I can't find a name we love...

[iprefercatstohumans]

I feel as though I've read every thread, website, book etc etc etc, but I just cannot find the perfect name.

For boys, we like classic known names (possibly with a little twist) that aren't really popular. I like Alexander but that is too popular so would probably be used for a middle name. However, we have recently discussed using Xander or Sacha in the alternative. DH thinks of Sacha as sounding quite feminine though.

I want to avoid any cutesy names for a boy. We like Elliot but unsure of popularity, DH isn't in love with that and neither am I to be honest. Others I like the sound of, to give you an idea, are Edward (too popular though), Felix, Monty, Wilbur, Joseph, Jesse (a friends sister has used this though so I feel like I've pushed it aside already).

For girls, we have a similar taste to boys names on the whole. A known name but not too feminine sounding; strong and bold but still smart sounding. So, we have considered Dorothy and Clara so far but again, not at all sold. Also we have reservations about the ever growing popularity of Clara. Finding girls names the hardest. I think we are happy to go more unusual with girl names.

Surname is Carter if that helps with ideas/ the sound of the full name. Would be grateful for any views on the above names and more suggestions to help us find the ones! ⭐️

Clara Carter would be seriously cool
How about Cleo or Cora

We had a similar criteria and grew to love the name (already mentioned on here). Some other possibles: Philip, Peter, Matthew, Alex, Wilfred.

Good luck

Julius
Damien
Freddie/Fredrick
Joseph
Darren
Phillip (Pip)
Anderson
Jonah
Jonathan
Rufus
Wilfred
Siegfried
Thomas
James

Bonnie
Belinda
Camille
Carmen
Carmel
Julianna
Ida
Veronica
Rosemary
Jasmine
Aster
Clarissa
Lisette
Nora
Nadine
Flora
Martha
Joy
Celestine

@Whatsyourflava I thought Clara Carter had a ring to it too but wasn't sure if it was too much with the C's! I personally love the alliteration but it is a bit of a mouthful. I like Cora but Clara has the edge. I think Cleo is fab but maybe sounds a bit too modern to my ears.

Love the suggestions!

Oh @mondler please share which you went with? I'd love to know. I think Peter is such a gorgeous name but my husband won't come around to it (sad!)

Alistair
Robert
Edmund
Patrick
Nicholas
Dominic
Christopher
Paul

All the Rose names - Rose, Rosa, Rosalie, Rosemary, Rosanna, Rosalind
Juliet
Felicity
Cecily
Katharine
Anne
Mary
Caroline
Sarah
Louisa/e
Christina
Rebecca
Adele
Alicia

Have you been through a list of the top 1000 names for each sex? Might help you find some underused classics.

Also, Jenna and Jennifer

Clara Carter is a winner I recon! Wish that was my name tbh! @iprefercatstohumans

@Whatsyourflava you're making me love it even more! ❤️

Josiah (Joss), Silas, Nathaniel (Nate), Sebastian, Edmund (Ned). Edward is a great name though and not overly popular.

@user1493494961 I actually really like Josiah & Joss!

I read your first message and you said you're concerned about Clara's growing popularity. Actually if you look at the official ONS statistics, the number of Clara's born has plateaued and held steady each and every year since 2015 so looking at the overall trend, the name is probably going to stick around the number 90 mark. But most importantly, when you're name is as cool as Clara Carter is probably want there to be another Clara in the class, just so that people use your full name as often as possible!
(For what it's worth I've never met a Clara despite past 5 years at baby groups)

@Whatsyourflava that is really good to know, that does alleviate some concerns. DH is firing random boy names at me but thankfully Clara is a name we both agree on if it's a girl. I adore it as a full name too! I'm secretly hoping for a girl but of course I'd be happy with either so long as it's happy and healthy.

Felix is my favourite for a boy!

Finally had a chance to go through your suggestions:

I think we are pretty set on Clara Carter for a girl. Middle name tbc...

For boys from your suggestions we like: (sorry I've written out with full name as that helps us in deciding usually)

Monty Carter (this has a ring to it)
Sidney Carter
Felix Carter
Caspar Carter (too much?!?!) 😬
Elliot Carter

@Whatsyourflava I guess you're team Caspar Carter? Caspar and Clara ❤️ I just now need you to come to persuade my husband! 😍

Oh, I forgot Caspian! I love that too

Jethro
Marshall
Heath
Keanu
Cole
Reed
Bede
Dominic
Sebastian
Griffin
Harvey
Jonas
Conrad
Vincent
Micah

Tamsin
Thera/Thora
Annalise
Elsa
Rowena
Bonnie
Eloise
Elise
Tessa
Isadora
Polly
Simona
Sylvie
Gwyneth
Winona
Keturah
Britta
Noelle

@babynamelover I love Dominic and just Griff. The others are a little too American feeling for us but all lovely suggestions thank you.

Love some of the girls names, Rowena, Tessa and Polly (DH loves Polly). My heart is still on Clara though but grateful for your help.

I'm not usually the biggest fan of Clara - but Clara Carter is one seriously cool name! She sounds like the main character in a book. Go for it!!

Totally agree @coco2020 but I loved the name Clara already but surname just totally works
Yes you guessed it @iprefercatstohumans Casper Carter gets my vote but I love Felix too.
Could you come back and update us? Would be so interested to hear what you have and what name you choose

Clara Carter is great.

Has Jasper been ruled out?

Ooh, I love Tabitha as someone suggested.

I thought Root wasn't great, glad someone corrected 😂

Honestly - just go for what you like and don’t worry too much about the “too popular” thing. It’s very hard to judge what others will choose and, at least in my experience, you often get more than one kid with a so-called “unusual” name in the class. Clara is really lovely. As are Alexander and Edward.

I have an Edward and am a teacher- known a lot of Neds, Eddies, Teds and Eds but not Edward, which we stick too. Not popular IMO

Other names on our list:
Barnaby
Felix
Hugo
Kit

Girls:
Tabitha
Etta
Clemmie
Violet
Aurelia

Thank you all. Pretty set on Clara now. DH likes Claudia too but slight preference to Clara.

Just boys names to decide on. @sunandrose thank you, that is really helpful. I really love Edward and would stick to calling him that.

Still considering boys names so please do keep the suggestions coming. All so so helpful, I'm grateful!