Boys shortlist - thoughts please 😊

[Starfish83]

Afternoon folks!

I posted a few days ago about one of my favourite boys names for our little one (due in January). Had some really helpful comments, so thought I’d share our current shortlist for some thoughts?

Looking for a name that’s unusual but not absurd. Would welcome other suggestions too - feel like I’ve exhausted my thinking!

Current list of favourites:

• Fabian
• Rufus
• Gabriel
• Raphael
• Nikolai

Other strong contenders (but could be middle name):

• Micah
• Marius
• Griffin

I think Gabriel or Rufus are the two that are lovely but also most easily recognised, spelled and won't date. I do like Raphael but it's just that bit frillier.

Rufus Gabriel or Gabriel Rufus really good, think Rufus first has the edge as it's more unusual. And quite rufty tufty!

Not keen on any of the others especially Griffin. It doesn't fit at all.

I only like Rufus.

Griffin is Nick Griffin to me.

Love Fabian and Marius

Fabian - not keen because all the ones I've met have been truly awful. A shame really because the Fabian society etc is quite a good association to have
Rufus - love love love. Would use this in a heartbeat if I had another son
Gabriel - I know loads (there are 3 in my ds's year at school. He's 14) but I really like it
Raphael - love this with Rafe or Rafa as a nn
Nikolai - not keen.

Raphael.
Gorgeous name.

Thanks all! 😀 x

41 weeks with DS2 who were 90% sure will be Rafael/Raphael (still can't decide!). DS1 is called Dexter, so maybe that's your taste too?

Have you decided @Starfish83

MrBobLobLaw, ahh, hope your baby boy doesn’t keep you waiting too long! Please let us know what you call him. I love the spelling ‘Rafael’ but my DH prefers ‘Raphael’. I really like Dexter but we’ve decided against it.

MissHenty, I have a good few weeks to go yet so some time to mull it all over. I feel like Gabriel is getting quite popular at the mo. Current top three are Rufus, Fabian and Raphael. (I know they’re not to everyone’s taste but hey ho!) x

Same here with the f/ph split! I like f.. DP prefers ph. I'm not too fussed either way to be honest and I think most people would assume the 'ph' spelling maybe? But something about Rafael is more masculine than Raphael.

MrBobLobLaw, what a coincidence! I think you’re right re. most people assuming the ‘ph’ spelling... I had hoped to find a name that wouldn’t need spelling/correcting often, but hey ho! Bet you can’t wait to meet your little bundle! x

Raphael! I love this name so much, Gabriel second. Both gorgeous names.

favourite is Raphael with Raffi or Rafe as nickname.

Rafael is nice, but Raffy is awful imo. Sounds like Riff Raff.

I wouldn't shorten Rafael. It's so easy to say.

Fabian - not sure, word association immediately put 'society' in my head but that's not automatically a bad thing
Rufus- love
Gabriel - nope
Raphael - love this, prefer 'ph' spellling
Nikolai - like this but might prompt questions about Russian heritage (again, not automatically a problem but something to be aware of)

Micah - don't like at all
Marius - I like it, but being into equestrianism it immediately made me think of a famous show jumping stallion and subsequent sire of the 70s/80s called Marius - I appreciate that is a very niche association though!
Griffin - again, word association made me think of Nick and that's not a good connection!

I love Gabriel. Its a beautiful name with good nicknames.

Thanks for your thoughts, folks! 😊

I love Gabriel best