A boy's name that fits these rules

[piratehugs]

None of our shortlist feels quite right. Can you suggest a boy's name that matches these criteria?

• It's not an outlandish name, but you can count the number of people you know of with that name on the fingers of one hand.
• Ideally two syllables.
• Can't end in an -ee sound (as it would rhyme with his surname).
• Straightforward to spell (mine isn't and it's irritating).
• Ideally isn't also a surname (as his surname could also be a first name - could be an admin hassle).
• Sounds strong but also friendly (obviously this is subjective).

I was convinced it was going to be a girl called Thora. Had no idea it would be so hard to find a boy's name that ticks all the same boxes.

Bad luck that Torin is out.

Do you have any Welsh heritage?

Tudur
Taron
Tanwyn

Sadly no Welsh heritage. Taron is a good name, but DH said no without even glancing up.

DH has also dismissed Thorn. Ah well.

Lots of people have suggested Magnus. It's spot on... but we've already got one of those!

I had fairly similar criteria to you. I wanted a name that wasn't too popular so he wouldn't be one of a few in his class, not too unpopular that he'd been seen as "weird", went well with my surname, the initials didn't spell anything ridiculous, and obviously that I just liked! I've ended up with Callum and Zachary and I absolutely love them both. Callum is 5 and we don't know any others. Zach is 1 and we know one other who is 5. MN thinks Callum is a naughty boys' name though.

Ha ha! I hadn't noticed Callum was supposed to be a naughty boys' name. Callum and Zachary are both on our long list, although I think I'm probably still holding out for something that feels more Scandinavian or thunder-related. Torben is really growing on me.

I know Scandinavian/English brothers called Odin, Espen and Joren.

Also know a Torben Alexander which i think is gorgeous.

Elias and Sullivan are two that have grown on me recently.

I think Torben is lovely, and goes very well with Magnus although you do sound utterly Scandi!

Have you thought of Thorfinn- not much used on the mainland, but you can’t enter a pub or a primary school in Orkney without tripping over one! A great name.

Just a thought op. What about Tobin?

God, I once knew a Norwegian sailor called Espen who was absolutely bloody gorgeous. Happy sigh!

Curtis!

Edward. Saw a little boy with this name and it suited him so much it was adorable

Edward is lovely but I think too popular by OP's criteria.

Henrik
Anders
Willem (Dutch) or Wilhelm (Germanic)
Ludwig
Stefan
Harold (perhaps a bit left-field but there might be enough distance now from Harold Bishop to make it usable again!)

Tendou (Ten- doh)
Kita (Key-ta)
Kenma
Kuroo
Brian (means strong)
Enzo
Felix
Hunter
Spencer

Aiden
Owen
Jared
Reuben
Jenson
Hunter

Tad

Cavan
Gavin
Struan
Innes

Rupert

Edmund?

Quentin
Austin

Hugo

How about Stellan? It's a Scandi name which you seem drawn to, works with Magnus, is unusual but easy to spell.

Seth
Ethan
Eli
Rufus
Felix

DUNCAN
HENRIK
CALLUM

Lucas
Alex

Amos
Gaston
Gregor
Leon
Nathan
Forrest
Rowan
Roman
Rohan
Quentin
Ellis
Owen
Bertram
Victor
Niall
Noel
Joel
Mitchell
Fraser
Spencer
Geraint

Peter