I’ve never participated in any kind of forum, so here goes! We’re expecting our fourth child in two weeks (we already have a [name_f]Mercy[/name_f], [name_m]Gilead[/name_m], and [name_m]Abel[/name_m]), and have had a hard time deciding on names. We’ve never kept them a secret before, but this time we were relentlessly teased by family regarding our name choices–particularly [name_m]Clement[/name_m] as a middle name for a boy. We even have gifts to “little [name_u]Clem[/name_u]” under our tree.
In the end, we opted for [name_m]Philip[/name_m] for a boy, with the old-fashioned [name_m]Pip[/name_m] as a nickname when he’s a little tyke, and [name_f]Clemency[/name_f] for a girl (yes, we know that [name_f]Mercy[/name_f] and [name_f]Clemency[/name_f] mean the same thing. You can’t have too much of it, right?). So, we know that they’ll hate [name_f]Clemency[/name_f], which is distressing in itself. However, my sister got a puppy last week and named it [name_m]Pippin[/name_m], the choice of her three year old. They had other names they liked better, but the three year old didn’t approve. We requested that they reconsider since the name is close to the nickname we had picked for a boy, but the only response we got was “well, that’s what you get for not telling us the name!” They then proceeded to joke about naming the dog [name_u]Clem[/name_u].
So, we’re not sure what to do. Find new names at the last minute, or hope the family will get over both names and not tease him or her the rest of her life?
I wouldn’t worry about the dog being named [name_m]Pippin[/name_m]. My little nephew just named his dog [name_m]George[/name_m] – he was naming everything [name_m]George[/name_m] there for a little bit – he had three birds all named [name_m]George[/name_m]. But I’m still considering [name_m]George[/name_m] as a top-runner boy’s name. You could think of it this way – at least your nephew will be pleased with your little [name_m]Philip[/name_m]/[name_m]Pip[/name_m]'s name.
[name_f]Mercy[/name_f] & [name_f]Clemency[/name_f] are more than synonyms: they rhyme too. Are you sure that makes sense, and wouldn’t make little [name_f]Clemency[/name_f] feel like a carbon copy of her older sister? For people who choose such elaborately unusual biblical names like [name_m]Gilead[/name_m] and [name_m]Abel[/name_m], it seems off-kilter to have such redundant names for your girls.
I’m glad it would seem that humans trump puppies. We’d thought about the rhyming thing, but the syllabic difference and very different beginnings to the names make them dissimilar enough in sound we don’t think it will be a problem. We both grew up with “fad” names, and are obviously trying to avoid that for our children. We weren’t really stuck on another virtue name for a girl, but have found that we really like them. However, avoiding the more common ones is difficult since we don’t care for the sound of most of the uncommon ones ([name_f]Temperance[/name_f], [name_f]Constance[/name_f], etc.). We’ve never had controversy or stress surrounding naming a baby. This is entirely new territory for us!
[name_m]Even[/name_m] though the root name is the same, [name_f]Clementine[/name_f] always brings “Oh my darlin’, [name_f]Clementine[/name_f]” to mind, and I’ve always found that song to be just plain annoying. [name_f]Clementina[/name_f], however, is nice. We’ve also tossed around [name_f]Patience[/name_f], [name_f]Glory[/name_f], and [name_u]Truly[/name_u]. However, at this point, I’m thinking the world may just have to deal with rhyming of [name_f]Clemency[/name_f] and [name_f]Mercy[/name_f], and my family may just have to deal with their personal preferences. That wouldn’t be so hard if we weren’t so close. Our styles are very different, though. My mom went with top 20 names for us, and my sister’s three are all top 25. [name_f]Lovely[/name_f] and classic, but also common. We simply decided that wasn’t for us. We wanted [name_m]Christian[/name_m], but not the more common ones, and tried to not be too weird. We failed with [name_m]Gilead[/name_m] in that we didn’t realize just how unheard of it was, but we still love it!
I’d take it as a sign there’s a better name out there for your child. [name_m]Ezra[/name_m] and [name_f]Charity[/name_f]? [name_m]Ethan[/name_m] & [name_f]Keziah[/name_f]?
A child’s name is used for decades longer than a puppy’s and 99.99% of people he meets won’t know the name of your son’s aunt’s dog. Us the noble [name_m]Philip[/name_m] and enjoy your little [name_m]Pip[/name_m].
…[name_f]Clemency[/name_f] and [name_f]Mercy[/name_f] don’t rhyme. They have the same ending, but they don’t rhyme. [name_f]Mercy[/name_f] and [name_u]Percy[/name_u] rhyme, and would be too much. (Not redundant, though…as that means ‘superfluous, or able to be cut out’, and not ‘repetitive’.
Anyway…
As far as puppy vs human…human wins every time! It’s not the same name…and like a PP said, your nephew will be very pleased with your choice, and hardly anyone will know that his Aunt’s dog has a similar name to his nickname as a toddler.
Go with what you love! Your children’s names are lovey!
Congrats, good luck & [name_f]Happy[/name_f] naming!
Well, if you didn’t tell them your name choice for a boy, they can’t help if they chose the same name for their dog. They didn’t know! And, while a dog’s name isn’t as important as a baby’s name, they got in there first. You can ask them to change their dog’s name, but they certainly don’t have to.
And, yeah, [name_f]Mercy[/name_f] and [name_f]Clemency[/name_f] don’t rhyme at all, although their endings are the same. And their meanings are the same.
You might want to check out the other -y virtue names? Or that’s just my personal preference for [name_f]Verity[/name_f]/[name_f]Felicity[/name_f]/[name_f]Liberty[/name_f] shining through maybe. Your boys’ names don’t all match in meaning so I wouldn’t want my girls’ names to.
I wouldn’t NOT use a name because of a puppy but I might think of if there’s any other name I like equally that isn’t going to be that close to the puppy’s name. But I just [name_f]LOVE[/name_f] [name_m]Gilead[/name_m], and [name_m]Abel[/name_m] is strong with a certain message/flavour and I just don’t know if [name_m]Philip[/name_m] matches up. Maybe you’re trying to get away from the Bible names, though? Maybe a more esoteric spirituality/virtue name?
Oh, I wish you the best, mama! I am sure your family means no harm, but they are certainly adding stress to your life that you don’t need right now. I am sorry to hear about all the ribbing. It seems unfair. And, it makes me never want to share any of my own name picks with family before baby arrives.
I think you would be all right with [name_m]Philip[/name_m] a.k.a. [name_m]Pip[/name_m] or [name_f]Clemency[/name_f]. [name_m]Both[/name_m] are strong and positive. (I believe [name_m]Philip[/name_m] means “lover of horses”? And with [name_m]Pip[/name_m], you get they awesome [name_m]Charles[/name_m] Dickens “Great Expectations” vibe.
I agree with the other posters: A chile should always trump a puppy. I wouldn’t give it a second though.
Names that might jive well with your sons’ names:
[name_m]Enoch[/name_m]
[name_m]Ezra[/name_m]
[name_m]Gideon[/name_m]
[name_m]Jethro[/name_m]
[name_u]Jude[/name_u]
[name_m]Phineas[/name_m] (Bonus: Great nickname [name_u]Finn[/name_u])
[name_m]Simeon[/name_m] (or even [name_m]Simon[/name_m], depending if it is not too popular where you live)
[name_m]Zebulon[/name_m] (Again, great nickname potential with [name_m]Zeb[/name_m]. I went to school with a [name_m]Zebulon[/name_m] nicknamed [name_m]Zeb[/name_m] who was one of the best high school wrestlers in my state. Strong name!)
As for girls’ names, those might be a bit tricker. Here are some fun suggestions you might want to consider.
[name_f]Amity[/name_f]
[name_f]Angelica[/name_f]
[name_f]Cherish[/name_f]
[name_f]Constance[/name_f]
[name_f]Estella[/name_f] (It means “star” … Your nickname of [name_m]Pip[/name_m] made me think of it – more “Great Expectations!”
[name_u]Ever[/name_u]
[name_f]Hope[/name_f]
[name_f]Honor[/name_f]
[name_f]Felicity[/name_f] (GREAT virtue name, my personal favorite on this list)
[name_f]Glory[/name_f] or the beautiful, vintage [name_f]Gloria[/name_f]
[name_f]Justine[/name_f]
Merit
[name_f]Selah[/name_f] – it is the reoccurring musical term in Pslams and has such a gorgeous ring to it! Any girl named [name_f]Selah[/name_f] would be beautiful and strong!
[name_f]Serene[/name_f], [name_f]Serena[/name_f], [name_f]Serenity[/name_f] – all would work beautifully
[name_u]True[/name_u]
[name_f]Virginia[/name_f] (nickname could be [name_f]Ginny[/name_f])
Best of luck! Please know what you decide. I hope your labor and delivery goes well.
Ooops! I meant to say, please let us know what name you decide! I am sure it will be excellent – make sure you love it. Try not to worry about pleasing family, as difficult as that can be! Cheers to you!
No, not trying to get away from Bible names–[name_m]Philip[/name_m] is a Bible name! However, we know lots of people using the “ah” and “iah” ending Bible names, so we’re trying to stay away from those. Also those that speak more of power than love and faith. [name_m]Gilead[/name_m] has the “balm of [name_m]Gilead[/name_m]” reference, and [name_m]Abel[/name_m] was commended for his faith. We found ourselves looking at less used [name_m]New[/name_m] Testament names this time around. It’s been hard!
We’ve actually strongly considered both [name_f]Glory[/name_f] and [name_u]Truly[/name_u] for a girl, as well as [name_f]Patience[/name_f]. I liked [name_m]Enoch[/name_m] for a boy, but my husband thought it sounded to harsh. We nearly gave [name_m]Gilead[/name_m] the name [name_m]Gideon[/name_m], but once we chose [name_m]Gilead[/name_m], we figured it would probably cause too much confusion to use [name_m]Gideon[/name_m] later. In fact, some people call him [name_m]Gideon[/name_m] when they can’t remember his name! We know several Ezras, Judes, Simons, and even a couple of Simeons. Must be the region and circles we’re in. [name_m]Judah[/name_m], [name_m]Josiah[/name_m], [name_m]Isaiah[/name_m], etc., are also very common where we’re at.
I’ll try to remember to check in and let you all know what we decide on in the end. Of course, nothing is final until the baby arrives and we find out if it’s a boy or a girl, and then make sure the name seems to be a good fit!
I’m sorry about all the family drama. I can relate as my family think all of our names are way out there. I think our names are normal but maybe not super common (except [name_u]Teddy[/name_u], [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] hasn’t hit the top 100 on ss and I’m keeping my fingers crossed but it will probably gain popularity, ugh). I like all your names. I also agree that human trumps animal! I know I’m in the minority but I’m totally annoyed when people use human names on animals. My aunt and uncle named their dogs [name_m]Gabriel[/name_m] and [name_f]Katherine[/name_f]. Really? Also, I lead a youth group with 3 [name_f]Lucy[/name_f]'s. They are always complaining that when they tell people their name, some will comment on having a dog named [name_f]Lucy[/name_f].
That being said, I love [name_m]Pip[/name_m] (obviously I’m biased with a [name_f]Philippa[/name_f], nn [name_f]Pippa[/name_f], [name_f]Pippi[/name_f] or Pips). I just wonder if it’s the best fit with your other kids. However, I agree with meeting your baby and making sure it fits. We did that with all of ours. Some other [name_m]New[/name_m] Testament names…
[name_m]Zebedee[/name_m] (nn [name_m]Zeb[/name_m]). I personally love this name but my husband wouldn’t go for it.
[name_m]Peter[/name_m]. Not common at all these days. My favorite disciple! Who can’t relate to [name_m]Peter[/name_m]?
For the girls. I love [name_f]Mercy[/name_f] and also Celmemcy but since your boys are so different it feels a little unfair for the girls to share the same ending and meaning. One of those wouldn’t be so bad but both are a little too much I think. What about other virtue names…
[name_f]Verity[/name_f]. For truth. So your girls names would mean truth and grace. [name_m]How[/name_m] awesome is that?
[name_f]Amity[/name_f]. For friendship and harmony.
[name_f]Unity[/name_f]
[name_f]Prudence[/name_f]
[name_f]Charity[/name_f]. But the greatest of these is love? Has a suble [name_m]New[/name_m] Testament reference as well as being a virtue name.
[name_f]Temperance[/name_f]
Some [name_m]New[/name_m] Testament names for the girls…
Wow I [name_f]LOVE[/name_f] your sibset. [name_m]Phillip[/name_m] is a nice name, and I do think human trumps puppy (we currently have [name_u]Morgan[/name_u] as a top contender, even though it is also my parents’ cat who died in a cardboard box 30 years ago…). But if you want some more options:
[name_m]Gilead[/name_m], [name_f]Mercy[/name_f], [name_m]Abel[/name_m], and…
[name_m]Reuben[/name_m]
[name_m]Solomon[/name_m]
[name_u]Jude[/name_u]
[name_m]Lazarus[/name_m]
[name_m]Canaan[/name_m] (too close to [name_m]Gilead[/name_m] with the whole place name thing?)
[name_m]Job[/name_m]
[name_m]Gilead[/name_m], [name_f]Mercy[/name_f], [name_m]Abel[/name_m], and…
[name_f]Glory[/name_f] (I [name_f]LOVE[/name_f] [name_f]Glory[/name_f] as a strong alternative to [name_f]Clemency[/name_f]; it shares with G with [name_m]Gilead[/name_m], and the -y ending and virtue name with [name_f]Mercy[/name_f], so would [name_m]Abel[/name_m] feel left out? [name_f]Patience[/name_f] also fits well)
[name_f]Magdalene[/name_f]
[name_f]Jubilee[/name_f]
[name_f]Dinah[/name_f]
[name_f]Beulah[/name_f]
[name_f]Bethany[/name_f] (place name, -y ending)
Also, I know it’s got to be hard to hear the constant comments regarding your children’s names, but know that you did GOOD.
I haven’t seen anyone bring this up yet-- my concern about [name_f]Clemency[/name_f] is not the similarity to [name_f]Mercy[/name_f]; it’s that your OP implies you already have a son with the middle name [name_m]Clement[/name_m]. [name_m]Clement[/name_m] and [name_f]Clemency[/name_f] are exactly the same name, just in male/female forms. It really, really feels like this little girl would be getting a name that said, “We ran out of names we liked, so we just re-used one for you.”
There are so many beautiful virtue names. I love your sibset too, but I wouldn’t do [name_f]Clemency[/name_f].
I like the suggestions of:
[name_f]Amity[/name_f]
[name_f]Felicity[/name_f]
[name_f]Glory[/name_f]
[name_u]Damaris[/name_u]
[name_f]Honor[/name_f], [name_f]Honora[/name_f] or [name_f]Annora[/name_f]
Caritas
Solace
[name_u]Haven[/name_u]
[name_f]Generosity[/name_f] (a wild card, but I’ve always thought this would be really fun)
[name_m]Ah[/name_m] the troubles of family. First of all I want to say I love all of your name choices, [name_f]Clemency[/name_f] and [name_m]Philip[/name_m] “[name_m]Pip[/name_m]” are adorable. [name_f]Mercy[/name_f], [name_m]Gilead[/name_m], and [name_m]Abel[/name_m] are also smashing names. As for your familial problems, I think if I was in your place I would just go for it. Name your daughter [name_f]Clemency[/name_f], name your son [name_m]Philip[/name_m]. Maybe you only reserve the nickname [name_m]Pip[/name_m] for the house? and use [name_m]Philip[/name_m] or [name_u]Phil[/name_u] or Lip more often then [name_m]Pip[/name_m]. To be honest, if your family has a problem with [name_m]Pip[/name_m] and [name_f]Clemency[/name_f], I am sure they had similar reservations towards [name_m]Gilead[/name_m]. But they love your baby [name_m]Gilead[/name_m] now, and they will love your baby [name_f]Clemency[/name_f] or [name_m]Philip[/name_m] just as much. I take a very simple tactic to these sort of problems and that is that the child is yours. Yours and your husbands child, and it is your choice to name the child as you like. Of course, you should take into (some) consideration your family and potential pit falls of a name, but in the end a name is just a name and it is the child that will shine in the eyes of all who love him/her. And if/when little [name_f]Clemency[/name_f] or [name_m]Philip[/name_m] come around and your family makes jokes, I would just simply say that we are the parers and we chose his name, you will respect this and love the child, even if you do not love the name. I honestly love your chosen names and I am sure things will be fine (even if its a bit of a rocky presentation of the name).
Oh, and as for the dog thing. Who cares? [name_m]How[/name_m] often will the kid be around the dog? My uncle had a dog named [name_f]Maggie[/name_f], who had been with him for years before I was born. And yet, my parents still named me a name similar to [name_f]Maggie[/name_f] and I promise I am not damaged or insecure because of it. I do not even remember any jokes about the similarities. (I do think it is a bit rude of a response to your request, but I am also of the opinion that no one has the right to ask someone to change the name of anything, baby, dog, cat, imaginary friend…). Good [name_m]Luck[/name_m]!
I’m sorry if that was confusing. We haven’t used [name_m]Clement[/name_m] as a middle name, we were just considering it. We were just still discussing names with family at that point, and that’s when the teasing about “[name_u]Clem[/name_u]” began. However, in the end, we didn’t like how it sounded with [name_m]Philip[/name_m], so we dropped it. We have considered [name_f]Glory[/name_f] and [name_f]Patience[/name_f] strongly, and they aren’t entirely out of the running at this point. [name_m]Even[/name_m] though [name_f]Honor[/name_f] is traditionally a girl’s name, we didn’t realize it at the time, and it is actually [name_m]Gilead[/name_m]'s middle name.
