Do these names have negative connotations?

[Cbd333]

We are really stuck for a boy's name for our little one who is due mis-July (we've decided on Phoebe Margot if it's a girl).

Keen on the names below but worried each might have a negative connotation, so please help! Do you like the below and am I over-thinking each name?

Rex (does this make you think of a dog?)
Rufus (is this too posh-sounding?)
Casper (does this make you think of the friendly ghost?)
Casper (is this too pretentious?)

Any other ideas gratefully received

Rory?

All names have negative connotations to someone. I remember the lost perspective myself! But just go for the names you love. It’ll all be OK. Kids just don’t get teased for first names now - there is so much variation out there.

The only name I think is ok from your list is Casper. I know a little Polish boy with the name although I think it’s spelt Kaspar.

I like Caspar (he was one of the three wise men) so I always think more suited to a Christmas baby. Not so keen on your other names:

Magnus
Gawain
Guy (not often used nowadays but quite charming)
Merlin
Ralph

Agree that Rex and Rufus are dog names. Casper is not bad, but I personally prefer Jasper.

Hector is ok, but I find it a bit harsh sounding.

• Chester?
• Oscar?
• Xander?

Casper just looks like you can’t spell.

Rufus is fine - I know more children called Rufus than I do dogs. I'm not a fan of Hector because it means to annoy someone. Other suggestions...

Barnaby
Benedict
Christopher (Kit)
Dominic
Gabriel
Gideon
James
Jedidiah
Jude
Kester
Monty
Rupert
Tobias

What about Miles, or Giles?

Yes Rex is a dog name and Cassius is too pretentious. I think Rufus is usable though and possibly Casper. I don’t like Hector.

I love Casper Infact all your names are nice @Cbd333 I think you're overthinking a bit as there's negative connotations with every name in existence

You say your daughters name is classic but underused, if so how about

Peter
Simon
Laurence nn Laurie
Tristan
Wilfred
Winston
Walter
Spencer
Griffin
Austin
Sidney nn Sid
Christopher nn Kit
Alistair
Nathaniel nn Nate
Ellis

I like Hector, and Casper is growing on me. Dislike Rex, Rufus.
Do you like Sebastian or Tristan? Dominic is lovely, too.

My other half is Kasper. I think the film is pretty old so not that much of an issue anymore.

Rex is definitely a dogs name. Rufus - not to my taste, but I don’t think of it primarily as a dogs name, it’s fine imo. Casper - yes I think friendly ghost but this is largely irrelevant now (unless they remake). Cassius is my favourite out of all your choices. As for the ‘posh’ thing, yes they are a bit posh, but so what. If that’s the way your taste sways so be it, as long as the name isn’t burdensome to the child there’s nothing wrong with it. If Jasper was on there that would’ve been my favourite. Have you considered Atticus or is that too over the top?

I live in very not-posh area and there are two little Rexs and a Cassius at the school gates, so they definitely don’t seem pretentious to me! Rex is getting really popular, I think because Stacey Solomon has a Rex.

Rufus does sound like a Labrador to me.

Casper is nice, I like it. I know a couple of Polish Kaspers/Kacpers.

Rex is a dinosaur from Toy Story so no.
Casper is indeed a friendly ghost.
Cassius is lovely

Gabriel
Xavi
Xander
Jonty
Lucas
Toby
Nathaniel

I know a Rex, a Rufus and a Caspar. All cute. People get used to it.

Rufus to me is the guy from the future who helps Bill and Ted on their excellent adventure. He was seriously cool! I named my car after him, so that name was taken before ds2 came along, but would have been a serious contender otherwise. I can't imagine any children being born now know about that though, or the friendly ghost. Our associations aren't necessarily relevant to their age group. Hector is also a great name.

Try Marcus.

Rex (does this make you think of a dog?) Yes
Rufus (is this too posh-sounding?) also makes me think of a dog
Casper (does this make you think of the friendly ghost?) Yes
Cassius (is this too pretentious?) Muhammad Ali

Rufus is possibly the worst name ever. Just my opinion!

Love Cassius though. Not pretentious or posh at all. It's on my list for a possible future son but it's way too similar to my daughters name.

Love Hector. Like Caspar - he's a wise man not an American ghost.
Cassius has been made cool and acceptable by Cassius Clay (ie Muhammed Ali)

Rufus is ok, Rex is still a bit doggy.

Unless you're genuinely posh (eg you grew up in a country pile with lots of dogs and horses, your mother's name is "Bunny" etc) they all sound a bit pretentious, sorry!

Oh the perks of being posh. We get to call our kids whatever we like. Whereas everyone else apparently has to stay in their lane. (Wtf).

@TatianaBis

Unless you're genuinely posh (eg you grew up in a country pile with lots of dogs and horses, your mother's name is "Bunny" etc) they all sound a bit pretentious, sorry!

Oh the perks of being posh. We get to call our kids whatever we like. Whereas everyone else apparently has to stay in their lane. (Wtf).

Agreed. This is very silly. And utterly unnecessary.

When we were expecting our first, DH was very intent on naming them something that no one would laugh at in his not-very-posh town. He realised pretty quickly that it's just not a thing any more - kids have made up names, names from other cultures, names from all sorts of origins, and 'posh' names. They are accepted by their peers, who have far less of a sense of what names 'belong' where.

Rex - doesn’t make me think of dogs.
Rufus - makes me think of dogs.
Casper - makes me think of the friendly ghost.
Cassius - makes me think of Cassius Clay first and then a male stripper 🤷🏼‍♀️.

Of the four, Rex is my favourite.

Yes to all four, sorry!
What about Sebastian, Solomon or Xavier