Short, shortlist

[starcrossed.livejournal.com]

So I thought I was all set for my boy's name, and 95% sure of my girl's name. I was going to go with Oliver for a boy and Charlotte for a girl. It's quite essential I get this right and love so many names it's not true but for financial and housing reasons (live in a two-bed house and can't afford to scale up) the liklihood is I will only have one child. So it has to be the perfect name.

I can really see myself with a son called Oliver and like the nickname Ollie, I don't mind that at all. I'm going for Oliver as a kind of 'middle of the road' name though I know several children called Oliver (I'm a teacher) and also know of babies being named Oliver (a lot!) in my area.

My family don't like it but I just can't shake how much I love the name George (even though I know children called George and know it doesn't particularly suit them when they're younger and in elementary school and I can't really find a middle name I like with it.) I've also got the comment that they're "dog's names" but I also really REALLY love the names Max and Archie. I also really like the nickname "Ace" (but maybe it's a bit out there to use as a first name?) so am also considering Mason and possibly using the nickname Ace.

So this is what I have so far:
George Oliver
George Riley
George Owen
George Connor
Mason Max
Max Mason
Max Oliver
Oliver George
Oliver Ace (this was my original choice I *thought* I was settled on)
Archie George


Aaron, James, Jack, Thomas, Riley, Callum, Joshua, Alexander (Alex,) Wesley, Evan, Jacob (Jake,) Samuel (Sam,) Benjamin, Leo, Quinn, Gabriel (Gabe,) Connor, Roman.

I'd love to know what you think and also how you know when you've found the name that is 'the one.' Particularly if you're likely to have only one child.

I'm 95% sure if the baby is a girl I'll name her Charlotte Gwendoline (but know Charlotte is my sister's #1 choice for a girl when I last spoke to her about it so if she beats me to it my reserves are Ava and Maisie.)