Boy Name Dilemma, very different styles

[Nahtyomama]

I fully recognize these names are completely different styles, popularity, heritage, etc. Big brother is Isaac Andrew. M
Thoughts??

1. Malcolm- nn Mac (initials will also be Mac). Husband loves this name and it’s really been growing on me, especially the nickname Mac when little. We love that it’s underused but not unfamiliar, and feel it is a strong name that will be great on an adult. We like that he wouldn’t be one of 5 in his class growing up. Also we are both Scottish and like that it’s a Scottish heritage name. BUT.... is it too “out there”? It’s a polarizing name that some people love and some people absolutely hate. The only people I’ve run it by were my parents who both hated it so now it’s making me nervous that the world isn’t ready for this name to revive in 2021.

1. Benjamin- yes, super popular, and he would almost certainly be one of several in his class growing up. Even so, we’ve both always really liked this name and three syllables flows well with our short 2-syllable last name. We don’t know anyone personally with this name.

Other names we’ve discussed:

1. Samuel- good classic name but just kind of “blah” to me.
2. Graham- also Scottish, don’t know anyone with this name. Both husband and I like but not sold on.
3. Liam- yes, extremely popular but this has been a favorite name of mine since childhood and I’m wondering if I can get over the extreme popularity or if that ruins it entirely.
4. Simon- just seems dorky or not “us”, but husband likes it.

1 like Mac, don't like malcom. How about Mack? Let's face it, he's never going to use Malcolm!

1. Like Benjie progressing to Ben
2. No. Just NO

4 'ok' dated but not due a modern revival

5 No.

Matthew - Matty to Matt ??

It's clear that Benjamin is the favourite of both of you. Is it too Old Testament biblical to put it with Isaac though? I personally think it is, and would assume you were very religious.

Malcolm I don't like at all, but I do like your reasons for considering it.

I agree with you on Samuel.

Graham... I think it's a no from me. Sounds odd with Isaac.

Liam... I love this name too. It's not as popular as it was 20 years ago so i think you'd be fine with it. Very different style to Isaac though.

I really like Simon, and it's great but slightly unexpected with Isaac. It deserves a revival.

I like malcolm but then I'm Scottish. The others (apart from Graham) are a little bland but perfectly acceptable, Benjamin probably goes best.

Isaac is pretty biblical but a bit of Scottish kinda biblical would maybe be Gregor? You've used Andrew already.

Names similar to Malcolm - Murdo, Campbell, Maxwell?

Forgot to add Callum

Do you call Isaac Zack? Mac and Zack are but samey.

Ben/jamen and Sam/uel are nice.

All your names are great, IMO. Benjamin is a brilliant name and has stood the test of time. My DD has a name that's always in the top ten but she's never had another one in her class at school and rarely meets another one.

I like Malcolm. People not liking it is just because it isnt currently trendy. It is a good solid name and Mac is an awesome nickname for all ages.

Please not Simon. Just sounds so weak.

I like Malcolm, but I think Murdo's a good shout. Goes well with Isaac.

I like Malcolm or Benjamin. I think Malcolm just edges it for me.
It doesn't sound like you are as keen on the other names so I'd rule them out.

I really like Malcolm!! I'd shorten to Malc or even Malaky though.

Dominic?

You seem to like longish names with strong M sounds in.

You can’t go wrong with Ben(jamin) so I would go with that, and it goes with Issac.

Malcolm (and GRaham) - the world isn’t ready for a revival, it’s the same type of name as Colin, Glenn, etc. Unless you live in Scotland where I think it’s still used albeit old fashioned? He won’t thank you though, especially when standing next to Issac - and you can’t control nns however much you try - middle name?

Sam(uel) - I prefer Ben, but it’s a good name.
Simon - be a while till it revives, but it’s classic enough that it’s easily usable.

Liam - no don’t - very downmarket vibe

I do think there are some lovely Scottish boys names - Alistair, Kester, Gillies, Angus, Hamish, Struan etc - would you consider one of those?! Like PPs suggestion of Murdo - or if you have a Mac surname in your heritage you could use that (I’d avoid McKenzie though, like Liam it has a dodgy rep)

I don't think Benjamin is as popular as you fear. I only know of one.

Malcolm/Mack - like this idea! It's cool and he can always stay Mac if he doesnt like Malcolm
Benjamin - too blah for me
Samuel - ditto. Blah
Graham - I know a 29 year old Graham and growing up it was unusual to have a Graham in our year but I dont hate it. Grayson nn Gray is in the top 100 for boys so Graham might be a nice alternative and could be Gray if he hated it as there are a lot about
Liam - blah sorry
Simon - predicted to be one of the biggest names the next year or 2 due to it being the main character in Bridgerton so you may want to avoid

Other ideas: Colin, Alistair, Anthony, Emerson, Douglas, Ivan, Magnus, Douglas

Benjamin is a gorgeous name. It's still popular but it's been falling in numbers each and every year for years now since it's peak in 2003. Will leave top 50 names soon. No wonder I don't know any

names.darkgreener.com/#benjamin

How about Mackenzie shortened to Mack or Kenzie - if you don't like Malcolm?

I really dislike Malcolm, but love Mac as a name in its own right and considered it for DC2.

If you like Liam you could use William as the full name if you wanted to get away from the 'popularity' or 'low market vibe' as a pp said.

I like Mac but loathe Malcolm. He could be MacAnything.

Hate the name Malcolm but I think the name mac is amazing- I love it!

I would choose Malcolm and shorten to Mac or Malc

Go for it!

Ben has been popular for 40 odd years now so the world really doesn't need yet another!

Benjamin is my favourite there. What about Cameron or Ashley?

Liam, while a perfectly ordinary, somewhat 50something Irish name, is overwhelmingly perceived on Mn as being a ‘chav’ name.

I can’t get on with Malcolm, though I gather it is still used in Scotland? For me Malcolm, Bernard and Nigel are retired, wear dreadful golfing jumpers and have ruddy drinkers’ faces, are disparaging about ‘lady golfers’, ‘the immigrants’ and people on benefits, and vote UKIP.

Mac is nice. Benjamin is nice, but sounds too one-dimensionally Biblical with Isaac.

I know a Macgregor, shortens nicely to Mac or Gregor/greg

my Isaac's middle name is Benjamin

and he has an older brother called Samuel
so I vote for either of those

Benjamin is nice