Boys names: final 3 - which would you choose?

[Allium16]

I honestly feel like I should be awarded some sort of degree for the amount of time, effort and research I've put into coming up with this final 3. All 3 have their downsides, which I shall explain below. Bearing those in mind, which would you go for?

Nathaniel (really love the long form, but I feel it's a bit, well, long, and neither Nat nor Nate do it for me)

Elijah (the popularity bothers me as I want to try to avoid him being one of several in his class. It's a really nice name though)

Evan (not sure it goes as well with DS1's name (Jude) as the other two).

No idea about a middle name as I don't care as much about those - feel free to make suggestions with your preferred choice. Surname starts with a W, for initials purposes.

I think Evan works best with jude, I always think of it as Welsh as opposed to american

Evan

Elijah

We had this on our list, but my grandfather couldnt say it properly (he doesnt speak english) so we decided against it.

I think Evan actually sounds the best with Jude. It’s by far the nicest.

Evan

Nathaniel, I love Nate as a nn (Hello Chace Crawford 🤤) it could also be (kind of) shortened to Nathan.

A bit of an old school idea but I have found it helpful for me, knowing what you mean about putting so much time into thinking about the options... Could you have these three ready and see which one suits when he arrives?

I only like Nate 🥴

Nathaniel.

Evan is lovely. I think it's the most classic.

Ha ha, I had Nathaniel and Elijah on my list for DS1. Similar objections to you.

I prefer Elijah I think. Did you consider Elias?

Jude and Elijah sound best together.

How about Ethan

@Shmithecat2

Nathaniel. Love that name. I don't like either of the other two.

Snap. Really don't like elijah

I adore Nathaniel. But I also love Nat as a shortened version. It's quite a long name without a nickname.
Elijah - is ok. I find it a bit meh if I'm honest.
Evan - I think this fits best with Jude. Both feel "cool" and slightly edgy but mainstream enough too. I actually much prefer Euan but Evan would be my pick from your names. I really dislike sn names normally but I don't see this in that light.

Evan for me, followed by Elijah, followed by Nathaniel. I think the latter will be shortened and I also don't like Nate. I know a Nathan who shortens his name to Ned which could be an alternative nickname for Nathaniel too?

If you go with Evan or Elijah avoid a middle name beginning with W, or his initials will be EWW.

Jude & Elijah

Or how about throwing Ezra into the mix?

Not Evan, its awful.

Evan is my favourite and it goes really well with Jude.

None sorry

Nathan or Ethan

I really wanted Nathaniel but my husband thought it was to long so we agreed on Nathan with Nate as a nickname. We never actually use Nate as my son doesn’t like it although we think it’s cool.

With Jude, definitely Evan. I love short, neat names and they sound good together.

I don't like Elijah at all, far too religious.

Nathaniel is nice, but too long with Jude. Nate is good, but you don't like that of course. Nathan might be an option instead, and it sounds nice with Jude.

Goodness I can't believe how evenly spread the votes are! You're basically no help at all

Thanks for the alternative suggestions - already been through every name under the sun and Ezra, Nathan, Ethan, Elias etc just aren't my cup of tea. Isn't it funny how names can be so similar in vibe/meaning/background/sound yet we can love one and not the other?

I guess I will take the advice of the PP who said to meet baby first and see which name he suits. You never know, we might look at him and instantly think "CLIVE!" or something.

Thanks for your input all. If I remember I will update this post with what we went for - it's quite rare to find out what a baby eventually gets called!

Nathaniel, like you I love the full name, but not so keen on the nn but I feel like Nate could grow on me, it's probably quite a cool name on a teenager. Definitely not Nat

Elijah is OK. I prefer Elias. Love Eli. I'd be tempted to choose Elijah but always call him Eli

Evan is nice and goes fine with Jude. I do know more Evan's than Elijah's though but it has a more classical feel. I really love Ewan / Euan though

Evan goes best with Jude, that's a nice pair. Hope you choose that!

I like Nathaniel but if you don't like any shortenings I think that's a problem. I really don't like Elijah, it has strong religious connotations for me and doesn't go with Jude at all.