Boy's name shortlist - baby due in 3 weeks - opinions and suggestions welcome!

[preggiemeggie]

Hi all,

There seems to be a problem with all the boy's names on our shortlist at the moment. So, opinions and suggestions really welcome, thanks! Samuel and Gabriel ruled out unfortunately.

Michael - worried is just way too common/boring? But really like anyway. Not sure about shortenings - don't like Mike
Raphael - bit poncy? Could shorten to Rafe but this sounds like rape...
Dylan - I'm Welsh and love the poet but think this is too trendy
Leo - like this but maybe also a bit trendy? Also makes me think of star sign.
Francis (shortened to Frank/Frankie) - think maybe Frank is a bit comedy (makes me think of Frank Butcher)
Arthur (lovely but doesn't really go with surname - which ends in -er)

OK, so I've critiqued my own list - maybe I'm being a bit too picky!

Hi, basically agree with you-

I like Michael, Francis and Arthur the most. Would use any of these myself esp Francis.

Am not too into the poncy/trendy ones, simply because they have become very popular, but great names in themselves.

Michael is a lovely name, it's my son's middle name and sometimes wish I'd put it as his first name. Also like it when shortened to Mikey (not Micky) for a little boy.

Which one sounds best with your surname?

Love Michael and Arthur

I think Leo is the best on your list - love it. It is slightly more common than it was but it's hardly trendy - we know 1 child with this name in DS infant/junior school which is about 600 kids in all! It's a lovely name

Also love Arthur, really nice name and potential for cool nicknames

Michael - I do think this is rather dull I'm afraid and it's either Mick or Mike so if you don't like those you will spend alot of time getting annoyed I would think.....
Raphael - too american sounding for me
Dylan - reserved for the chavs, round my way
Francis - actually, I like this quite alot too.

What about Ethan, Alexander (=Lex, Xander) Rafferty(= Raffa,) Noah, and very poncy but met some lovely ones Piers....?

Love the name Leo but I always think names should be given in full and not keen on Leonardo.

Fredrick = Freddie
Edward = Eddie
Oliver = Olly
also big favourites but we couldn't use as surname ended in 'y' sound.

Leo IS a full name! It's an ancient name in it's own right.

btw I like Edward and Oliver as well, nice names.

From list in OP I like Auther best.

I like Francis the best. it can be Francis, Frankie or Frank.

My old choirmaster was a Francis and he was the most lovely fellow you could ever meet.

Sorry Slowreadingprogress, it's just my name is short and I've always been annoyed about the 'missing' bit!

I like Arthur, Raphael & Francis best.

All are lovely names apart from Michael which I do not like.

Michael is nice. Its classic rather than common. Not many around lately.
Leo is ok, not trendy as far as I am aware.
Dylan very nice, don't know any Dylans, but people will think its after Bob Dylan.
Raphael, yes too poncy.
Not sure about Francis but Frankie is lovely.
Arthur is ok.

Frankie is my favourite

Dylan is lovely, my ds1. if you are Welsh what about Ieuan?

I like Michael- and the shortening to Micha.

Raphael- agree too poncy.

Dylan- gorgeous.

Leo- cool, funky.

Francis- bit feminine sounding to me.

Arthur- agree it is lovely and the NN Arti, but if it doesn't go with your surname then I guess it's out?

Thanks v much for all the thoughts. They've made me seriously reconsider Leo. I also love Ieuan but DH is having none of it... Edward is nice too. Think sadly Arthur is out due to surname - we keep repeating the combo and it never sounds any better!

Love Michael. So under used these days. Mick/Mickey/Mikey all good nicknames (Mike not so keen on).

Raphael - I like it. I know a Raph, very cool guy.
Dylan - nice but so common it would put me off
Leo - like it, but be aware that definitely becoming more common
I cant stand Francis, although I like Frankie.
Arthur - usually totally against old man names, but quite like this. Art/Arty is a cool nickname, too.

I am married to a fabulous hunky Michael and he is NEVER EVER Mike so there you go, it can be done! (As a Mum to a Jacob I am hoping he won't become a Jake.....)

So from your list....

Michael - Yes. Lovely!
Raphael - Yes, poncy. Don't do it.
Dylan - I really like Dylan, not as much as Michael or Leo though...
Leo - I don't think this is trendy - its not too popular and is a cool funky name!
Francis - To me it sounds too feminine. Not keen on Frank...
Arthur - Nice but not with your surname if it ends in er!

Michael or Leo. Both names rock.