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Baby names

Which name would you choose?

61 replies

PinkPeonies32 · 29/03/2024 07:50

We’ve narrowed our list down to three choices (why are boys so hard to name!)

We ideally don’t want a super popular name. We’re aware that none of these names are particularly unusual/uncommon, but they’re all out of the top 50 so figure they’re equally not extremely popular.

Would be interested to get opinions on the names and also an idea of how popular they are in different areas in the UK. I’ve personally only met one Sonny (still a toddler), one Toby (in his 30’s) and no Jonah’s.

OP posts:
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Which name would you choose?

146 votes. Final results.

POLL
Toby
38%
Jonah
44%
Sonny
18%
miniaturepixieonacid · 29/03/2024 07:59

I like them all but likevToby best.

I've never met any Sonnys or Jonahs and I've been teaching for 18 years. Have known 4 Tobys but all either as adults or will be adults by now.

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Moreteaandchocolate · 29/03/2024 08:15

I love Toby. I don’t know any in any of my children’s 3 schools, so it’s not too popular near us.

I quite like Jonah - again I don’t know any.

I’m less keen on Sonny personally, and know one of primary school age.

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TheLongThinTetrisStick · 29/03/2024 08:18

Sonny was in our list. Toby just reminds me of jugs and dogs.

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ohpoowhatnow · 29/03/2024 08:21

Love Sonny

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ColleenDonaghy · 29/03/2024 09:22

Don't like Sonny, can't quite put it into words, but seems to centre someone's identity on being their parent's son rather than a person in their own right.

I know one of each, all primary age. I voted Toby but I like Jonah too

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MissScarletInTheBallroom · 29/03/2024 09:24

I know one Sonny and I've met quite a few Tobys.

Jonah is my favourite. I don't know any. I also like Jonas.

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romdowa · 29/03/2024 09:25

I prefer Jonah, the only tobys I know are dogs 🙈

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Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 29/03/2024 09:25

Toby would’ve been the name of a boy or someone I married (didn’t meet one!) and was the name of my nana’s grey Persian cat! I know one in his early 30s now too.

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Karou · 29/03/2024 09:30

I love the name Sonny but it’s because I had a beloved pet with that name. Also make me think of Sonny Jim. I know a few adult Toby’s, it’s not a favourite name of mine.

Jonah is my favourite from your list.

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SirSidneyRuffDiamond · 29/03/2024 09:31

I have never met a Sonny, but I'm not keen.
I know one Jonah who is 5.
At my son's school there are currently at least 5 Tobys. Although I think a couple are actually Tobias (which I prefer).

Even so Toby is my favourite of the three. I do like Jonah but it can have negative undertones.

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marshmallowfinder · 29/03/2024 09:34

Toby is great. Not at all keen on the others.

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Whinge · 29/03/2024 09:35

Although I think a couple are actually Tobias (which I prefer).

I was just about to suggest Tobias, rather than just Toby. I also like Jonah, but dislike Sonny as it feels more like a term of endearment than an actual name.

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Willmafrockfit · 29/03/2024 09:36

out of toby
sonny
and jonah

i prefer jonah

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FionnulaTheCooler · 29/03/2024 09:37

I love Jonah. Sonny is the name of my neighbour's labrador so that puts me off it a bit.

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Willmafrockfit · 29/03/2024 09:39

i think sonny is gaining in popularity

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OneWildNightWithJBJ · 29/03/2024 09:42

I taught a Sonny a couple of years ago. He’d be about 7 or 8 now. There’s a young Toby at my current school. Don’t think I’ve ever met a Jonah, but that’s probably my favourite.

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sunights · 29/03/2024 09:42

I am in SE and there are a lot of Sonny's aged 10 and under.
Toby is a nice name (I know one age 8, and adults I've met called Toby have all been sound people).
Jonah would be my choice for unsual / trendy but not widley used..

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timoteigirl · 29/03/2024 09:52

Know of 1 Sonny, loads of Toby's and only one Jonah. To me definitely the choice would be Jonah.

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LadyMonicaBaddingham · 29/03/2024 09:56

Toby is a good, strong name.
Sonny is a bit nickname-y for my taste.
Jonah is OK, but a bit wet for me.

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GreyhoundGal1 · 29/03/2024 10:00

I live in North East London, just had a baby, and haven't met any of those names in our baby classes. I only know a Toby who is a friend's sister's baby and is about 8.

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Katela18 · 29/03/2024 10:05

There are two Sonny's in my child's nursery! Have to admit I'm not keen although can't put my finger on why, I just feel like it's not a real name?!
I'd also go for Jonah out of your list, only because our neighbour has a dog called Toby and I'm sick of hearing him shouting it 😂

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Nanasueathome · 29/03/2024 10:06

I’ve opted for Jonah
its the name of one of my 3 grandsons
love it (and him)

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ToasterChic · 29/03/2024 10:08

I know at least 5 young children called Sonny and 2 older children. I don’t like it and I think it will date. It’s a trend.

I know one teenage Jonah.

I only know an adult Toby.

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InTheRainOnATrain · 29/03/2024 10:13

Never met a Sonny but I just really don’t like it because it sounds like an old man telling off a young boy ‘look here sonny…’

I’ve met 2 adult Toby and one young Jonah who would be about 5 now. Both are great names.

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DSD9472 · 29/03/2024 10:13

My immediate thoughts:

Toby- Carvery
Jonah- whale
Sonny- I always have to think, is it pronounced Sony, Sunny or Sonny?

I too prefer Tobias. What about Levi or Isaac?

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