Active discussions

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Joshua, Toby, Alexander or Rowan?

78 replies

Summersuncocktails · 01/05/2026 20:34

Little boy due in a few weeks time

We are soooooo struggling with boy names

What would you choose?

Joshua
Toby
Alexander (alex)
Rowan

Any other suggestions welcome 🙏

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
Reevester · 01/05/2026 20:35

Alex or Rowan are fabulous choices and congratulations to you both!

Otterseatpuffinsdontthey · 01/05/2026 20:36

Alexander - classic. No abbreviations.

BashfulClam · 01/05/2026 20:39

Alexander, Alex or Xander are great.

Clockbook · 01/05/2026 20:41

Rowan is my favourite. But it is extremely popular at the moment. It wouldn’t stop me using it but I’m not sure how you feel about having a very of-the-moment name.

Second a tie between Joshua and Alexander. Both classic and lovely.

I don’t dislike Toby but it isn’t as good as the other 3.

Calliopespa · 01/05/2026 20:51

Love Toby and Alexander.

Edictfromno10 · 01/05/2026 20:52

Joshua is lovely!

Bunnyofhope · 01/05/2026 20:52

Joshua or Rowan for me. Toby, I don't like at all.

Sunisgettinganewhaton · 01/05/2026 20:53

My ds is Roan. Always think the Rowan spelling is for a girl.

Norastroud · 01/05/2026 20:53

I’d pick Alexander, really like Alex too. Also like Joshua & Tobias if that’s an option?

twilightermummy · 01/05/2026 20:54

Alexander (great name)
Toby
Joshua
Rowan

Thewalrusandthecarpenter · 01/05/2026 20:54

Definitely Alexander!

mynameiscalypso · 01/05/2026 20:56

We had your first three names on our shortlist. We waited until DS was born and then decided which one suited him best.

sunnybluesky75 · 01/05/2026 21:03

Alexander- great name but I prefer Xander as a shortened version.

Rowan - only ones I know are 26 and 19

Joshua- dated

Toby - really dislike, reminds me of a Toby Jug

moomooitus · 01/05/2026 21:05

I absolutely love all of them (sorry no help!).

NamingNoNames · 01/05/2026 21:05

They're all nice. What do they sound like with your surname?
I think I'd pick Toby.

Roan is a colour and rhymes with moan.

Peanutlicious · 01/05/2026 21:15

Rowan

Firebird83 · 01/05/2026 22:13

Definitely Alexander!

KeeleyJ · 01/05/2026 22:13

Alexander or Tobias 😍

KeeleyJ · 01/05/2026 22:16

I don't like Joshua - something slimey sounding to my ears, like that slimey feeling you get when seaweed wraps round your ankle when your swimming in the sea.

DelilahSpade · 01/05/2026 22:16

Sunisgettinganewhaton · 01/05/2026 20:53

My ds is Roan. Always think the Rowan spelling is for a girl.

My DS is Roan also 🩵

Viviennemary · 01/05/2026 22:17

Joshua is the best by miles. Alexander is fine. Rowan is a girl's name. Toby is dire.

minisago · 01/05/2026 22:23

Joshua. I’m biased though because I have one. And he really suits it, weird isn’t it?

Specialneedsnightmare · 01/05/2026 22:23

Alexander! But Alex for short not Xander.

user2848502016 · 01/05/2026 22:23

Rowan or Alexander (Rowan I really like and Alex is a classic safe choice)

Not as keen on the others but they’re not awful

Giraffehaver · 01/05/2026 22:26

Rowan by quite a lot