We were happy to name it after a grandmother ([name_f]Florence[/name_f]) and an aunt ([name_f]Jane[/name_f]) until it turned out we were having a boy.
We’d still like a family name, but the boy names on either side of the tree are uninspiring at best and terrible at worst.
The idea came up to maybe go with the name [name_u]Florian[/name_u] to still honor [name_f]Florence[/name_f] and shorten it to [name_u]Rory[/name_u] (a name we both liked a lot, but had no special connection to either family on its own).
One of us was lukewarm on it at first but gotten more into it even as the other one has been less excited after more thought.
Unless you are having one child, I would save [name_f]Florence[/name_f] and [name_f]Jane[/name_f] for a possible girl. I know people who’ve been in your situation and used a version they didn’t really love for the opposite gender and then regretted it when they had a baby of the different gender. We’ve used the Hebrew tradition of using the first initial of the person we wished to honor. We’re not Jewish but have Jewish roots on my side and our Jewish friends suggested the idea. We’ve also used surnames to honor family. As well as middles and first names (all our kids middles are family and one first is family as well, not to mention all the initials we’ve used). So, I would go back and take a look at the middle name or surnames. Also, are any of the names maybe usable with a different nickname. For example, I have an uncle [name_m]Dick[/name_m] (that’s obviously unusable now) but I have considered using his full name of [name_m]Richard[/name_m] and calling him [name_m]Richey[/name_m].
You could use [name_m]John[/name_m] to honor [name_f]Jane[/name_f]! There’s nothing wrong with [name_u]Florian[/name_u], though.
In fact, [name_u]Florian[/name_u] [name_m]John[/name_m] is nice…
I love [name_u]Florian[/name_u], and it definitely works to honor [name_f]Florence[/name_f]. [name_u]Rory[/name_u] is a great nickname, and I think it works for any name with “ori” in the middle.
You could also drop the f and go with [name_u]Laurence[/name_u]/[name_u]Lawrence[/name_u]. I feel like the [name_f]Flor[/name_f]- feels more connected though, even though [name_u]Laurence[/name_u] is actually more similar in sound.
Another thought, [name_m]Oren[/name_m], since it is right there in [name_f]Florence[/name_f].
I really love [name_u]Florian[/name_u]. I’d keep it on the list, but if you find something you like more, you can always save [name_f]Florence[/name_f] for another child (if you’re thinking you’ll want one, of course).
I like [name_u]Florian[/name_u] but I don’t - and have never understood - how people get [name_u]Rory[/name_u] as a nickname from every ‘or’ name, lol. I pronounce both a little differently too.
[name_u]Rory[/name_u]: roar-ree
[name_u]Florian[/name_u]: [name_f]FLO[/name_f]-ree-un (short o like pot)
I think [name_u]Florian[/name_u] is a great name. I’m planning on using it for a middle for my first-born. [name_u]Rory[/name_u] is cool too, and I think that if you both really like just [name_u]Rory[/name_u], maybe use that and go for a family name in the middle. They wouldn’t be too bad in the middle spot, would they?
I also think that elo is probably right, because if you eventually had a girl, you might regret using it and want to use [name_f]Florence[/name_f] (or [name_f]Jane[/name_f]) but you can’t.
Great shout from emsky with [name_m]Oren[/name_m] though, I love that name too, and ‘oren’ is actually in [name_f]Florence[/name_f].
On second thoughts, you could use [name_u]Rory[/name_u], or [name_m]Oren[/name_m] or another name you both love, and just include an F or J name as a middle like elo said to honour your family.
