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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

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Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Baby names

Boys' names opinions please - Luca, Otto or Sam?

51 replies

bluebubbles12 · 23/01/2023 21:22

Luca, Otto and Sam are the three names we've narrowed our list down to and I wanted to get people's general thoughts on the names please? Like, what do you think of when you hear them?

I'd say Luca is my favourite because it is slightly unusual without being too unusual.

Which leads me onto Otto... is it too unusual?! Whilst I appreciate it won't be everyone's cup of tea, is it acceptable enough not to be weird?

I'm less keen on Samuel than Sam, but feel like we should stick with the full name rather than a shortened name. Especially because our surname is only one syllable, so it could sound quite blunt/abrupt.

Thanks 😊

OP posts:

Report

Luredbyapomegranate · 24/01/2023 20:13

How about Luke? It’s a bit more unusual than Luca right now.

Otherwise Samuel nn Sam is a can’t go wrong classic.

Otto makes me think of Nazis.

Leffeandolives · 24/01/2023 22:09

Otto.

Luca and Sam are too common

CharitySchmarity · 25/01/2023 21:06

I love Sam, and like you I'm not as fond of Samuel but would probably use it as the official name, mainly because everyone will assume it's his official name anyway.

Luca is OK but I prefer Luke.

I've actually known someone who had a little boy called Otto (maybe born about 4 years ago) so it may not be quite as unusual as you think. I think I kind of like it, though not quite as much as Sam.

Joe is another name I think has a very similar feel to Sam (again I'd use the long form on the BC, Joseph or conceivably Joel, but with a view to using Joe in everyday life). But not if your one-syllable surname is Bloggs.

alrightbab · 26/01/2023 22:01

I love Otto but got vetoed by my DH.

Hibye23289 · 26/01/2023 22:04

I have a Luca and love the name it was the only boys name I could think of! Great for when he's an adult too. He isn't Italian but he does have a quarter of another nationality in him.

Sorry but I think Otto sounds like Otter and Sam is boring

BridieConvert · 28/01/2023 18:56

My little girl goes to a football class of about 7 children... 3 of them are called Luca!
It has definitely gained traction but is a lovely name :)
I love Sam it is a classic, and I like Otto too!

FayCarew · 28/01/2023 19:05

You could have just Sam Bloggs or Samuel or Samson Bloggs or Sam Name Bloggs.
There are several names that could shorten to Sam.

Apparently, the actor Simon Williams is Sam to his friends and family

Delatron · 29/01/2023 18:26

I have a teenage Sam (not a Samuel) so I obviously love the name. There are far more popular boys names in his friendship group - Ethan/Ollie

It is going down in popularity if that bothers you. It’s just a lovely, classic name which never seems to get too popular and it’s quite hard to date (which is good).

We named our other son what we thought was a more unusual name at the time (Otto was also on the list). And that is now more popular than Sam and is very of this generation. So classic names can be good!

CherryAndCreamCake · 29/01/2023 19:50

Sam then Luca. Prefer Luke, though.

CherryAndCreamCake · 29/01/2023 19:51

BridieConvert · 28/01/2023 18:56

My little girl goes to a football class of about 7 children... 3 of them are called Luca!
It has definitely gained traction but is a lovely name :)
I love Sam it is a classic, and I like Otto too!

I know two young Lucas, both English with English heritage, under 10. I don't know any little Lukes.

CherryAndCreamCake · 29/01/2023 19:53

Just looked it up and Luca is currently 28th in the top 100 boy names, Luke doesn't even make the top 100! Sign of the times, everyone wants to be a bit "different" but ends up being the same.

PinkSyCo · 29/01/2023 19:58

I like Luca but it is VERY common now. Otto is just awful and Sam’s a bit meh.

yoshiblue · 29/01/2023 19:59

I like Luca and is my sons middle name, but it's very popular so be aware!

bluebubbles12 · 29/01/2023 20:35

Thank you all, I'm still reading all of your replies with interest 😊

We've now narrowed it down to Luca or Sam - I don't think I was ever going to win my husband round to agreeing with Otto!

Sam has been my favourite boy's name for as long as I can remember, but what's making me hesitant is that I really don't like Samuel, and I wouldn't ever want him to get called Samuel. However, I don't know if I can bring myself to putting just Sam on the birth certificate? Would people think we're essentially using a nickname as his name??

@Delatron I saw that you have a Sam rather than a Samuel. Did it ever bother you what people would think? Did you consider using Samuel so he would have a "full" name on his birth certificate?

OP posts:

PinkSyCo · 29/01/2023 20:55

Samson?

goinggoinggonee · 29/01/2023 20:57

I don't think any are unusual now! My fave is Otto, Luca, Sam. Also really like Otis

Pinkdafodils · 29/01/2023 21:00

Sam is a nickname. Samuel or Samson are proper names

goinggoinggonee · 29/01/2023 21:00

forum.nameberry.com/t/sam-short-for/183813/2

This might help x

Outfor150 · 29/01/2023 21:03

I can’t get on with Luca or Otto. I really think you need Italian heritage with the first and German with the second, and the second really does bring up associations with German empire and Bismarck etc.
I think Luke, Lucas, Lucius, Lucian are all better than Luca.

Outfor150 · 29/01/2023 21:07

Sampson is a valid name -Saint Sampson was a Welsh saint, and there are a couple of places named after him in the U.K. (nothing to do with Samson).

ArtVandalay · 29/01/2023 21:11

Otto and Luca are fab.

Sam is too blah and boring.

marblemad · 29/01/2023 21:21

Like you I love otto but I'm also worried if it's too unusual, Luca is a good option!

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Delatron · 29/01/2023 22:25

bluebubbles12 · 29/01/2023 20:35

Thank you all, I'm still reading all of your replies with interest 😊

We've now narrowed it down to Luca or Sam - I don't think I was ever going to win my husband round to agreeing with Otto!

Sam has been my favourite boy's name for as long as I can remember, but what's making me hesitant is that I really don't like Samuel, and I wouldn't ever want him to get called Samuel. However, I don't know if I can bring myself to putting just Sam on the birth certificate? Would people think we're essentially using a nickname as his name??

@Delatron I saw that you have a Sam rather than a Samuel. Did it ever bother you what people would think? Did you consider using Samuel so he would have a "full" name on his birth certificate?

No we just didn’t like Samuel but loved Sam so went with that and nobody really asks what is on his birth certificate so have no idea what people think.. But we know he’s a Sam! It’s a really good, solid name and I’ve never regretted it.

Delatron · 29/01/2023 22:26

Like I said we also liked Otto but DH vetoed! So you have a good list! I like Luca too.

Delatron · 29/01/2023 22:26

Or I liked Otto DH said no.

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