Samuel, William, Otto or Blaise?!

[alrightbab]

Hello! Just had DS2 so the clock is ticking to choose a name. Really struggling with this second time round after being delighted with our DS1’s name.
Anyone have any thoughts on our shortlist? DH isn’t super keen on Otto but I think he could be persuaded; he likes Blaise but I don’t think it goes with our surname. Our other two choices are obviously much more popular.
Also ideally we would like the name to work both in the UK and in Germany as we’ll be spending quite a bit of time in Germany in the next few years (including potentially some schooling/kindergarten time).
Grateful for any thoughts

William is incredibly popular, but that might not bother you. Love the name Samuel. Otto is nice too. Not keen on Blaise.

Oh my, you have just reminded me of someone called Blaise I met many many years ago. I think it's a tremendous name but in a Mills and Boon type of memorable way, unless a child/ boy/ man has the personality to carry it off

I don’t like Otto personally it’s a dog’s name.

Louis, Noah, Jonas, Finn, Max, Oskar - work in both countries.
I like Wolf but it’s very dated in Germany.

I'd choose William from that list.

Otto is cute.

Blaise is a dog/horse name for me

Samuel/William are a bit blah in my opinion

While I do often like more unusual names, Otto is a bit stereotypically German sounding to me (and reminds me of the Simpsons character too) and Blaise sounds like a pets name imo, sorry (it'd be great for a horse!).

I like both William and Samuel (classics used in many countries with lots of great namesakes). I'd chose which based on whether you like the nn's - most seem to be Sam or Will when older, although you do hear of the occasional Billy.

Samuel.

Blaise sounds like a pet's name.

William is extremely popular.

Otto...man??

I love William but for it to work in Germany Otto is your best bet, followed by Samuel. Blaise is weird and girly (and I think Germans would pronounce it somethng like "Bliser").

Blaise
Otto makes me think Nazi.

Samuel and William both fine but not exciting

William (I have one) or Samuel would be my picks.

I like Otto - very cool and international.

Blaise is a bit out there for me.

Samuel for the win

Samuel is a lovely name.

Not Blaise.
The others are all nice - I like Samuel best.

Is Blaise a normal Polish name, or short for something?

Two nice 'normal' names, a nice unusual name and... WTF?!

I'd choose William. I like Otto.

Congratulations on your new baby.

Please not 'Blaise' sounds like the name for a horse

William is a wonderful name.

Blaise looks like blasé

I disagree that Otto is a dog's name - it's definitely a cat's name.

I like Blaise.

What is your other son called?

I think Otto is quite dated in Germany at the moment? Sort of like calling a baby Keith or Trevor over here...I have a real soft spot for Blaise, mostly because I knew a super cool one years ago. Samuel and William both nice, or something like Felix maybe? That's a pretty popular name in Germany.

I live in Germany and have a „William“….lots of people (Most) cannot pronounce it veering to Villiam.
I like Samuel. Congratulations

Not that I know of, just a name my husband likes!

@FrumpyBetty

What is your other son called?

Alexander. Not that I think they need to “go” with each other.

I love Otto.

I know a Blaise who is a girl.

@SuperbOwls

I think Otto is quite dated in Germany at the moment? Sort of like calling a baby Keith or Trevor over here...I have a real soft spot for Blaise, mostly because I knew a super cool one years ago. Samuel and William both nice, or something like Felix maybe? That's a pretty popular name in Germany.

I like felix too but sadly husband doesn’t and it doesn’t work very well with our surname.