Baby coming soon - no name - ahhhh!

General Name Discussion
1

I have posted several times and I think I might be one of the pickiest namers out there. [name]Baby[/name] is due in 2-3 weeks and we have yet to find a name we love. For those that haven’t seen my posts in the past, last name is [name]Reilly[/name] and the middle name is a long Hawaiian name (that is K and L heavy). While we like some of these better than others, it seems we keep coming back to:

[name]August[/name]
[name]Crew[/name]/Cru
[name]Dallas[/name]
[name]Dean[/name]
[name]Dex[/name]/[name]Dexter[/name]
[name]Drake[/name]
[name]Drew[/name]
[name]Griffin[/name]
[name]Jett[/name]
[name]Kane[/name]
[name]Lane[/name]
[name]Nash[/name]
[name]Rex[/name]
[name]Ridge[/name]
[name]Shane[/name]
[name]Tanner[/name]
[name]Trey[/name]
[name]Zander[/name]/[name]Xander[/name]

A couple issues…

If your last name was also used as a common first name, would you avoid surname names? That would take several of these off the table ([name]Dean[/name], [name]Drake[/name], [name]Griffin[/name], [name]Nash[/name], [name]Lane[/name]). I just don’t know how big an issue this is (people getting first name/last name mixed up, like [name]Riley[/name] [name]Griffin[/name])?

With the middle name being so K and L heavy, I think I would like to avoid names that have a hard C/K or an L in the middle/end (so that would nix [name]Crew[/name], [name]Drake[/name], [name]Kane[/name]…possibly [name]Rex[/name] and [name]Dex[/name] too). But some of these are our favorites.

We also don’t want too popular, too trendy, or too out there ([name]Tanner[/name] and [name]Xander[/name] are ranked in the top 100 in our state, so maybe should nix those, [name]Griffin[/name] and [name]Crew[/name] seem fairly trendy to me, and [name]Ridge[/name] is pretty out there).

And DH would like to avoid names that are too vanilla or boring, since our last name is somewhat common (so that could eliminate some too).

After all of these issues, I think we’ve wiped out our entire list. Am I overthinking all of this? We are still open, but I think I have seen every name out there and none seem to be doing it for me. Also, prior to finding out the middle name, I was drawn to hard masculine names. Now it seems I am liking the softer names better (that are still somewhat masculine).

Ahhhhh, what to do!? I think I need a [name]Berry[/name] intervention. Please help!

2

[name]Hi[/name]!

[name]Don[/name]'t worry! It’s good you’re so thoughtful. You can find one that works. I think the considerations you raise are valid but more applicable to some names than others. And some of them, while concerns, aren’t reasons to rule the name out. Here is my input.

[name]August[/name] - A handsome name. NMS, but I noticed none of the concerns you’re worried about really apply to it. A good option.
[name]Crew[/name]/Cru - I like [name]Crew[/name] for you! I think that spelling is best. I don’t think a C first name and a K middle is a big deal. Your last name starts with a different letter, middles aren’t used that often, and it sounds like the middle name is going to be very different from [name]Crew[/name] for other reasons. [name]Crew[/name] is a little surname-ish, and there might be some confusion occasionally, but the reality is when people know him they’ll get it right, and it’s not overwhelming.

[name]Dallas[/name] - I like this name and like it a lot with your surname! And I think none of your concerns apply.
[name]Dean[/name] - I like this name more with your surname than on its own! I feel like it’s well known enough as a first name that the surname confusion won’t be too much.
[name]Dex[/name]/[name]Dexter[/name] - I like these names, but I do feel like [name]Dexter[/name] is heavily trendy / of the moment with the TV show. I’d go with [name]Dex[/name] if I were you, with [name]Dexter[/name] the r at the end is going to run into the R at the start of your surname. You might also like [name]Dax[/name].

[name]Drake[/name] - this just makes me think of the rapper. I have a hard time taking it seriously. I think people will hear [name]Jake[/name]. It will bump into the middle, and I don’t think it has enough other redeeming qualities to rule it in. If it’s your true favorite of the list, well then, never mind and that solves some of your problems : D.

[name]Drew[/name] - this works very well. I prefer full names so I’d like [name]Andrew[/name] more, but it’s af fine name and the concerns you’re having don’t apply.
[name]Griffin[/name] - I like this name, however I do think it’s one of the trendier ones on the list and it’s so Irish with your surname, I think this is the one people would be most likely to flip.
[name]Jett[/name] - this is a really cool name, and the concerns you have don’t apply. I kind of find it too cool to use, but less so than [name]Drake[/name], and having fewer of the concerns than [name]Drake[/name].
[name]Kane[/name] - I have to admit it just makes me think of [name]Cain[/name] and sugar cane and so I don’t love it. However I recently met someone with the name and it’s growing on me knowing him. It does sound good with your surname. I wouldn’t worry at all about the alliteration with the middle for the reasons I outlined with [name]Crew[/name]. I guess if the initials KK getting closed to KKK bothers you, you could reconsider, but, your surname doesn’t start with K.
[name]Lane[/name] - this name is all girl for me, I’d advise against it.
[name]Nash[/name] - This makes me think of noshing, like, snacking, or gnashing teeth. However, none of your concerns apply and if I ever met a [name]Nash[/name] I’d probably get over that concern.
[name]Rex[/name] - A cool name. I wouldn’t worry about the x-K thing. It’s fine. It is a lot of alliteration with your surname. Mostly I think it makes the name memorable and pleasing. But I know some find alliteration displeasing.
[name]Ridge[/name] - I see this forever being heard as [name]Rich[/name] and to me it’s trying a little too hard. [name]Drake[/name] and [name]Ridge[/name] - trying too hard. [name]Jett[/name] and [name]Rex[/name] - cool, but not too cool. Though obviously people can draw those lines in different places.
[name]Shane[/name] - really like [name]Shane[/name]! Doesn’t have any of your concerns I don’t think (it doesn’t seem surnameish to me) and sounds great with your surname.
[name]Tanner[/name] - Yes, this one is trendy and maybe even trendy from 10 years ago? And the r’s will bump. And it’s surnameish. I’d let it go unless you find you love it more than all others.
[name]Trey[/name] - Similar issue to [name]Tanner[/name] - it had it’s moment a little earlier, and I just think of it as a nickname for boys who are thirds. I guess the sound works enough and it’s not surnameish, but I have a hard time endorsing it. I just think of cafeteria trays too.
[name]Zander[/name]/[name]Xander[/name] - I feel like this name is trendy and the r will bump with your surname, but it’s a pleasing name nonetheless. [name]Zane[/name] would be my recommendation.

So I’d have no real concerns for you about:
[name]August[/name]
[name]Crew[/name]
[name]Dallas[/name]
[name]Dean[/name]
[name]Dex[/name]
[name]Drew[/name]
[name]Rex[/name]
[name]Shane[/name]

And I have mild reservations about the following but think they’re basically fine:
[name]Dexter[/name]
[name]Griffin[/name]
[name]Kane[/name]
[name]Xander[/name]/[name]Zander[/name]

And I think you might like:
[name]Dax[/name]
[name]Zane[/name]

[name]Shane[/name] is my top pick, with [name]Dean[/name], [name]Dallas[/name], and [name]Rex[/name] following next.

Good luck!

3

jesba - thanks for the thorough and insightful feedback. I think you have some really good points! I too like [name]Dax[/name], but DH has a bad association with it. And [name]Zane[/name] is pretty cool, but for some reason I hear the word Zany which might bother me. But I have to agree with most of your comments. I’ll have to show DH tonight and talk some of this over with him. Thanks!

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Also, it might help to know that the middle name has a total of 3 Ks and 3 Ls and is 18 characters long. I wanted to be a little more specific about it since that might change what people think regarding first name options.

5

You are welcome! That is quite the middle name : D. I guess it tips me mildly more against [name]Crew[/name] and [name]Kane[/name], but I still don’t think it really matters. It sounds like it’s pretty obviously Hawaiian and anyone who has any familiarity with the Hawaiian language will get that it’s K heavy. It just seems like if you go with [name]Kane[/name] or [name]Crew[/name] that it will be clear you liked those names and then you had this Hawaiian name that I’m guessing has a lot of family meaning. I don’t think the middle puts me of L’s in names at all (a la [name]Dallas[/name]), and really none of these names is too long with an 18 letter middle name. Maybe [name]Alexander[/name] or [name]Nathaniel[/name] or [name]Christopher[/name] could be, but not thee. Good luck : D!

6

Of your list I like [name]Griffin[/name], [name]Drake[/name] and [name]August[/name].

7

I definitely think you’ve overthinking just a bit. You’ve got some great names on your list!

I really like [name]August[/name], [name]Crew[/name], and [name]Tanner[/name]!

8

You haven’t eliminated my favorite on your list, [name]Dexter[/name]! I say go with that!

9

Of the names on your list [name]August[/name] and [name]Shane[/name] strike me as the most classic while avoiding the “l” “k” heaviness that seemed a concern. Many of the last name first names sound too trendy imo. However, if there is one you love, please don’t mind my comment.

10

[name]Tanner[/name] is really nice. I know the cutest 3yo named [name]Tanner[/name].

11

Hey, great list! [name]Hope[/name] this helps!

[name]August[/name] - Kind of formal, but I do like this name and I think it sounds really good with your last name!

[name]Crew[/name]/Cru - Not really a fan, I prefer the name [name]Cruz[/name]. But if you do go with this one I would say to go with the [name]Crew[/name] spelling.

[name]Dallas[/name] - Cute! Flows well with the last name but together they sound a little cowboy-ish to me.

[name]Dean[/name] - I like this one! Sounds great with the surname

[name]Dex[/name]/[name]Dexter[/name] - Also a good one, but it seems kind of popular right now.

[name]Drake[/name] - Normally I like this name, but I just don’t think it goes well with [name]Reilly[/name].

[name]Drew[/name] - Great choice, but the full name [name]Andrew[/name] sounds better with your last name, so maybe you could go with [name]Andrew[/name] and call him [name]Drew[/name]?

[name]Griffin[/name] - Also not a personal fan (makes me think of Gyffindor from [name]Harry[/name] [name]Potter[/name]), but it’s not a bad pairing with your surname.

[name]Jett[/name] - I would say no. The name [name]Jett[/name] is too 50s greaser/car salesman.

[name]Kane[/name]/[name]Lane[/name] - Between [name]Kane[/name] and [name]Lane[/name], I would go with [name]Lane[/name] because I love the way it sounds with [name]Reilly[/name]. (Personally, I don’t think you have to worry about having too many L’s in his full name because he probably won’t be using his middle name everyday, you know?)

[name]Nash[/name] - A unique choice, sounds cool with your surname.

[name]Rex[/name] - Again, car salesman. Not to mention the double R (as in, [name]Rex[/name] [name]Reilly[/name]) makes it sound a little cheesy. I think the only way the double R would work is if one of the names were longer.

[name]Ridge[/name] - Again, the double R. Sorta [name]Sarah[/name] [name]Palin[/name]-ish, also, [name]IMO[/name].

[name]Shane[/name] - Sounds good with the last name, but kind of dated.

[name]Tanner[/name] - Also, kind of dated.

[name]Trey[/name] - I do like this name, but I wouldn’t choose it in this situation.

[name]Zander[/name]/[name]Xander[/name] - A good choice if you don’t mind the popularity.

So, my favorites are:

  1. [name]Lane[/name]
  2. [name]Drew[/name]
  3. [name]Dean[/name]
  4. [name]August[/name]

:slight_smile:

12

Thanks. It does help to hear feedback.

If we went to the hospital with our top 3 names from this list, do you think that one name will “feel” like the one after we see the baby? Does it really happen like that sometimes, or is it best to pick one ahead of time?

13

[name]August[/name] is one of my all time favorites. I love the nns [name]Gus[/name] and Auggie.
[name]Rex[/name] is such a great name. I would have it on my list if it wasn’t for a certain cousin with this name. I wouldn’t worry too much about the alliteration. My cousin [name]Rex[/name]'s last name start with an R and he wears it well.
[name]Lane[/name] is really handsome and striking, but sedate at the same time. It might be a nice contrast to your middle. I don’t think the 2 surname thing is an issue, really.

Those are my top three for you. Good luck!