I love the name [name_m]Adam[/name_m] and always have. But the nerd in me really likes the idea of Atom instead of [name_m]Adam[/name_m]. Very similar sound. But would it be too out there? Would we be dooming him to a lifetime of jokes and bullying?
I think it’ll cause him a lot of hassle. People will hear [name_m]Adam[/name_m]. And he’s going to have to constantly say, no actually it’s Atom. Like in science class with electrons and all that… Yeah my parents are nerds. (Not dissing nerds!)
I don’t necessarily think it’s too “out there”. I’ve heard of a couple different Atoms. It just seems needlessly confusing for the bearer of the name.
Personally I think it’s be better to name him [name_m]Adam[/name_m] and affectionately call him Atom. You can write that in his stuff at home as a sweet pet name without him having to explain his name everytime he meets someone.
I’m not a huge fan of this name. [name_m]Just[/name_m] [name_m]Adam[/name_m] would be fine, and there’s really no reason to spell it like Atom.
I’m not a fan for a person. For a pet, it would be cute. I imagine they also sound very similar in an American accent (moreso than British), which could cause a lot of confusion. One science name I think would be really cute for a dog, but could be used for a child, is Bunsen, after a Bunsen Burner. They’ll still experience it during school, but it’s probably less of a hassle in daily life.
It feels like it’s trying a bit hard, but in general I don’t think it’s being unusable.
I would say that in my accent Atom and [name_m]Adam[/name_m] sound very different, so I don’t think it will always be confused for [name_m]Adam[/name_m], but also sometimes it will be very obviously ATOM.
I’m pretty neutral on the name [name_m]Adam[/name_m]. If I had to use it I think I would use Atom. I do like the nerdy, science side of it and [name_m]Adam[/name_m] just seems so plain, so I say if you really like it, go with it 
The very first thing I thought of when I saw Atom was Atom Ant. I think (but not sure) it was a character in one of the numerous kid’s cartoon movies.
I often test out names and words to word association. some things just come to mind. I saw that someone was considering [name_m]Iggy[/name_m] as a nn. My first thought was [name_m]Iggy[/name_m] Piggy. Please just test out word associations with your SO and maybe others.
No. Feels like you’re trying too hard, and you’d condemn him to a lifetime of bullying and misspelling.
My initial association was Atom Egoyan, an Academy Award nominated Canadian director. I think it’s usable. [name_u]Unique[/name_u], but not totally unheard of (at least, I thought it wasn’t). I can’t think of any jokes that would come with the name, though I haven’t been around any kids lately to know what they joke about.
I like Atom, but [name_m]Adam[/name_m] is also a solid choice.
[name_m]Adam[/name_m] and Atom sound exactly the same in my midwestern accent so I think it may be confusing. I can see the appeal but you’d have to wonder if it’s worth him needing to clarify the spelling all the time.
Atom is cool and different, but I don’t think it is a good first name option. It too much, specially, if in the future he’s not keen on science.
I’m with you on this one - I think Atom is quirky, unusual, and fresh for a word name! I’ve seen it used in a couple of sci-fi books and a television series set in the future. If you live in an area like the US where they’re pronounced almost the same, I think that’s even better, because the familiarity of [name_m]Adam[/name_m] grounds Atom and makes it more palatable to the non-name-nerd ear. If you live somewhere with a local accent that pronounces T and D in distinctly different ways, you probably won’t get the “[name_m]ADD[/name_m]-um” sound but something more like “AT-um.” But I still find that charming! I would pair it with a longer, more traditional name, like Atom [name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m] or [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] Atom (and for some reason, Atom Beaumont comes to mind). Bottom line, you do you!
In my accent (and I think most others outside of the US), Atom is pronounced with a distinct “t” sound. “ATT-OM or ATT-IM” rather than [name_m]AD[/name_m]-IM. So keep in mind that it wont simply be a quirky spelling if he were to travel, people would distinctly call him Atom which may be confusing. I personally say stick with [name_m]Adam[/name_m]. It’s a lovely name, gentle and strong and classic. As a PP suggested, Atom could be a cute nickname you use for him
On paper it’s a cool and interesting name, but I do think an Atom would have to constantly explain to people that it’s Atom, not [name_m]Adam[/name_m].
I have heard of a film director with this name, Atom Egoyan, but he’s not exactly a household name.
use as middle name? definately not a first name
I’m a little confused. Is Atom pronounced like [name_m]Adam[/name_m] because with my accent they are pronounced differently. I think both are usuable but stylistically very different. What are the other names on your list? Other traditional names like [name_u]Michael[/name_u] and [name_m]Steve[/name_m] would be weird next to Atom. However if your top choices are out there like say [name_u]Neptune[/name_u], [name_m]Adam[/name_m] would be weird.
Please don’t call him Atom. Agree if you really really like it then feel free as a middle name, but I think it is a big risk in terms of bullying and hassle as a first name. [name_m]Adam[/name_m] is a lovely name