Input into our list?

[AbraCadavra]

Thought we were sold on Francis but having reservations. Can we have some input on our list? We like strong names with good shortenings.

Edward, Miles, Joseph (and Francis as above). Edward and Joseph are family names.

Well, Edward fits the bill best if you want lots of options for diminutives. A good strong classic name with lots of options.

Joseph really has only Joe, and you can't shorten Miles. Nice name though.

I like Joseph and Francis a lot, but hate the diminutives so they are middle name territory only for me, along with Patrick. I like them so much I used two of them on my boys

Francis is the only one of those I don't like. Edward and Miles are my favourites. Edward has a lot of good shortenings. Miles is as is, though I could see a family using Milo as a nickname.

Yes definitely @DramaAlpaca @MercyBodle Edward is my personal fave, DH finds it more run of the mill than the others, but can't name a single person (adult or child) that we know called Edward. Funny how that happens isn't it 😂

Love Miles nn Milo too. It's such a hard decision I am finding it so difficult 😫

The other one is William, DH has vetoed.

I love Edward

I like both Francis and Edward.
What about Alexander, Christian, Benedict or Laurence?
All great names, with good nicknames.

Edward wins by a long way

Sorry, don't like Francis at all.

Milo (to me, is a character on Tweenies or a hot drink)

Joseph reminds me of the 'smelly boys' at school and I don't like Jo

Oh,I love Francis. DH vetoed it for DS, sadly.

Edwin/Edgar instead of Edward?

Gregory?
Jonathan?

I like Miles the best from your list and Joe never goes wrong.

Francis is my favourite. I also like Miles and Joseph. Edward is quite popular, there are loads who are shortened to Ted/Teddy.

Edward is lovely, it was one I wanted but there seems To be a sudden rise in edward/ted/teddy/eddies in new babies so it put me off.
Francis to me isn’t a strong name it’s quite feminine. Miles and Joseph are nice though

Edward - Ed. Eddie, Eddy, Ted, Teddy, Ned.
Joseph - Jo, Joe, Jos, Joss, Sepi.
Miles - Milo.

Use Francis as a middle name, it's nice.

I'd say Miles but I don't like Milo.
Edward - Ed as a nn. Teddy too popular and a bit babyish, Ned awful.
Joseph nn Joe or Joss - fine

I really like Francis (Frank, Frankie)
Of your other options I prefer Edward (Ted, Teddy) - was going to use it for one of mine but DH vetoed.

Edward is my favourite, Francis better as a middle name

They’re all nice names. I prefer Edward, Francis & Joseph as their shortenings seem more natural to me. I know two Miles’ and neither has a nickname.

As you said, Edward FEELS more common to people of childbearing age but it's actually uncommon in little kids at the moment.

I like Edward (teddy) and Miles best (although no nn for Miles)

Joseph for me. I have one and he isn't at all smelly! We call him Joe but his friends at school call him Seph. 🤷‍♀️

Milo is not a nickname for Miles. They’re related, but distinct name. Not to mention that Milo is actually longer in syllables.

Francis is the nicest, followed by Edward. I really dislike Miles - to me it is the opposite of a strong name.

Miles and Francis both need good grammar to get the apostrophes right (can be rare).

I like Edward best of your list.

Miles is my favourite, then Edward

I love Francis, one of my favourite names is Franco.
What about Maxwell or Vincent?

Miles is my strong favourite but they are all nice. Edward is a solid establishment classic. Joseph is solid too but not an establishment classic. I’m least keen on Francis. The cis puts me off a bit -it’s the “cissy” sound, I think. But that’s not very rational.

Edward, no contest for me. Well used historically, by Royals, in Shakespeare, by Austen, Bronte, Dickens etc - It's a timeless classic ( it's one of a handful of names that have stayed in the top 100 since English baby name records started), yet because it hasn't been in the top 10 for a long time it doesn't feel overused. Plus if he's not keen on it when he's older there are nearly a dozen nickname options he might like better.

Joseph is very nice, but has less nickname options and a slightly less classic feeling to me for some reason. I'm not keen on Francis or Miles as they seem likely to date in different ways imo - Francis feels a bit "old man" and Miles/Milo slightly trendy.