I still need help with boys' names - long post - sorry

[LuluF]

I'm convinced I'm having a boy - though don't know for certain.

I've posted about this before but we're no nearer any kind of list, let alone a shortlist.

This will be my 4th DC, I have 2 girls and one boy. I have no problem with girls' names at all. We named DS after FIL and it's a name that's relatively well used and traditional. It's certainly in the top 20. Our DDs have more unusual/less popular (for now at least) names, one described on here as 'frilly', the other 'old lady chic'.

I'd like to refer to my father's name in some way (but it's not essential) - but his name is definitely not a name I like - a name with the same meaning and derivation is Rufus (which I love but DH likes), but it also contradicts one of my 'rules' about repetition of initials - one DD's name begins with R. The only other name we have considered is Edward - with nn Ted as this was my Dad's nn in the army (for some unfathomable reason) - but I just don't love it.

As I've said, I've posted before listing the sort of names I like (but DH doesn't), and although it helped - I didn't find 'the one'.

Names I like are:

Benedict (but not keen on nn Ben)
Lucian
Sholto
Titus
Angus (DH likes this a lot - but it's the name of our cat)

Now - I know that DH would never go for these, but then he did get to name DS and he likes names like 'James' - which is a fine name though it doesn't really do it for me, but I know he likes it because it requires no effort on his part, being a sort of family tradtion.

One name I love (and one I really could consider) is Patrick with nn Paddy. Unfortunately, DH's nephew is Patrick with nn Paddy and has the same surname. Another name I love is Hamish - but we've used this as a mn for DS.

My rules are no alliteration/repetition of first initials (so no names beginning with L, W, R, N or J), nothing with an 'ee' sound, - though this might matter less for a boy's name than for a girl's. Our surname is Irish (though the FIL is Scottish) - it begins with an 'F' so no names beginning with an 'F' either.

Any suggestions? I'm going slightly mad.

Here are some from our short-list which might fit your criteria.

Conrad
Harvey
Marcus
Francis
Aidan
Robin
Justin
Lewis

How about James or Edward as MN?

I'm sure you know that 'the' one might emerge slowly - it did with me for DS2. We found boys' names harder too. Good luck!

Arlo?

Oscar
Arthur
Hector
Felix
Horatio
Wilfred

rufus is a lovely name
I have an Edward but call him Ned

I love so many of these names. Maybe I should try to influence DH subliminally? Would that be wrong?

What about Redmond?

Really not sure about Redmond...

Maybe I've overemphasised the importance of the 'red' connection. My Dad's name is thought to have that derivation, but there's no real other connection to 'red'. Just a same he doens't have a sensible name, something that doesn't conjur up 1950s!

DH definitely does not like Rufus.

He doesn't like Leo, or Sebastian, Lucian, Cassius, Arlo, Hector.

While we were bickering about discussing it this morning, I suggested 'Monty'. He quite liked this. In fact, I'd go as far as to say it's the most positive response I've had to any name so far. The only problem is what is Monty short for? Montague? Montgomery? Neither of which we are keen on.

Any suggestions?

sorry about the bump - I still need your suggestions!!

We have a Theo(dore), and a Rufus and another 'red' name, Rory - it was the only name that we could ulitmately agree on!

Our shortlist was Monty, Hector, Jasper, Angus, Jonty, Henry, Hamish, Benedict, Cosmo.....

Good luck choosing - I found number 4 very difficult indeed!

I love your shortlist. Could even be mine. In theory - if it's a boy, it shouldn't be any harder than having 2 boys - it's just, I'm not very good at boys' names. If I already had three girls and it was another girl, I'd be fine - I've a girls' name list as long as my arm.

Girls we found even harder than girls - we knew we were having another boy for 20 weeks and still couldn't decide!

The other name that we really seriously toyed with was Magnus, but with a Rufus we decided there was too much -us going on....

Barnaby?

Oops - Girls we found even harder than boys obviously.

Oh and we also had Barnaby on the list too.....

PanicMode - I knew what you meant!

I love Magnus - got a 'No!' from DH (still he suggested Sebastian to me the other day after vetoing it when I suggested it - he has a memory of a goldfish!).

I'm really liking Barnaby/Barney - someone suggested it earlier and I was worried about it as we know a bit of a dodgy Barney - but I'm sure I could think of a dodgy anyone if I put my mind to it.

I shall try Magnus again and I shall keep up the Barney campaign, too.

Thank you both!

The Barnaby I know is sometimes called Barnes rather than Barney.

LuluF - the only downside to Barney/Barnaby is the bear issue. Most schools seem to have a 'Barnaby Bear' that comes home - certainly my son, who started Reception in a different school to his current one, had Barnaby Bear home in both Reception and Year 1. That said, he has a Barney in his class and thinks it's a "cool name".

Yes - I know what you mean - fortunately, our school has a Henson the Bear - or at least in Reception... you mean there's more school bear in Year 1?

Obviously a smarter or more original establishment than ones around here!!

Yes, I was most disappointed to discover we had Barnaby Bear for a second time - the first time we had him for half term so I felt I'd done my bit....

Hubby's family scottish, too. We're thinking of Cameron or Alexander.

Traditional family middle name for eldest son is Forbes.

Exploit your DH's goldfish memory! If you get caught out, blame the hormones

Aidan means fiery if that's red enough for you.

I have tried regarding names (and for many other things!!) but it refuses to forget that he doesn't like Rufus. I think it's as selective as his hearing!!