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Baby names

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

Original poster

Boy name suggestions please based on these criteria...

98 replies

Hankthehonk · 14/09/2023 08:38

We found out this week our baby is a boy, we are super excited (we would have been very happy either way but we just love to know). We already have a three year old daughter.
However, our girl name was set in stone and we're not so sure on boy names.
The only two we can agree on are Reid (current front runner) and Flynn, but I'm not convinced either of them is "it".

I'd love some suggestions based on the following criteria in case there's anything we haven't thought of:

  • We prefer Scottish names or names with a Scottish or Celtic connection. We're Scottish living in Scotland.
  • We have a long surname that you need to explain how to pronounce or spell so we want a first name that is short and simple
  • One or two syllables preferred (for the reason above)
  • Goes with sister named Rosa
  • There's a high chance he will have red hair, this has featured in our thinking so far (Flynn and Reid both have connections to 'red') but isn't essential, just might help you picture the wee person you're thinking of a name for

Looking forward to your suggestions!

OP posts:
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Rufusroo · 14/09/2023 10:25

Rufus!

DuploTrain · 14/09/2023 10:27

Flynn is great.

I’m not keen on Reid. It doesn’t feel like a name to me, just a word/sound. And makes me think of reed (the plant).

Star81 · 14/09/2023 10:28

Miles

Keir

Blair

Angrymum22 · 14/09/2023 10:30

Bruce

DancinOnTheCeiling · 14/09/2023 10:38

I love Angus, Finn and Franky

waltzingparrot · 14/09/2023 10:38

Tristan

RenoDakota · 14/09/2023 10:39

Alastair

Thatsmorethanhalf · 14/09/2023 10:43

concertgoer · 14/09/2023 09:37

You aren’t picking a name for a “wee person” you are picking a name for a baby, a toddler, a boy, a teenager a young man and an old man!! It’s for life! Hopefully a long and happy life!
it doesn’t need to be a name for a “wee person”.

my personal issue with Reid is that it’ll be confusing at school when they learn to “read” not only because the pronunciation is the same (appologies if it’s not! But it’s the same in my head!) but because the “ei” is so similar to the “ea” sound when they’re young.

youve said you want to choose short names that won’t need explaining because of your surname, I don’t think Reid works on that basis, I think you & he will end up spelling it.

same with Niamh/Neve ! which is popular for girls. Lovely name - but how often does it get misread/mispronounced?

Edited

I am trying to be polite to you PP, but everyone in Scotland calls babies and children wee people. Maybe delete this post so you don’t come across as an eejit?

Thatsmorethanhalf · 14/09/2023 10:54

You could go for Rede rather than Reid to make it a bit more unusual?

Finn,
Brodie,
Alex,

HorseyHorsham · 14/09/2023 10:57

Would Ruadh work?

mumtotwox · 14/09/2023 10:58

We are Scottish with a Danish connection and have a Finn and Lucas 😊

Abbyant · 14/09/2023 11:33

Reid is lovely and you’d have a sibset Rosa and Reid, if your liking the double R what about Rory?

Whereland · 14/09/2023 11:51

Rua is an Irish word for a red head. Evan also might work

Original poster
Hankthehonk · 14/09/2023 12:19

Thatsmorethanhalf · 14/09/2023 10:43

I am trying to be polite to you PP, but everyone in Scotland calls babies and children wee people. Maybe delete this post so you don’t come across as an eejit?

Edited
Show quote history

Thank you for this intervention @concertgoer, you said part of what I was thinking! Obviously I take seriously the fact that we're naming a human being for life, the casual reference to a "wee person" is just because unsurprisingly right now I'm picturing a baby and little boy. I don't think we'd entertain any names that wouldn't suit a man...

Grateful for all the thoughts and suggestions - I really like Rory but my DH thinks it's a bit too close to Rosa with the repeated Ro sound.
I also love very Scottish names like Angus but DH vetoed it. Also, to the person who suggested Douglas, this is my DH's name!

Interestingly seeing mostly positive responses to Reid here and still not seeing anything I like better (yet!) has me more convinced it could be the one...

OP posts:
concertgoer · 14/09/2023 13:23

I’m well aware everyone in Scotland calls babies and children a “wee person” …. That’s my point!
you aren’t JUST choosing a name for a child, but an adult as well !

maddiemookins16mum · 14/09/2023 13:48

Alec

MissNina · 14/09/2023 13:58

Blake
Jasper
Keegan
Rohan

Mummytotheboy · 14/09/2023 14:06

What about Brae?

willWillSmithsmith · 14/09/2023 14:06

I have boys so I’m thinking what would I choose. Sorry I don’t like the name Reid. Flynn is so much better.

I really like the name Bryn (Brin) but not sure if that is more Welsh (if that matters).

GeorgiaGirl52 · 14/09/2023 14:14

Duncan
Brendan
Lewis

Daisydukes79 · 14/09/2023 14:41

We have a Gregor - we are Scottish living in England and wanted a Scottish name but something different

Positive41 · 14/09/2023 14:42

Mamabear48 · 14/09/2023 09:35

My little boy didn’t have a name until he was born we were so undecided! We went with Franky

Love that name

For a boy or a girl

boscabosco · 14/09/2023 14:55

rowan

jaffacakes882 · 14/09/2023 14:58

Rowan

From a name dictionary:
Origin:Irish. Meaning:little red-head. Rowan is a gender-neutral name of Irish and Scottish origins, deriving from Ruadhán, meaning “little redhead.”

eandz13 · 14/09/2023 15:00

Reid is a lovely name, I reckon.