I've got loads of time yet, but...

[LuluF]

we can't agree on boys' names.

We already have 2 girls and 1 boy. Some on MN would say we have one frilly name, one old lady name and we have a very sensible, popular traditional boys' name (Joseph, middle name Hamish).

My DH likes James. Nothing wrong with it, but I just don't like it. Also, not all that keen on the alliterative sound.

I favour names like Titus, Sholto, Rufus, Benedict, Sterling, Lucien - but I don't know if I would actually be bold enough to name a child any of those.

We have an Irish surname with Scottish connections. Our surname begins with 'F'.

Any suggestions?

I love Lucian and Titus!

James is ok but a bit boring/bland.

Love Titus - but agree you would have to be quite brave to use it.

James-lovely,classic and timeless but slightly bland

Titus-too unusual and 'out there'

Sholto-awful

Rufus-ok but quite posh and wet

Benedict-dislike

Sterling-dislike

Lucien-Love this name

sophiesmummie - yes James is bland - to me it seems that it's a name you use because you were too tired to think of anything else (but sometimes I feel like that about Joseph, too - but that was used to honour a family member, so it has significance for us).

And whatwasthatagain - could a Titus escape the teenage years unscathed? I have my doubts.

OK - so you're not keen on my choices, Cinderellarach (not sure that it changes my mind about whether I like them) so what other names can you (& everyone) suggest, based on what I've listed?

I really like Rufus & Sholto.
I adore Hamish-shame you´ve used it!

James is the same name isn´t it?

Jethro?

I love,love,love Lucien

I really like Sterling, Lucien and Rufus. James is a bit bland in comparison. Benedict is ok but may well become a Ben which is becoming a tad dull again imho

I have a Fergus (which I love obviously). We also had Rufus on our list, along with Barnabus, Gilbert and Laurence

Please not Jethro..sounds comical

Yes - I regret using Hamish - and yes, it's is the Scottish equivalent of James. Maybe I'll be posting on here soon, wondering if I can re-use it . I'm not sure about Seamus as an alternative - I think it could potentially sound like we're trying to be Irish.

My concerns exactly with Benedict/Ben - that and my in laws are Catholic and I'm sure they'll think it's in honour of the Pope!

Fergus I like... but our surname begins with F so not sure. My DH likes Angus - but that's our cat's name, so that's out of the picture.

I couldn't see DH going for Jethro, tbh.

We're in London and you could definately get away with any of the above names. There are so many different nationalities in my childrens' schools and no one would bat an eyelid at any of the above names.

I am often surprised by how some mumsnetters consider perfectly normal, classic names as 'posh' or 'wet' .

I think the only names that other children may find teaseworthy are those with a 'silly' connotation e.g. Willy, Gay-briel, Knickerless etc. And even then, children are rarely teased because of their names anyway.

Love Rufus but know of 2 babies called this.
how about Ivo

Rory?

I like Ivo - reminds me of a Cocteau Twins song. DH would do this . But not sure it would sound right with our surname - it has 'ee' sound in it.

Patrick.

And please, please,please if you even think for a minute that you have to be 'brave`' to use a name, remember that it's not you that has to be brave - it's the child, teenager and adult who has the name who will need to be brave.

Titus -- nice, but tights is a potential nn
Sholto -- Love
Rufus -- prefer Ruairi or Rory
Benedict -- like, and Ben is nice too as a nn
Sterling -- I would put this one in the same category as Lance, i.e. tth to be 'manly'
Lucien -- nice, I know one whose brother is Gabriel

James and Hamish are the same, afaik. James does seem a bit of a default name, but it would be nice with Joseph.

Have you considered Patrick?

x post..
How about Alastair or Euan?

I love Patrick - but there is a cousin called Patrick and the surname is the same too - so, I think that's ruled out.

Seeker - I said 'bold' and I also said I had doubts.

Alistair is very underused these days

I like Rufus and Lucien. How about

Seth
Maximillian
Otis
Eric
Clement
Alexander
Clifford
Solomon
Edwin
Gregory
Sebas tian

I quite like Titus, I also like James though! I often think that bible names have a solid constancy about them they are quite strong and classic. Saying that I like these if it helps its a odd collection though!

Angel (Tess of the D'urbervilles hero)
Gabriel (As in angel)
Spencer
Mason
Fraser
Kenan
Tay
Lennon
Keen
Beckett
Stellan

I think Benedict is nice although will get shortened to Ben, which is lovely.

What about slightly more unusual than James names such as Maxmillian, Theodore, Hugo, Spencer, Sebastian, Thaddeus.

I don't think these names will cause the child any grief later in life.

I think sapell3's suggestions of Alexander, Seth, Edwin are good choices.

Titus-->tight arse. He won't thank you for it.

Mandi1984 - there is that...