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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

"Girlie" names for a boy

30 replies

Dalia1989 · 02/01/2019 12:52

Hello. First post here. Only just found out I'm pregnant (eight weeks), so this is all super speculative and will change loads over the next while. I also know I maybe shouldn't be making plans until the 12 week scan but it's hard not to!

DH and I like some quite old fashioned boy's names, including ones which are originally male but are also used for girls these days - Aubrey, Jocelyn are the two main ones.

Are those usable for a boy these days, or do you think he'd get bullied.

Other names we've always liked are:

Nathaniel
Dylan
Robert
Morgan
Bran
Bryn
Owain

DH is Welsh but we live in Scotland if that makes any difference. Thank you for reading!

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Awwlookatmybabyspider · 02/01/2019 12:58

I personally wouldnt risk calling boy Jocelyn or Aubrey.

Robert is by the far the best out of your boys names. Strong and classic
Plus there's not too many little Roberts around now. Also has good nn options

OrdinarySnowflake · 02/01/2019 13:06

There's quite a few little Natheniel's about, most are called Nate. I also know a few Dylans.

Morgan is still a unisex name.

Not sure how to word this, but if you like boys names that have more of a feminine sound, have you thought about Italian names as they can have that feel to an English speaker? Something like Luca?

MikeUniformMike · 02/01/2019 14:11

Nathaniel - not keen beacause it will get shortened.
Dylan - I'm Welsh so grew up with loads of Dylans, none of which were pronounced Dillun, so I don't like it.
Robert - great. Robbie is nice as a nn
Morgan - fine
Bran - the welsh name has a long a, or an a with a circumflex, not like all-bran
Bryn - nice and easy to spell and pronounce
Owain - great but won't get pronounced the Welsh way. Owen might be easier.

FishCanFly · 02/01/2019 14:35

Kim or Kelly

MumUnderTheMoon · 02/01/2019 14:45

I think Aubrey is fine but Jocelyn may get a boy tortured at school what about Joss instead.

Sophronia · 02/01/2019 14:48

I like Aubrey and Jocelyn, but I’d spell it Joscelin, which I think was the original version. I’ve also seen Jocelin and Josselin. From the other names I like Robert, Morgan and Bryn.

Original poster
Dalia1989 · 02/01/2019 17:02

Thank you for Welsh pronunciation tips. In laws are all from North Wales so at least they will get it right!

I like the idea of Italian names but neither DH nor I are Italian and I thought that might annoy actual Italian people we meet?

OP posts:
Original poster
Dalia1989 · 02/01/2019 17:03

Also, I do like Joss.

Morgan and Robert are DH's favourites at the moment.

OP posts:
ReggieKrayDoYouKnowMyName · 02/01/2019 17:04

Bryn, that’s Welsh for “hill” isn’t it?

NotUmbongoUnchained · 02/01/2019 17:04

I know 3 male Joss’.

I love Jesse for a boy too.

Original poster
Dalia1989 · 02/01/2019 17:05

Oooh...I do like Jesse. DH says he likes that too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dalia1989 · 02/01/2019 17:06

And yes. I think Bryn is Welsh for hill.

OP posts:
PinkCalluna · 02/01/2019 17:08

Jesse in Scotland is highly problematic. (As in “ye big Jessie”)

Jocelyn - hmmm. Depends where you live. Joss would certainly be fine though.

All the rest are fine.

AltogetherAndrews · 02/01/2019 17:08

You cannot call a child Jesse in Scotland, what with big Jessie being an insult suggesting weak.

JellySlice · 02/01/2019 17:08

Aubrey is a nice name, unusual yet traditional, and not associated with girls AFAIK. Some people might think you said 'Audrey', I suppose.

Jocelyn is too associated with girls, now, I think. How about Jolyon? Another very traditional name, and rarely used nowadays.

TheOnlyWayIsUpBaby · 02/01/2019 17:10

Aubrey is a boys name!! Very confused when DHs cousin named her dd Aubrey!! I know 4 male Aubrey’s - only 1 girl.

Also if you want a male/female name how about

Lesley/Leslie - I reckon it’s about to come back!!
Beverley
Dale

4point2fleet · 02/01/2019 17:13

I like Jody.

Joss is good too.

CookieSwirlC · 02/01/2019 17:13

I love Jesse. My grandad was a Jesse it’s a classic boys name for me. It would have been on my boys list but my niece is called Jessica.

Ifyouthinkiwillsleepyoudream · 02/01/2019 17:13

Colin?

blondeemily · 02/01/2019 17:14

I know two Aubreys and they are both girls. Not keen on it as a boys name.

I think Morgan is a really good suggestion. Also like Jesse but it's a shame about the connotations where you live.

MikeUniformMike · 02/01/2019 17:14

The relatives in Wales aren't the worry! An alternative to Bryn could be Glyn. All the welsh Glyns I've ever met have been really nice. Or you could go for Glen(n) for a more scottish name.

YouCantBeSirius · 02/01/2019 17:17

I wouldn't call a boy in Scotland Jesse. Shame really it is a nice name. I like Robert the best from your list.

YahBasic · 02/01/2019 17:22

I adore Aubrey.

Joseph (nn Jos)
Cormac
Colm
William (nn Billy)

a few other suggestions!

Original poster
Dalia1989 · 02/01/2019 17:38

Argh! Yes, good comment about Jesse/Jessie. It would be an invitation to getting beaten up in the playground. Glyn is lovely.

OP posts:
MikeUniformMike · 02/01/2019 17:40

I know a female Glyn if that helps. She's lovely too but it is a boy's name.
Lindsay is a unisex name.