all! This is really helpful. So looks like William and Alexander are strong contenders if it's a boy, Katherine and Elise if it's a girl...

It's completely up to you which you pick :) good luck and keep us updated on what name you go for!

Anna.

William and Alexander good, best of all would be Julian rather than Julius - not seen much these days. Or even Jolyon, which I really like!

I love Lucas and Saoirse!

Alexander and Freya

Lucas and Elise :)

Alexander - Lovely classic name which travels well
Fabian - Too poncey.
Farron - A bit harsh sounding, and could be a trade name.
Julius - Too grand and pompous.
Lucas - Love this name, and Luke/Luca are good nicknames.
William - Great name, but waaaay too popular.

Anna - Nice, simple, strong...a bit plain.
Aoi (Japanese, pr. just as written: A-o-i) - No-one would know how to pronounce it. Maybe use as a middle name to honour your Japanese links.
Elise/Eloise/Heloise - I feel these are three completely different names. Elise is very plain, Eloise is quite a good name and travels well. Helouise is awful.
Freya -Simple, nice name but a bit boring.
Katherine - Love this spelling of Katherine.
Penelope - LOVE this name, and can't understand why it isn't more popular.
Saoirse (pr. seer-sha) - People don't know how to pronounce. Plus it's a bit of a trendy name because of the actress, it sounds a little tacky to me and will date really quickly.
Sophie - This is a great name, travels well. It fits a girly girl or a not girly girl. Love it.

Your surname isn't Green, is it?

Because if it is, Fabian has to be off the list.

Our first baby is due imminently and we're not having much luck reducing our shortlists... Which of these names do you like best? Any similar names to throw into the mix? Any thoughts about first name/middle name combinations?

Our surname is very common, starts with G, and is only one syllable long so looking for multi-syllable first names. DH and I are both English but live in Scotland, with connections to France and Japan.

Alexander - classic
Fabian - poncey
Farron - like Tim "gay sex is a sin" Farron?
Julius - no, very pretentious, Julian is a bit better, but doesn't have any good nicknames - as Julie is a girl's name
Lucas - rhymes with mucus. I like Luca though
William - love it

Anna - plain and boring
Aoi (Japanese, pr. just as written: A-o-i) - it's not going to work in the U.K., people won't know it's Japanese, it doesn't sound great in English, it's just the first three vowels. It doesn't even sound like a name
Elise/Eloise/Heloise - love the first two, not so keen on the third
Freya - like it
Katherine - prefer it spelt Catherine. I don't like the inevitable nicknames Cathy/Katie though.
Penelope - hate it, so pretentious, not even nice sounding
Saoirse - hate the Seersha pronunciation, Sersha is much nicer
Sophie - classic and lovely