I’m pregnant with our second boy, who will probably be our last child. I am grateful that our baby is healthy and things are going well with this pregnancy so far, but I do have a lot of sadness that I will probably never have a daughter. [name_f]My[/name_f] mom and I are best friends, and I had hoped to one day have a relationship like that with a daughter.
[name_f][/name_f]
[name_f]My[/name_f] husband and I had agreed on [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] [name_f]Brigid[/name_f][name_f][/name_f] if this baby was a girl, to honor both my mom and my grandmother. [name_f]My[/name_f] mom was born [name_f]Mary[/name_f] [name_f]Brigid[/name_f][name_f][/name_f], but her name was changed to [name_f]Maura[/name_f] [name_f]Brigid[/name_f][name_f][/name_f] when she was a young child. It was a [name_m]Gilmore[/name_m] Girls situation where my grandmother named my mom after herself (Mary) and soon realized it was confusing having two [name_f]Marys[/name_f] in the house. [name_f]Maura[/name_f] is an [name_m]Irish[/name_m] form of [name_f]Mary[/name_f], and my grandmother was [name_m]Irish[/name_m], so to her it was a logical swap. [name_f]Brigid[/name_f] was my grandmother’s mother’s name.
[name_f][/name_f]
That’s all probably more info than you needed, haha. [name_m]Just[/name_m] really trying to work through my feelings about saying goodbye to a theoretical daughter and a name I adored. And I feel too ashamed to talk to anyone in my life about it because I know I should just be focused on excitement for our son.
[name_f][/name_f]
SO… Now we need a name for our second boy that honors my mom. Our first son’s name is [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] [name_m]Julian[/name_m], which honors my husband’s mom. We prefer not to be too matchy-matchy with our first son’s name, so no A- beginnings or -R endings. Our last name begins with an S, so the name can’t end with an S sound either. We like gentle grandpa names.
[name_f][/name_f]
Gosh, now that I write that all out, I realize it’s quite a puzzle! It certainly has us stumped. We would be so grateful for your ideas!
Would you be able to use your mom’s maiden name in either spot? The best I can think of is [name_m]Bridger[/name_m], which may or may not be your cup of tea.
Maurice* [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Morrissey[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Marcel[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Marco[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Marshall[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Martin[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Brigham[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]Montrose* [name_f][/name_f]Rosenberg [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Morgan[/name_m] (meaning similar to Mary) [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Beauregard[/name_m] (similar letters to Brigid) [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Emeraude[/name_f] (similar letters to Maura) [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Laurence[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Moreau[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Murray[/name_m] (similar letters to [name_f]Maura[/name_f] and Mary) [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Raymund[/name_m] (similar letters to [name_f]Maura[/name_f] and Mary) [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Truman[/name_m] (similar letters to Maura) [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Ramsey[/name_m] (similar letters to Mary) [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Hyram[/name_m] (similar letters to Mary) [name_f][/name_f]McCarthy (similar letters to Mary) [name_f][/name_f]McCray (similar letters to Mary) [name_f][/name_f]McCartney (similar letters to Mary) [name_f][/name_f]Monterrey (similar letters to Mary) [name_f][/name_f]MacIntyre (similar letters to Mary) [name_f][/name_f]Mayford (similar letters to Mary)
[name_f][/name_f]
*ends with S sound but depending on the last name they might still work
The first name that came to mind was [name_m]Mark[/name_m] [name_m]Brian[/name_m].
[name_f][/name_f]
If you’re looking closer to [name_f]Maura[/name_f], then [name_m]Maurie[/name_m] or [name_m]Morrie[/name_m] are possibilities (think Tuesdays with [name_m]Morrie[/name_m]).
[name_f][/name_f]
[name_m]Marcus[/name_m] or [name_m]Marcel[/name_m] or [name_m]Martin[/name_m] are options as well.
It’s totally okay to grieve not having a certain gender as long as it doesn’t affect your love for your son long term! A friend went through this recently when she found out their 5th and last is a boy!
[name_f][/name_f]
A couple options:
[name_f][/name_f]
[name_m]Rowan[/name_m] (may be too popular but it’s floral like [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] and Irish!) [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Rowan[/name_m] [name_m]Marius[/name_m] (Marius is the male form of [name_f]Mary[/name_f]. Don’t know if your “S” rule applies to the middle too.
[name_f][/name_f]
Other than those, maybe something about your relationship could be an honor name as well. If she really likes [name_m]Robin[/name_m], for example, that could be his middle name. I obviously don’t know them well enough to pick something like that but just a thought!
As mentioned above, something like Maurice or Bridger seems like the most obvious choice. I also like the idea of using her maiden name if it’s given name appropriate.
Gender disappointment is very common, and it’s perfectly okay to grieve the daughter you might not have as long as it doesn’t take away from the love you’ll feel for your son. [name_f][/name_f]I agree with the suggestion of maybe using your mother’s maiden name or a variation of it, or even finding something that is significant to both you and your mother, maybe a tradition or love that you both share, and finding a name that relates to that, whether through meaning or sound. I think even just using the initials M.B. is a lovely honor.
I know someone with this first name and just love it. [name_f][/name_f] Though not heard often, it is both friendly and approachable, but also distinguished and strong sounding, in my opinion.
[name_f][/name_f]
Congratulation. [name_f][/name_f] Two boys will be great. [name_f][/name_f] Good luck with your decision.
Congratulations! I am a mom of two boys, and it is the absolute best. I totally get longing for that mother/daughter relationship, I have been there, and it is okay to feel sad about it. It doesn’t mean you love this little guy any less!
I LOVE honor names (my first son is named after my grandpa and my second is named after my husband). Here are some options for you: Bridger (I saw someone else suggest this and this is probably the closest sounding like you can get to Brigid…however you would likely use this as a middle considering the ending -r). Brendan has similar roots to Brigid.
Brigid means strength or exalted, and if you’d like to go that route, there are definitely other names that can work (and work really well with Arthur): Barrett or Garrett (bear strength and spear strength, respectively). Barrett, to me, might be the better choice here to match with Brigid.
Mary’s (and Maura’s) direct masculine tie is Mario/Marius/etc. If neither of these are usable, there are a lot of choices too! Mary/Maura both mean sweet, drop of the sea, beloved and/or bitter. Let’s ignore the bitter meaning! Dylan means “son of the sea.” This could be a very cool way to tie in your mom, since her name means “drop of the sea” and although he would be the “grandson of the sea,” it would be a really cool way to honor. Marvin means “sea hill” but is much closer to Mary/Maura. Marv is a cute nickname too. Murphy is another M option and means “sea warrior.” This could be another great way to tie in the sea meaning of Mary/Maura, and the strength meaning of Brigid. A double honor in one name! Davis is a great, gentle old man feeling name that means “beloved”! I love this choice.
If I had to choose one full name out of these options: Davis Bridger.
Names like [name_f]Brigid[/name_f]: [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Bridger[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Briggs[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Ridge[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Bryn[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f][name_f]Briar[/name_f]
[name_f][/name_f]
I think any MB initials could work as a lovely honor, too! [name_m]Even[/name_m] if the names weren’t close to [name_f]Maura[/name_f] / [name_f]Mary[/name_f] or [name_f]Brigid[/name_f].
[name_m]Maury[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Maurice[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]Maybe unwanted advice… wait about two years before you decide on anything permanently about having more children.
What about [name_m]Marius[/name_m]? [name_f][/name_f] I think that would be a fun middle that honors the Marys/Mauras and feels similar in vein to [name_m]Julian[/name_m]. [name_f][/name_f] I guess [name_m]Marius[/name_m] is a bit harder with your surname but I think something like [name_m]Hugo[/name_m] [name_m]Marius[/name_m] [name_m]Smith[/name_m] isn’t as big of a deal as [name_m]Marius[/name_m] [name_m]Smith[/name_m]? [name_f][/name_f] Another option you might opt for is using your mom’s initials, like [name_m]Max[/name_m] [name_m]Benedict[/name_m] or something along those lines?
[name_m]Arthur[/name_m] [name_m]Julian[/name_m] is so[name_f][/name_f] adorable. [name_f][/name_f] Would giving this new little fella your mom’s initials work? [name_f][/name_f] Something like…
[name_f][/name_f]
[name_m]Max[/name_m] [name_m]Bernard[/name_m] (oh my gosh, [name_m]Arthur[/name_m] & [name_m]Bernard[/name_m] both mean ‘bear’, so love that!)
[name_f][/name_f]
[name_m]Milo[/name_m] [name_m]Bernard[/name_m]
[name_f][/name_f]
[name_m]Martin[/name_m] [name_m]Basil[/name_m] (nn [name_m]Marty[/name_m] is darling)
[name_f]My[/name_f] first thought was [name_m]Morgan[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f], as it’s a Welsh name and Really encompasses the Maur sound from [name_f]Maura[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]. [name_m]Morgan[/name_m] is one of those names that feels soft and light and I can really see it working through all stages of light for a little boy.
[name_f][/name_f]
[name_m]Maury[/name_m]
[name_f][/name_f]
[name_m]Morton[/name_m]
[name_f][/name_f]
[name_m]Martin[/name_m]- I am just loving a little [name_m]Marty[/name_m] for you [name_f][/name_f]! One additional letter from [name_f]Mary[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f], and o think it goes perfectly with [name_m]Arthur[/name_m]
[name_f][/name_f]
If we used an anagram of [name_f]Maura[/name_f] [name_f]Brigid[/name_f] you might get the names [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Brad[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Bram[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Brigg[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Gram[/name_m]
[name_f][/name_f]
Those might be stretchy but I think bcthe sentiment is nice [name_f][/name_f]!
[name_f][/name_f]
[name_m]Or[/name_m] you could focus on meaning [name_f][/name_f]. [name_f]Maura[/name_f] has a few meanings [name_f][/name_f]Mohr- means great [name_f][/name_f]. Is Celtic and will be a name there is certainly only going to be one of in his class
[name_f][/name_f]
[name_m]Or[/name_m] [name_f]Star[/name_f] of the sea [name_f][/name_f]- [name_m]Morgan[/name_m] or [name_m]Dylan[/name_m]
[name_f][/name_f]
[name_m]Or[/name_m] if you do cous on on the Greek [name_f][/name_f]- [name_m]Maurus[/name_m] meaning dark [name_f][/name_f], maybe the similar [name_m]Marcus[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f], [name_m]Maurice[/name_m], [name_m]Mario[/name_m]
Roman Digby - kind of a more random one but Roman has similar lettering to Rosemary (ROseMAry = ROMAn) and Digby consists of similar letters as Brigid.
Ambrose could be a nod to Rosemary?
Also Im now kind of obsessed with Arthur Julian and Roman Digby?
are you interested in using [name_f]Marian[/name_f] as boys middle name? Alternatevely, you can go with [name_m]German[/name_m] tradition and use [name_f]Maria[/name_f] as boys middle name.
[name_m]Michael[/name_m] “one who is like God” [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Malachy[/name_m] “messenger of God” [name_f][/name_f][name_m]Malcolm[/name_m] “a dove”
I totally get longing for that mother/daughter relationship, I have been there, and it is okay to feel sad about it. It doesn’t mean you love this little guy any less!