Rate or slate my short list (boys)

[Exitstrategist]

Gabriel
Dominic
Ruairi (is it getting too popular?)
Sebastian
Torin
Odhran (Pronounced Oar-an)

Torin wins.

The rest are meh.

Honestly, I don't like any of the names on the list. I'm a big fan of unusual names, but i do think a parent has to remember that it's the child who has to grow up with the name. They are the ones who will constantly have to explain why their parents gave them odd names and/or constantly have to spell it or explain pronunciation.. and of late, i have more frequently found myself feeling sorry for children in play areas when i hear their parents call out for their child.. As for 'Ruairi' - iv never heard of it, but it wouldn't be on my list. It sounds more like an exotic island or food item 🙈 I'd be more inclined to name a pet, from the list you've given--not a human being.

Whilst this is my opinion. I also believe that, ultimately the decision has to be your own and everyone has their own tastes when it comes to names.

That’s so interesting! I thought my list was quite tame and boring when compared with some! Ruairi (Irish spelling for Rory) and Odhran are Irish and very normal. Sebastian, Gabriel and Dominic are biblical and travel very well, which is a consideration for us, being from a multicultural family. I am genuinely surprised you find them “odd” and “unusual” but appreciate your opinion! Thank you!

@DaWeasleyWae ruairi is the Irish spelling of Rory, common in Ireland and not unusual at all.

I like a lot of them OP. If you're Irish I would go for either Irish name. Personally I love Gabriel, DS was nearly Gabriel and am considering it again if DC2 is a boy. I love the nn Gabe. The only thing that put me off was worrying about school and whether he'd be teased re the gay at the beginning

Oh and yes meant to say, I don't find any of them unusual or odd, I think they are a mixture of classics and Irish and the classic names aren't the super common ones either.

Point on Rory, it is definitely getting more popular in my experience

I like them all but none of them make my heart sing to be honest! Ruairi is really cute but also definitely works on the grown up Rories I know! (Actually I’ve heard Ruairi is more of a Roo-ry pronunciation rather than Roar-y, is that right?)

I think Dominic is a really lovely name! That’s definitely my favourite from your list!

If you are Irish then the Irish ones are better than if you’re not (IYSWIM) I think they’re a bit pretentious if you’re not Irish, but I don’t like any of them. That being said, it’s not my baby so it doesn’t matter what I think!

I love Ruairi and Odhran. I find it surprising that someone would think they are odd or to have not heard of them.

I like them all. Sebastian is my least favourite, but I still like it. Are you living in Ireland? I’d think twice about using Odhran outside of Ireland, purely for the tedium of constantly spelling it out, it hasn’t filtered into English speaking culture like Niamh and Siobhan.

Gabriel and Dominic are probably my favourites.

Half Irish but a French surname if that helps!

I like Sebastian best - great name. I probably like Dominic the least.

I'd choose Sebastian if it were me.

If you're living in England, you may have pronunciation/spelling issues from people with the Irish names.

Dominic is the best of the bunch I think! Congratulations

Love Dominic, not that keen on others.

Absolutely love the first 4, which would have all definitely been on my short list if we’d had a boy/weren’t taken by family/worked with our surname.

The last two are lovely too, although I’m not familiar with them so wouldn’t have them as love names for me. Practically, if you’re in England, those will have some minor daily annoyances of people mistaking/misspelling them, but of that doesn’t bother you, they’re great.

You’ve got great taste

I like Torin best. Dominic is nice too.

I dislike Sebastian (sebaceous = oily).

Ruairi

I like Torin

Sebastian is a great name - that's my favourite. Good list!

Gabriel - nice
Dominic - love
Ruairi (is it getting too popular?) - love & no
Sebastian - nice
Torin - not my style but quite cool
Odhran (Pronounced Oar-an) - never heard of this but quite like it as long as you’re ok with people like me butchering it at first

Lovely list

Love Sebastian and Gabriel

I love Torin.

I have a Ruairidh, so obviously think it’s fab, but it is quite popular around here - central Scotland - I think there will be another one in his year at school and I know of a few more.

Gabriel - love, and would nn to Gabe. Mean DH vetoed it from my list
Dominic - not a huge fan but its OK
Ruairi (is it getting too popular?) - only if you live in Ireland, otherwise go for Rory
Sebastian - love, see comments for Gabriel
Torin - I really like this. This and Tarian are on our list
Odhran (Pronounced Oar-an) - again, only if you live in Ireland otherwise its a lifetime of misspelling and mispronunciation

My son will be a Gabriel. I quite like Rhuari.
I’m not thrilled about the others.
The name Sebastian irritates me for some reason.