My wife and I are expecting our first child (a baby boy) next [name_f]May[/name_f] and we’re really struggling with finding a name that we both agree on. We’ve narrowed it down to either [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] or [name_m]Joshua[/name_m]. Both names are great, however, our last name is Wallen (pronounced [name_m]Wall[/name_m]-uhn) and I’m not sure I like the sound of [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] Wallen since they both end with “uhn”. My wife doesn’t mind this at all and really prefers the name [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] over [name_m]Joshua[/name_m]. Am I overthinking this or does [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] sound fine with our last name? Also, if you have any other names that you think might sound good with our last name, we’d appreciate it!
I agree with you – I find [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] Wallen difficult to pronounce – doesn’t really roll off the tongue! Maybe it’s the “[name_m]Wall[/name_m]” even more than the “-en” because I think [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] [name_m]Allen[/name_m] works… but maybe this is just because it’s a historic name I’m used to hearing…
I like [name_m]Joshua[/name_m] with your last name much better. [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] is a nice name but it’s sooooo trendy (I’m not kidding when I say I know dozens of little Ethans in the baby to preschool range). [name_m]Joshua[/name_m] is a popular name (although not quite as popular at [name_m]Ethan[/name_m]) BUT it’s more of an evergreen classic – it won’t ever seem dated the way that I think [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] likely will. [name_m]Joshua[/name_m] is, to me, the type of name you can’t go wrong with. I don’t think the last name rhymey thing is a deal breaker necessarily, but I would say definitely be prepared for your little guy to be one of a handful of Ethans in his kindergarten class.
In keeping with your theme of softer sounding biblical names:
It’s not ideal, but I far prefer [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] to [name_m]Joshua[/name_m]. [name_m]Joshua[/name_m] feels tired and dated to me. [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] [name_m]Wall[/name_m] en doesn’t sound bad. Suggestions:
I actually like the sound of [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] Wallen, but better to keep the peace.
[name_m]Wesley[/name_m] Wallen is handsome, sounds like a celebrity.
[name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] Wallen is also very nice.
[name_m]William[/name_m] Wallen sounds too much like [name_m]William[/name_m] [name_u]Wallace[/name_u] to me.
I think [name_m]Bennett[/name_m], [name_m]Wesley[/name_m] and [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] are all great options. I particularly like [name_m]Wesley[/name_m] – it’s such a handsome name that’s recognizable and traditional without being overly popular or trendy. And I think [name_m]Wes[/name_m] is a great nickname. The alliteration of [name_m]Wesley[/name_m] Wallen doesn’t bother me – I sort of think, as another poster said, it’s got a bit of movie star sound to it. [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] and [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] are nice, too, although I prefer [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m]. It’s a classic name and while there are a lot of little (and big) Bens out there, it’s an evergreen name that I don’t believe will ever feel dated or trendy and is easy for any little boy (or man) to make his own.
The only pick I’m not wild about is [name_m]William[/name_m]. I immediately also thought of [name_m]William[/name_m] [name_u]Wallace[/name_u] and to me, the repetition of sounds and letters in [name_m]William[/name_m] and Wallen is just too much – [name_m]Will[/name_m] Wallen just doesn’t work that well for me (although I think [name_m]William[/name_m] is a great choice aside from this).
I think [name_m]Bennett[/name_m], [name_m]Wesley[/name_m] and [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] are all great options. I particularly like [name_m]Wesley[/name_m] – it’s such a handsome name that’s recognizable and traditional without being overly popular or trendy. And I think [name_m]Wes[/name_m] is a great nickname. The alliteration of [name_m]Wesley[/name_m] Wallen doesn’t bother me – I sort of think, as another poster said, it’s got a bit of movie star sound to it. [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m] and [name_m]Bennett[/name_m] are nice, too, although I prefer [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m]. It’s a classic name and while there are a lot of little (and big) Bens out there, it’s an evergreen name that I don’t believe will ever feel dated or trendy and is easy for any little boy (or man) to make his own.
The only pick I’m not wild about is [name_m]William[/name_m]. I immediately also thought of [name_m]William[/name_m] [name_u]Wallace[/name_u] and to me, the repetition of sounds and letters in [name_m]William[/name_m] and Wallen is just too much – [name_m]Will[/name_m] Wallen just doesn’t work that well for me (although I think [name_m]William[/name_m] is a great choice aside from this).
I don’t think [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] Wallen sounds nearly as bad as you think. I mean they do both end the same, but it’s not overly apparent. I also like that they are spelled differently. I do prefer [name_m]Joshua[/name_m] to [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] and it does sound better with your last name, but I think [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] is perfectly usable! [name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps
I like the flow of this combo better than [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] Wallen.