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

diddl, I was thinking more of the German stock exchange when I read that...

I think your short list is good, OP, although Rowan may not be easy pronunciation-wise. (And idris is one I wouldn't go for because of those issues - a lot of Germans, on seeing it written down, will pronounce it Ee-dris).

What about Christian?

Love Niko/Nico

Nico and Idris are our favourite names, but we are worried about them being a bit “out there”, so I understand your husband’s reservations....but they’re both amazing names! Other names on out list are....

Ivor
Isaac
Casper
Vincent
Otis
Micah
Xavier

Silas

I know three Nicos (2 boys, 1 girl) and Idris/Idriss is increasing in popularity, so they are not particularly 'out there'.

@KirstenBlest

I know three Nicos (2 boys, 1 girl) and Idris/Idriss is increasing in popularity, so they are not particularly 'out there'.

For the parents who have chosen these names do they have the appropriate heritage? That’s my main worry with Nico....and for Idris (I have Welsh’s family) friends have said it’s mainly seen as a Muslim name, so as white people we shouldn’t use it as we live in England.

Nico (f) is part-irish, part-scottish, I think, and was named after the singer. The two boys are both welsh (both pronounced Nick-o, short flat o).

Idris - I know two adults called Idris. It was hardly used in Wales but recently has become popular. (Wonder why?)

I have also heard Idris/Idriss called out to a little boy (presumably Muslim). A muslim friend said that it was the name of an 80-yr old but I think it has recently come back into use.

I wouldn't worry about origin if you like the name. As welsh names go, it's one that won't get mangled. You might get asked if you are muslim or moroccan or welsh.

The danger with it is that it could be more popular than you think as it's celebrity-inspired, and find that your Idris is at school with several other Idrises. (cf the 7 Sebastians on another thread)

If you want to be a bit different, use the Bible's version of Idris, Enoch.

I do have Welsh family and have always liked the name Idris. It makes me think of dragons.

Anyway we have decided to go with Alexander after all :)

I am guessing the current popularity of Idris might be to do with Idris Elba. But it's also possible people my age have happy associations with the dragon from the Ivor the Engine cartoon. I don't remember the cartoon at all, but I had a soft toy red dragon called Idris and my mum always told me it was the name of the dragon on the Welsh flag, which turned out not to be true at all. I have no idea where she got it from!

The dragon on the flag is female.

Alex/Alexander is a great name

I adore Nico! Could you say Nick and he says Nico? I watched a documentary on Nicolas Anelka and fell in love with all the French people saying Nico instead of the boring Nick. Does that help? 😂

I tried to push this on my DP and he said absolutely not too 😢

Alexander is a great name. Good choice

Lovely name. Dh and I really struggled to name DD. We spent months looking for the right name, decided on one when i was about 7 months pregnant but the day before I had her I decided I didn't like it after all. DD didn't get named until day 2 with a name that had never come up in our discussions!

I don't like Nick either :o I actually prefer Nico to Nick but neither feel like "my" baby.

I had no idea the Welsh flag dragon was female! How do you sex a dragon?