Asterios or Stelios? For a baby boy

[Abrakatabra]

Hi All,

Our little one will be named Asterios (for very strong family reasons - we are not from the UK). Our surname is also a foreign one.

We are thinking of either keep calling him "Asterios" which will be his birth certificate name anyway or call him "Stelios" instead as a nn.

So, Asterios or Stelios(as a nn)?

What do you British people think?

P.S. Someone recently asked if we have chosen the name and we said we haven't only because it's a non universal/British name and we were ashamed to say the name in the thought that this person won't like it. But the day will come that we will have to announce it...

So, what is best in the UK out of the two?

Asterios is a lovely name.

I'm not so keen on Stelios - it sounds like a completely different name.

It sounds like a different name because it is a different name. If you want/have to call your baby Asterios (I am part Greek so I can understand), call him that. No need for nicknames.
It is not a well-known name in Greece either, but it is beautiful because it will be your son's.
I've seen your other threads on baby names and you seem quite stressed about naming your baby. Just relax and give him the name both of you have chosen.

Why are you worried about Asterios? I thought nothing negative about it, just assumed when I saw the name in the thread title that you're not English.

Stelios just makes me think 'Easyjet' instantly.

Thank you all, much appreciated. I personally prefer Asterios to Stelios too.

Asterios is just a multisyllable name and may not go well in the Uk that everyone's name is 1-syllable or 2-syllable max. If it's longer then there is a nn in place. Please correct me if I am wrong though!

And also some people advised to avoid names starting with "As"...

I had a lovely classmate in primary school called Stelios (nn Stelli), 50 years ago in a London state Primary, no-one thought anything of it other than what a nice boy he was, so I don't think it's a problem from a British point of view.
I think Asterios is nicer, though, sounds like a Greek God! Or maybe a philosopher. I love the sound of it!
Go with the name you think is nicest.

Asterios is lovely, Does it not mean star, that would be a lovely nickname ?

Neither.

Stavros?

I actually don’t think any name is a problem now if it’s ‘foreign’ sounding. Sure you might have to spell or pronounce a few times, but friends, family, school etc will all just know it after that and it will become normal.

Ds has an ‘English’ name, in a ‘foreign’ country. It’s easy for locals to pronounce and spell even though not locally used.

@Peach2021 Yes, it means star! :)

Asterios is nice. I would assume it was Greek. Choose the name you love! Don't worry about others, no names are universally liked. English people will cope fine.

Asterios is just a multisyllable name and may not go well in the Uk that everyone's name is 1-syllable or 2-syllable max. If it's longer then there is a nn in place. Please correct me if I am wrong though!*

My children have 3 syllable names that rarely get shortened.

Just name him Asterios. It's a good name.

Some of the most popular names for children in the UK are 3 or 4 syllables: Oliver, Olivia and Amelia, for example.

You'll get all sorts of opinions on here, but they're based on other people's preferences (like the person who didn't like A names).

You clearly love Asterios - just use it.

I have never heard of Asterios, but really like it. Thinking about kids shortening things, I can see him being called Astro potentially, if that is a problem to you. I think it would be a cute nick name. Stelios reminds me of the EasyJet guy. That would only mean anything to adults, not kids.

I love Asterios. My uncle is called Stelios and he's the family trouble maker (don't get me started on his wife...) so I'm biased against it.

Asterios is lovely. Keep it as a full name, in time he might naturally develop a nickname or shortened version.

It’s a lovely name OP. You shouldn’t stress too much and you definitely don’t need random internet peoples approval :) you clearly love the name and that should be enough, good luck