My husband and I are expecting on 10-10-10. To honor the significance of the unusual birthday (which, we realize, may or may not be the actual birthday), we would like to name our child [name]Libra[/name] if it’s a BOY. My husband loves the associations of equality and balance, and I have always been interested in astrology. We (my husband especially) feel it is a strong choice for a male child, who could always have “[name]Lee[/name]” as a nickname. I agree, although I feel the name might be a bit overpowering for a child (I was teased for my unusual last name growing up). Our parents are having the ultimate hissy fit. Our siblings and friends are also far less than supportive. We’ve always been a bit more artsy and liberal than most of our family and acquaintances, from our home decor to our taste in music (we are both musicians). Should we rock the boat on this one? My husband says any other name at this point would feel like a second-best option, however I hate feeling like I’m disappointing everyone I care about in such a permanent way! Please let us know what you think!
I love [name]Libra[/name]. So clever! [name]Don[/name]'t worry about what they think with the association to the name. The story behind it is cute. [name]IO[/name] hope she comes 10-10-10. that would be so awesome.
My extended fam was really disappointed when Talulah was born. It took them forever to get used to the hipster name. Now they love it. It totally fits her outgoing personality. Whatever you pick, they are going to have to live with in the end and that’s the truth of the matter. If you spend to much time worrying about what they like instead of what you like you’ll end up not loving your name or feling satisfied. 
Thanks for the vote of confidence, but remember we’re thinking of this name for a boy even though it’s traditionally female… Still cool?
Totally 
Actually I like it better for a boy.
Thanks! I love [name]Tallulah[/name] too. So cute.
I’m sort of torn on this. It has a cool sound and I definitely think it works better for a boy than a girl (in fact, I wouldn’t like it at all for a girl) even with the a ending; puts me in the mindset of names like [name]Ezra[/name]. Also, [name]Leo[/name] would be a definite nn option as well (though that’s a whole different zodiac sign). BUT, I’m not sure how comfortable your son will feel with a name that might be frequently mistaken for a girl’s name. Also, I’m not sure it’s the kind of name that will age well; I’m having a hard time imagining it being taken seriously on an adult who chose to be something other than an artist.
Would you consider using it as a middle name instead?
Dont let your family influence you too much. This is your baby and you and your husband have the right to name him. Infact I wouldnt share the name until the day of the birth.
With that being said. I cant get 100% behind [name]Libra[/name]. Although I love the significance and meaning behind the name I’m afraid he might be mistaken for a girl. Have you considered using it for a mn?
Have tried proposing this to husband, no dice. He doesn’t like anything else as a first, and wants to use his first ([name]Michael[/name]) as a middle. I am open to it, though, if I can find something that sounds cool with it as a first.
Honestly, I didn’t even expect it to show up on any name sites as male OR female because of it’s infrequent use. [name]Just[/name] happen to find it on a few. [name]Mike[/name] did some research and found out it was used 5 to 1 for girls vs. boys. Wish I could talk to those boys and see how they like it. What do you think of [name]Lee[/name] as a comfortable nickname? BTW our eldest is a girl named [name]Eden[/name] [name]Lily[/name]. She goes by [name]Edie[/name].
Interestingly enough, this whole thing came about when we mistakenly thought we were pregnant last year and due in the sign of [name]Leo[/name]. i thought [name]Leo[/name] was perfect for a boy. When we actually got preg in [name]January[/name], [name]Mike[/name] took the idea a step further…
The Sanskrit name for [name]Libra[/name] is [name]Tula[/name]. I think that would make a great girls name.
[name]Libra[/name] is the scales/balance. [name]Atalanta[/name] means “equal in weight” as in a scale. I prefer [name]Tula[/name], though.
What about [name]Deacon[/name] or [name]Dean[/name]? [name]Both[/name] come from decanus meaning “chief of ten”. That would be pretty awesome, especially if he is born on 10/10/10. [name]Even[/name] if he isn’t he’ll still be born 10/10
Those are nice suggestions, and [name]Tula[/name] was actually on my long list of girls’ names (husband didn’t like). However, the name [name]Libra[/name] has a particular ring with our last name that the others don’t. Looking for something ending in “a” sound I guess. And, in the case of [name]Libra[/name] (as with our older daughter who was named in reference to our gorgeous garden wedding site and a large flower in my bouquet; we became pregnant with her shortly after our wedding) it’s the meaning that is most important, but the sound matters too.
[name]Hi[/name]!
[name]May[/name] I ask what your older daughter’s name is? I’m curious!
Okay, so I really hate to be negative about peoples’ name choices, especially when you are seeking refuge from the negative opinions of family and friends. However, [name]Libra[/name], in addition to being very unique, sounds incredibly feminine to me! I just couldn’t for the life of me picture it on a boy, even with the [name]Lee[/name] nickname. It reminds me of [name]Lyra[/name] and [name]Sabra[/name], both of which are girl names, and the sound sounds too girlish to really work well for a boy. I know this isn’t the opinion you want, but I feel like it is only fair to give you my honest opinion.
I understand that meaning is incredibly significant to you, and I think that is absolutely wonderful! And, if his birthday ends up being 10-10-10, that would be neat to honor. I know this name doesn’t mean “ten,” but it does mean “tenth son,” which highlights the whole ten factor! The name I am referring to is [name]JURO[/name], a Japanese name meaning “tenth son” in addition to “best wishes” and “longevity” - I think all of the meanings are great! And, it is a traditionally male name in Japan. I read that you were looking for a name ending in -a, but does a name ending in -o work with your last name, too? You could always use [name]Juro[/name] [name]Libra[/name], too, if you have your heart set on [name]Libra[/name]!
If you want to go with a more “normal” choice, [name]Dexter[/name] would work, as [name]Dex[/name] sounds a bit like a nickname for ten.
However, if you really love [name]Libra[/name], I don’t think you should let anyone’s opinion prevent you from using it. If, when it comes down to it, [name]Libra[/name] is the only name you truly love, use it!
Good luck!
[name]Lemon[/name]
Sorry, I’m with your family. Normally I would say don’t listen to your family, but that’s usually when it’s down to a matter of personal taste in names. here, they actually have a point. [name]Libra[/name] is terrible. It sounds feminine, first off. Second, it’s really cheesy. Like naming a [name]Christmas[/name] baby [name]Holly[/name] [name]Noelle[/name]. [name]Libra[/name] in the middle would be ok, ut as a first name, it’s just bad. You can be quirky & off beat without resorting to using astrological signs as names. (With the excpetion of [name]Leo[/name], since it is also a “real” name.)
Some quirkier options that you might like:
[name]Asa[/name]
[name]Ezra[/name]
[name]Asher[/name]
[name]Ari[/name]
[name]Leander[/name]
[name]Milo[/name]
[name]Jasper[/name]
[name]Felix[/name]
It’s unusual, sure, but not excessively so. And with the middle name [name]Michael[/name], he has something to fall back on should he not like it. [name]Lee[/name] is a great nickname, it makes [name]Libra[/name] much more wearable. You should be aware that some people very much look down on astrology, and may judge him because of that. [name]Do[/name] you like [name]October[/name] as a name? [name]Toby[/name] or [name]Berry[/name] ([name]Barry[/name]) would be cute nicknames. I also think something to do with the number 10 would be great, here’s a list of 10 in different languages. I particularly like [name]Dez[/name]. Personally I think something meaning 10 would honor his birthday more than [name]Libra[/name] would, but that’s just me. Good luck with your decision!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_numbers_in_various_languages
10/10/10 is my dad’s birthday (and his name is [name]Michael[/name] - weird huh?)
Anyway, I’m not sure about [name]Libra[/name]. [name]Lee[/name] is a great nn and makes it work more but I still feel it’s sort of more feminine. Probably because of the A ending, although the sign itself I see as being masculine.
I like the idea of names having meaning but at the same time, is it really that important to honour him potentially being born on 10/10/10 or even more likely just in [name]October[/name] 2010? I mean, lots of other kids will be and does it really need to be represented in his name when his birthday is never going to change or be forgotten?
Its not about pleasing everyone else, but I usually just go by a golden rule “would you like it as your own name?” (I’d use [name]Libra[/name] for a girl because it ends in ‘a’, but that’s just me.)It is very unique, but borders on odd depending on where you live (for example in Oklahoma you’d get sideways glances, but not in [name]California[/name]). Your family may nickname him rather than use his name if they really are against it, which you’ll have to correct them on, or just let it go. I understand about your husband’s feeling that another name would be second best, a cop-out kinda. What if the birth is not on 10-10-10? Would you still want to use [name]Libra[/name]? All in all, use the name you love! From the get go you make decisions on behalf of your child, in the child’s best interest etc, its ultimately up to you no matter what your fam and friends say about your choices.
Best of luck, hope your lil one is happy and healthy.
I’d be totally behind [name]Libra[/name] for a girl. It just sounds so feminine to me. Something about the “[name]Lee[/name]” + “Bra” makes it feel very, very female to me. Plus having worked in classrooms and at summer camps I’ve been around lots of children and I can totally see him being teased for his name ending in “bra” as terrible as that sounds. I agree that it is really hard to see this name on a grown male, especially one who is not an artist or musician. With a sister named [name]Eden[/name]/[name]Edie[/name] [name]Libra[/name] sounds even more feminine to me. However, if you do go with the name, I’d definitely use [name]Michael[/name] or an equally strong male name in the middle so he has something to fall back on. I know a man named [name]Jamie[/name] (full name is not [name]James[/name], just [name]Jamie[/name]) who now, as an adult, goes by his middle name [name]Keith[/name] since [name]Jamie[/name] he feels is too feminine. [name]Libra[/name] [name]Michael[/name], on the right child, could work, though I’m not totally convinced, but of course if you love it and you feel like it will fit your child then maybe it is right for you.
I live in [name]California[/name] and people in my area would definitely think it was weird. Not that you shouldn’t use it because of that. I was in San [name]Francisco[/name] last weekend and met a “His name’s [name]Moses[/name] but we call him [name]Mo[/name]”, I think your situation would be similar, “His name’s [name]Libra[/name] but we call him [name]Lee[/name]”
I think the ending of ‘bra’ in the name is going to be an ongoing stress for your son.
I think a name that comes from your musical background would more fully say who you are, that is the name of a composer or a special piece of music.
If you are interested in astrology names like [name]Orion[/name] and [name]Star[/name] would fit too.
All the best, I am sorry I have to side with your family on this but it is not the word [name]Libra[/name] that bothers me it is the word ‘bra’ within it.
Didn’t think about the “bra” aspect of it. Thanks for the comment. Although, can’t “bra” sound masculine, like as in how some people pronounce “bro”? Kidding. The older sisters name is [name]Eden[/name] [name]Lily[/name] (we interpret the meaning as “paradise of innocence”) nn “[name]Edie[/name],” which suits her more at this point than [name]Eden[/name]. I figure she may choose to use [name]Eden[/name] more in her teen years…
I have proposed [name]October[/name] to my hubby. I love [name]Toby[/name] as a nn. HE is not so keen. Thinks it’s a cop-out substitute for [name]Libra[/name].
And, yes, we like other vowel endings. [name]Just[/name] discussed [name]Asa[/name] the other day, but we have an acquaintance with that name and don’t want to be seen as copying.