Gabriel vs Angus; Isabella vs Claudia

[Boobz]

Hi everyone - first time poster! Discovered I was pregnant a days ago, and have already started thinking of names. All the other threads talk about things like Mucus Plugs and Ventouse, neither of which I have ever heard of or know what to do with, but I can join in the name games...

I have been thinking of either Gabriel (Gabe) or Angus (Gus) for a boy, and then either Isabella (Bell / Bella) of Claudia for a girl.

What are your favourites, or do you hate all of them. Anyone decided to call their babe's any of these names (trying to work out how popular they are, or will be, in 8 months!)

Not easily offended!

Gabriel and Isabella and their shortenings are best !

Isabella and Claudia both lovely,

I like Garbriel, but would be concerned about teasing "gay boy" or something as a nickname.

Angus only if you are Scottish/and/or live in Scotland.

And congratulations! [smile}

claudia is my favourite. i know a number of isabellas & gabes & the odd gus.

Lots and lots of Isabellas around this part of the world, so personally I'd steer clear.

Angus & Claudia

Isabella are 10 a penny round here, Gabriel is too angelic for my taste.

Gabriel is one of THE best names for a boy, it's beautiful. I am HOPING you have a boy Angus is nice too, I like it, but it's not in the same league

Isabella I also love, though depending on your area you may find it's common popular!

Claudia is lovely too, pretty but grown up at the same time

I like your taste in names

Heard a lovely name recently that I haven't heard for AGES but think is so pretty - Hester.

Welcome to MN by the way!

oh I like Hester,Honoria ! yes, welcome to mn boobz

I'd go for Claudia, definitely. Agree that Angus is for Scots, maybe if you like Gus go for Augustus (too Caesar-like?)? I love Gabriel as a name, but do think that you're just asking for him to be cruelly monickered gayboy at school. Not right, obviously, but true.

Gabriel is a beautiful name

Isabella is lovely too - it may be common but that's because it's so pretty. Claudia isn't bad but I imagine Claudia as being hard-nosed and it seems a bit too grown up for a baby

Deffo Angus ( my son's second name) and Claudia. Absolutely hate the other two.

I really really really want Gabriel if I have a boy but when I mention it to anyone in real life, they laugh. If I was you and you didn't care what people think, go with Gabriel.

Also like Claudia for a girl (was a contender for DD2), Isabella is very pretty but also very popular.

Hi MAS - Hester is lovely, isn't it. Hettie for short. Cute.

I like Claudia and Angus. Think they are lovely. Would pick Angus myself but DH says no

Thanks for all your messages and sorry for the typos on the first message - am trying to work out how to edit after the fact if I make a mistake.

Isabella is out then. Don't want anything too popular.

Gabriel seems to split people. I think it goes well with our surname, and is a strong name which although is a little old for a baby, is a good name to grow into and live up to.

Angus has always been a favourite, but I'd like to call him Gus and my other half (DH?) isn't keen.

Claudia is not that common, and Claud for short is quite sophisticated I think.

There are of course hundreds of other names I like... Freya, Tess, Sasha... Joe, Logan...

Hi boobz & welcome

Gabriel is a fab name.

You can't move for Isabellas/Isabels (or variations on) where I am, so it wouldn't be one for me.

Gabriel is nice but I wouldn't shorten it. I wouldn't be put off by a name being popular if you like it, Isabella is lovely although I would shorten to Izzy.
I don't like Claudia or your other choices except for Freya which is nice.

Boobz - welcone to mumsnet - I quite like all the names, especially Gus and Claudia. Isabella is unfortunately too popular.

I like Joe and Logan as well.

I like both your boys names. I like Isabella, just too many of them now. Claudia is lovely. I don't know any either.

Have fallen into an Arthurian Legend baby names website and think I could have a winner. Bagdemagus? It trips nicely off the tongue and you can shorten it to 'Bag', as my friend suggested.

Maybe not. How about Apollo? He was the Uncle of Tristan, apparently. Would go well with our surname, which needs a bit of a leg up as it's a bit boring (Reed).

I also like Sal, but we're not Italian so...

Just rambling to myself here, carry on as normal...

We have a Gabriel, and so far there have been no "gay boy" references ( mind you he is only 5)

It's a name that really divided people - 3 out of the 4 grandparents hated it, the other one absolutley loved it. A bit like Marmite really.

Angus is probably safer (if you want to play it safe)

Gabriel and Claudia. Isabella is too popular and Angus is only really good if you are Scottish or have Scottish connections. Incidentally...you may find that you go off the names you pick at first. I'm nearly 21 weeks now and I seem to have been through quite a few...

Love Gabriel and Isabella

great names for twins

I'd go for Angus and Isabella

Love Angus, dh vetoed it.

Both me and my husband have a Scottish parent so we're ok with Angus.

You're quite right of course. No doubt I will change my mind a million times between now and birth. Haven't even been to the hospital yet, still waiting for GP to send referral and get an appointment.

Ok so what about Alexandra (Ali) and Edward (Ed)?