For girls, we like Philippa (Pippa for short–not because of Kate, but because she’s always been my favourite character in the LM Montgomery books), Vivian, and Eve. Classic and timeless, and not so on-the-edge of vintage hipster that they’ll be all over the place in our Southwest London nursery school. We know 3 Alfies, an Albert, and a Benedict.
Our last name is a one-syllable ‘Y’ name, and we’d like to use Peter and Gray (family names following a double-barrel tradition) as middles. Names we’ve thought of thus far are:
Maxwell Peter Gray (we both like this, but thinking it might be too trendy)
Thomas Peter Gray (husband thinks it’s a bit boring)
Felix Peter Gray (not sure if this is too trendy/pretentious)
Layton Peter Gray (husband’s choice, named after his ‘Professor Layton’ game, though I think it sounds… less than classy)
Robert Peter Gray (Robert after my dad and grandfather), would go by ‘Rob’, but not an exciting name.
Edmund Peter Gray (husband isn’t keen, but I love it!)
Nathan Peter Gray (again, husband’s choice… not inspired myself)
Struggling for ideas here! Names like Oliver, Henry, James, Harry, Jack, etc. are out. Too trendy. Do any of the ones above sound good? What are the stereotypes you’d associate with each of them? Would LOVE suggestions and/or alterations.
[name]Felix[/name] [name]Peter[/name] [name]Gray[/name] is really nice. I hate [name]Layton[/name]. [name]Maxwell[/name] is okay, but a bit popular. [name]Thomas[/name] is a bit boring, but it’s lovely. [name]Robert[/name] is one of my favourite names - you could have [name]Robbie[/name] as a nickname which seems a bit cuter.
[name]Felix[/name] is my favourite, with [name]Robert[/name] a close second.
Thanks, philomena. I’m inclined to agree with you.
Also, forgot to add two more: [name]Edmund[/name] [name]Peter[/name] [name]Gray[/name] (possible nn [name]Teddy[/name] when he’s small) and [name]Nathan[/name] [name]Peter[/name] [name]Gray[/name] (again, may be boring).
[name]Love[/name] [name]Edmund[/name] most of all! [name]How[/name] refreshing in a classroom full of “we aren’t bothered by formality so we chose exactly the same set of diminutive nicknames-as-full-names as all of our friends” kids.
[name]Thomas[/name] [name]Peter[/name] [name]Grey[/name] is absolutely stunning! Not boring at all. I also love [name]Felix[/name] and [name]Maxwell[/name]. I think [name]Layton[/name] is terrible and actually sounds feminine.
I think [name]Edmund[/name] and [name]Felix[/name] are both awesome. I love [name]Edmund[/name] a lot actually.
I like [name]Robert[/name] and [name]Thomas[/name] ok. You really can’t go wrong, but I think they’re very safe too.
I dislike [name]Maxwell[/name] (boring–bleh), [name]Layton[/name] (I think of lipton tea), and [name]Nathan[/name] (super boring)
I know a ten year old [name]Layton[/name] and she’s a girl.
What about the [name]German[/name] spelling of [name]Thomas[/name] – [name]Tomas[/name], pronounced Toe-mahs? This makes it less boring.
My favorite is [name]Edmund[/name].
What about – [name]Easton[/name], [name]Rupert[/name], [name]Theodore[/name], [name]Raymond[/name], [name]Patrick[/name], [name]Hugh[/name], [name]Ralph[/name] pronounced [name]Rafe[/name], [name]Simon[/name] ??
I love [name]Edmund[/name]!! It makes me think of a character [name]Colin[/name] [name]Firth[/name] would play. It’s just so classy and timeless. Also, I think [name]Robert[/name] would be a nice way to honor your dad and grandad. However, [name]Edmund[/name] is slightly more appealing to me…
Classic, as serious as [name]Henry[/name] or [name]James[/name], literary cred, easy to say and spell, access to all the [name]Ed[/name]/[name]Ted[/name]/[name]Ned[/name] NNs without being mistaken for big Twilight fan?
Does he like any of the nicknames for [name]Edmund[/name]? [name]Eddie[/name], [name]Ted[/name]/[name]Teddy[/name], [name]Ned[/name]? That might help? I like [name]Edmund[/name] a lot too, though I also really love [name]Thomas[/name]. I know it’s very traditional, but it, along with [name]Robert[/name], probably aren’t used as much anymore in SW [name]London[/name] classrooms as some of the more trendy names like [name]Felix[/name] and [name]Max[/name]. In some ways, they might be quite refreshing, especially [name]Robert[/name]. Some other ideas: [name]Rupert[/name] --a slightly more a quirky version of [name]Robert[/name]? [name]Bertie[/name] or [name]Bo[/name] could be used as a nickname for [name]Robert[/name] if that makes it more interesting. [name]Dexter[/name] might be a good alternative to [name]Felix[/name] – same cool x sound, but not quite so pretentious. Good luck!
@saracita: I like [name]Edward[/name], but it makes me think of Twilight, and I do NOT want anyone thinking I named my son after [name]Edward[/name] [name]Cullen[/name]. I know too many Jonathans. We’ve actually thought of [name]Thaddeus[/name], though I do wonder if it’s more trendy than classic. It’s further down our list, but definitely a possibility, along with [name]Phineas[/name].
Of the girl’s names I like [name]Philippa[/name] and [name]Vivian[/name]. [name]Both[/name] are lovely and uncommon. [name]Eve[/name] kind of gets lumped in with other trendy names like [name]Eva[/name], [name]Ava[/name], [name]Evelyn[/name], [name]Avery[/name] etc.
[name]Maxwell[/name] [name]Peter[/name] [name]Gray[/name] - [name]Max[/name] names are pretty trendy right now.
[name]Thomas[/name] [name]Peter[/name] [name]Gray[/name] - I like [name]Thomas[/name], but it has been used steadily for so long, that it is a very common name. If you are looking for something that will stand out a little, I don’t think [name]Thomas[/name] is right name for you. It isn’t trendy and it is a classic though!
[name]Felix[/name] [name]Peter[/name] [name]Gray[/name] - I love [name]Felix[/name]. [name]One[/name] of my favorites. It is not pretentious at all!!! I have a feeling it might become a little trendy.
[name]Layton[/name] [name]Peter[/name] [name]Gray[/name] - Not my cup of tea. Kind of gets lumped in with the trendy use of surnames as first names. [name]Clayton[/name] maybe?
[name]Robert[/name] [name]Peter[/name] [name]Gray[/name] - Sorry, I am all for family names, but [name]Robert[/name] is one of the name I like the least.
[name]Edmund[/name] [name]Peter[/name] [name]Gray[/name] - My favorite of your list! Classic and vintage, yet not trendy.
[name]Nathan[/name] [name]Peter[/name] [name]Gray[/name] - [name]Nathan[/name] is super popular and trendy where I live. I hate it.
Normally I love [name]Nathan[/name], but I don’t think it flows nicely.
[name]Layton[/name] sounds like some fad name. The name doesn’t sound like it’s gonna stand the test of to me. shrugs shoulders
[name]Felix[/name] is ok…for a a cat.
The others are fine. My favourite from your list is [name]Thomas[/name] though
