As evidenced by all my posts around here lately, I’ve been looking for one more name to complete my top 10, and I’ve come down to three options ([name]Declan[/name], [name]Boaz[/name], and [name]Zane[/name]–although [name]Tobin[/name] keeps trying to sneak back in there!). I think I’m coming close and closer to picking [name]Declan[/name], I think it pairs really great with the rest of my list and I really do love it, but for some reason I am unable to commit.
If you love [name]Declan[/name], why do you love it? And if you don’t, please convince me of one of the others!
The other names on my list are [name]Caleb[/name], [name]Everett[/name], [name]Asher[/name], [name]Jack[/name], [name]Grayson[/name], [name]Avery[/name], [name]Brody[/name], [name]Bailey[/name], and [name]Spencer[/name], so I think all three (four) fit in in some way or another, seeing that I have several styles meshed in there.
OK: here’s my weigh in. [name]Declan[/name] is a perfectly handsome name and it fits in fine on your list, particularly with [name]Brody[/name].
But I love [name]Boaz[/name] and [name]Zane[/name] so much more I will advise for them. Here are some thoughts on why.
[name]Declan[/name] honesty mildly annoys me. Now, it’s got a ringing, lilting quality that I do like. So that’s a positive. But the Deck syllable makes me think about punching somebody. It also just sounds like a substitute for [name]Dylan[/name], which I happen to like more (but I mean, I get that [name]Dylan[/name] is more overused, so nothing’s perfect : D). Finally, to be fair, I knew a guy named [name]Declan[/name] who was pretty annoying, so, I may not be an unbiased source.
Now onto [name]Boaz[/name] and [name]Zane[/name]. [name]Boaz[/name]. [name]How[/name] wonderful! I love the nickname [name]Bo[/name]. I love how exotic it feels. It would go nicely with your more traditional/familiar Biblical names [name]Caleb[/name] and [name]Asher[/name] (gosh, if you wanted to, if you had 3 boys they could be in ABC order…probably too corny but also kind of sweet!). To be fair, it might not fit as well with much of your list, and might rule some of your other favorites out :/. But I just find this name winning. I would use it but my surname also starts with B and ends in a z sound and it would be kind of crazy I think!
[name]Zane[/name]. [name]Zane[/name] [name]Gray[/name] is such a cool author. Your choice if [name]Zane[/name] and [name]Grayson[/name] wouldn’t be compatible. It’s just a touch zany but just handsome and grounded. [name]Zane[/name] and [name]Everett[/name] are really nice together, so are [name]Avery[/name] and [name]Zane[/name] (A to Z?).
So I hope that helps - I realize they’re not the strongest arguments but it’s what I think of! If you do go with [name]Declan[/name] as you seem likely to do, it’s a nice name and I’ll be very happy for either [name]Boaz[/name] or [name]Zane[/name] to take the second part.
(Can I just say [name]Zane[/name] and [name]Boaz[/name] would make really cool brothers?).
Honestly, right now I think [name]Zane[/name] is out of the picture. My [name]Asher[/name] combo is very likely going to be [name]Asher[/name] [name]Elliot[/name] [name]Zane[/name], and I’d love to avoid repeating (although I obviously don’t mind, as I have lots of repetition in my boys’ list, haha), and I’m really loving both [name]Declan[/name] and [name]Boaz[/name] right now. Someone on another site suggested I do [name]Declan[/name] [name]Boaz[/name], but they seem sort of mismatched to me.
You’re just making me love [name]Boaz[/name] all the more, though, haha! My grandmother was a [name]Ruth[/name], so I think [name]Boaz[/name] would be just the most fun tribute to her ever. And the nn [name]Beau[/name]/[name]Bo[/name] is so adorable, and I’ve always really loved the story of [name]Ruth[/name] and [name]Boaz[/name]. It just seems so cool. It always felt pretty GPish for me, though–it’s so unusual compared to my other favorites, and I’m afraid of the a** jokes. [name]Do[/name] you think that would be a problem? I looked it up on babynamesworld.com, which surveys people with the actual name, and the majority of the guys said they loved it and would recommend that parents name their sons that (and at the teasing section, there was nothing about a** jokes…). I just don’t know if I’m brave enough for [name]Boaz[/name], haha!
Although it goes well with the other names in your top ten I don’t like [name]Declan[/name]. Where I live [name]Declan[/name] is really popular, in the top 20 names for the last 8 years popular. I’m over hearing it which is probably why I don’t like it.
[name]Boaz[/name] reminds me of boar even though it doesn’t sound the same (sorry!)
I do love the name [name]Zane[/name]! I think it fits well with the other names on your list. Although I can see it becoming really popular in the next few years. (Not sure if that’s a deal breaker for you)
[name]Ruth[/name] is a family name for me too and I love that about [name]Boaz[/name] too! Yes, I can hear the a$$ thing a little bit…it’s a risk, but I think with [name]Asa[/name] and [name]Aspen[/name] becoming popular names he wouldn’t be worse off than some of his classmates. Heck [name]Asher[/name] and [name]Ashley[/name] have potential for it too particularly with little kids who sometimes have trouble with the sh sound, and those names haven’t been slowed down at all : D. Besides I pronounce it a little more like boas, the plural of boa constrictor. Which might have its own teasing risk but downplays the a$$ sound alike.
I do think [name]Declan[/name] and [name]Boaz[/name] are a little mismatched :/.
I think [name]Boaz[/name] is really interesting and cool. So I might go with that one.
[name]Declan[/name] really does fit nicely with your other names. It’s sturdy and masculine, yet offbeat. It does seem to be getting popular… [name]Love[/name] the strong, clear CL sound. Also, doesn’t [name]Declan[/name] contain the Greek root for ten? Perfect. #10 on the list!
I do like [name]Declan[/name]. It’s handsome and versatile. I have to admit, though, I actually prefer [name]Tobin[/name] out of the 4 extras you listed.
And I’d like [name]Boas[/name] a lot because of the anthropology connection, but I’m not as keen on [name]Boaz[/name] for the religious connection.
Anyway, [name]Declan[/name] is great and I think it works with the majority of the other 9. [name]Tobin[/name] is also great and I like it better myself. I love seeing [name]Declan[/name] for other peoples’ kids, but it’s very much on the rise. If it were me picking one, I’d go with [name]Tobin[/name]. It’s familiar sounding, obscure and still legit. I don’t think one is necessarily better than the other, it just depends what you’re looking for. [name]Tobin[/name] is also very versatile, I think because of its surnamey feel and uncommonness, it works well with the handsome classics and the trendier names on your list. [name]Declan[/name], while great, kind of makes a brother combo feel more contemporary, whereas [name]Tobin[/name] is pretty undatable which makes whatever you pair it with seem more timeless.
I love [name]Declan[/name]. I like it’s masculine but not harsh, and I love that it’s Irish. I also think that its meaning (“man of prayer”) is lovely. I can also see it working on every age, which is always something I look for in a name.
I am so crushing on [name]Declan[/name] right now! I’m finding it hard to choose between the two names because I can see each name fitting perfectly with some names on your list, e.g. [name]Caleb[/name], [name]Asher[/name], [name]Everett[/name], [name]Brody[/name], [name]Spencer[/name] and [name]Jack[/name] would all go so well with [name]Declan[/name] but [name]Caleb[/name], [name]Grayson[/name], [name]Avery[/name] and [name]Asher[/name] fit perfectly with [name]Boaz[/name].
I love the nickname [name]Bo[/name], so that’s going in favour of [name]Boaz[/name]. However, Dec is a handsome nickname for [name]Declan[/name].
No popularity issues with either, although I do think [name]Declan[/name] will be the one that has the potential to rise most but I know popularity isn’t really an issue for you.
I think [name]Declan[/name] just fits better with more of your favourites so I’m more in favour of [name]Declan[/name] than [name]Boaz[/name] right now.
It sounds like you are all as divided as I am! le sigh.
I like that [name]Declan[/name] would be a sort of Irish-inspired actual FN, like [name]Jack[/name], rather than a Biblical name or a surnamey choice, like all the others on my list, but I’m so mesmerized by [name]Boaz[/name] right now, I think it’s just so cool. I think [name]Declan[/name]'s definitely safer, but I love the connection to my grandmother for [name]Boaz[/name]! Urgh. I don’t know if I’ll ever decide. lol.
ashthedreamer, I agree that [name]Boaz[/name] is a very bold choice, especially compared with your other, more mainstream, choices. But I really like it, especially with the nn [name]Bo[/name]/[name]Beau[/name]. I much prefer it to [name]Declan[/name]. I don’t know anyone with either name.
However, I think [name]Tobin[/name] is the best of them all. I wanted to name our son [name]Tobias[/name] after quite a number of great- or great-great- grandfathers with that name, but my husband wasn’t comfortable with it. I think [name]Tobin[/name] would’ve probably been better than [name]Tobias[/name] if I would have thought of it.
Btw, I enjoy reading your opinions on other posters’ name choices; I usually am in total harmony with your opinion. Not always though.
Ashthedreamer seems to be the perfect user name for you from what I can tell from your posts.
[name]Em[/name], yeah, pretty much. I’m completely happy with my top 8:
[name]Caleb[/name] [name]Elias[/name] [name]Joseph[/name]
[name]Everett[/name] [name]Joshua[/name] [name]Charles[/name]
[name]Asher[/name] ____ _____ (very likely will be [name]Asher[/name] [name]Elliot[/name] [name]Zane[/name]–I just can’t commit to it 100% yet!)
[name]Jack[/name] [name]August[/name] [name]Cole[/name]
[name]Grayson[/name] [name]Isaac[/name] [name]Jude[/name]
[name]Avery[/name] [name]Ian[/name] [name]George[/name]
[name]Brody[/name] [name]Elliot[/name] [name]Daniel[/name]
[name]Bailey[/name] [name]Elias[/name] [name]Charles[/name]
And I’ve recently decided to keep [name]Spencer[/name], too, I’m not sure of the combo, but it’ll likely either be [name]Spencer[/name] [name]Ezra[/name] [name]Gray[/name] or [name]Spencer[/name] [name]Elijah[/name] something or other ([name]Zane[/name]? [name]Gray[/name]? [name]Henry[/name]? [name]Leo[/name]?). And then the last spot will likely be either [name]Declan[/name] or [name]Boaz[/name], at this point. I’m open to trying to fit [name]Boaz[/name] in as a MN, but at this point, I’m not sure where I’d put it. I’m really happy with all my combos as they are. Would something like [name]Declan[/name] ______ [name]Boaz[/name] work? I had been thinking something like [name]Declan[/name] [name]Ezra[/name] or [name]Declan[/name] [name]Samuel[/name], but I’d be open to something like [name]Declan[/name] [three-syllable-name] [name]Boaz[/name] if it worked…
[name]Declan[/name] is a good choice, one of those name (for me) that is safe, yet uncommon. I had seriously considered [name]Declan[/name] as well, and would have loved the nickname [name]Dex[/name]! I know you asked for opinions for and against, but my reasons for putting this name aside were likely irrational, so no need to share
[name]Boaz[/name] is definitely more “out there”, but with a family connection that you find meaningful, it just can’t be beat (imo). I think it comes down to how comfortable you are with a name that not everyone will like because it is uncommon/unusual. People would probably often ask you why you picked this name, and how cool would it be to refer to your grandmother every time.
As far as a [name]Declan[/name] _____ [name]Boaz[/name] combo, how about [name]Samuel[/name] in the middle?
I think [name]Tobin[/name] is lovely and I really love [name]Toby[/name] lately, but I think I’m leaning more toward [name]Declan[/name] or [name]Boaz[/name].
Aww, I know, I would just love that! She was such an amazing woman, I think it’d be a great legacy for him to carry on her memory. [name]Boaz[/name] is just so unusual, though, I don’t know if I could use it!
