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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

I cannot warm to DH's favourite name

140 replies

BertieBotts · 18/06/2021 19:21

Expecting DS3 in the summer. It took us months and months to come up with DS2's name (Leo) and in the end it was the only one we both liked. DS1 is from a previous relationship and apparently it's easier to name a baby when you're only 19. I do not remember having such strong opinions...

Anyway, since we still can't find a name DH reckons we should just take a list into hospital and see what he looks like when he gets here. I'm OK with that plan. But DH has absolutely and totally fallen in love with Niko/Nikolas.

I don't like it! I want to like it because he loves it so much, but I don't. The K is too spiky. I don't like the way it rhymes with Leo. I have tried to imagine a baby Niko (Nico is better but I don't even really like that, and anyway DH particularly likes the K) and it doesn't feel like my child.

I on the other hand am getting more and more attached to Alex/Alexander. DH doesn't hate Alex, but he doesn't love it and is hesitant because we know people called Alex, and I keep reading about how choosing a name you feel differently about each is a really bad idea.

But the thing is, Alex was never my favourite name to begin with! I just suggested it half jokingly as the only one we'll be able to agree on. My favourite names are Lars or Idris. DH is not keen on either of them. So I leant back towards Alex, and the more I think about it the more I like it. It's a cute name for a baby/child, but a sensible/nice name for a grown up. Every Alex I've ever met has been a nice, quiet, kind, clever boy/man.

The other names I like are:

Max (DH says it feels like a dog's name to him)
Rory (Might be tricky with locals - we live in Germany)
Jupiter (I think we both feel this is a bit too much)
Alfred (Alfie/Freddie) - DH says too old man and doesn't like Fred, although Alfie is OK.
Owen - both feel a bit meh.

DH's list:
Lucas (It's OK, but boring/bland to me)
Miles (Don't like)
Chase (Kind of like, but feels v American and not comfortable)
Hal (Just no)
Oliver (Too stuffy)
Peter (Too old)

What happens if we go in with a list and we still feel the same about all the names and we can't agree?? :o Confused

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ladygindiva · 18/06/2021 19:25

What about Luca? It's a more interesting version of Lucas, and a bit like Nico in feel. Fwiw I LOVE Nico, but I see you don't!

ladygindiva · 18/06/2021 19:25

Ditto Milo for Miles?

ladygindiva · 18/06/2021 19:26

What about Johann as you are in Germany? I'm not sure of the spelling but I like it.

Jabba2020 · 18/06/2021 19:27

Alexander and call him Lex?

StevieNix · 18/06/2021 19:29

Love @Jabba2020 suggestion of Alexander with nickname Lex (or maybe Xander?)

ladygindiva · 18/06/2021 19:29

Or Xander?

SnoozyBoozy · 18/06/2021 19:30

@Jabba2020

Alexander and call him Lex?
I was going to say Alexander and call him Xander!
SnoozyBoozy · 18/06/2021 19:30

Ah, you all beat me to it!

NoNameNoOne · 18/06/2021 19:33

Love Xander!
Also Zane...

MitheringSunday · 18/06/2021 19:37

Sympathies - I'd dislike that K too, and I don't like Nico, although Nic(h)olas is nice. Do you think you could agree to Nicholas/Nick?

MitheringSunday · 18/06/2021 19:40

Xander is likely to be pronounced Ksander in Germany.

MitheringSunday · 18/06/2021 19:41

And I don't think Lex is a great idea because Lexi is a (not popular but not unfamiliar) girl's name.

DotDotDotDotDot · 18/06/2021 20:09

I like Max, Nico and Lucas/Luca from your list. Maybe Otis, Rudy or Ivan?
I’d try and narrow your list down to 2-3 names you’d be really happy with by the end of your pregnancy. Good luck

IggyAce · 18/06/2021 20:10

Alexander has lots of nn potential it’s my ds middle name because dh & I couldn’t agree on nn. I wanted Xander and he Lex.
I prefer Lucian to Lucas
Chase I love but I’m biased as it’s ds first name.

orinocosfavoritecake · 18/06/2021 20:11

I love Hal. Would it help to give him Henry as a full name?

hapalong · 18/06/2021 20:14

@ladygindiva

What about Luca? It's a more interesting version of Lucas, and a bit like Nico in feel. Fwiw I LOVE Nico, but I see you don't!
That's what I was going to suggest! I love the name Luca. You could have Luka if DH really wanted a K Smile
ILoveShula · 18/06/2021 20:22

Rudi

AppleDumplin · 18/06/2021 20:28

You have to find a name you both like and stop trying to convince the other one to like 'your' names!

Luca is nice as pp suggested

Jago
Rocco
Otto
Milo
Eli / Elijah
Asher
Roscoe

Warmduscher · 18/06/2021 20:31

How are you saying Niko to make it rhyme with Leo?

EugeniaGrace · 18/06/2021 20:32

Oooh, I like a lot of these names.

Leo and Max, is a great combination but there is also Maximilian, if you wanted something more formal.

I like Alex and Lucas, but agree they are a bit safe/bland.

I really like Miles and Nicholas too. Milan would be a Slavic sounding version.

Ben(jamin)/Ben(edict) or Mattias would be my suggestions. Also Henry and Frederick.

Owen and Chase don’t work well in German, I don’t think (Oven and Haza).

Jupiter is a bit out there. A Nordic god perhaps. Odin, Thorsten, Ziggy.

ILoveShula · 18/06/2021 20:34

@Warmduscher

How are you saying Niko to make it rhyme with Leo?
Lee-o Neek-o
StiggyZardust · 18/06/2021 20:37

What about Alexander but known as Sacha?

Ninkanink · 18/06/2021 20:38

Alexander Nicolas is a nice name.

Or, Alexander Nikolai, which suits the ‘k’ much better and might hopefully make DH happy.

MySocalledLoaf · 18/06/2021 20:43

Leander
Axel
Armin
Felix

NigellaSeed · 18/06/2021 20:44

Mix Alex and Nico and go for Alec?