What do you like of Cardinal as a middle name? Does it fit in well with the other nature names, or are the religious connotations too front and center?
Cardinals are my grandmother’s favorite bird, and they have been very important to her throughout her life. I’d love to fit this into a name as a means of honoring her. I am not religious, however, so I am unsure how this name would strike those who are. As far as the baseball association goes, I don’t mind it.
I’ve been toying with [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] Cardinal [name_m]Ridge[/name_m], but I fear that may be a bit too over-the-top with the name theme.
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Honestly, I haven’t heard of the bird and thought this was a religious word name along the lines of [name_m]Deacon[/name_m] and [name_m]Bishop[/name_m].
However, you have a sweet non-religious connection that is equally valid, and as a middle name I think you can go a bit more out there, so I like it for you.
[name_u]Rowan[/name_u] Cardinal [name_m]Ridge[/name_m] is too wordy/naturey for me though.
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I think it’s fine as a middle name. I thought of the bird first. The full combo sounds a bit like a nature park though unless [name_m]Ridge[/name_m] is the last name.
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Hm, my first thought was the religious connotation and then, heart-related words (like cardiac) but since it’s a middle that wouldn’t bother me too much.
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For me, the Catholic association is too strong.
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I thought of the bird first, but I did also think of the religious connection after. But I do think for a middle name it’s doable! It’s not like people are introduced by their middle name hardly ever, so the few times someone may find out their middle name even if someone questioned it you or they could just say “like the bird!” I don’t think it would be a major burden on the child’s life or anything because it would rarely come up. However if the connection bother you then maybe find a similar name instead so that you don’t have regrets or resentment against your child’s name. You could go with a name meaning bird or meaning red, or even since you want to use two middles you could use them together. Like [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] [name_u]Crimson[/name_u] [name_u]Byrd[/name_u] or something like that.
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This would be my first thoughts too, if I’m honest, but since it’s also a nature name, one with meaning to you and in the middle spot, I think it works
I definitely thought of the bird first, then cardinal directions. I’m not familiar with the religious meaning. If you live in [name_u]North[/name_u] [name_u]America[/name_u] I think you are good. People from Europe may be unfamiliar with the bird as it only native to the Americas.
[name_u]Rowan[/name_u] Cardinal [name_m]Ridge[/name_m] is ADORABLE! you should totally use it
I didn’t put together the religious connection until it was mentioned. I feel like I know a lot of cardinals fans (as in the baseball team that I think is based out of St [name_m]Louis[/name_m], [name_f]Missouri[/name_f], US) and I might assume that. But I also love the birds and associate them with my own grandma so strongly that I want very much for you to use this in the middle spot.
[name_m]Hi[/name_m] there.
I think that it’d be nice as a mn. A sweet way to honor your grandmother, plus it has beautiful nature imagery. I didn’t think of the religious association at all. I thought of the bird when I first read your post…okay, I thought of the baseball team. But I’m a die hard fan! 
[name_u]Rowan[/name_u] Cardinal [name_m]Ridge[/name_m] is awesome. I don’t think that it’s over the top at all. It sounds handsome to me.
[name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps. 
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I went religious first because I’ve never heard it in the context of names having related to the bird.
I think in general it’s okay but in the combo you’re considering it’s a bit too much nature in one place. I would use it with non-nature names (Ronan Cardinal Ralph) or even chop [name_m]Ridge[/name_m] from the combo so it sounds less like a place name.
I think Cardinal as a middle name is brilliant! I instantly thought of the bird, and that was my only association. I didn’t think of the religious connection until it was mentioned. I don’t find it obviously religious.
I love this way of honouring your grandmother.
I actually really like [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] Cardinal [name_m]Ridge[/name_m]. I don’t think [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] is so obviously natural, so I have no problem with these three together. They flow well, too.
Yes! I love it! I have the sib set [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] Bluejay and [name_m]Leopold[/name_m] Cardinal on my list!
I think since it’s a well known bird most people won’t think of the religious connection. And since you’re wanting to use it as a middle, I think it’s totally usable. Honestly didn’t think of the baseball association, but if you like in MO then I could see people thinking you were a big baseball fan lol
[name_u]Love[/name_u] [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] Cardinal [name_m]Ridge[/name_m]! Though it does sound like a landmark. It flows really well tho!
i love cardinal as a middle!
i have jude cardinal and sosie cardinal on my list!
rowan cardinal ridge is lovely, but to me it sounds like a ski run- this wouldn’t deter me, however, and i think if you love it that’s all that matters.
also, i am catholic and the first thing i thought of was the bird! 
I think it definitely works as a middle name! As an FN, the religious connotation feels a bit overwhelming, but it doesn’t in the middle.
I thought of the bird first- could be that they’re pretty common where I reside
The sports team second
The Catholic association third…. I do think this association though easily overshadows and could taint the usability of it at all.
I used this as a middle name for a signature theme when we still had them and ever since then I tend to think of the bird before anything else. I also think it’s an easy correction if people ask and if you were to send out birth announcements, you could even write a line or two about your name choice so the people that will know the child’s full name would understand where you’re coming from with Cardinal from day one.
Oh, and the combo I came up with back then was [name_m]Vigo[/name_m] Cardinal / [name_m]Viggo[/name_m] Cardinal (can’t remember which spelling I went with).
[name_f]My[/name_f] first thought is the bird (I guess their a lot more common in the US based off the other comments) but the religious association comes right after, I think it has a really cool sound but it too connected, I think it could work as a middle but as a first I wouldn’t do. [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] Cardinal [name_m]Ridge[/name_m] sounds pretty cool but it is very very nature-y cause all three have nature meanings, not a problem if you want that though! I have a similarly problem with Monarch so I understand the struggle 