I want to preface this by saying that I am definitely not expecting anytime soon. I just like to have my ducks in a row, so to speak.
[name_u]Noah[/name_u], someone very near and dear to me, passed a few years ago. I’ve had his name on my list for quite some time now, but I find that it tends to bring up sad memories for me, so I would like to hear any ideas on how I could honor him without using his exact name. If I was over the sadness that fills me at the sound of his name, I would keep his name as is, but I can’t imagine calling my future son’s name and not thinking of his namesake’s last years. I’m sorry for making such a sad post, but I can’t seem to come up with any good options on my own, and I’d like to hear other’s suggestions and thoughts.
If this is post is inappropriate or too depressing, I’ll delete it (if it is an option, which I believe it is). I hope that this is okay. I don’t want to put a damper on the forums.
Of course it isn’t inappropriate, if you need help finding a name that is what all of us are here for! [name_f]Do[/name_f] you know what [name_u]Noah[/name_u]'s middle name was? Maybe your future child, boy or girl could have the same first and middle initials as [name_u]Noah[/name_u].
I know someone with the last name Noren and I always thought it was beautiful. I also love my late Great Uncle’s name, [name_m]Newel[/name_m].
Or possibly you don’t even want it to sound like [name_u]Noah[/name_u], but if that is the case, we would need more information to help you in your name quest. His middle or last name, if another Biblical name might work, if there is something he loved…
[name_m]Koa[/name_m], [name_m]Noam[/name_m] or [name_u]Noel[/name_u] are similar sounding names that come to me. Or are they too similar?
I’m not sure if you’re religious, but [name_u]Noah[/name_u]’s son in the Bible was named [name_m]Japheth[/name_m], so that could be an option with a more subtle tie in that not everyone might recognize.
I am sorry for your loss of this dear person.
I have read many of the rules and terms of Nameberry, but I find that I am not so good at social etiquette and determining what is and is not socially appropriate since I don’t particularly talk to many people outside of the internet, so I just wanted to make sure. Thank you both tremendously!
@lesliemarion: I do like the sound of Noren. I’m not completely against names that sound similar to his, it’s mainly that I don’t want to use his exact name, as I can’t separate it from the negative memories. It’s difficult to explain. I want to honor him, but the past is painful, if that makes sense…
I don’t know how much I should share as it is rather personal, so please do forgive me if I keep this rather brief. His middle name was [name_m]John[/name_m]. His interests weren’t many due to several factors, but he loved Curious [name_m]George[/name_m], [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] the Tank Engine, Veggie Tales, [name_f]Winnie[/name_f] The Pooh, the Bible, cars, and classic rock, to name a few things. Mostly children’s shows and books, to be honest, as he was something of an invalid, and couldn’t do many things. His nickname was “Snowy” for reasons not pertaining to his given name, so I contemplated [name_f]Snow[/name_f]…but I didn’t know if it was substantial enough.
@lexisaa: I’m not very creative, so I didn’t think of using his initials! Thank you very, very much for the idea. I truly appreciate it.
It means the world to me that you both took the time to reply. Thank you most kindly!
Thank you! I will think on those names, they are wonderful suggestions. I have not yet decided how similarly I want the names to sound, so I’m still on the fence. I know that’s probably quite annoying to everyone, so I’m sorry. It’s sort of a difficult thing, because there are upsides and downsides to it.
I am not (currently) religious, but he deeply was, and I was raised religiously as well, so I have nothing at all against using Biblical names. [name_m]Japheth[/name_m] is something I never would have thought of, thank you for your creative suggestion!
Thank you. I sincerely appreciate your condolences, and your suggestions for how to honor him. I hope you have a wonderful day/night.
You have received some good suggestions for honoring him already, but I wanted to add that [name_f]Snow[/name_f] (or a name that means “snow”) seems substantial—in my mind, an honor name is such because you believe it honors the person. [name_m]Even[/name_m] if the connection would be unrecognized by others, you understand the connection and that is what’s important.
[name_m]George[/name_m] and [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] also seem like options to me, if those were favorite things of his. They might remind you of him, but not so sharply as his name. As a biblical name, [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] shares an extra connection.
Another idea is to use a name that has a meaning you associate with [name_u]Noah[/name_u]. Was he strong or brave? Find a name that means strength or bravery (or go with Brave/[name_m]Bravery[/name_m] itself as a name). Was he gentle? Kind? Fiery? [name_u]Sunny[/name_u]? Whatever quality you most associate with him, there is likely a name out there to fit. [name_m]Even[/name_m] “[name_u]Sonny[/name_u]” could work for “sunny.”
I’m very sorry for your loss—it’s obvious he had a great impact on you. I hope you’ll eventually be able to say his name with more fondness than pain.
Thank you very much for your input, it makes me feel better about potentially using [name_f]Snow[/name_f], or a name related to it. I was worried that [name_f]Snow[/name_f] wasn’t good enough, as most honor names are fairly obvious and they feel almost…superior, in a way? If that makes any sense at all. But you’re right, it doesn’t matter if others see the connection, though they likely would. At least I would know, and someday, my child would, too. And that’s what matters, I suppose. It’s just as good as naming him/her/them [name_u]Noah[/name_u], right…?
I watch those shows occasionally, as silly as it may sound for someone of my age. It’s cathartic, I believe. I never thought to take inspiration from them, though, so thank you for the proposal! I like the idea.
Thank you for your kind, thoughtful words and for your ingenious suggestions. I, too, hope that the day comes when I’m able to think of him without all of the negativity attached, as it’s disheartening to think of one you love and feel such hurt.
You’ve all been most kind, understanding, and helpful. Thank you all so very much. There aren’t enough ways for me to express my gratitude.
Winnie (either by itself or as a nickname for Edwin, Winifred, Gwyneira, Eirwin, Winslet, Winsome, Alwyn, Winston, Darwin, Edwina, Oswin, Windsor etc. -‘wen’ names might work for this too).
Or, to tie in with the biblical story of Noah, perhaps a ‘dove’ name:
Dove
Jemima (I realise this is a bit controversial in the US, but it might be ok in the middle spot?)
Callum, Calum, Colm, Columba, Columban, Columbine (again, I’m not sure whether this would have heavy connotations in the USA, but I’d expect it to be ok as a middle name), Malcolm
Paloma
Jonah
Or an ‘olive’ name:
Olive, Oliver
Olivia
Olivet
Since the dove and olive branch are often used as symbols of peace, a name related to peace could work:
Pax
Absalom, Solomon, Salome
Frida, Winfred, Wilfred
Geoffrey, Godfrey, Humphrey
Rafferty, which is related to a name meaning ‘flood tide’ might be another option.
Did [name_u]Noah[/name_u] have any hobbies? Because that would be a good way to honor him eg. If he enjoyed boats you could name your child [name_u]Sailor[/name_u] or [name_u]Harbor[/name_u].
(I’m sorry if the following post is an absolute mess, as it’s quite an off night for me.)
Thank you most kindly. Your condolences mean the world to me. Thank you so, so, so much for all of the marvelous ideas. You’re a gem.
I’m so stupid! [name_m]How[/name_m] could I not have thought of [name_m]Jonah[/name_m]? [name_m]Jonah[/name_m] is right on the nose for a variety of reasons that I can’t go into, or else this post would be much too long! He’s positively lovely, thank you so very much!
[name_m]Absalom[/name_m], [name_m]Callum[/name_m], [name_m]Colm[/name_m], [name_u]Columba[/name_u], [name_u]Dove[/name_u], [name_f]Eira[/name_f], Eirlys, Eirwen, [name_f]Gwyneira[/name_f], [name_m]Malcolm[/name_m], [name_f]Nora[/name_f], [name_f]Olive[/name_f], [name_m]Oliver[/name_m], [name_f]Paloma[/name_f], [name_f]Salome[/name_f], [name_m]Solomon[/name_m], [name_f]Winifred[/name_f], and [name_m]Winston[/name_m] are all fantastic ideas! I’m terribly sorry that I cannot comment on all of them, as I am still rather ill and it’s very late where I am, and I fear that I’m not very good at writing in a clear and concise manner as of right now. But I do adore so many of your suggestions, so thank you once again!
I’m likely very ignorant, or perhaps the negative connotations are not tied to my area, but I have not heard of the name [name_f]Jemima[/name_f] being potentially problematic. I’ll do some researching, but hopefully she’s not problematic enough for me to remove her from my list, as [name_f]Jemima[/name_f]'s quite lovely! [name_f]Columbine[/name_f], however, is unusable due to the tragedy that occurred at a high school of the same name.
Thank you ever so much for all of your terrific suggestions! I have so many wonderful names to go through, and I didn’t expect to receive so many ideas, as I’m not a very out-of-the-box thinker myself. You, and the other Berries, have all been of such great help to me. I cannot even begin to tell you how much this means to me. [name_m]Just[/name_m] know that I am very, very grateful for each and every one of you, and each and every suggestion!
You’ve gone above and beyond, and it has touched my heart that you have obviously worked so hard on this. I hope that you have a lovely day/night!
I shall have to give it some thought, as he was bedridden for most of his life, and thus couldn’t engage in many of the activities that others could. He liked cars, mostly. Thank you for taking the time to contribute to this thread!
Mostly children’s shows and books, to be honest, as he was something of an invalid, and couldn’t do many things. His nickname was “Snowy” for reasons not pertaining to his given name, so I contemplated [name_f]Snow[/name_f]…but I didn’t know if it was substantial enough.
If that makes any sense at all. But you’re right, it doesn’t matter if others see the connection, though they likely would. At least I would know, and someday, my child would, too. And that’s what matters, I suppose. It’s just as good as naming him/her/them [name_u]Noah[/name_u], right…?
Thank you for taking the time to contribute to this thread!