Due in three weeks -- Finn or Finley?

Boy Names
1

My husband picked out the name [name_u]Finn[/name_u] a few months ago for the boy in our boy/girl twin set. He didn’t want it to be any other variation. I was fine with it until I realized that the name is getting super popular.

We’ve had the talk and he is okay to have [name_u]Finn[/name_u] be [name_u]Finley[/name_u] on paper, so long as we can use the nickname on a day-to-day basis. I’m all for this because the other twin name we like goes better with [name_u]Finley[/name_u] instead of [name_u]Finn[/name_u]. I’m also happy to let future [name_u]Finn[/name_u] pick what he wants to be called. I do know that sibset flow is a lot less important than first-last flow, especially as they age. It’s just fun to say their names together right now.

The problem with [name_u]Finley[/name_u] is this:

  • [name_u]Finley[/name_u] and our last name have the same number of letters
  • [name_u]Finley[/name_u] and last name have the same number of syllables
  • The ending of [name_u]Finley[/name_u] is similar in sound to the ending of our last name (***“ree”)

This makes the first and last name flow sound sing-songy. I can’t decide if I hate it or not though.

Can first and last names end in similar (but not exact) sounds and still be appropriate? Or do I stick with the safe and better sounding first name-last name flow of [name_u]Finn[/name_u]?

2

Yes first and last names can end in similar sounds and can still sound okay, though it’s not always ideal. I think it comes down to how important the sound of the whole name is to you - for me it’s very important and would affect first name choice.

I do prefer the smart [name_u]Finn[/name_u] no matter how popular it is.

3

Both options likely work fine but I would choose [name_u]Finn[/name_u] as that is the name which will be used on a daily basis so it just makes things simpler, and it works nicest with your last name.

4

I don’t think using [name_u]Finley[/name_u] instead of just [name_u]Finn[/name_u] will fix the popularity problem. All the Finleys I know are called [name_u]Finn[/name_u] anyway. I would use [name_u]Finn[/name_u] instead.

5

Thanks guys! I think I’m in agreement that [name_u]Finn[/name_u] sounds better with our last name. It might make for headaches down the road if an employer sees that his first and last name almost rhyme.