Thoughts on baby name shortlists

[Carlos18]

Hello Mumsnet,

I’m due this week and we have kept the sex of the child a surprise and as before, my husband and I are struggling a bit agreeing on names. We have a shortlist for boys and girls but I expect some of my favourites have either been knocked off because we don’t both like it, or it doesn’t go well with our slightly awkward last name. The new baby will be a sibling to our oldest child Maeve (who’s name I still love but has now become super popular it would seem but I guess that’s just one of this things). So here are some that me and my husband both think are ok at least…but wouldn’t say I’m totally sold on

Boys:

• Alden
• Arlen (front runner)
• Beck
• Flynn
• Logan
• Orson (front runner)
• Raymond
• Sebastian
• Vincent

Girls

• Ada
• Aisling
• Anwen
• Ava
• Bridget
• Cora (my second favourite after Nora but my husband doesn’t like Nora)
• Eleanor
• Elva

Sebastian
Ada
Eleanor

@ColdShouldersWarmTummy thanks for the comprehensive response there!

I wonder where builders bum Raymond is nowadays.

Arlen is a funny one isn’t it. I’d not heard it until searching through names then it popped up a few times and I like it the more times I’ve seen it. My husband somehow managed to put it on his list too which made us consider it more seriously.

See, nearly all of your names meet my criteria of being 'known names' ; not nouns; relatively easy to read (if seen written) and spell (if given verbally) ; not being surnames primarily........ so they are all good choices, just not my choices .

(I do love Anwen, but just think you need to be Welsh to use it )

@Kite22 some excellent criteria to add in to my “must flow in to our last name well” (therefore cannot end in “S”), I’d be happy so shout it across a park; and it doesn’t set them up immediately for a ridiculous nickname…although I’m sure kids will find a way if they want.

Flynn, Orson or Vincent

Cora or Eleanor

Your front runner boys names are great! Orson was on our short list too! Not keen on any of the rest though (Flynn - super popular right now, Beck -just not keen, Logan = troublemaker?! And the last three will just be shortened into blandness (Ray Seb Vince)...

Girls names not keen on any sorry, although I would personally go with one that couldn't easily be shortened to a nondescript version (ie Ellie or Annie)... Ada and Ava are super popular right now too which would put me off. Aisling just not a fan, not Bridget (too reminiscent of Jones)! Neither of Cora although will join others in support of Norah! :)

I love super unusual names though! 🤷‍♀️

Boys

• Alden 7 not keen
• Arlen (front runner) 1
• Beck 8 not keen
• Flynn 3 like but not as keen since colleen ballinger used is
• Logan 9 not keen at all
• Orson (front runner) 2 love but just slightly prefer Arlen better on the nickname basis
• Raymond 6 nice but not for me
• Sebastian 4 possibility but slightly overused
• Vincent 5 not but not for me

Girls

• Ada 5
• Aisling 4
• Anwen 3 like it
• Ava 6
• Bridget 8 outdated
• Cora (my second favourite after Nora but my husband doesn’t like Nora)7 not keen sorry
• Eleanor 2 this would be a good options for nicknames it nora, ellie, ella, ana, lenor
• Elva 1 oddly really like it

Mork calling Orson. Come in Orson from Mork and Mindy.

I knew an Orson. Teased forever over Mork and Mindy plus
Orson Cart
Orson Jockey
Orson Hound

@Kite22

See, nearly all of your names meet my criteria of being 'known names' ; not nouns; relatively easy to read (if seen written) and spell (if given verbally) ; not being surnames primarily........ so they are all good choices, just not my choices .

(I do love Anwen, but just think you need to be Welsh to use it )

Why do you need to be Welsh to use it?

Love Alden and Ada, and really like Beck and Flynn. Congratulations!

Maeve and Flynn (adore Flynn)
Maeve and Eleanor (I always think Eleanor is beautiful and timeless)

Vincent and Bridget are lovely. Don't like the rest.

Sebastian and Elva.

Flynn, Eleanor and Cora. X

Not keen on any of the boys names, sorry - but if pressed for a favourite, Arlen - as that's a front runner I'd say go for that then!

Girls are nearly all nice, but not keen on Eleanor or Bridget.

I don’t like any of the boy names but love Aisling and Cora.

I think Flynn and Orson go best with Maeve. I'm a huge fan of Sebastian but somehow it doesn't flow nicely with your daughter's name, in my humble opinion.
Not sure if Cora wouldn't be a constant reminder that you couldn't have Nora (?). I love Eleanor (one my list) and think it goes well together with Maeve.

@KloppsTeeth must admit to thinking of Mork and Mindy with Orson but figured that it’s not really a thing any more…particularly for kids so hoped we could get away with it.

We do live in Yorkshire so perhaps “Horse and…” will be a thing.

Still like it though

Thanks @Olga03, yeah Cora is a second choice to Nora really. I’d have to get over it I suppose if DH really doesn’t like Nora

Really not keen on any of your boys names sorry, Flynn if I had to choose.

Girls names I love Aisling. Cora Is nice too

Orson I can only think of the guy from desperate housewives!!

Thank you @ringoutthebells @Anoisagusaris @lisaandalan @Ikeameatballs @NessieMcNessface @Shmithecat2 @octoberfarm

Thank you @WhereTheWildlingsLive , seems the front runners are quite polarising which is interesting

I love Maeve and have never met one

We don't share taste in boys names but I do like

• Flynn - reminds me of the Disney character but that's not a bad thing. It's a nice name
• Raymond - would prefer just Ray
• Sebastian - lovely name and sounds lovely with Maeve
• Vincent - lovely, though not keen on Vince, again sounds lovely with Maeve

• Ada - nice but I know quite a few little Ada's
• Aisling - not a fan
• Anwen - lovely
• Ava - I like but has been very popular in the past
• Bridget - love it, my favourite from your list
• Cora - nice enough
• Eleanor - I like but dislike Ellie
• Elva - not a fan

I would personally go with Maeve and Sebastian or Maeve and Bridget

Thanks @movingsoon13 your boys name rankings are very similar to mine.

Oddly enough the more I look at Elva the more i like it x