Desperately need feedback on our short list please!

Boy Names
1

We’re expecting a baby boy in [name_u]November[/name_u], and we’re having trouble narrowing down our short list. We’re at the point where we like all our final names but none of them are really jumping out at us as THE right name…but I’d really like to narrow things down to 2 or 3 names before we go to the hospital! I’m feeling burned out, and my DH has refused to talk about names for the last 2 weeks because he’s tired of thinking about it, lol.

[name_m]Calvin[/name_m]–Both of us really like [name_m]Calvin[/name_m], but one of our very close family members hates it (bad associations). They don’t get a vote, but it does give us pause…
[name_m]Leo[/name_m]–We like it, but can’t quite commit to it
[name_m]Miles[/name_m]–Ditto. We like it, but can’t seem to settle on it
[name_u]Owen[/name_u]–This was our top name, but a close friend recently used it, and now we’re feeling kind of iffy about it.
[name_m]Levi[/name_m]–We both like it, but I’m concerned it’s a bit trendy (I don’t really care about popular, I just don’t want a name that will feel dated)
[name_m]Isaac[/name_m]–I really like this, my husband is a bit less enthusiastic
[name_m]Adrian[/name_m]–Might be too long (last name is 4 syllables), and I worry it blends with all the Aidans

[name_m]Adam[/name_m], [name_m]Hugh[/name_m], [name_m]Colin[/name_m], and [name_m]Milo[/name_m] are still technically on the list, but they’re our second tier choices.

[name_m]Just[/name_m] to give a broader sense of our style, [name_u]Micah[/name_u], [name_m]Eli[/name_m], [name_m]Julian[/name_m], [name_m]Ronan[/name_m], [name_u]James[/name_u], [name_m]Ian[/name_m], [name_m]Trevor[/name_m], [name_m]Griffin[/name_m], [name_m]Ivan[/name_m], [name_m]Forest[/name_m], [name_m]Luke[/name_m], [name_m]Nathan[/name_m], [name_m]Lewis[/name_m], [name_u]Cameron[/name_u], [name_u]Dexter[/name_u], [name_u]Seth[/name_u], [name_u]Rowan[/name_u], [name_m]Martin[/name_m], [name_m]Orson[/name_m], and [name_m]Simon[/name_m] have all been seriously considered and vetoed (mostly by DH :P).

2

Calvin - I’ve met a young boy named this, he wore it well. I personally don’t love it, the meaning gives me pause - ‘bald’ - also because it is close to the actual word ‘bald’ in other languages.
If a very close member has -very bad associations with the names, I’d take it into account. Say, if it involved my mother and someone who commited some unspeakable act to her - I woudn’t use it. If it’s an uncle and someone they hate with a passion, but nothing ‘more’, that’d be more of an ok situation to use the name.

Leo - I’m sort of ‘meh’ towards it. Have you perhaps considered similar names, or longer names that could have Leo as a nickanme? Leon and Leonardo come to mind…

Miles - very charming

Owen - not the most exciting, but a fine name. If it was your very favorite, I think you could still use it. Think… how often will the two boys meet? How terrible would it really be, if they did meet quite often up into their childhood years, that they share a name? Or perhaps… you might like Bowen?

Levi - classic and meaningful. You usually can’t go wrong with Biblical names, I think. (unless they have bad meanings/connotations). It’s definitely not trendy, and I doubt it’ll feel dated.

Isaac - again, it’s a fine, classic, Biblical name. Not the most exciting, but a ‘good’ name. Have you considered perhaps Isaiah?

Adrian - I’ve honestly never been a fan of any Adrian/Adrienne/Adrianna names, so you might want to take this with a grain of salt. But I also don’t think it’s anywhere near the Aidan fad.

I actually love all the names you listed on your vetoed list!
Eli to me is a step away from Levi. A ‘if you like this name, you’ll love this…’.
I can see some more exciting options there…

In short, from your shortlist, I say:
Owen - ok to use, if you’re ok with the kids sharing names, especially if you love it.
Levi - great, strong, meaningful, timeless name.
Miles and Isaac - also great names, if you both agree on them. Might be worth taking them to the hospital?

3

Based on what you’ve said about each name, and your comment on [name_m]Levi[/name_m], it seems like the hospital shortlist could be [name_m]Calvin[/name_m], [name_m]Miles[/name_m], and [name_u]Owen[/name_u]. Does that sound right, or is there a name that you’re saying “No!!! [name_m]Don[/name_m]'t take ___ off the list!” (add that one!).

[name_m]Calvin[/name_m]–Sounds like this one should stay on your short list, even with the family considerations. Current USA rank is #145.
[name_m]Leo[/name_m]–it’s a great name, but if [name_m]Levi[/name_m] seems trendy to you, this one might also have that feeling 30 years from now–it’s not quite at the same peak of popularity as it was in the early 20th century, but it’s getting there fast. And that -o ending…so fun, and so 2010s (#61).
[name_m]Miles[/name_m]–another awesome name, but like [name_m]Levi[/name_m] and [name_u]Owen[/name_u], also at a historical peak of popularity. [name_m]Miles[/name_m] feels more timeless than [name_m]Milo[/name_m], with that understated -s ending, rather than the 2010s favourite -o (but I do love a good -o name…can’t help it!) (#110).
[name_u]Owen[/name_u]–another classic at an all-time high, for obvious reasons! If it’s your favourite name, then don’t let the fact that your friends share your taste put you off it–it’s not off-limits, at least as far as I see it. Probably worth talking to them about it, though? On the other hand, if the attraction is gone now that someone in your circle has used it, then it’s worth considering that feeling and either looking for a name that you love no matter how many friends choose it, or deliberately looking for names that rank below the top 300 (or even 500) or so, to minimize the chances of someone close to you using the same name. (#28).
[name_m]Levi[/name_m]–see [name_m]Miles[/name_m] :slight_smile: (#37)
[name_m]Isaac[/name_m]–Hmm…depends on whether your husband actively dislikes it, or whether it could be something he’s reconsidering in the ‘no talking about names’ period! This one is also like [name_m]Miles[/name_m], [name_m]Levi[/name_m], and [name_u]Owen[/name_u], a classic at a peak of its popularity in the USA. (#33).
[name_m]Adrian[/name_m]–This one seems really different from the others on your list, --I’m not sure if that means that it’s ‘the one’, or if it’s one to cut! (#58).

It also sounds a little like [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] and [name_u]Owen[/name_u] were your top names, but external factors are causing you to second-guess them. In that case, have you considered close stylistic alternatives like [name_m]Callum[/name_m] (#611), [name_m]Jonah[/name_m] (#155), or [name_u]Elliott[/name_u]/[name_u]Elliot[/name_u] (#160 and #161)? It’s too bad that your DH vetoed [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] (#140), because that seems like a great fit!

4

If you like them all, I suggest waiting to see his sweet little face, and see what feels right.

5

It seems like the only one you truly love is [name_m]Calvin[/name_m]! I wouldn’t let another person’s opinion bother you, [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] is a lovely name. That said there are always other [name_u]Cal[/name_u]- names like [name_m]Callum[/name_m] or [name_m]Callahan[/name_m]. Or if you like the “vin” sound [name_m]Vincent[/name_m].
I love [name_m]Ronan[/name_m], [name_u]Dexter[/name_u], [name_m]Griffin[/name_m], [name_m]Ivan[/name_m], [name_m]Forest[/name_m] and [name_m]Lewis[/name_m]! If your husband doesn’t like them, have you considered the similar [name_u]Rowan[/name_u]/[name_m]Lonan[/name_m], [name_m]Baxter[/name_m], [name_m]Griffith[/name_m]/[name_u]Gray[/name_u]/[name_u]Finn[/name_u]/[name_u]Flynn[/name_u], [name_m]Vaughan[/name_m]/[name_m]Donovan[/name_m], [name_m]Forester[/name_m]/[name_m]Oren[/name_m] and [name_u]Lawrence[/name_u]/[name_m]Louis[/name_m]?
[name_m]Plenty[/name_m] of the names on your list are popular, though you say you don’t want anything that will feel too 2018. So here are some names that feel fresh but aren’t too common at the moment:
[name_m]Beckett[/name_m]
[name_m]Bennett[/name_m]
[name_u]Barrett[/name_u]
[name_u]Emmett[/name_u]
[name_u]Everett[/name_u]
[name_m]Graham[/name_m]
[name_m]Abraham[/name_m]
[name_u]Spencer[/name_u]
[name_u]Porter[/name_u]
[name_m]Jasper[/name_m]
[name_u]Lennon[/name_u]
[name_u]Lennox[/name_u]
[name_m]Maddox[/name_m]
[name_m]Bowie[/name_m]
[name_m]Ford[/name_m]
[name_m]Wesley[/name_m]
[name_m]Chester[/name_m]
[name_m]Reuben[/name_m]
[name_u]Sullivan[/name_u]
[name_m]Prescott[/name_m]
[name_m]Alec[/name_m]
[name_u]August[/name_u]
[name_m]Wilder[/name_m]
[name_m]Oscar[/name_m]
[name_m]Otis[/name_m]
[name_m]Abel[/name_m]
[name_u]Beau[/name_u]
[name_u]Jude[/name_u]
[name_m]Edison[/name_m]
[name_m]Edwin[/name_m]
[name_m]Felix[/name_m]
[name_m]Gideon[/name_m]
[name_m]Victor[/name_m]
[name_m]Joel[/name_m]
[name_m]Hugo[/name_m]
[name_u]Luca[/name_u]
[name_m]Lachlan[/name_m]
[name_m]Tobias[/name_m]
[name_m]Anders[/name_m]
[name_m]Arthur[/name_m]
[name_u]Phoenix[/name_u]
[name_m]Clayton[/name_m]

6

[name_m]Calvin[/name_m], [name_m]Levi[/name_m] and [name_u]Owen[/name_u] seem like these should be your final 3 because from what you’ve said, they’re the only ones that you both really like. I get a trendy, cool-guy vibe from all 3 of the names.

Your family member with the bad association doesn’t get a vote, but I understand why it gives you pause - you don’t want them to think of the other [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] when they see yours! But odds are, once they meet YOUR [name_m]Calvin[/name_m], he will become their association. (Caveat: if the other [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] tried to kill them, humiliated them on national tv - ok, maybe pick another name. [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] picked his nose in 3rd grade or was an annoying coworker? Not bad enough not to use)

[name_u]Owen[/name_u] is definitely a more popular option, I have heard of several new [name_m]Owens[/name_m]. [name_m]Levi[/name_m] I don’t see as trendy or dated. I think it’s a solid, strong name for a little guy. Maybe [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] [name_m]Levi[/name_m] as an option?

If someone said to you, “You absolutely can NOT name your baby ____. It’s not allowed.” And it was a rule, that name was dead to you - what name on your list would you be like “OMG No!” Bc that’s The Name.

7

Thanks for all the feedback everyone, it’s super helpful!!

The [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] bad association is actually [name_m]John[/name_m] [name_m]Calvin[/name_m]. The relative in question studies and teaches church history and absolutely loathes [name_m]John[/name_m] [name_m]Calvin[/name_m]. They’ve threatened to call the baby [name_m]Hobbes[/name_m] if we name him [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] which…doesn’t actually bother me (lol! Color me crazy…), but DH is concerned about hurt feelings, and I don’t want to use it if he has reservations. We’ve considered all the similar [name_u]Cal[/name_u] and [name_m]Vin[/name_m] names, but none quite hit the mark sadly…I do think @livsmama12 question is pretty helpful here! This relative DID say “You absolutely can NOT name your baby [name_m]Calvin[/name_m]. It’s not allowed.” And we took [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] off the list for 2 weeks before I put it back on :P. But I’ve had a similar reaction with [name_m]Levi[/name_m], [name_u]Owen[/name_u], and [name_m]Leo[/name_m] too (all were vetoed by DH at least once before he suddenly decided he liked them)…

[name_m]Leo[/name_m] actually used to be our top choice (after friend used [name_u]Owen[/name_u]) too, but recently it’s just been feeling…unexciting. I can’t tell if I’m just overthinking it or if I just don’t like it anymore. But [name_m]Leo[/name_m] [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] was our default name for quite some time. I feel like we also need to pick between [name_m]Leo[/name_m] and [name_m]Levi[/name_m]—they sound very similar and are maybe equally classic but popular?

[name_u]Owen[/name_u] is also feeling pretty unexciting these days. I still like it, and I knew it was popular (and didn’t particularly care) but it feels a bit more personal when it’s used in your immediate friend group, I guess. Of all of these names, this is the one I’m most inclined to drop, I think, especially after seeing a couple of you listing it in the recommended top 3! That made me realize how meh I was feeling about [name_u]Owen[/name_u] these days. I think I’d rather keep [name_m]Miles[/name_m] or [name_m]Isaac[/name_m] and cut [name_u]Owen[/name_u].

Sadly, everything in the vetoed list is well and truly vetoed. I pushed so hard for [name_u]Rowan[/name_u], [name_u]Micah[/name_u], [name_m]Eli[/name_m], [name_m]Griffin[/name_m], [name_m]Lewis[/name_m], and [name_m]Forest[/name_m], but DH is pretty conservative about boy names (which is why so many of our options are in the top 50-100 :P). Oddly he’s a lot more open about girl names…

8

I love [name_m]Leo[/name_m]. I have one (and a [name_u]Finn[/name_u], in case that’s a possibility for you). I get so many compliments on [name_m]Leo[/name_m]'s name and am so glad I used it. I do know of a few other little [name_m]Leos[/name_m] but I’m not too bothered by that.

[name_m]How[/name_m] about:
[name_u]Bryce[/name_u]
[name_u]Calder[/name_u]
[name_m]Callum[/name_m]
[name_u]Jude[/name_u]
[name_m]Liam[/name_m]
[name_m]Hugo[/name_m]
[name_m]Atlas[/name_m]
[name_u]August[/name_u]
[name_u]Nico[/name_u]
[name_m]Declan[/name_m]
[name_m]Felix[/name_m]
[name_m]Nigel[/name_m]

10

Is sounds like [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] the the true choice hear, but if your relatives bad association is enough to not use it, maybe there’s a similar name out there? I see you also like [name_u]Owen[/name_u], [name_m]Adrian[/name_m], [name_m]Julian[/name_m], [name_m]Ronan[/name_m], [name_m]Ivan[/name_m], what about:
[name_m]Declan[/name_m]
[name_u]Tristan[/name_u]
[name_m]Sylvan[/name_m]
[name_m]Ewan[/name_m]/[name_m]Euan[/name_m]
[name_u]Rowan[/name_u]
[name_m]Nolan[/name_m]
[name_m]Simon[/name_m]
[name_m]Lachlan[/name_m]

11

I love [name_m]Leo[/name_m] and [name_m]Miles[/name_m], the two standouts from your list for me.

I’m not a fan of [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] as it conjures up heavy religious associations for me, [name_u]Owen[/name_u] and [name_m]Levi[/name_m] just don’t appeal to me. [name_m]Adrian[/name_m] feels dated and doesn’t appeal.

12

From your short list I like: [name_m]Leo[/name_m], [name_u]Owen[/name_u], [name_m]Levi[/name_m], [name_m]Isaac[/name_m] and [name_m]Adrian[/name_m]. From that, I would cut [name_m]Adrian[/name_m], because as much as I like it, it feels very different from the other names stylistically, so I feel like your more likely to go off it. I would also cut [name_m]Isaac[/name_m], because your husband doesn’t love it, and [name_u]Owen[/name_u], because you now feel iffy about using it.

So, my final two for you would be [name_m]Leo[/name_m] and [name_m]Levi[/name_m].