Choosing a Name We Both Like

Hello, berries!

I have been reading the forum posts for a while, but this is my very first post. My husband and I are expecting a boy in [name_u]June[/name_u], and we are very much at odds when it comes to names. At this point, I just feel stuck.

My top name is [name_m]Beckett[/name_m], but I have also considered [name_u]Theo[/name_u], [name_u]Ari[/name_u], [name_u]Sawyer[/name_u], [name_u]Dexter[/name_u], [name_u]Freddie[/name_u], and [name_u]Finn[/name_u].
My husband is crazy about the name [name_m]Desmond[/name_m], and wants to call him [name_u]Desi[/name_u]. I really don’t like it, and I feel bad because I really don’t like any of his suggestions-- [name_u]Royal[/name_u], [name_m]Victor[/name_m], CJ (a junior), and [name_u]Korbin[/name_u]. He is often attracted to the meaning of a name, while I would say that a good meaning is a bonus, but you should like saying the actual name day in and day out.

It is important to me that we both like the name. I was hoping for an AHA! moment when we would just know it was the right one, but I don’t think it is going to happen. Any suggestions on how we might be able to come to an agreement?

I know this is a common problem, so I would be interested to hear how any of you have worked this out in the past!

I personally haven’t there yet (though I’m sure, when the time comes, I’ll need to gather all the advice learned here), so I’ll throw some ideas out there:

[name_m]Bas[/name_m] - stand alone or as a nickname, it was the first thing that popped into mind. Somewhere between [name_m]Beckett[/name_m] and “[name_m]Des[/name_m]”. Can be short for [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m], [name_m]Basil[/name_m], Basilton, anything at all that contains those letters…
[name_m]Daxton[/name_m] - A step away from [name_u]Dexter[/name_u] and [name_m]Desmond[/name_m]. Though, you know, [name_u]Desi[/name_u] could also be a nickname for any of these.
Exton
[name_m]Lachlan[/name_m]
[name_m]Cyrus[/name_m]
[name_m]Roland[/name_m]
[name_m]Clark[/name_m]
[name_m]Declan[/name_m]

[name_m]Declan[/name_m] is a great middle ground between [name_m]Desmond[/name_m] and [name_u]Dexter[/name_u]. You could even nickname a [name_m]Declan[/name_m] both [name_m]Des[/name_m] and [name_m]Dex[/name_m] without too much of a stretch.

What about [name_u]Corin[/name_u]? A meeting point between [name_u]Finn[/name_u] and [name_u]Korbin[/name_u], sounds on trend, but is little used and has great Shakespearian cred…

Other ideas (sorry for repeats):
[name_m]Dashiell[/name_m] ([name_u]Dash[/name_u] is just so fun)
[name_u]Arlo[/name_u]
[name_m]Garrett[/name_m]
[name_m]Cian[/name_m]
[name_m]Gage[/name_m]
[name_m]Gannon[/name_m]
[name_m]Brenner[/name_m]
[name_u]Tristan[/name_u]
[name_m]Cormac[/name_m]
[name_u]Hunter[/name_u]
[name_m]Ryder[/name_m]
[name_u]Orion[/name_u]

[name_u]Dexter[/name_u] ‘[name_u]Desi[/name_u]’ is a great option?

Maybe you could do something with the nn CJ that your husband could use?
[name_m]Casper[/name_m] [name_m]Jett[/name_m]
[name_m]Coby[/name_m] [name_m]Jackson[/name_m]
[name_m]Callum[/name_m] [name_u]Jude[/name_u]

Some names that maybe bridge the gap

[name_u]Everett[/name_u]
[name_u]Flynn[/name_u]
[name_u]Arlo[/name_u]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m]
[name_m]Grayson[/name_m]
[name_m]Conrad[/name_m]
[name_m]Fletcher[/name_m]

So much sympathy for you! We had a HARD time choosing baby names. Honestly, I recommend brainstorming everything you both like, writing it all down and hanging it on the fridge. You never know what either of you might warm to! :slight_smile: Good luck!

Similar to @mt_mama’s suggestion, I had friends who had a blackboard in their kitchen and they’d write names as they came across them and if the other person didn’t like it, they could cross it off.

What about:
[name_m]Miles[/name_m]
[name_m]Cassius[/name_m]
[name_m]Carver[/name_m]
[name_m]Harvey[/name_m]
[name_m]Damon[/name_m]
[name_m]Jasper[/name_m]
[name_m]Booker[/name_m]