Axel, Leon, Owen, Tom

[Boynamesarehard]

I would love your votes on this shortlist. For DS1 we had a clear front runner we fell in love with. This time we have these 4 and I can't make my mind up. We are quite limited as we're a bilingual household and there are few names that work in both languages. As I'm not from the UK it's also hard for me to know what people here associate with these names?

If you have a DS with one of those names I'd also love to hear what other names you had on your shortlist, there may be something we haven't thought of! Thank you!

Not Axel - sorry, I think it's awful. The others are good, I like them all

@loobylou10 so interesting, I can't get my DH on board with this one either (he's from the UK) so it must definitely feel completely different here. In my country its super adorable and very popular, oh well! Thanks!

Owen was top of my list for a boy (my DH vetoed it though!) But I love it.

Leon I also really like - good associations with blokes I’ve known.

Tom is in one way very Traditional British but also Continental Europe so I like it too.

Axel though - most people will immediately think Guns N Roses, I reckon.

If you have a DS with one of those names I'd also love to hear what other names you had on your shortlist, there may be something we haven't thought of! Thank you!

Also on my Owen-topped shortlist:
Ben/Benjamin
Sam/Samuel
Nate/Nathan
Henry/Harry

A big no to Axel, but yes to the others.

My favourite is Owen.

Axel makes me think of Axel Rose/Oral Sex.

I like them all, including Axel. Tom is my least favourite but I like it too.
Top choice out of your list is Leon.

Axel isn't frequently used in this country. I know of one (his Mum also not from UK) but it's quite a foreign sounding name (not unpleasant, just not often heard) and I would wonder if parents not from UK, again no judgement, just an observation.
Tom is one of those classic names. It's my favourite of your list
Owen is nice - I would imagine it being used by a family with Welsh connections
Leon - I'm on the fence with, it's a good solid name but not one I love.

I know a french Axel and he is a brilliant father of 3 so I have only positive connotations for the name.

The others are fairly unremarkable but Leon is a chain restaurant.

I have an Axel and it really suits him. I also like Owen from your list but not the other two.

Other contenders for us were Max, Aidan, Finn and Ciaran.

Thank you! I feel like Axel may be one of these names that will get traction in a few years. For now the association with Guns&Roses is a bit of an issue as we couldn't be further from cool, rock star people :D. Might still use it as a middle name as it is unique and continental.

Leon ticks the most boxes but I am lacking the spark. I think I'm leaning towards Owen as it gives me little butterflies, just a bit sad that it isn't continental european at all and feel like my roots are getting lost. So much to think about!

Thanks for the additional suggestions, some good ones in there (Samuel almost made the shortlist) but a few we can't use as already used by close family.

Mr. Rose is Axl

I have an Axel and we love it.
Like all your names. Other ones we were considering were Rafferty, Raphael, Milo

My favourites are Owen and Leon. Axel is OK but sounds harsh to me. Tom is nice, but a bit bland. Obviously I don't know where you're from, but if you plan to live in France, I would avoid Owen. I remember reading on here about a boy living in France who was teased about his name (due to "c'est Owen" sounding like it spells out a rude word).

I would go Axel, maybe even spelt Axl

Owen is lovely imo - but seems less well used internationally than Leon if that matters. Leon is okay, although I personally prefer the sound of Leo.

Tom is nice, but possibly slightly dull compared to your other choices? Axel is still fairly brave/rock star sounding in the UK imo - possibly because it has a slightly harsh sound or sounds the same as a vehicle axle in English.

Axel - awful. You might as well call him driveshaft.
Leon - reminds me of Leon Brittan, so no.
Owen - dull.
Tom - duller.

Are you German?

How about Alex?

I like Leon, but you would need to decide if it's pronounced Lee on, or Lay on (more common in Europe).

How about Matthias, Linus, Silas, Luka

Ruben, Matts

Choose a few good mashed whilst you're watching the Euros. Tons of great names!

*names not mashed

I'm so surprised at the comments hating Axel! I know one my age, always got complimented on his cool name, and I've noticed it rising in popularity both where I am from and where I live now.

I like Leon, it's a good strong name.

I know far too many Tom and Owen's my age, but I'd lean closer to Owen because I know less of them.

Owen is pretty dull to my ears
Axel would be a great choice