Boy name dilemmas and thoughts

Boy Names
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[name_m]Hi[/name_m] everyone

I apologise in advance if this is a bit rambly and long winded but I struggle so much with boys names and every name I like, I find a problem with or I don’t quite love it enough, if that makes sense

I’ll run through my boys list and I was just wondering if you could tell me if any of these concerns are valid or if I’m overthinking it?

I’ll also preface this by saying my surname is R0y@l, as that’s linked to some of the problems

The list

[name_u]Tristan[/name_u] - I love, love, [name_u]Tristan[/name_u], but it can mean sorrowful and to clatter - name meanings aren’t the be all and end all for me, but it is something I ponder on

[name_m]Felix[/name_m] - everyone always says that’s a cat name - not a dealbreaker, but would it get annoying?

[name_m]Rafferty[/name_m] - too many Rs with my surname?

[name_m]Otto[/name_m] - too similar to my favourite [name_m]Sholto[/name_m] to make the list?

[name_u]Atlas[/name_u] - too wordy with my surname?

[name_m]Lysander[/name_m] - is it too much?

[name_m]Forrest[/name_m] - too wordy with my surname?

[name_m]Atticus[/name_m] - is it too trendy?

[name_u]Luca[/name_u] - too popular?

[name_u]Everett[/name_u] - I love it, but I also love it for a girl and I’m not sure if I prefer it for a girl?

[name_u]Fox[/name_u] - too wordy with my surname?

[name_u]Jude[/name_u] -too popular?

[name_u]Arlo[/name_u] -too popular?

[name_m]Tadhg[/name_m]- is it too difficult to pronounce and spell?

[name_u]Remy[/name_u] -too many Rs with my surname?

[name_m]Azarius[/name_m] -too much?

[name_m]Winston[/name_m]-used it on a guinea pig -too weird?

[name_m]Tobias[/name_m] - used [name_u]Toby[/name_u] on a guinea pig- too weird?

[name_u]Cove[/name_u] -too wordy with my surname?

[name_u]Reed[/name_u] -too many Rs and too wordy with my surname?

[name_u]Marlow[/name_u] - too popular for girls?

[name_u]Kit[/name_u] -it’s a friend’s deadname -innappropriate?

[name_m]Horatio[/name_m] -too much?

[name_u]Shiloh[/name_u] -too similar to [name_m]Sholto[/name_m]?

[name_u]Rory[/name_u] -too many Rs?

[name_u]Wilder[/name_u] - too wordy?

[name_u]Jesse[/name_u] -too biblical?

[name_m]Gideon[/name_m] - too biblical?

[name_m]Fergus[/name_m] -too scottish?

Thank you for any thoughts :heart:

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I love [name_m]Felix[/name_m] and [name_u]Remy[/name_u]! :heart: :heart_eyes: :+1:

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I think many of these names sound awesome with your surname!
[name_u]Shiloh[/name_u] and [name_m]Otto[/name_m] are a bit too similar to [name_m]Sholto[/name_m] for me :pensive:

My favorites with your surname are:

Tristan
[name_m]Felix[/name_m]
[name_m]Rafferty[/name_m]
[name_u]Atlas[/name_u]
[name_m]Lysander[/name_m]
[name_u]Fox[/name_u]
[name_u]Remy[/name_u]
[name_m]Tobias[/name_m]
[name_u]Kit[/name_u]
[name_m]Horatio[/name_m]
[name_u]Jesse[/name_u]
[name_m]Gideon[/name_m]
[name_m]Fergus[/name_m]

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Tristan - from the way you write, it sounds like the meanings aren’t something you should ponder on. It could always be paired with a name that has a lovely meaning!

Felix - yes, I associate it with the cat food and therefore cats, but I doubt anyone would be rude enough to mention it if you actually announced it was your sons name.

Rafferty/Remy/Reed/Rory - I do think they’re too R heavy with your surname, but could work as middles.

Otto/Shiloh - too similar to [name_m]Sholto[/name_m] for me. Again, could work as middles.

Atlas/Fox/Cove - don’t think they work with your surname but because they’re too short, not too wordy.

Lysander - not too much at all.

Atticus/Luca/Jude/Arlo- trendy/popular yes but depends how much that bothers you. Usually for a good reason.

Everett - sounds masculine to me and I’ve never known any girls so FWIW I prefer this for a boy rather an a girl.

Tadhg - people would likely get used to the pronunciation but spelling could be a problem, especially over the phone.

Azarius - too much for me, could work as a middle.

Winston/Tobias - guinea pig issue is a non-issue, unless they’re still around at the same time as the baby.

Marlow - does seem to be trending for girls.

Kit - I don’t know what a deadname is, but this can be a nickname for many full names if you prefer that option.

Horatio - too much for me, I find it fusty.

Wilder - I don’t think this is too wordy with your surname.

Jesse/Gideon - biblical yes, too biblical depends on your own views. I find [name_m]Gideon[/name_m] the more religious of the two.

Fergus - no, I know [name_f]English[/name_f] boys with this name. And [name_u]Gus[/name_u] is adorable.

Hope this helps some :slight_smile:

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The only names I see as maybe being too wordy is [name_u]Wilder[/name_u] and [name_u]Rory[/name_u], I liked the flow of the others!
I love
[name_u]Tristan[/name_u]: I’m not big on name meanings either, I say if you love it go for it!
[name_m]Felix[/name_m] : This is my #1 boys names so I’m biased, I don’t think the cat association is a biggy
[name_m]Gideon[/name_m] : I’m not religious but I think of it as just an adventurous bby name. (I worry about the same issue with the name [name_m]Shepard[/name_m] from my own list)
[name_u]Everett[/name_u]: I don’t think I’ve ever heard this on a girl but I’m loving that!
[name_u]Jude[/name_u]: Was my OG favorite for YEARS but I demoted it due to its popularity. Though I’ve never seen or met any newborns called [name_u]Jude[/name_u]. I wonder if it’s just popular amongst berries?

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The ones I wouldn’t use are [name_u]Reed[/name_u], [name_u]Rory[/name_u], [name_u]Cove[/name_u] and [name_m]Otto[/name_m].
[name_m]Rafferty[/name_m] R0y@l is awesome!

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I love [name_m]Horatio[/name_m], [name_m]Gideon[/name_m], [name_u]Tristan[/name_u], [name_m]Otto[/name_m], [name_u]Everett[/name_u], [name_u]Kit[/name_u], [name_u]Cove[/name_u], [name_u]Jude[/name_u], [name_u]Marlow[/name_u].

I like [name_m]Fergus[/name_m], [name_m]Lysander[/name_m], [name_u]Reed[/name_u], [name_u]Arlo[/name_u].

I don’t think these names are too anything. Go with your passion!

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@RobinCobblepot thank you!

@whatchamacallit thank you for your opinions!

@standontheshoulderso thank you so much -this has given me a lot to think about

@rhodes2nowhere thank you - very helpful!

@anon47024950 thank you!

@Harvest-Endellion thank you :heart:

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I’m going to go through and just give my takes on some of the dilemmas: of course, the ultimate decision is up to you.

Tristan - the meaning doesn’t bother me at all but I think this is up to you
[name_m]Felix[/name_m] - I don’t see it as a cat name, I really like it!
[name_m]Rafferty[/name_m], [name_u]Remy[/name_u], [name_u]Rory[/name_u], [name_u]Reed[/name_u] - don’t like the alliteration with your surname either, I would not use any of these, especially [name_u]Rory[/name_u] because then there are three Rs
[name_m]Otto[/name_m] and [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u] - I like both but if [name_m]Sholto[/name_m] is your favorite I do think it is too similar
[name_u]Atlas[/name_u], [name_m]Forrest[/name_m], [name_u]Fox[/name_u], [name_u]Cove[/name_u], [name_u]Wilder[/name_u]: all too wordy with your surname IMO
[name_m]Lysander[/name_m]: don’t think this is too much at all!
[name_m]Atticus[/name_m] - this feels very trendy and also I just personally don’t like it
[name_u]Luca[/name_u], [name_u]Arlo[/name_u], [name_u]Jude[/name_u] - they are popular/trendy, but how much you care about that is up to you. I think they’re all nice names!
[name_u]Everett[/name_u] - I really like this, I think it’s up to you whether you like it better for a girl or a boy
[name_m]Tadhg[/name_m]- I think this would be a bit of a headache with spelling/pronunciation, but not the end of the world
[name_m]Azarius[/name_m] - yeah, I kind of think this is too much
[name_m]Winston[/name_m], [name_m]Tobias[/name_m]: I don’t think it’s inherently a dealbreaker to share a name with a (former?) pet but it depends on if it really feels too weird to you or not
[name_u]Marlow[/name_u] - Definitely more popular on girls but a nice name!
[name_u]Kit[/name_u] - maybe ask the friend?
[name_m]Horatio[/name_m] - I like it and it’s really nice with your last name!
[name_u]Jesse[/name_u], [name_m]Gideon[/name_m]: I don’t think either is “too Biblical” or obscurely Biblical, and they both sound really good with your surname
[name_m]Fergus[/name_m] - not too Scottish imo, although there is the Fur-gus/Fehr-gus thing, and it sounds great with your surname.

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@findemaxa13 thank you so much! Definitely a lot to mull over :slight_smile:

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Do you plan on changing your surname?

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My favorites for you are [name_m]Felix[/name_m], [name_m]Otto[/name_m], [name_u]Luca[/name_u], [name_u]Remy[/name_u], [name_m]Tobias[/name_m], [name_u]Reed[/name_u] and [name_u]Jesse[/name_u]

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I think [name_u]Arlo[/name_u] is a good choice for you, with a longer middle.
[name_u]Arlo[/name_u] [name_u]Michael[/name_u]
[name_u]Arlo[/name_u] [name_m]Malachi[/name_m]
[name_u]Arlo[/name_u] [name_m]Rafferty[/name_m]
[name_u]Arlo[/name_u] [name_m]Rainier[/name_m]

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I’m biased to support using pet name for kids because I have 2 pet names I’d like to use as middle names for my kids… Not sure I feel about using them for a first name tho.

I feel like a first name starting or ending an R is too many Rs :pensive: So that takes out [name_m]Rafferty[/name_m], [name_u]Remy[/name_u], [name_u]Reed[/name_u], Roray, [name_m]Lysander[/name_m], and [name_u]Wilder[/name_u].

I don’t think [name_u]Cove[/name_u] is too wordy with your surname, but I do think it’s unusable now, too close to Covid.

I like [name_m]Felix[/name_m] a lot. I don’t think of a cat, I think of the “liquid luck” potion in [name_u]Harry[/name_u] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] :blush: [name_m]Felix[/name_m] Felicis - I think it’s a good association !

My favorites for your surname:

Felix
[name_u]Everett[/name_u]
[name_u]Fox[/name_u]
[name_u]Jude[/name_u]

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@almostactually I’m not sure. As silly it sounds, it totally depends on what my future wife’s surname is - or if we even decide to get married😁

@EllArePea thank you :heart:

@voughtlori thank you - I like [name_u]Arlo[/name_u] [name_m]Rafferty[/name_m]

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Tristan - The meanings aren’t the best, but they’re definitely not the worst! I wouldn’t worry about them too much or let them ruin a name you really love – [name_u]Tristan[/name_u] is great!

Felix - It could get annoying, but I think people would get used to it and suddenly [name_m]Felix[/name_m] would be a person name to anyone that knew him.

Rafferty / [name_u]Remy[/name_u] / [name_u]Rory[/name_u] - I think alliterative names can be really cool if they flow well, but something about them with R0y@l just seems off to me – maybe it’s the combination of the repeating 'r’s and 'y’s?

Otto - I think if you plan on using [name_m]Sholto[/name_m], then you should drop [name_m]Otto[/name_m] as another potential first. It could still work in the middle though.

Atlas / [name_m]Forrest[/name_m] / [name_u]Fox[/name_u] / [name_u]Cove[/name_u] / [name_u]Wilder[/name_u] - As great as these names are, I think they are a bit much with your surname (especially [name_u]Wilder[/name_u]). I think they could still work as middle names.

Lysander / [name_m]Azarius[/name_m] / [name_m]Horatio[/name_m] - He would have a very grand name, but I think if he ever felt like his name was too much then he’d have plenty of nickname options instead.

Atticus - Despite all its Nameberry popularity, I only know of one [name_m]Atticus[/name_m] irl. It’s nowhere near the UK top 100 so I think you’ll be ok with this one!

Luca / [name_u]Jude[/name_u] / [name_u]Arlo[/name_u] - These are all getting quite popular and have very trendy sounds. If that bothers you, I’d probably avoid these.

Everett - I personally prefer it for a boy (I never even thought of it being a girl name before). Maybe keep it on your boys list since you struggle with them more?

Tadhg - It would probably be an annoyance to constantly correct pronunciation and spelling, but people would get used to it. If you’d find having a name like [name_m]Tadhg[/name_m] annoying, I’d stay away. If not – go for it!

Winston / [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] - If the guinea pigs are still going to be around if you have a son, I think it’d be best to go with something else. If they’re not, it might still be a little weird but if anything I think it’d be a nice nod to them. I love the name [name_u]Robin[/name_u] for a boy, but I used it for my cat – I’m still deciding if I’d be comfortable with it or not!

Reed - I think the combination of the 'r’s and the wordiness would be a little much.

Marlow - I see this as completely unisex, although I’ve never known one of either gender so that likely sways it.

Kit - I think the best option here would be to ask your friend if they’d be uncomfortable if you named your child [name_u]Kit[/name_u].

Shiloh - It is very similar to [name_m]Sholto[/name_m], I wouldn’t use them together personally.

Jesse / [name_m]Gideon[/name_m] - I don’t think these are too Biblical at all! I didn’t even realise [name_u]Jesse[/name_u] was a Biblical name.

Fergus - It might be a little odd if someone with no relations to [name_f]Scotland[/name_f] used this name, but overall I think it’s doable.

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Tristan - I love this name as well. It does have a tragic, romantic feel, that is hard to overcome from Tristan and Iseult.

Felix - Meh, a Felix born in this generation would not get that reference. I think it’s wearable!

Rafferty - I enjoy alliteration, but I don’t enjoy the sound of Rafferty with your last name. The ‘y’ doesn’t seem to break up the two names enough

Otto - I love it! I don’t see Sholto and Otto as siblings, but I think it’s worth a stay on your list.

Atlas - I personally avoid double dictionary names.

Lysander - Just enough! I wouldn’t use it, but I like it!

Forrest - I think it doesn’t work with your dictionary name last name

Atticus - yes, I think this will have a big popularity bubble that will leave it feeling dated and generational. That matters to me but might not to you!

Luca - yes, 100% the same trend as Atticus. The appeared in the 2000 SSA chart and shot up in popularity. I love Luca enough to not care though!

Everett - Given that you have a hard time loving boy names, maybe you could let the boy list have Everett? Maybe you could allow it in both?

Fox - for me, yes.

Jude - maybe - but it’s a timeless name in Ireland and Wales. I quite like it!

Arlo -too trendy, when I make the ultimate naming choice, I prefer timeless or unique. That is totally personal preference!

Tadgh- i would pronounce it like Taj and prefer the Taj spelling. Super intriguing!

Remy - R is not my favorite letter to pronounce, but I think Remy is cool with your last name!

Azarius - I get an epic hero vibe.

Winston- I feel your pain! I used Claire on a hamster and will forever associate Claire with her. Can you get past the association? That’s what matters!

Tobias - adore Tobias. Same thoughts as Winston

Cove - hmmm, I’m okay with this one. Seems a little rough with COVID-19. But I think it works with your last name

Reed - the hard d on Reed breaks up the two /r/ sounds. I like it!

Marlow - I think he would be mistaken for female at first

Kit - probably. But maybe that is a better conversation with your friend

Horatio -too much for me

Shiloh - I prefer Shiloh to Sholto, but I love the NN Shy/Shi

Rory - I think so. Rory with your last name is hard to pronounce

Wilder - the R on the end of Wilder is hard to pronounce with your ln

Jesse - I have non-biblical positive associations with this name!

Gideon - feels very biblical, but also a cool name!!

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@Gia.berry and @Rocky_Mountain_Olive thank you so much for your thoughtful comments!

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I find [name_u]Rory[/name_u] R0y@l quite difficult to say because of all the R sounds. The word names would also sound a bit odd to me with your surname. The rest, I think, are fine, though I would hesitate on [name_m]Azarius[/name_m] and [name_m]Horatio[/name_m] because they seem pretty “out there” to me.

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with choosing a popular/trendy name (names are popular for a reason, after all) or an alliterative name. It just depends on your preferences.

I like these the most:
[name_u]Tristan[/name_u] - I think this is a great name, and most people aren’t going to know about the possible meaning(s) unless they look it up. Besides, [name_f]Mary[/name_f], [name_u]Maria[/name_u] and [name_u]Marie[/name_u] supposedly mean “bitter” and they’re some of the commonest names ever.

[name_m]Felix[/name_m] - I love [name_m]Felix[/name_m]. The “[name_m]Felix[/name_m] the [name_f]Cat[/name_f]” thing doesn’t bother me. I’ve never seen the old cartoon and I doubt today’s kids are watching it either.

[name_m]Atticus[/name_m] - I think this is a cool name. I don’t find it trendy, since it’s not really popular at all in the UK. Names like [name_m]Tommy[/name_m], [name_m]Teddie[/name_m] and [name_m]Archie[/name_m] are much more trendy in my perspective.

[name_m]Tobias[/name_m] - I really like [name_m]Tobias[/name_m]. The guinea pig thing would not be an issue for me since I see [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] and [name_u]Toby[/name_u] as separate names. But only you know how much that associate would bother you.

[name_u]Jesse[/name_u] - I like [name_u]Jesse[/name_u]. Yes, it’s Biblical, but at the same time it’s a fairly mainstream and popular name. I don’t think anyone is going to assume that your [name_u]Jesse[/name_u] would be named after the Biblical [name_u]Jesse[/name_u].

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First off, that is an awesome freaking surname.

Tristan - I don’t think it matters! I like it when names have meanings I value, but it isn’t the be all and end all, especially if you love [name_u]Tristan[/name_u]. Names will always have a negative association if you search hard enough, whether it be through a celebrity or a character or someone you know. Sometimes you just have to let it go! You could always give him a middle name with a really positive meaning.

Felix - I see it in the sense that I could name a cat [name_m]Felix[/name_m], but at the same time, people name their animals every name in the book - [name_f]Daisy[/name_f], [name_f]Molly[/name_f], [name_m]Oscar[/name_m], whatever. It doesn’t mean it doesn’t work on a human - I can definitely picture a real person named [name_m]Felix[/name_m]. The only names I think only work on an animal are like… Fluffy, Ramen, Sushi, etc. (Sorry, just off the top of my head lmao!)

Rafferty - I think it’s a charming alliteration! Not everyone’s thing though, so I understand your hesitation.

Otto and [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u] - I wouldn’t name brothers [name_m]Sholto[/name_m] and [name_m]Otto[/name_m] or [name_m]Sholto[/name_m] and [name_u]Shiloh[/name_u], I think they’re much too similar. That doesn’t mean it can’t be on your list! Lists on NB are generally super long anyway – nobody here is realistically going to have 25 kids!

Atlas - Never think of it for a word for some reason, that took me way too long to connect lol. Definitely see it as a name, so no issues here!

Lysander - If you’re pairing it with sibling names like [name_f]Claire[/name_f] and [name_m]Henry[/name_m], yes. If you have an equally unusual naming style across the board, I think it could work! A bit too much for me personally (for real life), but I do really like it.

Forrest - Not a fan of [name_m]Forrest[/name_m] personally, but I think it works fine with your surname.

Atticus - It’s… Nameberry trendy, if that makes sense? Like I haven’t actually heard people naming their babies that (though that might be my area), so I think it’s still fine for use.

Luca - I don’t think so. I’ve heard of a couple, but it isn’t [name_u]Oliver[/name_u] popular or anything (the last three or four babies I know that were born were named [name_u]Oliver[/name_u] - might be less popular elsewhere).

Everett - So make combos for both! You don’t need to decide on anything until you’re actually having a kid. [name_m]Don[/name_m]’t put too much pressure on yourself!

Fox, [name_u]Wilder[/name_u] and [name_u]Cove[/name_u] - [name_m]Little[/name_m] wordy with your surname, but they’re definitely still usable if you love them.

Jude and [name_u]Arlo[/name_u] - Not too popular!

Tadhg - Depends where you live. If you live somewhere where Irish/Gaelic names are the norm, it’s fine. If you live in the USA or Australia or the UK or somewhere like that, I would say it’s too difficult to spell and pronounce, I’m sorry!

Remy and [name_u]Reed[/name_u] - Bit much with the surname at first, but I actually think the alliteration is super cute. [name_u]Reed[/name_u] especially works, I love it!

Winston and [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] - Not a problem if you can picture it on actual kid!

Azarius and [name_m]Horatio[/name_m] - I do think it’s a little much, but that’s just my personal taste.

Marlow - It does have a softness to it that’s rather feminine to me, but I think it’s usable for a boy; I just prefer it on a girl.

Kit - Ask the friend if you can :slight_smile:

Rory - Unfortunately, I do think this one has too many Rs with your surname.

Jesse and [name_m]Gideon[/name_m] - Didn’t even know they were biblical! I know lots of names have biblical meanings, but none of them actually strike me as religious unless they’re glaringly obvious; like [name_m]Moses[/name_m] for example.