Help with wider list of boys names

[SoftSpotForDandelions]

We are really struggling to find a name for our boy due in Dec. I think it will come down to a short list that we try out when he is here.

Names we love but can't use because of family/friend/pet associations - Felix, Rudy, Rafe, Magnus, Malcolm

Current list but no sense that 'the one's is in there

Caspar/Casper (I like this name and the softer nickname 'Cas' but DH is less keen. Caspian, Cassian, etc. feel a tad too grand)

Julian (not overly popular, which is a plus, good nicknames like Jules and Jude - yep Beatles fan - and I like that it is used internationally, but still doesn't feel like the one)

Rowan (always loved it more for a girl and it's climbing in popularity for boys, but it's a great name)

Remy (DH likes this name but I'm not sure how usable it is. Not keen on it being shortened to 'Rem' and I find it awkward to say)

I'm looking for more options really in the hopes I've missed or overlooked a standout name!

Casper is lovely - I think nicknames evolve with your child tbh and it may be that he becomes Cass sometimes or stays as Casper or becomes something else altogether!

Julian - don’t like it, just one of those names I’ve never liked
Jude is lovely though

Rowan - also lovely, I always think of it more as a boy’s name

Remy - this one sounds more girlish to me than Rowan!

Do you like Robin? Similar vibe to Rowan I think
Also Asher, Arlo, Jasper, Miles

Frederick
Joshua
Cedric
Arthur
Maximilian or Maxwell
Wesley
Roland
Hugo

I love your list! How about Julius, rather than Julian (I like both)? Or just use Jude. It’s a name in its own right.

Jasper
Rory
Rafferty
Sidney
Laurence
Myles
Evander
Tobias

I love Jude but it's so popular especially in my area. I would prefer to keep it as a potential nickname and provide him with a name that has other options so he isn't stuck as the 3rd Jude in class. Julian has the Lennon/Beatles connection , which Julius doesn't - though nice in itself.

I get that people are weird about the name Julian in the UK. It has a 'posh' connection, but that isn't an issue in other countries where it is used.

I like Asher from the suggestions. Will need to test it out a bit on bump

Elias
Wilf
Xander
Hactor

Felix, Rudy, Rafe, Magnus, Malcolm
What do you like about these names? Malcolm seems the odd one out as it's 'classic Scottish', the others more current.

Caspar/Casper (I like this name and the softer nickname 'Cas' but DH is less keen. Caspian, Cassian, etc. feel a tad too grand)
All are fine.

Julian (not overly popular, which is a plus, good nicknames like Jules and Jude - yep Beatles fan - and I like that it is used internationally, but still doesn't feel like the one)
Jude from Julian is contrived. Julian is dreadful. Jude is popular in its own right and not as 'international' as other Bible names (Star of David badge, sounds a bit like Yoda in German).

Rowan (always loved it more for a girl and it's climbing in popularity for boys, but it's a great name)
Roman is too popular, otherwise pleasant enough. Watch the pronunciation depending on your region.

Remy (DH likes this name but I'm not sure how usable it is. Not keen on it being shortened to 'Rem' and I find it awkward to say)
Ratatouille. Rem not good (derogatory term from about 50 years ago).

Your list seems quite limited to 'current' names and seems narrow despite there being a fair few names.

What is the surname like? The first name and any diminutive needs to go with it.

Mateo
Matthias
Lucas
Jasper

It's a narrow list because there are really few boys names we like! I don't have a theme I love or anything, just a name that is useable and we don't hate.

What's interesting is that I had a defensive reaction to your response to Julian. There isn't anything wrong with it, it's easy to pronounce and say and nobody raises an eyebrow when they meet a Julian. So it's just an understandable personal preference. My defensive position comes from it being a family name which fair enough I don't mention.

Maybe that strong feeling is telling me something 😊

Your narrowed down list are all lovely. Much better than the ones you’ve discounted! Congrats!

I know five Julians and they're not 'posh' and I wouldn't use the name.
They are quite different men. One's wet, one is outrageously camp, one is a bit of a character, the others were named by 'mum had aspirations' types. Only one is 'Julian', the others go by Jules.

Julian Lennon was named after his grandmother Julia. It's not a good name @SoftSpotForDandelions .

A famous Julian has the middle name Miles, which is nice. Another famous one (whose books I've not read) has the middle name Patrick, which is also nice.

From the list of names you gave: I like Magnus, Caspar, Malcolm and Rowan.
None of them would be 'the one' though.

Remy, Rafe and Julian are all a definite No, and Felix, although nice is too 'cat food'.

Malcolm is the one that seems to be the leader.

Forgot to say I know a Remy but he's in his late 50s and French. It's fine for him (although not fashionable in his age group) but makes me think of Rémy Martin.
How about Martin - not too popular, works internationally etc.

As Malcolm is Scottish, how about Mungo or Murray?

I forgot to suggest Hugh. Marvellous name. Could be Hugo or Hughie.

I think Julian is a lovely name! I also like Jules as a shortening.

How about - Ross, Daniel, Declan or Lachlan?

Sure probably though of just Jude? Or Jasper? Those would seem like good options. Love Remy and Casper. Suggestions

Monty
Rex
River
Vincent
Sidney
Ludo
Cyrus
Jago
Eric
Otis
Owen
Rufus
August
Silas
Ernest
Loki

Jago?
Jethro?

I love the name Laurence

I love the suggestion for Asher- it was on my list. The only Rowan I know is a boy btw, I think it's a beautiful name for a boy.

I have a Laurence,generally referred to as Laurie.

I love Julian from your list.

Some suggestions:

Reuben
Rupert
Seth
Avery
Kane
Xander
Mason
Miles
Christian
Weston
Ryder
Elias
Jeremy
Leighton
Nathaniel
Joseph
Evan
Fraser
Benjamin

Jude
Asher
Silas
Soren
Otto
Tristan
lucien
Fabian

Keir
Jem

I like your list (apart from Rémy, unless you’re French).

How about
Marcus
Quentin
Raphael

I had Julian on my list as I LOVE Jules, but I couldn't quite learn to love Julian (although reading the famous five with my children has helped...)

What about Nicholas? A forgotten classic. Nicky when he's tiny but he will eventually be Nick I guess.

Laurence
Gabriel
Ralph
Douglas
Francis
Patrick

Rowan is my favourite off your list.

Another dozen you might like ..
Alistair
Russell
Redmond
David
Zelman
Ralph
Raphael
Oscar
John
Christopher
Daniel
Charles

@apintofwine , Jules is a name in its own right. Julius is better than Julian.

others to consider

Jasper
Duncan
Stefan (I don't like Stephen or Steve)