A name that fits both baby and man...

[OnNaturesCourse]

We are having trouble with boys names. All the names we like (like Theo for example) we can picture on a baby, but not on a grown man.

We also dislike names that are commonly shortened ie Alexander to Alex, Nicholas to Nick, Archer to Archie etc.

Any suggestions?

Our "kinda" okay list at the moment are - Hunter, Issac, Caleb, Jack, Kian, Leo, Liam, Lincoln, Cole.

I think the only ones from your initial list that would seem “ok” for a grown man are Liam, Jack & Kian.
The others I wouldn’t consider solid names at all, sorry.

Cornelius.

What about something like Alexander but using Xander or Lex? Ally also works for a little on, Al older.

Reuben? Roo for baby

I think Theodore is great.
You have Theo, Teddy, Ted and Theodore.
I know a Theodore who moved from Teddy as a baby to Ted at school.

@jamesfailedmarshmallows

I think your list is fine. Names like Teddy, Archie, Alfie, Buddy are all nice on young children but awful for anyone over the age of about 10.

Glad it's not just me that feels this.

@snowliving

I think Theodore is great. You have Theo, Teddy, Ted and Theodore. I know a Theodore who moved from Teddy as a baby to Ted at school.

We really don't like nicknames.

I always feel if you name someone something then that's their name, if you wanted them to be called a shortened version then why not just name them that. Personal thoughts obviously, but we named our DD so that there would be no nickname or shortening and absolutely love it that way

Oh I missed the one name for ever thing.

Rupert

Ethan, Elliott or Aaron would work for all ages.

Terrence

Callum
Conner
Niles
Ross
Lorcan

I like Lorcan

Lucien?

Torbien?

Tobias

Theo is a lovely name.
Sebastian
Leon
Finley
Adam
Nathan
Ellis
Hugo
Kane
Isaac
Jack
Andrew
Felix

It is difficult DH and I found it very difficult to agree on DS1’s name girls names weren’t a problem. We went on to have three sons then a daughter. I agree they grow into their name. Good luck.

Tobias That was one I was trying to remember. I know two.

You can't really control if a name gets shortened. I mean I suppose you can to a point but you just end up sounding like a crank in the end. Plus you can't be telling your DS when he's 16 that he can't shorten his own name. Also don't be fooled that a short name can't be shortened.
Even Rory could become Ror. Kian(Key).
Tom.
Paul
Joe.
Jay
Hugh.
Ted.
All stong names and I can't see how they could be shortened.

Even if it isn't shortened, kids will find a way to change it. Friend called her daughter Felice , her friends called her Felicity.

Conversely I try to shorten DSs name but he resolutely introduces himself as the full version so it's only really close family who shorten it

I like Kiaan from your list

Jack is far too common as is Leo

How about Henry?

I like Leo, Isaac and Cole.

Ezra
Saul
Jude
River
Abe
Frank
John
Ivor
Eli
Conan
Ray

@Awwlookatmybabyspider

You can't really control if a name gets shortened. I mean I suppose you can to a point but you just end up sounding like a crank in the end. Plus you can't be telling your DS when he's 16 that he can't shorten his own name. Also don't be fooled that a short name can't be shortened. Even Rory could become Ror. Kian(Key). Tom. Paul Joe. Jay Hugh. Ted. All stong names and I can't see how they could be shortened.

I mind nicknames like Ro for Rory etc, I just do not see the point in Dave instead of David for example. If I wanted the shortened name then I'd have used that on the birth certificate if that makes sense.

DP and I, and our daughter, all have names that cant be shortened but we do have nicknames that are used occasionally but not as a every day "replacement name"

Tobias is absolutely lovely, but again we have a family pet called Toby so I'd worry its too similar?

We've added Axl to the list, and Dexter is back on the maybe pile too.

Thank you all for your suggestions so far, it's refreshing to have some new names to chew over!

Laurie...Baby/Child/Young Adult
Laurence for adult/professional

OP I totally get you. There is a difference between affectionate nicknames and a name becoming permanently shortened by everyone.
I feel the same way.
I do like some nicknames but my favourite names are usually appreciated in their full glory and I would hate for them to automatically become a shortened version.
I have a Rory and a Cillian. Rory is never shortened as Ror just doesn't sound right.
Cillian is hardly ever shortened, occasionally Cilly ( pronounced Killy) but it's an affectionate name that is unlikely to replace his full name which I think is beautiful (which is why I chose it)
Names like Alexandra, Benjamin, Zachary are almost always shortened.

I don't have a long list but how about Marcus?

I like Rory and Arlo a lot. I don't think either would really get shortened... they definitely don't have obvious shortened versions like Dave for David etc.

I know what you mean and I do think Alfie and Teddy etc don't sound great on an older man, but there are bound to be a lot of them around in 70 odd years time!

How about Gus? One of my favourites! Think it works on both babies and adults.

Tom, Sam, Matt.

Theo is a brilliant name baby boy & man .
Please not Caleb , where has that witchcraft name even come from , same as Ethan 🤮
Isaac is another strong name too, love it.

I think biblical is a good way to go for the parameters you’ve mentioned. Other names I’ve always thought cute for a boy but nice on a man - Alasdair, Hamish, Oscar (although v. Popular), Angus, Finn and Jonathan.