See the results of this poll: Which do you prefer? Why?
Respondents: 95 (This poll is closed)
- Jasper Ioas Brandt Lucky : 67 (71%)
- Emrys Nabil Brandt Lucky: 28 (29%)
Down to two! Oh, wow! And they are awesome.
My vote went to [name]Emrys[/name] [name]Nabil[/name] [name]Brandt[/name] [name]Lucky[/name]. I have loved [name]Emrys[/name] as a brother for Rayhan for months now. It’s similarly unusual, with the shared R and Y creating a subtle aural and visual link, with just the right amount of complexity and magic. I imagine [name]Emrys[/name] dark, serious, intelligent and reserved. He speaks seldom, but when he does, it’s worth hearing.
However, if you come home with little [name]Jasper[/name] Ioas [name]Brandt[/name], I will still be thrilled. [name]Jasper[/name] is more well-known than [name]Emrys[/name]–a little less complex, a little less magical, but still wonderful. These three names flow together better than [name]Emrys[/name] [name]Nabil[/name] [name]Brandt[/name], both to the eye and ear. I love Ioas with [name]Jasper[/name]. And I know that [name]Jasper[/name] is easier than [name]Emrys[/name] when it comes to the Chinese name issue. I see [name]Jasper[/name] dark also, distinguished, even dapper maybe; more outgoing than [name]Emrys[/name], smiling and courteous.
As always, best wishes!
Too hard, I agree. [name]Emrys[/name] [name]Nabil[/name] and [name]Jasper[/name] Ioas were my two favorite combos from your last post. But I think [name]Emrys[/name] [name]Nabil[/name] has a miniscule edge for me, only because it’s less trendy than [name]Jasper[/name] is becoming… maybe?? haven’t voted yet.
I see [name]Jasper[/name] as charming, popular, well-rounded.
I see [name]Emrys[/name] as intelligent, thoughtful, passionate. NO idea why.
I don’t know how to pronounce [name]Emrys[/name]… oh, right [name]Em[/name]-riss. I don’t know. I can see the nn being “[name]Em[/name]” or “Emz” which I don’t like on a boy/man too closely related to [name]Emma[/name] and [name]Emily[/name].
Personally it’s not for me, it’s too “out there” and unheard of. I’d be scared of my little boy having to repeat and explain his name to everyone. (unless you’re Welsh of course!)
[name]Jasper[/name] is much more my style, a name that everyone knows, and I think (Like my little boy’s name [name]Charlie[/name]) it has that “fun” sort of feeling around it, as well as kind and gentle.
I’d obviously go for [name]Jasper[/name]!
I prefer [name]Emrys[/name] Ioas. If that’s not an option then [name]Jasper[/name] Ioas; I don’t like [name]Nabil[/name]
[name]Emrys[/name] [name]Nabil[/name] [name]Brandt[/name] [name]Lucky[/name] I love [name]Jasper[/name] but the flow of this name is better and I really like [name]Emrys[/name] to. maybe more than [name]Jasper[/name]
It’s interesting that in the comments [name]Emrys[/name] seems to be getting a bit more love than [name]Jasper[/name] (by a little bit), but in the poll [name]Jasper[/name] is way ahead. I’ve noticed this about [name]Jasper[/name] on past polls as well, he always seems to get the most votes (he’s had the most votes in the 3-4 polls I’ve put him on over the past several months), but he usually only gets one or two preferences among the comments.
I’m glad to hear that many of you have as difficult a time deciding between these two names as I do. I go back and forth about which my favorite is.
@[name]Aurora[/name]- I see what your saying about that subtle connection between Rayhan and [name]Emrys[/name] with the R and the Y, I do like that a lot too. But, as you say, the Chinese naming issue is quite a bit easier when going with [name]Jasper[/name]. Though we’re in the process of figuring out solid Chinese names for both options (either connected by pronunciation or meaning), so hopefully we’ll be able to figure that out well. It’s hard.
@Tf- It is hard, isn’t it… I also like both of those characterizations you outlined, maybe I should choose the name Jasrys or Emper to get a combination of the two personality characteristics?.. (ha)
@Emsky- I do have a slight fear of the trendiness of [name]Jasper[/name], but I don’t think it’s gonna become a mega-popular name or anything (over the past 3 years it’s only moved up about 20 spots in the top 1000 list), so I’m not overly worried. And my appreciation for the name outweighs this fear for me. Let me know if you do end up voting for one or the other. I’m curious about your vote since we seem to have very similar naming preferences.
@[name]Kat[/name]- I understand what your saying about the ‘[name]Em[/name]’ nickname thing, but with this name a nickname seems kinda unnecessary to me, and the same ‘[name]Em[/name]’ thing could be said about other names like [name]Emmett[/name] or [name]Emmerich[/name] as well, which are all boy’s name to me (as are [name]Emerson[/name], [name]Emory[/name]/[name]Emery[/name] to my ear), which makes me less concerned about potential girl’s name perceptions in relation to [name]Emrys[/name]. I am about a quarter(ish) Welsh myself (maybe even a tad bit more than that), so I do like the idea of using a Welsh name.
@[name]Nat[/name]- I feel like [name]Emrys[/name] Ioas would be a bit more -sss when paired up next to each other. [name]Nabil[/name] has a lot of significance for us as well, so I would love to be able to use that name.
@[name]Serenity[/name]- [name]Glad[/name] to hear you prefer the flow of E.N.B.L. to J.I.B.L. I was worried that it might not flow as well with three of the four names being two syllable names in there.
Any further thoughts?
I ended up voting for [name]Emrys[/name], although I remain torn. I think I slightly prefer the flow of [name]Emrys[/name] [name]Nabil[/name], altho I love the look of [name]Jasper[/name] Ioas.
This is somewhat embarrassing, but I have to admit, I think I stole [name]Emrys[/name] and [name]Amias[/name] from you! They are both relatively new to me and I fell in love with them after some of your earlier posts. ([name]Jasper[/name] was on my list already.)
I’m not expecting or anything, just gathering ideas/inspiration for the future. 
Anyway, best of luck. You can’t go wrong, in my opinion.
I like [name]Jasper[/name] a little better than [name]Emrys[/name] for a first name but I think that [name]Emrys[/name] [name]Nabil[/name] [name]Brandt[/name] combo flows better. I’m not crazy about the shared “as” of [name]Jasper[/name] Ioas. Have you considered [name]Jasper[/name] [name]Nabil[/name] [name]Brandt[/name] as a combo?
I imagine a boy named [name]Jasper[/name] as…spunky, happy-go-lucky (no pun intended :)), curious, artistic, creative and bold. [name]Jasper[/name] [name]Lucky[/name] sounds like someone famous.
[name]Emrys[/name] sounds like he would be a more serious, studious, quiet boy.
[name]Jasper[/name] Ioas [name]Brandt[/name] [name]Lucky[/name] - I just love [name]Jasper[/name] and [name]Emrys[/name] doesn’t appeal to me as much.
[name]Jasper[/name], imo.
I voted for [name]Emrys[/name] [name]Nabil[/name] [name]Brandt[/name] (though both are fine options)-- I vastly prefer it. I think you’ll find [name]Jasper[/name] will get more cursory “vote but don’t comment” votes, whereas those of us who have followed your naming journey and understand the reasons behind your choices seem to be leaning towards [name]Emrys[/name].
Personally, I love the mystery and depth to [name]Emrys[/name]; I love the way it dovetails with your religious beliefs; and I love the way it’s so distinctive from Rayhan. [name]Nabil[/name] is another excellent, noble name with good multicultural roots. And the combination flows beautifully.
I voted for [name]Emrys[/name] [name]Nabil[/name]. I think this has really been the front runner all along. It’s been on the list since the beginning and it is such a handsome, strong name. It flows nicely and pairs wonderfully with Rayhan. 
This is exactly what I thought, too! [name]Emrys[/name] is great and so is Ioas. I think [name]Jasper[/name] will become super popular soon, and not a huge fan of [name]Nabil[/name]. But if you like the name, that is all that matters!!!
Thanks for the further thoughts! I don’t have time to respond to everyone individually right now, but I appreciate everything everyone’s said. A lot of the things you’re saying about [name]Jasper[/name] @Tfzol is why I can’t bring myself to cut [name]Jasper[/name] (as well as a few other reasons). And yes, Ioas is in memory of [name]Leroy[/name] Ioas. And there are some subtle poetic connections between the ‘jasper’ reference in the Bible and the particular things [name]Leroy[/name] Ioas dedicated much of his life to pursuing, which is one of the reasons I really like linking those two names together.
I really do love [name]Emrys[/name] and [name]Nabil[/name], but I think the meaning of [name]Jasper[/name] has pushed it to be the frontfunner for me as well. =]
That was what I was thinking as well.
I voted [name]Emrys[/name] [name]Nabil[/name]. You’ve been in love with [name]Emrys[/name] for such a long time, it’s consistently been in the top, it’s got so much meaning to you and I feel it compliments Rayhan’s mysterious nature perfectly. They’re different, but go so well together. [name]Jasper[/name] is a beautiful name too; you can’t go wrong, but there’s something special and magical about [name]Emrys[/name] that draw me in…
I totally agree with [name]Misha[/name]!
Thanks for the further responses!
I thought I’d give a little further reflection on why I like these two names, and their particular combos, to see if that sways any of your thoughts at all.
[name]Emrys[/name] [name]Nabil[/name]- A lot of you who have been closely following my naming process seem to prefer this one for me. I like [name]Emrys[/name] for the following reasons:
- I’m about 1/4 Welsh, this name is Welsh
- I love the sound of it (though it’s a bit ‘softer’ than most of my other favorites). Sounds like someone very friendly and kind to me.
- I love the meaning of it (‘immortal one’-- which to me represents the immortality of the soul, which gives the name a ‘soulful’ feeling to me
[name]Nabil[/name] is a very significant name in my religion (the name of one of the earliest historians of the [name]Baha[/name]'i [name]Faith[/name], who was just an amazing soul in so many ways), plus I love the sound (nah-beel) and the meaning (‘noble’).
[name]Jasper[/name] Ioas- I almost feel like my connection to this name might have a deeper significance in some ways. I like [name]Jasper[/name] for the following reasons:
- It’s a gemstone (nature related name). My son’s name (Rayhan) means ‘basil’ in Persian and ‘flower of paradise’ in Sanskrit (also a nature related name). My wife’s name is [name]Lily[/name] (also nature related)
- It has roots in the Persian (as does my son’s name and my name)
- This one may get a little theological for some of you (in summary- the name has religions significance to me), but in the Bible, jasper is used when describing the building of [name]New[/name] Jerusalem. This has significance to me as a [name]Baha[/name]'i, because in the Writings of the [name]Baha[/name]'i [name]Faith[/name] it is further explained that this reference is in reference to two things-- 1) the renewal of God’s message in each successive stage of Revelation (as a [name]Baha[/name]'i I believe that almost all of the world’s major religions are actually part of one continuously unfolding religion, and that all of the religions share the same spiritual principles, but that as society develops, new social requirements arise (and new societal capacities exist), and also that as humanities spiritual potentialities develop over time, we become ready for the next stage of spiritual understanding (like a child going through primary school needs a new textbook for each successive year because his capacities have increased)), and 2) the physical construction of the [name]Baha[/name]'i World Centre on Mt. [name]Carmel[/name] in Haifa, [name]Israel[/name]
- Also, we may have found a pretty solid Chinese name to go along with it. [name]Emrys[/name] is much harder to figure out that element of the naming process with.
Ioas is a significant religious name for me as well, and in a way that connects to [name]Jasper[/name] in a very subtle and somewhat poetic way. [name]Leroy[/name] Ioas was an American [name]Baha[/name]'i born in the late 19th century who did many wonderful things, and is one of my personal heroes. [name]One[/name] of the things he was very involved with in the last couple of decades of his life was on things related to the construction of many of the buildings on Mt. [name]Carmel[/name] in Haifa, [name]Israel[/name], where the [name]Baha[/name]‘i World Centre sits (and he’s buried right next to Mt. [name]Carmel[/name]). This subtle connection between the jasper reference and [name]Leroy[/name] Ioas’ specific efforts is really awesome to me. Makes me feel like the name [name]Jasper[/name] and the name Ioas connect together in a really unique way.
Independently, I think I prefer [name]Emrys[/name] [name]Nabil[/name] to [name]Jasper[/name] Ioas, but with the specific reasoning behind [name]Jasper[/name], I feel like it has a deeper significance to me, so at this moment I feel like I’m slightly swaying this way (and my wife likes both, she thinks they are both excellent names and thinks I should decide between the two).
I voted for the striking Emrys Nabil. It’s handsome, interesting, exotic and strong. Jasper seems a little safe for your taste.
Edit: That was my first reaction after reading only the initial post and not knowing any of the background regarding the names of your reasons for choosing them. After reading your latest post which wonderfully described your choices I wanted to weigh back in. Though I love your strong connection to Jasper, I am still voting for Emrys Nabil. I worry that Jasper is a ‘trendy’ name and it’s significance will be lost to those who think you named your son after the place or, worse, the twilight character. I also think Emrys is a better fit with Rayhan. They are both lovely names and you won’t go wrong in picking either of them.