These are some family names that I am on the fence about using. I have a favorite but if we use one family name do we have to use other family names for other kids? Should I use them only in the middle? Only in the first spot? Whole name? Which one or two are your favorites? I grew up with most of these names so they do not seem fresh or awesome or creative. Am I crazy?
I absolutely love [name]Daniel[/name]. No matter how many times I hear it, it still makes me smile… I utterly adore it. That’s by far my favorite. I’m not sure I would use it as a FN, but as a MN it just seems perfect to me. [name]Brody[/name] [name]Elliot[/name] [name]Daniel[/name] is on my short list.
I really like [name]Patrick[/name], [name]Nicholas[/name], and [name]Thomas[/name], too. If I had to pick just two, it would probably be [name]Daniel[/name] and [name]Nicholas[/name], because I think they work together very well stylistically. I love the nn option of [name]Cole[/name] for [name]Nicholas[/name], too. I think [name]Daniel[/name] [name]Thomas[/name] and [name]Nicholas[/name] [name]Patrick[/name] would be great, or even [name]Thomas[/name] [name]Daniel[/name] and [name]Patrick[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name], or [name]Daniel[/name] [name]Thomas[/name] and [name]Patrick[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name]–I think [name]Daniel[/name] and [name]Patrick[/name] would be a great combo, too.
Out of all of them, the only one that really impresses me is [name]Bruno[/name]. I didn’t used to like it–it felt like a stereotypical cartoonish tough-guy name–but I keep coming across great [name]Bruno[/name] references that seem to class it up and give it a bit of international flair (starting with [name]Bruno[/name] [name]Mars[/name], but I’ve heard it quite a few times lately, and I can’t really remember what all the references were), so it’s really growing on me. I would be impressed to meet a little [name]Bruno[/name]. I think [name]Bruno[/name] [name]Daniel[/name] or [name]Bruno[/name] [name]Thomas[/name] or something would be handsome, if you want to use just family names. I would branch out though–I think a kid deserves to have at least one name that is his/her own.
I think it depends entirely on whether or not YOU like them enough to use them as first names. Family names are always great for middle names if you want to get a bit more creative with firsts.
[name]Stephen[/name]–It’s not just you. It really isn’t an overly creative name, and it would almost definitely be shortened to “[name]Steve[/name]” if it was used as a first, so that’s entirely up to your taste. It works better as a middle name imo, but I’m not overly crazy about it in any manner.
[name]Patrick[/name]–Better, but as the Irish names get more popular, this sorta kinda classic will be put to use even more, I think. It’s a great name though. I really love it.
[name]Michael[/name]–Super classic, super solid, not overly creative.
[name]Griffin[/name]–Very cool, not too common, sounds modern.
[name]Bruno[/name]–Unfortunately it sounds a lot like a dog’s name to me. It’d be a cool mn though.
[name]Daniel[/name]–Solid, cool, common.
[name]Nicholas[/name]–Same, but I like it even more than [name]Daniel[/name].
[name]Thomas[/name]–I like “[name]Tommy[/name]” more than [name]Thomas[/name]. Very solid.
[name]Griffin[/name] and [name]Nicholas[/name] are my favorites!
You are definitely not crazy. I grew up with most of those names too (though I definitely never knew any Griffins or Brunos), but in my opinion, if a name is a family name, it adds so much significance to the name that it no longer seems boring or average or whatever other adjective you’d use. I’m a huge proponent of using family names – in whatever spot you feel comfortable, and I don’t think you have to be consistent about which spot the family name is in with all your kids. We gave our son (our only child so far) family names in the first and middle spot, but mostly because that’s what felt right when he was born. If we had another child, I don’t feel tied to family names, but if I can find one that feels right, I would absolutely use it. I am named after my grandmother and great grandmother and that meant so much to me growing up. I would much rather give my kid a “regular” name that signifies where he/she came from than some unusual name that we liked the sound of. That’s just my opinion, though, and I know a lot of people disagree. Ultimately, you have to do whatever feels right for you and your family.
My favorites are [name]Patrick[/name], [name]Griffin[/name], [name]Nicholas[/name], and [name]Thomas[/name].
[name]Griffin[/name] is definitely not common or overused or outdated - its actually pretty cool - so if you like it at all, you get the bonus of using a family name and sounding contemporary at the same time. And the others are considered classics for a reason - i really love [name]Patrick[/name], [name]Michael[/name], and [name]Daniel[/name] and would happily use any of them as FNs, but that’s just me.
In terms of where/how you use them, it’s totally up to you - i mean TOTALLY. The names on that list are useful if you’re otherwise inclined towards modern/trendy names because they balance them out. [name]Jayden[/name] [name]Nicholas[/name] or [name]Beckham[/name] [name]Thomas[/name] works better than [name]Jayden[/name] [name]Ryker[/name] or [name]Beckham[/name] [name]Cruz[/name], kwim? And if the middle name is meaningful because of family, then that only adds to the charm and general awesomeness.
I’d say to think about which one you like best and why - is it sound? meaning? association with a particularly beloved family member? Think about what attracts you to any of them in any way. And then, with future kids, i’d maybe try to follow that same train of thought when choosing to use the next family name to use. I’d just try to be sort of consistent with whatever criteria you do end up using to choose among them. Did that make sense?
I wouldn’t use a family name for only some of the kids. I say this because I am the only kid in my family that doesn’t have a name, middle or first, that honors someone. I always felt left out that I had a useless name while my brothers and cousins had names after my grandparents, aunts and uncles.
As for where to put the name, go with where you want it!
My top 2 on that list as [name]Griffin[/name] and [name]Bruno[/name]. [name]Griffin[/name] is by far one of my favorite boy names and [name]Bruno[/name] is just spunky and cool
I’d have to say I love the name [name]Daniel[/name], but I am biased, as it is my father’s, brother’s, husband’s and future son’s name. Too many [name]Dan[/name]'s in one household! Haha. But I am still absolutely in love with the name.
I also really like [name]Griffin[/name] out of your list. It’s pretty unique, and yet still fitting into today’s style while somehow seeming to stand on its own.
The rest of your names I have certain associations with and would not use for myself. However, I believe that [name]Nicholas[/name] is a good name, and [name]Patrick[/name] as well. I cannot bring myself to take the name [name]Bruno[/name] seriously after having to sit awkwardly through the film ‘[name]Bruno[/name]’. [name]Just[/name] my two cents.
My favourite from your list is [name]Bruno[/name] and then [name]Griffin[/name].
All of your other names are great classic names! My issue with all of them is that I don’t like the potential shortened versions or nicknames of any of them - [name]Dan[/name] ([name]Danny[/name]), [name]Nick[/name], [name]Mike[/name], [name]Steve[/name], [name]Pat[/name], [name]Tom[/name] ([name]Tommy[/name]). But that’s my issue. They are all great - my faves of those being [name]Daniel[/name] and [name]Nicholas[/name]. I agree with chandler and would apply similar naming rules (especially when it comes to family names) to all of your children.
I like all of those names. You do not need to follow any rules or patterns in naming, other than finding a name that you love. BUT, I would like to point out that naming a future person is not the best time to get creative or fresh, or even awesome. I always want to love my kids’ names, but this is a name that has to serve them well in society, so it’s a very practical decision for me, not a creative one. I think paying attention to flow is the only artistic thing I do in choosing a name.
All that being said, I have a [name]Daniel[/name] and many of your other names have been on my lists over the years.
I hope you don’t get offended by my opinion, I’m just stating why I wouldn’t use them, but there’s no reason why you shouldn’t.
[name]Stephen[/name] (I know so many [name]Stephen[/name]'s, and I find it a little dated, I would use it as a MN if I had to)
[name]Patrick[/name] (I love [name]Patrick[/name], it’s such a charming name. I like it a lot)
[name]Michael[/name] (I don’t dislike it, but it is very popular, my dad is even called [name]Michael[/name]…I don’t know it just doesn’t appeal to me)
[name]Griffin[/name] ([name]LOVE[/name]! I love [name]Griffin[/name], I love the nn [name]Griff[/name]. [name]One[/name] of my top boys names. Really like it!)
[name]Bruno[/name] (I think it’s cute, I had a teddy bear called [name]Bruno[/name], so it’s always been a pleasant name for me)
[name]Daniel[/name] (Meh, half and half on this name. I like it, but I know so many people I dislike called [name]Daniel[/name] it’s put me off)
[name]Nicholas[/name] (Classic name, I quite like the nn [name]Nick[/name]. I don’t love it, but I don’t hate it either)
[name]Thomas[/name] (I like this simply because it’s my Mother’s maiden name, would never use as FN, but I like it as a MN)
My 4 month old is named [name]Bruno[/name] after his Godfather. Everyone loves his name because it’s original, catchy, strong, discretely sophisticated. The name doesn’t appeal much to the suburban [name]Aiden[/name]-[name]Jayden[/name]-[name]Brayden[/name]-lovers. But it’s true, some dogs are named [name]Bruno[/name]. We almost chose [name]Thomas[/name] for a middle name, but settled for [name]Phillip[/name] instead. The other names on list are fine, but lack the same kind of strength in [name]Bruno[/name]…but of course, I’m partial.
[name]Stephen[/name] - i like it but i dont love it
[name]Patrick[/name] - see above
[name]Michael[/name] - cute, like
[name]Griffin[/name] - love, so cute
[name]Bruno[/name] - nahh reminds me of bruno mars
[name]Daniel[/name] - love
[name]Nicholas[/name] - like heaps
[name]Thomas[/name] - overused
I personally love picking unique names for my future kids but love to use family names for middles, because when i think of [name]Michael[/name] or [name]Daniel[/name] i just see my brother and uncles, so why would i name my kid after them? I would rather have the memory of those family members in the middle so my little one can be original and have people in the future want to use his name as a memory middle as well because its different.
[name]Griffin[/name], [name]Patrick[/name] and [name]Daniel[/name] are my favorites as well - with [name]Griffin[/name] being way out front. If you think it is important to use family names for multiple children, I would use them as middles if they aren’t in your top few.
It’d be a cool mn though.