Thank you for everyone’s feedback on my prior threads - I really appreciate it.
Quick synopsis of where we are at: [name_u]Baby[/name_u] is due soon(ish), we have a 5 year old named [name_m]Clark[/name_m], we generally like short concise names, like last names as first names, classic names, and don’t want anything too popular.
SO here are the 4 we are narrowed down to (with their respective problems that we see):
[name_m]Calvin[/name_m] - worried about too much “C” with brother [name_m]Clark[/name_m], and too much Superman connection with [name_m]Clark[/name_m] and [name_u]Cal[/name_u]. We get Superman references with [name_m]Clark[/name_m] all the time (not horrible, but will [name_u]Cal[/name_u] jsut link it more?)
[name_u]Everett[/name_u] - seems like a bit of a mouthful, a bit concerned we are trying too hard, not in love with [name_m]Rhett[/name_m] as a nickname
[name_m]Heath[/name_m] - for me it is hard to enunciate (or at least I think it is)/I am concerned it sounds too much like [name_m]Keith[/name_m] and that we will constantly be correcting people. Also, maybe too linked to [name_m]Heath[/name_m] [name_m]Ledger[/name_m] (not that that is a bad thing per se)
[name_m]Smith[/name_m] - short, simple, easy to pronounce, works with [name_m]Clark[/name_m] - BUT seems like we are trying waaay to hard and it may be a tough name to wear as a first.
The dark horse that I think works well, but has gained no traction is [name_m]Harvey[/name_m].
Anyway, thoughts on the above list? Are our concerns valid?
Oh, I do love [name_m]Heath[/name_m]! On it’s own and with [name_m]Clark[/name_m]. I think it is well known enough that people should mostly understand it, but as with many names, there probably will be those people that say “[name_m]Keith[/name_m]??!” It’s just what happens.
My second favourite for you would be [name_m]Smith[/name_m]. I don’t think it’s trying to hard. It works well. [name_u]Love[/name_u] [name_m]Clark[/name_m] & [name_m]Smith[/name_m].
My favorites, in order, are [name_m]Clark[/name_m] and [name_u]Everett[/name_u] and [name_m]Clark[/name_m] and [name_m]Heath[/name_m]. I do not feel [name_u]Everett[/name_u] is a mouthful. I personally would not use a nickname. I would not worry about [name_m]Heath[/name_m] being tied to [name_m]Heath[/name_m] [name_m]Ledger[/name_m]. Actually I don’t even think of him when I see or hear the name.
[name_m]Calvin[/name_m]- I think [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] and [name_m]Clark[/name_m] sound cute together! Superman is something not that bad to be linked with, as long as you don’t mind.
[name_u]Everett[/name_u]- I like the name [name_u]Everett[/name_u], I don’t think it’s that much of a mouthful.
[name_m]Heath[/name_m]- Personally, [name_m]Heath[/name_m] is not my style, but [name_m]Clark[/name_m] and [name_m]Heath[/name_m] isn’t bad. It really doesn’t matter if people connect the name with [name_m]Heath[/name_m] [name_m]Ledger[/name_m], as long as you, again, don’t mind.
[name_m]Smith[/name_m]- I think [name_m]Smith[/name_m] and [name_m]Clark[/name_m] is also cute, but [name_m]Smith[/name_m], being one of the most common last names in [name_u]America[/name_u], could be considered strange as a first name. Personally, I know two families with the last name [name_m]Smith[/name_m].
I like all of your names! My favorites are [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] and [name_u]Everett[/name_u]. With [name_m]Calvin[/name_m], you may get a few comments about the superman thing but however, it’s a great name. I think having the two C names [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] and [name_m]Clark[/name_m] really go together and match well. Personally, [name_u]Everett[/name_u] is my favorite name that you have picked out. It works good with [name_m]Clark[/name_m] great and I don’t think that it is too much of a handful. If you don’t like [name_m]Rhett[/name_m] as a nickname other ideas could be Ev, [name_u]Ever[/name_u], Ritt, etc. I like your name choices and whatever name you pick it will be great:)
Thanks for the comments everyone - I appreciate it. Please keep them coming.
Is the [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] (nn [name_u]Cal[/name_u]) connection to Superman really obvious when combined with a brother named [name_m]Clark[/name_m]?
Also, appreciate any additional thoughts - especially concerning [name_m]Smith[/name_m] - it seems like a unique distinctive first name choice that checks the boxes, but worried it just may be too much.
I think all of these names are great choices. My personal favourites are [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] and [name_m]Harvey[/name_m]. I love the nickname [name_u]Cal[/name_u]…and I agree with pp that the Superman connection isn’t a bad one (and non-superhero fans, like me, wouldn’t even make it unless someone pointed it out).
I find [name_u]Everett[/name_u] to be a bit of a mouthful myself, but only when I try to fully pronounce all 3 syllables. I’m sure if I started saying it often it would begin to roll of my tongue. I wouldn’t naturally shorten it to [name_m]Rhett[/name_m], so I don’t think you have to worry about that nickname if it’s not one that you want.
[name_m]Smith[/name_m] is the trickiest for me to get behind, but only because it seems SO much like a last name (and I’m also relatively traditional). The only other person I’ve heard to with the name [name_m]Smith[/name_m] was [name_m]Smith[/name_m] [name_m]Jerrod[/name_m] from Sex in the City…not sure if that’s a good or bad association. It’s definitely unique as a first name, and could be considered quite “hip” in many circles.
I think you’ve got some great choices, no matter what you decide. Good luck!
I vote [name_m]Calvin[/name_m]. [name_m]Don[/name_m]'t think the association is obvious at all, and certainly not bad if it is. seems to have the right style and it doesnt try too hard. [name_m]Harvey[/name_m] would probably be my 2nd choice.
If I met a [name_m]Smith[/name_m] I would assume he was going by his last name. I haven’t seen much Superman and therefore don’t know who [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] is. I think [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] and [name_m]Clark[/name_m] is a great sibset.
Not a huge fan of [name_u]Everett[/name_u] since I do find it doesn’t flow very nicely. But I do like it (and [name_u]Everest[/name_u]) in the middle.
I love [name_m]Heath[/name_m], especially with [name_m]Clark[/name_m]. That would be my choice.
[name_m]Calvin[/name_m] - Great name, sounds matchy and cute with [name_m]Clark[/name_m]. I’m not into Superman stuff and I honestly would never have made the connection before it was pointed out. I realize a lot of other people might, but I don’t think it’s that bad a thing… of all associations that one’s pretty cool. I can imagine two brothers enjoying that rather than finding it annoying.
[name_u]Everett[/name_u] - I don’t think it’s a mouthful. I pronounce it with 2 or 2.5 syllables (like [name_f]Catherine[/name_f]). [name_u]Everett[/name_u] seems significantly longer than [name_m]Clark[/name_m] and all the other choices though, which makes me like the others better because they’re more “balanced” with the shortness of [name_m]Clark[/name_m]. But that’s just my own quirky preference and doesn’t really matter. [name_u]Everett[/name_u] is a lovely name, actually one of my very favorites.
[name_m]Heath[/name_m] - I like it a lot!! I think [name_m]Heath[/name_m] bars more than [name_m]Heath[/name_m] [name_m]Ledger[/name_m], but neither association is overwhelming in my mind. Interesting and relatively unusual, but familiar and wearable. I do think it will be misheard occasionally as [name_m]Keith[/name_m]…but doesn’t seem like a big deal to me.
[name_m]Smith[/name_m] - Sorry, I’m going to be negative about this one. I think this would be awkward as a first name - I’m imagining a boy having to go through life saying he’s [name_m]Smith[/name_m] and it always sounds like he’s introducing himself by his last name. Sounds confusing and maybe pretentious at first. If we’re worried about [name_m]Heath[/name_m] having to correct [name_m]Keith[/name_m], that’s nothing compared to [name_m]Smith[/name_m] having to correct everyone who is still wondering what his first name is. Definitely tough to wear.
[name_m]Harvey[/name_m] - I think this one’s my personal favorite? Maybe it’s tied with [name_m]Heath[/name_m]. Goes very well with [name_m]Clark[/name_m] - [name_m]Clark[/name_m] & [name_m]Harvey[/name_m] have both a casual/fun and also clean-cut 1950’s prep school feel to me. [name_m]Harvey[/name_m] doesn’t have any drawbacks that immediately come to my mind. Seems like it should definitely be a contender if not the winner!
I love Everett & Clark! I would be torn between this and Heath - both are really gorgeous names!
I love Ever as a nn or Everett on it’s own is just perfect. Alternatively you could consider Elliot which is marginally easier to say aloud?
I don’t think you should worry about the Heath Ledger connection as you would likely get past it. Also there is the Heathcliff association which I personally adore!
Smith fits nicely with Clark but they feel a tiny bit matchy to me. Everett Smith would make a fab combo though!
Lastly I do prefer different initials for siblings so that would rule out Calvin for me. Especially as they both share the letters c, l and a.
This is just my personal preference but I think any of your names will go really well!
Oooooo! [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] and [name_m]Harvey[/name_m] are tied for me! I think [name_m]Harvey[/name_m] might win out just because it’s a bit further from [name_m]Clark[/name_m]. As far as [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] goes, I love the nickname [name_u]Cal[/name_u] (I have son named [name_m]Callum[/name_m], so I’m in that boat!) and I have no idea what the link between [name_u]Cal[/name_u] and [name_m]Clark[/name_m] is anyways (was more of an Xmen gal).
[name_u]Everett[/name_u] is my third pick. I pronounce it EV-rhett, the same way the town in [name_m]Washington[/name_m] state is pronounced [name_f]Do[/name_f] some people actually say EV-er-rhett? That’s news to me! [name_m]Heath[/name_m] is nice, and I like it as a name. I do immediately think of [name_m]Heath[/name_m] [name_m]Ledger[/name_m], which isn’t a bad association. I guess I’m less of a fan of [name_m]Clark[/name_m] and [name_m]Heath[/name_m].
[name_m]Smith[/name_m] is the only one I don’t like–too last name, too plain. It makes [name_m]Clark[/name_m] sound plain too, even though it doesn’t seem that way on it’s own. [name_m]Clark[/name_m] & [name_m]Smith[/name_m] sounds like an accounting firm.
Not comparing to [name_m]Clark[/name_m], I love [name_m]Harvey[/name_m] as a name the most, closely followed by [name_m]Calvin[/name_m].
In comparison to [name_m]Clark[/name_m]: The differentiation between [name_m]Clark[/name_m] & [name_m]Harvey[/name_m] is very nice, they’re very complimentary - But [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] still works very well too, I don’t think there’s much of an issue there.
I really like [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] with [name_m]Clark[/name_m], and I don’t think [name_u]Cal[/name_u] & [name_m]Clark[/name_m] are too Superman-y. I really don’t think people usually think that hard about other people’s sibsets, either. You could always use his full name or [name_m]Vin[/name_m] if you were really worried.
[name_m]Heath[/name_m] works well, too. In fact, all the names you listed work, but [name_m]Calvin[/name_m]'s my favourite.
i don’t know whether you’re looking for more suggestions, but here are some names that might fit your style
[name_m]Clark[/name_m] &:
[name_m]Colvin[/name_m]
[name_m]Abel[/name_m] /[name_m]Axel[/name_m]
[name_m]Amos[/name_m]
[name_m]Alvin[/name_m] / [name_u]Alton[/name_u]/ [name_m]Alban[/name_m]/ [name_u]Alden[/name_u]
[name_m]Declan[/name_m]
[name_m]Callum[/name_m] (doesn’t solve your [name_u]Cal[/name_u] problem, though, and I’m not sure [name_m]Colm[/name_m] is your style)
[name_m]Grant[/name_m]
[name_m]Kellen[/name_m] / [name_m]Kelvin[/name_m]
[name_m]Lawson[/name_m] / [name_m]Dawson[/name_m]
[name_m]Dalton[/name_m]
My favorite from your list is [name_u]Everett[/name_u]. You might also like [name_m]Ramsey[/name_m]. [name_m]Clark[/name_m] and [name_m]Ramsey[/name_m]
I like [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] the best! I like [name_m]Harvey[/name_m] too. Not wild about [name_m]Smith[/name_m] or [name_m]Heath[/name_m], personally. No strong feelings on [name_u]Everett[/name_u] either way. I don’t personally know anything about the Superman connection, but if it bothers you a lot I’d go with [name_m]Harvey[/name_m].
[name_m]Just[/name_m] here to echo the thoughts on [name_m]Harvey[/name_m]. A wonderful choice, I hope it gets boosted to the final two (with the other being [name_m]Calvin[/name_m]). I think [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] and [name_m]Harvey[/name_m] both with the two syllables open up more doors for future children’s names, should you choose to have any more. [name_m]Calvin[/name_m] may start with a C and have an L in it like [name_m]Clark[/name_m], but the A sound is far different so it’s not an obnoxious pairing. [name_m]Harvey[/name_m] is by far the front runner for me though, very understated but known. You’ll never have to correct pronunciation or defend your choice. It’s simple and straightforward, and honestly, a perfect alternative to the ever-so-popular [name_m]Henry[/name_m].
[name_m]Clark[/name_m] and [name_m]Harvey[/name_m] sound darling together and carry the same lightness in their sound while also having the strong k and v letters paired with an R. [name_m]Just[/name_m] perfect.