Hubby and I have been really struggling with our fourth boy name. A couple days ago we settled on [name_m]Lochlan[/name_m]- which we both like- but I am feeling really hesitant.
Older brothers are [name_m]Graham[/name_m] [name_m]Joaquin[/name_m], [name_m]Xander[/name_m] [name_u]Jay[/name_u], & [name_m]Quinton[/name_m] “[name_u]Quinn[/name_u]” [name_u]Noah[/name_u]. There’s 2 years between 1&2, and then a five year gap before number 3 where we had a second trimester loss. (A little girl we named [name_f]Nova[/name_f] [name_f]Leah[/name_f]). There will be 2 years between [name_u]Quinn[/name_u] and baby. Our last name is Spanish and starts with a V.
We are pronouncing [name_m]Lochlan[/name_m] as “[name_m]Lock[/name_m]-Lan” or almost “[name_m]Lock[/name_m]-[name_f]Lin[/name_f]” if you have a slight [name_u]Utah[/name_u] accent like I do. Haha The internet has a lot opinions on spelling- and [name_m]Lachlan[/name_m] is a close contender- but leans Scottish while [name_m]Lochlan[/name_m] leans Irish. I have both in my heritage- but we prefer [name_m]Lochlan[/name_m] as DH likes “[name_m]Loch[/name_m]” for a nickname and it seems more phonetically close to what we are going for. His middle name will be [name_m]William[/name_m].
Here are my concerns. I used to be a middle school teacher so I am a little sensitive when it comes to kids having names that are ripe for issues. Teasing happens regardless- but I don’t want to set him up for it. (We did think about possible [name_m]Loch[/name_m] Ness Monster jokes- but we weren’t concerned about those and feel like it could be more endearing than insulting.) We already have to spell our last name frequently, so I’m worried he will be continually spelling and/or pronouncing his first name too.
I don’t want it to be a name that seems so unusual that it could hold him back. Our friends and family seem somewhere between indifferent and supportive, but almost no one loves it. We’ve had to repeat it a few times, review the pronunciation, and endure three “suggestions” of alternate spellings.
Would this be his life? We were originally going to name [name_m]Xander[/name_m] [name_m]Kyan[/name_m] Alexander before everyone started pronouncing it [name_f]Cayenne[/name_f] and making pantry jokes about our [name_m]Graham[/name_m] Cracker & [name_f]Cayenne[/name_f] [name_u]Pepper[/name_u]. #nothanks
I want to feel confident in our name choice. I’m not worried about what other people think in the sense of if they have good/bad connotations with the name (like “my fourth cousin’s friend’s brother had that name and he was a jerk.”) so much as how the opinions of the general population will affect my son in his future. Does it sound too feminine? Is it too hard to pronounce? Is the spelling an issue? I don’t know.
Would you use [name_m]Lochlan[/name_m] if you were me- or should I keep searching?
Hello! I had to jump on this thread because I want to assure you I think [name_m]Lochlan[/name_m] works perfectly with your other kids names. I don’t foresee any issues with pronunciation. I mean spelling is the only thing but honestly I think this one’s a little bit more intuitive due to the pronunciation of the short o sound. I would assume [name_m]Lochlan[/name_m] over [name_m]Lachlan[/name_m], but that’s just me.
Furthermore, I’m a current Middle School teacher and I personally have not witnessed any name bullying. I seriously had to think long and hard about any kids getting teased for their names and literally the only example I could remember was a student named [name_m]Josh[/name_m] and his named was being pronounced wrong (it wasn’t bullying or offensive, just goofy… that’s middle school boys for ya. rolls eyes). So you never know how common or unique name could be that could lend itself to nicknames or teasing. I think it depends on the children’s personalities in the classroom (which you can’t predict) but not really the name. And with the name [name_m]Lochlan[/name_m] I really don’t think you have anything to worry about. [name_m]Loch[/name_m] Ness monster would be the closest thing I could think of but I really can’t imagine any of his peers saying that because to me it does sound like a term of endearment.
Thanks so much!! I agree as far as the teasing- like I said it happens regardless and doesn’t always have much to do with their name so that isn’t an issue for me. I was more concerned about his teachers not knowing how to pronounce it, (I had many student names I had to YouTube pronunciations for when I got my roster!) or receiving documents with his name misspelled. It seemed like an intuitive spelling to me- but so did [name_m]Kyan[/name_m], which I imagined to sound like [name_u]Ryan[/name_u] with a K- but everyone pronounces [name_f]Cayenne[/name_f]! Haha I think I’m feeling overly sensitive and apprehensive about the commitment. It’s gotten harder and harder to find a name we both love with each boy- and this being our last baby and last time choosing a name makes me feel way more emotional than I did with my other babies. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond!
You’re welcome! I’ve also seen my fair share of “out there” names so I understand the concern. [name_m]Lochlan[/name_m] is a great choice and I hope once you meet your little one you will feel confident that’s it’s perfect for him!
[name_m]Just[/name_m] don’t plan on moving to Germany then
“[name_m]Loch[/name_m]” means hole in [name_m]German[/name_m] and I got instant “Arschloch” (asshole) associations.
But don’t worry about it, it’s a great name and a perfect addition to your family
I love, love [name_m]Lochlan[/name_m]! It isn’t unknown or weird, and it’s not too common so fits into that sweet spot of being recognizable and interesting. A great choice!
I think [name_m]Lochlan[/name_m] is wonderful - unique enough to not be overly common, but recognizable. It definitely doesn’t seem feminine to me. I wouldn’t worry about teasing, I’m in high school right now and there’s no name related teasing. There was a boy in my year 6 grade named [name_m]Lochlan[/name_m]/[name_m]Lachlan[/name_m] (can’t remember) and he was never teased!
I’ve also seen my fair share of “out there” names so I understand the concern. [name_m]Lochlan[/name_m] is a great choice and I hope once you meet your little one you will feel confident that’s it’s perfect for him!