Name for second son

[Discotastic]

We have plenty of time to contemplate names as our second son together isn't due until August. Total surprise for us, our DS is 7 and my DH has a DS 15 and DD 12!

However, it felt easier the first time round and we were both agreed quite quickly on our DS name of Alexander Samuel. He is definitely an Alex and would never introduce himself as Alexander. So this time round I didn't want to name the next baby a name and only use the pet version. But there is one name I'm really sold on and that is Nathaniel, but I see a shortened version being used quite quickly!

These are the names on our list currently, what are your thoughts? :

Nathaniel
Eli
Sebastian
Theo
Noah

I have a Sebastian and regret it, as people endlessly shorten it to whatever they fancy without even checking. I wanted Jacob.

I like Nathaniel or Sebastian but they will quickly be Nate of Seb so you would need to like the shortened versions I think.
Sebastian works best with Alexander.

Wow love all the names on your list

I love Sebastian and Nathaniel and I think Seb and Nate are both really cool nicknames that will grow with them. But as you say those nicknames are sort of inevitable. I love Noah too

I actually know a Nathaniel that has never gone by a nickname (he’s in his 20s now)... don’t know if it was hard work for his parents to police this or if it happened naturally

Love all your names but if you don’t want something that will be shortened you need to eliminate Seb and Nat

Which of the others works best with your surname?

I’m not so keen on Alex and Eli but Alex and Noah or Alex and Theo sound great

I’d say Sebastian is nice with Alexander but he could name himself Seb. Same with Nathaniel (Nat)
Alex and Theo.

Oh I love Sebastian! I also really like Eli and Noah. I agree Nathaniel will get shortened but on the other hand Nate and Alex sound good together imo.

I think Sebastian matches Alexander well and the abbreviations are still lovely x

Love Eli

I love Nathaniel.

It's a really nice list.

I think if you don't want it shortened then go with Eli, Theo or Noah. I like Noah best of this three.

Nathaniel is my least favourite, but I like Nate a lot.

Sebastian would be my pick, but then I really like both Seb and Bastian as NN.

I love a name with a shortening personally. Being able to 'long name' then when they're naughty is essential imo

Joel
Luke
Joseph
Benjamin

Max
Lucas
Archie

Sebastian sounds lovely with Alexander

Tootletum Sebastian is lovely and Seb is a nickname is cool. Jacob is a nice name but imo Jake is awful which he could have gotten.

Ooo forgot to suggest Isaac as well op

I have a 3 year old Nathaniel and nobody has shortened it yet!

Downside is he's only just starting to learn to say his full name instead of ya-yeh

I don’t think you can worry too much about nn, apart from avoid names with nn you hate. Longer names get shortened, and shorter names lengthened. Or people gain a nn not linked to their name at all. Eg. Bear Grylls - actual name Edward,

Love Nathaniel. My favourite from your choices

Sebastian is ok, and I live Bastian but not so keen on Seb

Love Eli as a shortening of Elias

Noah is too popular for me

Really don't like Theo at all

Nathaniel - Too long
Eli - not keen
Sebastian - don't really like it and it's too long. Wasn't there a Sebastian in Little Britain?
Theo - oh god not another one
Noah - I like it but it is very popular and I tend to just hear No

Of your list Nathaniel is the only one I'd consider, but chances are he'll be Nat.

Won't Eli get shortened to E or Eel.
I know a few Ians who get called E. Yes, really.

I quite liked Theo initially, but not that keen on it now, and neither were the kids.

Noah is the choice of my DS, quite like but put off by the popularity of the name.

Eli, is my DHs favourite name of the lot. I was keen to start with but less sold on it now.

My fave at the moment is Nathaniel, I like the meaning gift from God, as this baby was a total surprise and SO unexpected. I had a miscarriage 3 years ago and we tried to concieve after and it didn't happen. Since then I had moved on and accepted that we wouldn't have another child. But out the blue... I wouldn't massively mind having a Nat or a Nate.

Sebastian is a latecomer to the list, I like it but don't love it, again wouldn't mind a Seb.

SDS 15 is a Frankie (Francesco) and SDD 12 is a Nancy.

Our surname easily lends itself to most names so not overly concerned about that.

How about Jonathan. Jon/Jonny/Jonty are all nice nn, and it means
God has given