Charles Wallace- Is it weird?

Edited for privacy

I think that as a combination Charles Wallace flows very well and is great together, but I think it’s up to you whether you want to name your child after a major character of a children’s book. That’s not for anyone else to say.

If you do a Google search or one on Linkedin, you’ll see that there seem to be plenty of people named Charles Wallace in the world. I don’t know if that makes you feel better.

I loved the Time Quintet series, but I’m a ways out from having read those books and I had to think for a second before realizing the reference. Besides that, I don’t think everyone read the series and therefore I don’t think the name Charles Wallace is as iconic as Christopher Robin. So maybe you could get away with it, but it really depends on the people you socialize with. I think ultimately what you do relates to the first point I made–it depends on what you’re comfortable with.

Good luck!

I’m an avid reader and would never have made that association with the name (and didn’t until I read the post above me), so I think you have nothing to worry about. It’s not ‘weird’ at all.

I’m reading a book right now where one of the main characters is a girl named Jesselynn. and the more I read the more the name is growing on me. I think books can be a great inspiration for names. Of course there are the weird, obscure character names, like you might not want to name your child Gandalf of something, but [name_m]Charles[/name_m] [name_u]Wallace[/name_u] is perfectly fine.

My concern is that the name is really long to use both names all the time.

I was assuming that [name_u]Wallace[/name_u] would be the middle name, but you’re right that maybe that wasn’t OP’s intention. I agree that [name_m]Charles[/name_m] [name_u]Wallace[/name_u] as a first name would definitely be very long to use all the time.

Thank you for the feedback. I think I was feeling a little hesitant because I have really conservative in-laws, and I’d probably get unending grief if they knew I discovered the name in a children’s book. I don’t think I really care, though.

Regarding the length of the name… [name_u]Wallace[/name_u] will be a middle name. My husband has already made it very clear that if we use the name, he only plans to use [name_m]Charles[/name_m]. I would call him [name_m]Charles[/name_m] [name_u]Wallace[/name_u] because it appeals to me. The kid can obviously choose for himself what he prefers to go by when he’s older. I don’t feel like length is really an issue.

I had no idea the name was from a children’s book. I honestly just think [name_m]Charles[/name_m] [name_u]Wallace[/name_u] is a very handsome name! And really, even if you plan to use both names it’s only three syllables (in my accent at least), which is no longer than a lot of boys’ names - [name_m]Alexander[/name_m], for instance. Plus he can go by [name_m]Charles[/name_m] [name_u]Wallace[/name_u], just [name_m]Charles[/name_m], or [name_u]Charlie[/name_u], [name_u]Wally[/name_u], et c. so he has a lot of versatility with this name.

[name_m]Just[/name_m] don’t tell your inlaws where you got the name :wink: Or, brace yourself for some unbecoming comments. I’m a very thin-skinned person and I take things personally so I understand your concern (we’re considering a “feminine” name for baby if it’s a boy and I’m trying to prepare myself for the confused comments from grandparents), but ultimately if you and DH both love it I think it’s a fantastic choice.

I like your plan of [name_m]Charles[/name_m] [name_u]Wallace[/name_u] as first and middle names, and then you can call him [name_m]Charles[/name_m] [name_u]Wallace[/name_u] while other people call him [name_m]Charles[/name_m] or he figures out what he’d like to be called. I’m an avid reader as well and I had no idea what book series you were referring to, so I don’t think it is as obvious as your example of [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] [name_u]Robin[/name_u]. You really don’t have to tell your in-laws the inspiration for the name, and if they find out down the road, they’ll have associated the name with your son/their grandson so it won’t matter anymore.

Well, it’s a great classic book and a great character, so I approve! He will just use his first name in most situations anyway, so I don’t think the association will be too noticeable to most people.

Oh that’s my favorite children’s book :slight_smile: so I went right there… I love him. If you love it and its right use it and you can always just call him [name_m]Charles[/name_m] if it gets cumbersome but people will notice and ask or ask and then you’ll have to explain it and if that’s cool go for it.