I’m doubting our boys choice now...

[BarryBarryTaylor]

Gabriel James...

A friend asked me and DH earlier if we had a name in mind or if we were still looking, I said no we have finally agreed on a name but it’s a secret. DH promptly responded with “Ive had to massively comprise, it wasn’t my first choice” which has really taken me back. It’s making me doubt the name now. Incidentally it wasn’t my first choice either, but like I say we couldn’t agree.

DH and I haven’t had chance to chat about it as we have family and friends over this evening and I don’t want them knowing our choices, but I’ve been silently mulling it over all evening and now I’m not sure if I even like the name anymore.

We wanted a boys name that was sensible for a baby, boy, man, but also uncommon. (There were only 4 Gabriel’s registered in our borough last year according to the ons website)

Has anyone else got some good names suggestions, happy to go along the biblical route as they seem very ‘classic’

We have lots of grandad names near us, lots of Arthur’s, Alberts, George, Henry/Harry, Max, Olivier...so want to avoid those.

Also James as a mn is set in stone as it’s a family name.

Any suggestions welcome, this whole naming lark is giving me real anxiety now.

Gabriel is a good name but ideally you both love it.

Similar names imo are
Raphael
Rowan
Quentin
Ezra
Solomon
Nathan

Gabriel James was my second choice for a boy. I think it's lovely.

Alexander?

Tell him to get a pet if he wants to use the name Appie.
And yes to PP about letting people know that's the name he wants if he makes anymore PA comments in front of other people. It might help him realise what a ridiculous choice it would be.

Apollo nickname Appie?

“Appie” sounds like Dick Van Dyke saying he’s ‘appy to me. If you’re in the South East or London, I’d be aware that people may think your child is called Happy. I don’t think I’d enjoy explaining that my name is Patrick but that my nn is Appie, as in the brain injuredDutch footballer. Seems kind of dark to me!
I teach a lovely and very non posh Ivan.

Random thoughts:

Asa
Elijah
Emmanuel known as Manny

On a football theme Dixie as in Dean is an old time equivalent.

I agree with everyone else - definitely let everyone know that his "favourite" (and only!) suggestion was Appie!

Ridiculous.

What about Anthony?

I really don't think OP should do that, it's a terrible idea. I'm sure he will retaliate by trying to ridicule her favourite name(s) in front of others. I am a firm believer in keeping names to yourself before the birth and it's particularly important when the parents disagree. I would have hated DH to enlist others in the debate and I'm sure he would have felt the same.

“I agree with everyone else - definitely let everyone know that his "favourite" (and only!) suggestion was Appie!”

Don’t do that. Don’t make this into a battle. Just say “OK- i’m Happy to drop Gabriel but I really really can’t do Appie. Can you come up with 3 others and so will I and we’ll see if we can compromise. No good ever comes out of public ridicule.

Not keen on it, sorry. What about Harrison?

Yes I’m not going to publicly take the piss out of him, that just seems cruel, and despite the fact I think he is being a bit of a dick, he is my husband so I won’t do that to him.

However I’m feeling so overwhelmed and really quite stressed that we have decided to have some time off thinking of names and perhaps in a week or two, come back to it.

Looking at endless lists is just adding to the anxiety. I actually feel like I don’t like any name now

Thanks for all your input, I’m going to have to hide the thread now for my own sanity.

Many thanks again x

For reasons mentioned above by others, don't use Appie.

I think you can try to use Appie as a nickname and I could see this on:

Abraham (Appie has been used as a nickname for a Dutch actor en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Bueno_de_Mesquita )
Apollo
Albert (I can see the lines being blurred between Albie and Appie)

Sorry OP - a bit of light mickey-taking would be fine in my family, but completely understandable if it's not ok in yours!

I hope you find something you both like, such a shame this has become a big source of anxiety for you.

Go with Gabriel, it's lovely.

Otherwise Jonah is gorgeous and seems to fit the criteria. I also know an Abel which I think is quite unusual. You could use the nn Appie/Abbie for that?

OP honestly I would ignore him.

Anyone who can seriously suggest 'Appie' probably does feel that Gabriel James is a 'massive compromise'. That doesn't mean you should let their comments derail you now that it's all settled - and honestly after 'Appie' I wouldn't be letting him near any baby name discussion.

FWIW my alternative suggestion would be Sebastian James, nn Seb.

Gabriel is great - rare, but everyone knows it, I like the nn Gabe, it goes with James.

The obvious answer to his comment is 'Well, is there another name (which is actually a name this time) which you'd like to consider? If not... well we're going to be sticking with Gabriel aren't we?'

I would go away from it and if he starts his nonsense again simply ask him to come up with at least 3 new names which he would like more than Gabriel which are not Appie, or Programmy, or Chargercabley, or anything else which immediately reminds you of a smartphone.

Such a beautiful name! Go for it!

I'm sorry your you are finding this stressful.
I like the suggestion of Sebastian and I know a little one who goes by Sebbie, could that work?

Abram

Sounds like neither of you are happy with it. My daughter's were named pretty much before birth but my son was a huge struggle. I loved too many, and DH vetoed everything but refused to make ant suggestions. What I discovered too late was that after he was born, he was suddenly so desperate to name him he would have agreed to anything. Whereas I was name exhausted and refused to deviate at this point from our final shortlist. If we ever had another I'd just wrote my own big list and present it at birth. Keep looking for names you love and add them to a list and your husband can look at it when he's here. Don't even try and compromise yet.

I know a little Atti full name Atticus? Maybe that would be a compromise from Appy. But if you like it don't ask him yet.

Asa?

Gabriel James is bloody gorgeous though.

Sounds lovely OP, I really like it.