ellymouse's baby name shortlist

[ellymouse]

Hello everyone, I'm 4 months pregnant and really struggling with boys names in particular. I think I've settled on Madeleine for a girl but boy's names are so hard! You have to be careful that it's not too common or too out there. I fell in love with Rafferty but my husband is putting his foot down and Braden seems the favourite. What do you think of Braden? Can you think of a good middle name for Braden?
Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

Boys
Braden
Finley
Malachy
Rafferty

Girls
Madeleine
Molly
Polly

How do you pronounce Braden? Hopefully not Bra -den?

Rafferty is fabulous, and i like FInley and Malachy too

I have to say I really, really don't like Braden. Possibly irrational, i just don't like it

Agree with thisisyesterday - Braden will sound so dated in a couple of years - it's not a name that sounds like it could last a lifetime. Brady sounds better in a way...

Your other boy choices would be wiser IMHO, esp. Finley or Rafferty whicha can both be shortened in teenage years etc....

I like Rafferty and Malachy but not Finley and Braden. There are quite a lot of -aden names around.

I like Madeleine and Polly. Polly is lovely, definitely my favourite from your list.

Thanks for your replies. Braden is pronounced bray-den and just to say I live in rural Norfolk, names you might think of as common such as braden are not going to be common round here! My huband is very nervous about the school years and wants a very traditional (and I mean TRADITIONAL!) name where as I would prefer something slightly unusual. It's a real struggle!
Thanks!

I really don't like Braden - sorry.

Malachy is definitely my favourite, and Rafferty is quite cool (although maybe too faddy).

Finley is nice - though quite common here (London).

Finley is probably the safest if DH is nervous

Madeleine is the only one of the girls names I like - Polly and Molly sweet for a baby/girl, but too twee for an adult.

What about Evan for a boy ? - unusual but not too unusual ?

P.S. tell your DH to stop worrying.

Boys
Of these I prefer Finley I think.

Girls

My DD is Mollie, so I am biased But I also like Madeleine.

Def don't think Mollie (or Molly/Polly) too twee for adults. Know of a number of Molly/Mollie who are adults and def doesn't seem odd or not right.

I don't like any of the boys' names, sorry - but would choose Rafferty over the others. I really don't like Braden.

Madeleine is lovely.

Don't like Braden, it will date as already said, how about Stanley? I really love Finley but lots of new Fins around here.

Boy: Malachy
Braden sounds too much like Jayden for my liking.

Girl: Polly - That's an awesome name!

But doesn't Malachy make you think of malarkey?

On holiday this year we heard a CHAYdon/SHAYdon being told off by his mum. I think Braden would have similar connotations and would avoid tbh.

Braden No
Finley Yes but overused.
Malachy Nooo.
Rafferty Yes

Girls
Madeleine Yes
Molly Ok
Polly No

ok lets's scrap braden for the moment then, i was worried about the braden jayden thing! does anyone like Farran? my family are irish so thats where these names keep coming from..
Can i just say a HUGE thank you for all of your responses i'm really greatful!

Seren? (Welsh meaning Star)

elly I've not heard Faran, but it's interesting...

What about Lorcan ?

Boys
Braden No
Finley Yes
Malachy No
Rafferty No although I like Raphael

Girls
Madeleine Yes
Molly Yes
Polly Lovely

Malachy is the only one of your boys names that I think is ok. I quite like it but would want to be Irish, I think. Ditto Lorcan which I also quite like.

Girls names are all nice would choose Polly - more unusual

Some more unusual Irish first names dh or I have come across in teaching:
Fionnbar/Finbar nn Finn
Dashiell
Riordan
Dougal

Think you're on to a winner with any of your girls' names.

Farran - oh I do like this actually. Never met one but think there is one in a Prefab Sprout song.

Prefer Polly out of your girls' names.

Not keen at all on either Braden or Malachy on your boys' list.

How about Gabriel for a boy?