The short(er) list. Opinions please.

[LimeslemonsPomegranates]

We have a short(er) list. Not to everyone's taste but what would you consider the most to least objectionable of these names?

Ludo/Ludovic
Ranulph
Ivo
Cosmo
Hector
Edmund
Magnus
Rafe (or Ralph)
Augustus - Gus
Willoughby

Not sure I would actually use it but what do you think of Mungo? Dh's suggestion but I hadn't given it much consideration until now. It is quite marmite.

Undecided on the spelling of Rafe. It is likely to be in the middle if not the first name. Which spelling would you choose? On the one hand Ralph because it is a family name, but I also want to avoid his becoming ‘Ralf’ if that has become the standard pronunciation, in which case Rafe feels like a better compromise.

I am undecided on Ludo versus Ludovic. The shortened Ludo also works as an interesting alternative to Louis (lovely name, but I already know several young Louis).

How do people generally perceive Cosmo? Old Italian/Greek origin name or trendy bohemian space name like Nova?

Is Magnus quite widely used these days? Not really important, but is the Scandinavian or Scottish association stronger? Like Magnus some of the names are a Scottish nod but more subtle than Angus/Hamish/Euan etc.

Are any of these names heading towards the top 100 names? The right name doesn't need to be rare, but I would prefer something used infrequently enough that he won't be one of many with the same name at school.

It's a cool list!

Love Ivo, my favourite of your list.

I really like Hector, Magnus and Rafe. I can't make up my mind about Ludo and Cosmo - on one hand they're quite cool, but for me they have very posh vibes and that maybe makes me less keen.

Not keen on Ranulph, Edmund, Augustus (I just think Gloop. Prefer August).

Hate Willoughby, sorry.

As for Mungo, I've only met one. I like it for it's Glasgow connection. Maybe a good middle name!

Have you considered Hamish? Seems to fit in with the other names you're considering.

Obviously you hope your child will be mistaken for a member of the landed gentry (forgive me if you are already landed gentry!). There are some unfortunate choices here, but I'll restrict myself to begging you reread Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility before you curse this infant with the name "Willoughby."

Ludo/Ludovic - i quite like it but the only one ive ever met was a dog

Ranulph - not a fan

Ivo - love, though prefer Ivor and Iver

Cosmo - always think this sounds a bit ridiculous sorry

Hector - ol

Edmund - gorgeous but im not an Ed /Eddy fan

Magnus - love it

Rafe (or Ralph) - not a fan. This seems a really popular name near me. I keep hearing it

Augustus - Gus - not a fan

Willoughby - love it. Couldnt convince DH. Ive only ever met one, he'd be 25 or so now

What a ridiculous and outdated comment. If can’t even tell if you’re serious.. !

It was the pp's opinion and a perfectly valid post.

Love Ludo and Magnus

Edmund - best
Ivo - worst

I like Ivo, Ludo and Cosmo best.
Hector, Edmund and Rafe are fine names too.
Ranulph, Magnus, Augustus and
Willoughby are pushing it a bit for my taste but you sound like you’re a bit more adventurous with names than I am.
Mungo is a hard no from me.

Reading this thread has made me realise that my taste differs from the majority of MNers. I think the entire list is dreadful and screams tryhard (even if that’s not the intent).

Most of them are a bit out there for me, sorry OP.
Nothing wrong with John 😅

I have an Augustus, ‘Austin’ for short.
Named after a family member. I think it’s nice if there is a connection to a name.

Your list seems quite eclectic.. It’s an interesting mix..

Some great dogs names in that list!!!
Look up Mary, Mungo and Midge too.
Don't forget you are naming a person.
Your whimsical name choice will follow them to school, work and everywhere else for 80 to 90 years.
Edmund fine.

Ludovic - love; quite dark academic
Ivo - love; has a medieval vibe
Cosmo - ok; would require a big personality to carry it off imo
Hector - ok; would need an Anglo Norman surname to properly shine (not Smith, Jones, etc)
Edmund - love; grand old English name
Magnus - not keen; makes me think of snot for some reason (perhaps 'mucus')
Rafe / Ralph - not keen; too Mouse / Motorcycle, and also, to ralph is to barf. Rafe is too boho a spelling. I much prefer Raphael.
Augustus - not keen; 'Gloop' references are likely to haunt the lad
Willoughby - not keen; could have nickname Will but so could plain old common-or-garden William, without the baggage of Willoughby

My favourites from your list are
Ludovic
Ivo
Edmund

...with Hector and Cosmo in the maybe column.

Ludo - in Germany yes, here not so much
Ranulph - Fiennes
Ivo - comedian
Cosmo - Sheldrake
Hector - 's House
Edmund - Narnia
Magnus - Magnusson
Rafe (or Ralph) - Fiennes/Spall/Priscilla
Augustus - Gus - Fault in our stars
Willoughby - Holly Willoughby
Mungo - and Midge

I am not keen on any of them tbh as they feel try hard or upper class/Hooray Henry vibe, sorry
If you really pushed me then Rafe, Gus, Ivo, Ludo, in that order

I prefer if you are going for less commonly used these ones (but you could argue the exact same way against them)
Raphaël
Lysander
Dante
Caleb

Good luck 🍀

I really really like Ludo, Ivo and Rafe

Gus as nn for Fergus not Augustus

Mungo is a horrible name for anything but a lizard.

I think it’s relevant what your socio-economic status is.

Personally, I don’t like any of the names but I guess if your ds will be mixing in wealthy circles and going to private school any of them might be fine.

If you live in 95% of the rest of the UK, I don’t think your child will thank you for his name off that list. That doesn’t mean you have to call him Harry or Josh, but maybe something a bit less…awkward…than those names.

Edit…I’ve reread the list…Gus is quite nice actually and Rafe ok (would avoid the Ralph spelling).