HELP! Baby is *three weeks old and nameless!* Go with husband's choice?

Boy Names
1

This is getting completely ridiculous. Our baby was born on the 7th and he’s still nameless. I’ve definitely massively overthought this decision, to the point I think I won’t be satisfied no matter what. :frowning: I just want to name him and move on at this point.

DH LOVES the name [name_m]Theodore[/name_m]. I like [name_u]Theo[/name_u] (although I worry it will blend in with all the [name_m]Leos[/name_m]), and [name_u]Teddy[/name_u] is really cute (but I worry it will turn into Ted, which I hate). [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] itself is ok; it’s a bit clunky but I like the history of the name/association with [name_m]Roosevelt[/name_m]. Mostly I worry that the name is trending strongly upward, as I always appreciated being the only person with my name in my class growing up.

I know we should both love the name we pick. There are names I like more than [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], but I don’t love any of them. Given this, should I go with [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], because at least one of us loves it?

He feels like a [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] to me, which I think has a nicer sound than [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], and even though it’s equally popular, at least it’s not trending upwards like [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] is. But it also feels like a random choice, as it’s not a family name and it doesn’t have any special meaning to us. Plus the association with the train might get annoying?

We initially were going to name him [name_m]Booker[/name_m] [name_m]Henry[/name_m]. We both really like (love?) [name_m]Booker[/name_m]. But we’re aware that it can sound like “Booger” when said too fast, and that it rhymes with [name_m]Hooker[/name_m], and 90% of the people we told reacted negatively to it. I don’t care about what others think, but I do worry my son will hate his name when he’s 15, or that it’s too easy to bully based on this name. It’s a big enough worry that I’m pretty sure we shouldn’t pick it (although I’ve still kept it in my mind as an option, because I think it’s so cool and unique yet with history, and I appreciate that it’s a black history name as baby is mixed race).

Legally he’s [name_u]August[/name_u] [name_m]Jasper[/name_m], although we haven’t announced this to anyone and can still change it. I was leaning towards [name_u]August[/name_u] the whole pregnancy, but I only recently found out that DH hates [name_m]Augie[/name_m]/[name_u]Gus[/name_u], and I’m a big nickname person. Also, the “like the month?” comments are already annoying me.

HELP HELP HELP! Not even looking for a new name at this point (I’ve read them ALL); just need advice on how to decide, or make peace with a less-than-perfect name. I think he’s either [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], [name_m]Booker[/name_m], or [name_u]August[/name_u].

2

I’m so sorry this has been so difficult for you!

It feels like [name_u]August[/name_u] [name_m]Jasper[/name_m] is sort of off the wall, and that you picked it because he needed a name. [name_m]Booker[/name_m] [name_m]Henry[/name_m] is a strong name, and I wouldn’t overthink the potential associations with it (i.e. sounding like hooker or booger). [name_m]Brooks[/name_m] [name_m]Henry[/name_m] is another option that’s close to [name_m]Booker[/name_m], but maybe a bit more approachable. The problem here, I think, is that neither lend themselves to nicknames naturally, which is something you’ve stated you love.

If you really love [name_u]August[/name_u], I may suggest moving it to the middle spot to avoid the [name_m]Augie[/name_m]/[name_u]Gus[/name_u] nicknames that your husband dislikes. [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_u]August[/name_u] or [name_m]Henry[/name_m] [name_u]August[/name_u] could be options. If you want to keep [name_u]August[/name_u] in the first name spot, I think [name_u]August[/name_u] [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] or [name_u]August[/name_u] [name_m]Henry[/name_m] may be a better fit.

However, I have another solution that I think would be best: [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] or [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Theodore[/name_m]. I slightly lean toward [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] but I like both equally.

Here’s why: they are names you and your husband both like, both can be shortened to nicknames, both are familiar and classic but not overly trendy, and (the best part, in my opinion) no matter which combo you use, you can decide which name he’ll go by as time goes along. For instance, if you named him [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] but felt like he was more of a “[name_m]Thomas[/name_m]” then you could call him by his middle name. The same is true for [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Theodore[/name_m]. Not to mention, I think either option works really well with [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] [name_f]Olivia[/name_f] and [name_m]Simon[/name_m] [name_m]Jacob[/name_m]. To me, [name_f]Rosie[/name_f], [name_u]Si[/name_u], and [name_u]Theo[/name_u] make a fantastic sibset. I even love [name_f]Rosie[/name_f], [name_u]Si[/name_u], and [name_m]Tom[/name_m] or [name_m]Tommy[/name_m].

I hope this is helpful!

3

how about AJ as a nn for [name_u]August[/name_u] [name_m]Jasper[/name_m]? I think whatever name you finally decide on will end up fitting him, even if it doesn’t feel right at first. I second the previous suggestion of Thomas Theodore or Theodore Thomas:) Good luck!

4

[name_u]August[/name_u] [name_m]Jasper[/name_m] is very handsome! If it doesn’t feel right, then I would change it. I really like [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Jasper[/name_m] for you, or [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Theodore[/name_m].

5

Thanks all!

When we were calling him [name_m]Booker[/name_m], I was already shortening it to pretty much any affectionate sound starting with a B: [name_u]Boo[/name_u], [name_u]Boo[/name_u] bear, [name_u]Baby[/name_u] boo, Boogie, etc. None of these would be nicknames for an older child, but I figured he could go by [name_u]Bo[/name_u] in future if he wanted to shorten his name. We also paired it with [name_m]Henry[/name_m] (a family name) so that if he hates [name_m]Booker[/name_m], he has a classic, anyone-could-wear-it middle name to fall back on. I agree that [name_m]Booker[/name_m] does not go with my sibset at all, but I don’t care too much about that at this point.

I do like [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Theodore[/name_m]/[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Thomas[/name_m]. I’ll have to run that by my husband. I’ve been leaning towards [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Booker[/name_m] so that the name I love is still in there. Yes, his initials would be “TB,” but again I don’t think I can afford to get hung up on that at this point.

I think I’ve fallen out of love with [name_u]August[/name_u], sadly. I really dislike AJ, and that’s what my husband started calling him when we put down [name_u]August[/name_u] [name_m]Jasper[/name_m] (we had to fill out something as placeholder). If he liked [name_u]Gus[/name_u]/[name_m]Augie[/name_m], I would have gone with it, but instead I feel uncomfortable calling him either since I know DH doesn’t like it. And the full name “[name_u]August[/name_u]” is ok, but the whole “but he was born in [name_u]November[/name_u]” thing makes me feel awkward. I spent so much time on baby name websites I forgot that 99% of people will think of the month and not the emperor. :eek: Our older son was going to be [name_m]Simon[/name_m] [name_u]August[/name_u] but last minute I saved [name_u]August[/name_u] to use as a first name in future. Now I wish I had given it to him as planned (and he WAS born in [name_u]August[/name_u]! Figures :rolleyes: )

6

I do agree that [name_u]August[/name_u] [name_m]Jasper[/name_m] does not feel right. This isn’t my baby and I’ve never seen him but I just know [name_u]August[/name_u] isn’t the name for him. I love [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] and [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] though. I agree with pp. You should choose [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] or [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] and you could call him by his middle. :slight_smile: Best of luck!

7

You have lovely options and I feel bad for you that naming this little guy has been so difficult. I also think that you may be overthinking any issues with the name [name_m]Booker[/name_m] as you could find a less than complimentary word to rhyme with most names and I don’t think anyone would actually call him hooker. [name_m]Just[/name_m] something for you to consider and you should choose what you are comfortable with. I do really like [name_m]Booker[/name_m]. [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] or [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] are great options, as is the suggestion of [name_m]Brooks[/name_m]. I think [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] with the nickname [name_u]Theo[/name_u] would stick but if you choose to call him [name_u]Teddy[/name_u], it is likely to turn into Ted as an adult, as [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] would become [name_m]Tom[/name_m] as an adult.

8

I’m sorry you’re feeling in a rut with this! I know you already know this, but you really can’t go wrong here. All of your names would make for a perfectly fine choice, and I’m sure he would grow into any of them just fine.

My personal preference, taking into account your other children’s lovely classic names, would be for [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] or [name_u]August[/name_u]. [name_m]Booker[/name_m] feels like a big departure from your usual style — not that that’s a big problem in itself, but it makes me wonder whether you might go off it in the fullness of time.

I would rank the remaining three, from most to least favourite for you, as follows:

  1. [name_m]Thomas[/name_m]: A true classic. It may be more popular than your other two children’s names, but it could never be accused of being “trendy” and has really stood the test of time. [name_m]Tom[/name_m]/[name_m]Thom[/name_m] is a lovely straightforward nickname which fits in perfectly with [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] and [name_u]Si[/name_u], and I also think you could get away with [name_u]Theo[/name_u] or [name_u]Teddy[/name_u] as well, depending on the middle name you choose ([name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] or [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] “[name_u]Theo[/name_u]”, or [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Edward[/name_m] “[name_u]Teddy[/name_u]”, perhaps?)

However, most importantly, you’ve said he FEELS like a [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] to you. That is a very big deal to me, and I suspect you’ll feel the most “closure” on this decision if you go with the name that you truly think fits him best, regardless of any other considerations. Otherwise, I fear you may end up second (or third) guessing whatever name you eventually choose, no matter how practical and well-reasoned your decision is.

  1. [name_m]Theodore[/name_m]: It’s a great name, and the nicknames are super-cool. I love [name_u]Theo[/name_u] especially with [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] and [name_u]Si[/name_u]. But it IS trending in a big way, despite being a traditional name, and you’ve managed to avoid this so smartly with your other kids’ truly timeless, though not overly common, names. As above, I think you can get the nicknames you and DH love in other ways.

  2. [name_u]August[/name_u]: I think this is a truly wonderful, handsome name BUT it’s already your son’s legal name and it’s obviously just not sitting right with you if you’re still agonising like this. Also, if you’re a big nicknamer and your husband hates the two most (only?) intuitive nicknames, that’s a huge red flag for me.

Good luck, and congratulations!

9

I love [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] for him. There is nothing wrong with the name [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] - it’s a lovely, classic name - but I am hearing it so so much lately. [name_m]Henry[/name_m], [name_m]Oliver[/name_m] and [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] definitely rule the playground around here. [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] may be equally as common but is also more surprising.

Best of luck!

10

For what it’s worth, I think [name_m]Booker[/name_m] [name_m]Henry[/name_m] is a awesome name. Seems like the most unique choice and “[name_u]Bo[/name_u]” is super cute. I think it goes fine with the sibset. They all have a slightly vintage charm to me.
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] would be my second pick. I personally prefer it to [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] because of the train thing. It is becoming more popular but it still sounds charming.
[name_m]Booker[/name_m] [name_m]Henry[/name_m] or [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Booker[/name_m] :slight_smile:

11

Thank you so much for the thoughtful replies. I’m driving my family crazy (and myself) and really needed some fresh perspective.

My biggest concern about [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] is that it wasn’t even on my radar during the pregnancy. So even though he feels like a [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], I don’t know if I’ll love the name in the long term.

[name_m]Booker[/name_m] is actually the name we’ve loved the longest. It was going to be [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f]'s name if she was a boy. We never considered it with [name_m]Simon[/name_m], because we thought he’d look similar to [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] and a male [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] doesn’t look like a [name_m]Booker[/name_m]. [name_m]Simon[/name_m] ended up having very different features from his sister, and [name_m]Booker[/name_m] would have fit him well. This LO looks just like his brother (except for hair color).

I wish I was feeling [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] because it feels much more in line with [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] and [name_m]Simon[/name_m], popularity-wise, and I’ve always liked the name, but he hasn’t felt like an [name_m]Arthur[/name_m]. I also like [name_m]Jasper[/name_m], [name_m]Felix[/name_m], and [name_m]Miles[/name_m]/[name_m]Milo[/name_m], but they all feel a bit too trendy and off the wall for me (even though they’re lower in the popularity rankings than [name_m]Charles[/name_m]/[name_m]Thomas[/name_m]/[name_m]Theodore[/name_m]).

We’re going to discuss tonight and hopefully decide once and for all. I will update when we do :slight_smile:

12

You say he feels like a [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], so I would go with that. [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] would make a solid choice.

13

I agree with everything [name_f]Katinka[/name_f] said, and the order she put them in: 1. [name_m]Thomas[/name_m], 2.[name_m]Theodore[/name_m], 3. [name_u]August[/name_u]. I don’t think [name_m]Booker[/name_m] is right for your family.

14

Ihope all gets sorted out and that you can move forward soon. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the names.

15

It may be too late to mention this (I’m shocked that no one has!) but if you go with [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] you might get The Chipmunks references! ([name_m]Alvin[/name_m], [name_m]Simon[/name_m] and [name_m]Theodore[/name_m]).
Not that it’s a huge deal, but I wouldn’t want you to make a decision and then hear it after the fact and second guess yourself all over again.
Personally I think [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] or [name_m]Booker[/name_m] are right for you :slight_smile:

16

[name_m]How[/name_m] about [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] [name_m]Booker[/name_m]?

17

[name_u]August[/name_u] [name_m]Jasper[/name_m]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Thomas[/name_m]
[name_m]Henry[/name_m] [name_m]Booker[/name_m]
[name_m]Harrison[/name_m] [name_m]Clark[/name_m]
[name_m]Alexander[/name_m] [name_m]Theodore[/name_m]

18

I learned that earlier this week. I’ve never seen the movies and I didn’t know any of the chipmunk names (apart from [name_m]Alvin[/name_m]). It’s annoying but not a dealbreaker - I don’t think anyone will think I intentionally named my kids after chipmunks :smiley:

Sadly still deciding over here. I ran into 5-6 mom friends when picking up my kindergartener on Friday, and told them we were leaning towards [name_m]Theodore[/name_m]. [name_f]Every[/name_f] single one responded “oh our friends have a little boy called [name_u]Teddy[/name_u]/[name_u]Theo[/name_u]…” etc. I can’t deny it bothers me. So the popularity thing is continuing to hold me back from committing. DH isn’t sold on [name_m]Thomas[/name_m]; he doesn’t see the appeal over [name_m]Theodore[/name_m].

I say this daily but hoping to make up our minds today. Limbo sucks! I keep reading the names in the 200s-300s in the popularity list, hoping there’s one I missed or could fall in love with. But still leaning towards just going with [name_m]Theodore[/name_m].

I made a post on here about [name_m]Truman[/name_m] a month or two ago. I still like it a lot, but worry it’s too clunky (or that the association with the President is a negative). I love that the meaning is right in the name, plus Trueblood is a family surname, so it’s kind of a nod to that. I also ran [name_m]Jonas[/name_m]/[name_m]Jonah[/name_m] by my husband last night; he likes the idea of calling him [name_m]Jones[/name_m] as a nickname. I’d love [name_m]Jonah[/name_m] if not for the [name_m]Jonah[/name_m] [name_m]Hill[/name_m] association.

19

[name_m]Jonah[/name_m] nn [name_m]Jones[/name_m] is very handsome and would go really well with [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] and [name_u]Si[/name_u] and I don’t think you will really get a lot of people who associate the name with [name_m]Jonah[/name_m] [name_m]Hill[/name_m], you might get some “[name_m]Jonah[/name_m] and the whale” comments but I don’t think enough not to use it. Out of [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] and [name_m]Jonah[/name_m] I like [name_m]Jonah[/name_m] the best for you and your sibset.

20

Oh I love [name_m]Jonah[/name_m]! I think it’s much nicer than [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] and also much less popular :slight_smile: I would never have thought [name_m]Jonah[/name_m] [name_m]Hill[/name_m] when I heard that name…I think the chipmunks reference would be much more obvious than [name_m]Jonah[/name_m] [name_m]Hill[/name_m]!
Good luck with your choice, what an annoying situation for you to be stuck in! :frowning: