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Original poster

My top 5 baby boy names, which is nicest? Help please!

126 replies

sarah13xx · 07/03/2021 12:07

I have gone through the top 1000 names in Scotland and chosen my top 5 favourite names. I want something relatively unusual. What do you think of these names? Will put Scotland’s rank position from 2019 in brackets beside each as they place quite differently here compared to England I think! Thanks x

Harris (5)
Cole (62)
Arlo (joint 62)
Roman (101)
Jenson (189)

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chachaching · 09/03/2021 03:14

Harris has always been my number 1 boys name and our girls name would be Nairn if we have a girl after.

I know a little boy called Nairn... I hadn't heard the name before.
I know a girl called Cairn.

mimimi2018 · 09/03/2021 03:19

cole :)

YukoandHiro · 09/03/2021 03:35

Harris

Toddlerteaplease · 09/03/2021 03:48

All awful.

Original poster
sarah13xx · 09/03/2021 06:50

@Rockmehardplace

I’m in Scotland and know 2 Jensons under the age of 7. I personally think it’s quite Chavy in the style of ‘Jayden/kaiden’ type names.

Roman to me makes me think of roaming in the gloaming but I love Rowan for a girl.

What about Lachlan or Brodie?

Oh really? I’ve not heard of anyone called it! Really don’t like those Jayden/Kaiden names though. I’m a teacher and have worked in some of the most deprived schools in my area so usually hear every nedy name there is 🙈 In my old school there was a badly behaved Lachlan and Brodie.. soo many names are wasted for me. Really like Rowan for a girl!
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Original poster
sarah13xx · 09/03/2021 06:51

@chachaching

Harris has always been my number 1 boys name and our girls name would be Nairn if we have a girl after.

I know a little boy called Nairn... I hadn't heard the name before.
I know a girl called Cairn.

I don’t think I can use Nairn for a boy now I’ve had it in my head as a girls name for so long. I know a boy called Cairn born last year but had never heard of that name before him
OP posts:
BeHappyAndSmile · 09/03/2021 06:55

I used to live down the road from Nairn 🙈 I can't imagine it being used as a name but when you think about it it kind of works.

For the boys names I really like Cole and Arlo. I wanted Arlo but it didn't go with the surnameSad

starbrightstarlight8888 · 09/03/2021 07:18

Jenson and Cole are naughty boy names where I am. I don't know anyone with the other names but the name Roman reminds me of a Roman nose.

YukoandHiro · 09/03/2021 07:56

"Naughty boy names"? Jesus. I really hope you're not a teacher or work with young children in any capacity

Original poster
sarah13xx · 09/03/2021 08:08

@BeHappyAndSmile

I used to live down the road from Nairn 🙈 I can't imagine it being used as a name but when you think about it it kind of works.

For the boys names I really like Cole and Arlo. I wanted Arlo but it didn't go with the surnameSad

Been planning to visit for years, you definitely can’t think about a place name as a name when you live near the place 🙈 I really like Arlo but it’s getting so popular now
OP posts:
MercyBodle · 09/03/2021 08:40

I like Harris. I'm not keen on any of the others.

WaxOnFeckOff · 09/03/2021 10:40

I know a Nairn from school and that was in the 70s/80s. We almost used Cairn as we were choosing a name by sticking pins in a map (don't ask!) and kept on hitting Cairn, we felt at the time (20 years ago) it was too "different" for us and where we lived at the time was pronounced more like Cayrin. Also considered Blaven after the mountain on Skye.

MadamMiddle · 09/03/2021 13:46

Absolutely love Cole, but that is my little boys name so I am bias and haven't heard anyone else with the name where I am.

I like Arlo but don't think it will age well.
Also love Jenson.

Strongly dislike Harris but that's just because every Harris I've known has been nasty/naughty/thuggish but if you know nice people with the name it will have different connotations for you.

chachaching · 09/03/2021 16:16

I don’t think I can use Nairn for a boy now I’ve had it in my head as a girls name for so long. I know a boy called Cairn born last year but had never heard of that name before him

Strange that we know them for the opposite genders. They're both lovely names.

From your original list, I like all the names. I don't think any are particularly that popular, I've only known 1 Harris, Arlo and Cole, zero Roman's or Jenson's.
I've seen Arlo mentioned on the baby name threads a lot recently so wondering if it's going to become more popular though. Roman Kemp might make Roman a little popular but he's been radioing and was on I'm a celebrity a while ago now. I really liked and wanted to use the name Cole, but the more I heard people say it the more I thought it was a bit harshly pronounced where I am in Scotland. I liked Harlow for a boy, but apparently it's a girls name.
I also work with child so can appreciate the loss of some lovely names!

AnneTwackie · 09/03/2021 16:24

I like Jenson, Sonny is nice for a nickname too, I have a Roman and a Luca.

florascotia2 · 09/03/2021 17:21

chachaking Not your choice, I know, but why on earth would anyone name a child (male or female) 'Cairn'? It means a heap of stones, traditionally marking a burial place or - less often - another sad memorial. Its like calling a child 'tombstone'.
In Scottish Gaelic - it's a Gaelic word - it's pronounced 'Carr -nnn' not 'Cay-rn'.

chachaching · 09/03/2021 18:16

florascotia2 loads of names have strange meanings. I don't personally see the big deal of what it means tbh. My name meaning is pritty strange to call your baby girl, but I would say it's a nice name.
I would agree it's never pronounced properly, most people say it more like 'caring' or 'Karen' when down south.

joystir59 · 09/03/2021 18:17

Arlo and Roman

WaxOnFeckOff · 09/03/2021 18:20

@florascotia2

chachaking Not your choice, I know, but why on earth would anyone name a child (male or female) 'Cairn'? It means a heap of stones, traditionally marking a burial place or - less often - another sad memorial. Its like calling a child 'tombstone'. In Scottish Gaelic - it's a Gaelic word - it's pronounced 'Carr -nnn' not 'Cay-rn'.
Is it any different from using Craig?
makingitupaswegoon · 09/03/2021 18:21

I don't particularly like any of them but if you were going to chose one go for Harris - Roman, Cole and Arlo are going to become really dated at some point.

NigellaSeed · 09/03/2021 18:27

Not keen on Jenson or Harris

Faves; Cole and second Arlo

Twinkie01 · 09/03/2021 18:27

Arlo is the only one I like

florascotia2 · 09/03/2021 18:40

Wax on Not a great deal, you are right, but Craig does mean something relatively neutral - ie rocky outcrop.

I'm not a fan of any name of this type - unless, as is traditional, it was the mother's family name . In that case, the name would have been geographic - ie Iain who lives by the rock; Mairi who helped build the cairn etc etc etc

EvilOnion · 09/03/2021 18:50

I'm not overly keen on any but Harris would be my favourite from your list.

Arlo will always be milk to me and Jenson is instantly linked to the F1 driver to me - I'm in Scotland and know 3 under 10!

Fwiw though names seem to go up and down the charts so just pick something you love. I've worked with kids for almost 20 years and only met 2 or 3 through work with the same name as my kids yet DS's name rocketed the year he was born so there are a few his age here. Being "Boy A" at nursery/primary never bothered him and now he's at high school it's a non-issue.

We liked Ruairi, Evan and Callum too.

Mammyloveswine · 09/03/2021 18:52

Sorry I'm not a huge fan of any...if I had to choose Harris (although much prefer Harry).

Arlo I hate.. Albie (short for Albert ) I do like though!