I cannot warm to DH's favourite name

[BertieBotts]

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

You could have Alexander and call him Sandy.

I was going to suggest Alek, possibly with Alexander as a full name.

You need to call him Jose.

We had a system with name choosing: we both drew up a list of our own favourite names, then swapped them, crossing out the ones we didn't like (out of the picture if one of us didn't like it) then we each put a 1,2 and 3 next to the ones we were ok with, including on our own list. Then we crossed out all the 3s and worked with the 1 and 2s. Both names ended up presenting themselves.

Robin
Magnus
Tristan
Morgan
Arthur

Alexander is a great name. I only like Oliver from your DH's list, some of the others sound quite American to me. My DH would not commit to a name before I went into labour with DD2 but he told me in labour that he would agree to my absolute favourite girls name, it did help a bit with the final pushes.....

I think Leo and Lex are too similar.
Leo and Rory too lion-themed!

Fwiw I let DJ have his favourite name for dd which I was unsure about and I did have the feeling of her not belonging to me initially. I love her name now and have loads of compliments on it.
Dd2 has my favourite name.

Aleksander?
Or Alec?

I love Oliver.

Is it the -o ending you think rhymes with Leo? Nico doesn’t rhyme with Leo to me.

I don't like Nico as there used to be an ad here for nicotine replacement patches that started, hi I'm Nico," so would always associate it with nicotine!
Like Alex and like lots in both of your lists. Agree Chase is too American. But it's cute! Although paw patrolly.
Love someone's suggestion of Sandy short of Alexander. It's a name that gives him options when he's older.
I like Peter. Or maybe Richard. Or Tim or Frank. Old man names that need reviving!
Don't like Miles.
I love Leo!
How about Len or Ray or Rex? I like similar short strong names.

I have a baby Peter and it suits him so well. Not an old name at all

What about Hannes? Such a beautiful German name!

I was going to suggest Luca too!

Rex

I think Peter is due a resurgence.

I like Dominic too. Would have had for dc2, but too similar to dc1.

Luca or Ezra

It’s hard naming your third boy we also struggled & waited until he was born.
Good luck

Marcus?

We had Nicholas and Alexander on our faves list. How about Nicholas - trad spelling? I like the softer c. Nic for short; I don't like Nick.

Alec? Luca, Noah

I have a Leo, desperately wanted Nico for next DC but she was a girl and didn't feel right to give it to her as always envisaged it for a boy. Nico with c feels much softer than Niko

I think that Max is fabulous!

Also like Lars.

Nils?
Reuben?
Joshua?

My favourite boys name ever is James.

I have twin girls so never got my James, never mind I have two lovely Daughters.

LOVE Alexander Nikolai as someone suggested…..

Jupiter ha ha ha.