Feedback on these names?

Boy Names
1

I’m in my early 20s and changing my name. I feel justified in my reasons for changing it (named for an abusive family member, it’s unisex-leaning-strongly-feminine and causes confusion on a semi-regular basis, I’ve always felt very detached from it), but I have a harder time picking a name I feel justified changing it to.

I know a name like [name_m]JOhn[/name_m] or [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] would be easy and not really objectionable, but I don’t fancy the idea of sharing a name with someone I know, and I’ve spent my whole life hating my name so I want to really love the one I change it to, and getting the strong feeling I want tends to lead me to names that are more unconventional. But, you know, since the people who know me now will know that I chose the name myself, I’m very cautious about how it would be interpreted, and I am especially very concerned about looking pretentious. I don’t like I’m too good or special for a name like [name_m]Joseph[/name_m], I just want a name I feel strongly about, but I am concerned about looking like I’m trying to be different.

That said, this is not my entire list, but it is many of the more controversial ideas. Assume you know a guy named, for example, [name_u]Courtney[/name_u], and you found out he changed his name to:

[name_m]Havelock[/name_m] ([name_m]Lock[/name_m]?), Meriwhether ([name_f]Meri[/name_f]), [name_m]Sacheverell[/name_m] ([name_u]Sasha[/name_u]), Merrimack ([name_f]Merri[/name_f] or [name_m]Mack[/name_m]), [name_m]Cutler[/name_m], Kierkegaard ([name_m]Kirk[/name_m]), [name_m]Hamilton[/name_m] ([name_m]Milo[/name_m]) (personal fav, as [name_m]Hamilton[/name_m] has been my favorite founding father since I did a project on him in 3rd grade, but with the popularity of the musical I’m just super concerned about it), [name_u]Concord[/name_u], [name_m]Hancock[/name_m], [name_m]Arlington[/name_m], Revere, Bonham,

And just to prove I’m not crazy, a couple more conventional ones:

[name_u]Sinclair[/name_u], Townes, [name_m]Rhodes[/name_m], Strauss, [name_m]Lafayette[/name_m], [name_m]Calhoun[/name_m], [name_m]Alois[/name_m], Haytham/Haitham, [name_m]Latham[/name_m], [name_m]Laith[/name_m], [name_u]Shaw[/name_u], [name_m]Absalom[/name_m], Credence, [name_m]Hawthorne[/name_m], [name_m]Luther[/name_m], [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m], Braith, Stratton, [name_m]Alphonse[/name_m], Daveth, [name_u]Joss[/name_u]

And just for the record, the safe names I’m okay with but don’t feel strongly about:

[name_m]Patrick[/name_m], [name_m]Levi[/name_m], [name_u]Seth[/name_u], [name_m]Jasper[/name_m], [name_m]Jason[/name_m], [name_m]Damien[/name_m], [name_u]James[/name_u], [name_m]Fletcher[/name_m], [name_m]Rhett[/name_m], [name_m]Stuart[/name_m], [name_u]Percy[/name_u]

Thanks in advance@

2

Ultimately, the only thing that matters is how you feel about the name. Clearly, this is a very personal situation and decision, so it makes sense to choose a name that makes you feel comfortable and confident. That being said, I’ll give you my feedback on some of the names.

Given your name is unisex, but leans heavily toward feminine, I am confused by your choices of Meriwhether and [name_m]Sacheverell[/name_m]. Meriwhether could easily be mistaken for a feminine name, particularly if someone associates it with one of the fairies from Sleeping Beauty and because you want to shorten it to [name_f]Meri[/name_f] which sounds feminine, as well. I have the same issue with [name_m]Sacheverell[/name_m]. The full name is fine, but [name_u]Sasha[/name_u] is a very ambiguous name. [name_u]Sasha[/name_u] tends to be more feminine in the US, as far as I can tell, but in Eastern Europe I think it is more common for a boy’s name. I don’t know where you’re from, though, so I only have my [name_u]North[/name_u] American perspective on it.

Of your first set, I think [name_m]Cutler[/name_m] and [name_m]Hamilton[/name_m] are the two I’d prefer. They are unique, but not pretentious. I think some of the other names border on pretentious. Plus, I love the name [name_m]Milo[/name_m]. And unless you have a family and friend set that are super into theater, I don’t think the association with the recent hit musical is anything to worry about.

As far as your second set goes, I like [name_m]Rhodes[/name_m], [name_u]Shaw[/name_u] (love this one), Stratton, and [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m]. You might also consider [name_u]Sutton[/name_u], although that is rising in popularity as a girl’s name. I still think it sounds like it could very easily go either way.

Since you don’t feel strongly about the last set, I’m going to ignore that one. You need a name you like, not one you settle for because it’s normal enough for everyone else. =] I hope you are able to find your perfect name!