He's a boy! (and that's a problem...)

Boy Names
1

Don’t get me wrong, I just want a healthy baby no matter what the sex, but I was hoping for a girl because my name prospects when it comes to a boy are slim. This will likely be a long post, so bear with me!

I have quite a long list of names I like, but don’t love/can’t use. There is only one name that’s stuck out to me for a boy since I found out we were expecting, [name_u]Rex[/name_u]. My favorite thing about it is that it’s a name everyone’s heard of (albeit, mostly for a dog for some reason,) but no one has really used it. [name_u]Rex[/name_u] hasn’t even cracked the top 500 since 1980! Popularity doesn’t matter that much to me, though. I like plenty of names in the top 50 and would use the number one name if I liked it enough. However, I still have rules.

Names I like that break the “no -er names” rule:
[name_m]Casper[/name_m]
[name_m]Wilder[/name_m]
[name_m]Foster[/name_m]
[name_u]Sawyer[/name_u]

Names I like that break the “no -c/-k/-ck” rule:
[name_m]Bec[/name_m]/[name_u]Beck[/name_u]

Names I like that break the “no L names” rule:
[name_m]Leo[/name_m]/[name_m]Leon[/name_m]

Names I like, but can’t use for some other reason:
[name_m]Forrest[/name_m] - my family would forever torture him with [name_m]Forrest[/name_m] Gump references
[name_u]Rhys[/name_u]/[name_u]Reese[/name_u] - SO’s sister has a beloved family pet with this name
[name_u]August[/name_u] - he’ll be born in [name_u]August[/name_u], that makes this off-limits imo
[name_m]Maxen[/name_m] - that inevitable nn of [name_u]Max[/name_u] would drive me nuts
[name_m]Maxwell[/name_m] - [name_u]Max[/name_u], again
[name_m]Ziggy[/name_m] - too nickname-y, also I fear name teasing (by my own family, if no one else)
[name_m]Nigel[/name_m] - I don’t even really want to say why I can’t use this one…
[name_u]Niall[/name_u] - love it, but I was recently informed that a member of One Direction has this name and I don’t care for dated boy band associations

Names I love, but can’t imagine having a child with it:
[name_m]Bas[/name_m]/[name_m]Baz[/name_m]
[name_u]Robin[/name_u]
[name_m]Bram[/name_m]
[name_m]Beau[/name_m]
[name_u]Roan[/name_u]
[name_m]Cosmo[/name_m]
[name_u]Everett[/name_u]
[name_m]Oswald[/name_m]
[name_m]Caspian[/name_m]
[name_m]Ambrose[/name_m]
[name_m]Hugo[/name_m]
[name_m]Maverick[/name_m]
[name_m]Colin[/name_m]

Whew, all this finally brings me to the last two names on my list that I can imagine using on a child, doesn’t break any rules, but are STILL problematic: [name_u]Rex[/name_u] and [name_u]Ashton[/name_u]. Both of these names scream “cool guy” to me. Some of you might know that I’ve been debating on [name_u]Rex[/name_u] for a while. I shouldn’t have told any of my family about it because, for the most part, they absolutely hate it (although my dad likes it a lot and has already started calling him “T-[name_u]Rex[/name_u].” haha) [name_u]Ashton[/name_u] is a name I’ve thought about recently. I like that [name_u]Ashton[/name_u] is one of those mostly taken over by the girls, but usable (and certainly cool) for boys. No one could have any complaints about it.

I guess what I want from you, berries is opinions and suggestions… Are there any names you think I might like better? Are some of my “dilemmas” not really that big of a deal? For reference, the last name is C@ter.

2

Okay, this might be a long response to match your long post =)

I personally don’t enjoy the name [name_u]Rex[/name_u]. It does remind me of a pet dog and I also think of the sleazy [name_u]Rex[/name_u] [name_m]Manning[/name_m] from “Empire Records.” It’s by no means awful, but I think there are so many other awesome options out there.

I agree that the names ending in -er/-ar are a bit much with your last name, particularly [name_m]Casper[/name_m]. [name_m]Bec[/name_m]/[name_u]Beck[/name_u] would run into your last name, but maybe [name_m]Beckett[/name_m] would work for you?

I agree with all of your “Names I like, but can’t use for some other reason” reasons to not use those names, with the exception of [name_u]Niall[/name_u]. I don’t think of it as a dated boy band reference. It’s an awesome Irish name that’s been around for ages. [name_m]Liam[/name_m] is the name of another guy in One Direction, but I don’t think anyone thinks of [name_m]Liam[/name_m] as a dated boy band name. I also think [name_u]Niall[/name_u] C@ter is a fantastic name.

As for your “Names I love, but can’t imagine having a child with it” list, I do like [name_u]Everett[/name_u] and [name_m]Colin[/name_m] quite a bit. I know guys of all ages (from newborn to grandpas) with both of those names, so I think they work for all ages. I’m not sure if the alliteration of [name_m]Colin[/name_m] C@ter bothers you, but I think it’s cute and memorable in a good way.

I’ve already stated my feelings on [name_u]Rex[/name_u], and I’m kind of lukewarm on [name_u]Ashton[/name_u]. It’s fine, definitely not a bad name, but I don’t like it nearly as much as I like [name_u]Niall[/name_u], [name_u]Everett[/name_u], or [name_m]Colin[/name_m].

Here are some other options you might like:
[name_m]Samuel[/name_m]
[name_u]Michael[/name_u]
[name_u]Peyton[/name_u]
[name_m]Ty[/name_m]
[name_m]Jacob[/name_m]
[name_m]Samson[/name_m]
[name_m]Conrad[/name_m]
[name_u]Devin[/name_u]
[name_u]Bryce[/name_u]
[name_u]Ryan[/name_u]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m]
[name_u]James[/name_u]
[name_u]Brady[/name_u]

Best of luck!

3

First, congratulations!

Second: don’t try to pick a name on the basis that no one will have any complaints about it, because that’s basically impossible (I have a complaint about [name_u]Ashton[/name_u], for example, specifically that it reminds me of [name_u]Ashton[/name_u] Kutcher). There is no one perfect name that you and everyone in your life will unabashedly love, which brings me to my next point: I highly recommend that you and your partner keep the baby naming between you. Since there is no name that will please everyone, don’t tell anyone else what you decide until the baby is here. If you go with [name_u]Rex[/name_u] anyway, present the baby to your family and say “this is [name_u]Rex[/name_u]”. It’s harder to hate a name when it’s attached to a sweet baby in front of you, and if they still hate it, they’ll (probably) at least keep that to themselves once the decision is done.

I would say that some of your criteria are a bit unnecessarily strict. With your surname I’d definitely stay away from names that end in “-er” and “k” sounds, but unless you have a really good reason for it, I don’t see why you’d stay away from L names. As to the names you like but can’t use, I don’t think an [name_u]August[/name_u] birthday should prevent you from using [name_u]August[/name_u] if you love it, and this may be naive of me, not knowing much about One Direction, but I don’t associate [name_u]Niall[/name_u] with the band. And I can’t tell if you just don’t want to say why you think [name_m]Nigel[/name_m] is unusable or if there’s a very-obvious-to-most-people reason why, but off the top of my head I can’t think of a reason not to use [name_m]Nigel[/name_m] if you love it.

You might like: [name_m]Hugh[/name_m], nicknamed [name_m]Hugo[/name_m], or [name_m]Sebastian[/name_m], nicknamed [name_m]Bas[/name_m]/[name_m]Baz[/name_m]. Or [name_m]Miles[/name_m] nicknamed [name_m]Milo[/name_m], or [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] nicknamed [name_u]Theo[/name_u] or [name_m]Ted[/name_m], or [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] “[name_u]Toby[/name_u]”, or [name_m]Dashiell[/name_m], [name_u]Avery[/name_u], Avett (AY-vit, like the Avett brothers), [name_m]Callum[/name_m], [name_m]Malcolm[/name_m], [name_m]Bennett[/name_m], [name_m]Beckett[/name_m], [name_m]Thomas[/name_m].

4

Well, I really like [name_u]Rex[/name_u]! It is masculine, under-used, and certainly recognizable. [name_u]Rex[/name_u] C@ter is very handsome. One syllable, two syllables flows nicely. A name that came to mind, and I think you may like, with somewhat similar vibes to [name_u]Niall[/name_u] and [name_m]Nigel[/name_m], is [name_m]Nash[/name_m]. [name_m]Nash[/name_m] C@ter works well too.

5

I really like [name_u]Rex[/name_u], sort of quirky and underused. Also very understated and cool

I’m sorry but I don’t like [name_u]Ashton[/name_u] at all, it’s grouped in my head with names like
[name_m]Brandon[/name_m] and [name_u]Tyler[/name_u] which I think are hyper-masculine and soon to be very dated. When the other option is such a timeless, one person type name as [name_u]Rex[/name_u] there’s no doubt in my mind which I’d choose

I know you were also considering [name_u]Owen[/name_u] at one point- is that not the case any more? That would be my number two

Other suggestions:
[name_m]Fox[/name_m]
[name_m]Errol[/name_m]
Zephan
[name_m]Oran[/name_m]
[name_m]Iver[/name_m]
[name_u]Dane[/name_u] <very cool guy
Tor
Linus
Lane
Xavier
Franco
Arno or Arlo
Cashel or just plain Cash
Myles
Amos
Bodhi
Manu
Holden
Caine
Thane
Soren
Dara
Abram
Salem
Brodie
Abel
Niles or Niels

6

I am personally not a huge fan of [name_u]Rex[/name_u], however it seems to be the name you really like. I think you should use it if its your favorite.
I don’t think [name_u]Niall[/name_u] is a big deal. Sure there is [name_u]Niall[/name_u] Horan, but [name_u]Niall[/name_u] was a name long before [name_u]Niall[/name_u] was born.
I could definitely picture children with the name [name_m]Hugo[/name_m], [name_u]Everett[/name_u], and [name_m]Colin[/name_m] (especially with [name_m]Colin[/name_m] [name_f]Firth[/name_f] and [name_m]Colin[/name_m] [name_u]Farrell[/name_u]).
Word of caution with [name_u]Ashton[/name_u] since you worry about [name_u]Niall[/name_u], [name_u]Ashton[/name_u] [name_m]Irwin[/name_m] is a member of Australian boy band 5 Seconds of [name_f]Summer[/name_f].

7

I personally, really like [name_u]Rex[/name_u]! And the fact that your Dad calls him T - [name_u]Rex[/name_u] already is super cute! You could also call him [name_m]Rexford[/name_m] or Rexus if you think it would appease the family more. But honestly, my family didnt like the name [name_u]Sage[/name_u] before I named my son, and now they see that it fits him very well. You should name him what you like!

8

I like [name_u]Rex[/name_u] and I think it’s ready for a bit of a comeback. T-rex is a nn that is beyond adorable. I agree with pp, there is NEVER a name that will please everyone. [name_m]Even[/name_m] if you named him [name_m]John[/name_m], someone would complain that it was too classic.

A couple of other names that come to mind are [name_u]Lex[/name_u] and [name_m]Dax[/name_m], although since you don’t like [name_u]Max[/name_u] but do like [name_u]Rex[/name_u] and [name_m]Baz[/name_m], I don’t know whether you will like them.

I understand having a long list of rules, and everyone has their pet hangups on various names. [name_m]Just[/name_m] watch out and don’t back yourself into an unnecessary corner. As the mother of a [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] and the aunt to an [name_u]Everett[/name_u], I don’t see why these names would be unusable. Similarly, almost everything on your “can’t see it” list would really be fine, except maybe for [name_m]Maverick[/name_m]. If you really can’t wrap your mind around it, that’s fine, just don’t rule out names you love without giving them a chance. That’s what I’m trying to say.

One more name that comes to mind: [name_m]Basil[/name_m]. Which would be proper like [name_m]Nigel[/name_m] and [name_m]Ambrose[/name_m], and have the cool nn [name_m]Baz[/name_m].

9

@colls19 [name_m]Beckett[/name_m] is a nice one I haven’t really thought of. The thing with [name_u]Niall[/name_u] isn’t that it’s a dated “boy band” name now, but I just worry that it will be. In the U.S., [name_u]Niall[/name_u] Horan is the only association anyone will have with the name (and it will obviously be assumed that I was a fan.) Alliteration is cool, imo. :slight_smile: Out of your suggestions, I like [name_u]Peyton[/name_u], [name_m]Ty[/name_m] (too short?,) [name_m]Conrad[/name_m], [name_m]Theodore[/name_m], and [name_u]James[/name_u]. Thank you!

@oregano7 Yeah, you’re right, it is impossible! I’m just trying to please my family as well as myself, I suppose. The reason for “no L names” is because our nephew was born last [name_u]August[/name_u] and was given the name [name_m]Liam[/name_m]. All of the L names I like are too close to [name_m]Liam[/name_m] in sound ([name_m]Leon[/name_m], for example) so I’ve just made it a rule. I don’t want our family getting our two boys confused, since they’ll even have the same birth month. [name_m]Hugh[/name_m] seems more like middle name material, but I really like Avett, [name_m]Callum[/name_m], [name_m]Beckett[/name_m], and [name_m]Thomas[/name_m]!

@whitegardenia Yes! Those are definitely all reasons I like [name_u]Rex[/name_u], but I just don’t [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] it. [name_m]Nash[/name_m] is super cool. I haven’t run into it yet. It’s better than [name_m]Cash[/name_m], imo.

10

@gr19 Where I live, [name_u]Ashton[/name_u] is exclusively a girl’s name, so I like that it’s going to be “unique” for him and I don’t think anyone gets the hyper masculine vibe from it around here. Lol Apparently, people think it’s ridiculously girly? You might be right about it becoming dated, though. :confused: [name_u]Owen[/name_u] is still one of my favorites! It’s my younger cousin’s name though, (born about 3 years ago) so it’s off the table unfortunately. Oh my gosh, such great suggestions! Some on my previous long list. I like: [name_m]Fox[/name_m], [name_m]Errol[/name_m], [name_u]Arlo[/name_u], [name_m]Amos[/name_m], [name_m]Bodhi[/name_m], [name_m]Holden[/name_m], [name_m]Soren[/name_m], and [name_m]Niels[/name_m].

@rgp19 I’m liking [name_u]Rex[/name_u] less and less lately, to be honest. All of my mom’s negativity about it is starting to put me off, which is why I’m so hesitant… [name_u]Niall[/name_u] may not be tied to the band in [name_f]Ireland[/name_f], but where I live, it’s anyone’s only association with it (if they’ve heard of the name at all.) [name_u]Ashton[/name_u], however, has plenty of other associations/has seen some use.

@mommyofsage [name_m]Rexford[/name_m] is pretty cool. :slight_smile: Using a longer name didn’t cross my mind. I’m trying to go with my gut, but these hormones (and my mother) are making that difficult! Haha

11

@saracita00 I think the reason I can’t picture those names on my child is because “out of the box” naming is discouraged (by way of peer pressure) where I live. This is a pretty conservative state. People only give boys names that are ultra classic/popular/trendy, so I’ve never seen what a [name_m]Ulysses[/name_m] or [name_m]Cassius[/name_m] looks like. I’d love to be more open minded, but that’s difficult. I do think [name_m]Basil[/name_m] and [name_m]Dax[/name_m] are awesome, though. :slight_smile:

12

Wow, after replying to everyone, I have realized that my environment obviously plays a huge part in what I decide to name my child.

13

I love [name_u]Rex[/name_u]! I’ve also considered using it. I considered using “[name_m]Hendrix[/name_m]” to make it a more substantial name (my family will also make fun of just ‘[name_u]Rex[/name_u]’) but using it as a nickname. [name_u]Ashton[/name_u] I also like, I don’t think it has gone to the girls, I know a 2 year old named [name_u]Ashton[/name_u] and it fits him well. I also love [name_m]Beau[/name_m] & [name_m]Colin[/name_m], and think they are totally usable, along with [name_u]Everett[/name_u]. [name_u]Beck[/name_u] is different, I do like it, maybe even as a nickname for [name_m]Beckham[/name_m] or [name_m]Beckett[/name_m]. I really like short names like [name_u]Rex[/name_u], [name_u]Beck[/name_u], [name_u]Britt[/name_u] ([name_u]Britton[/name_u]), [name_m]Mac[/name_m], [name_u]Cal[/name_u] ([name_m]Callum[/name_m]), [name_m]Crew[/name_m], [name_m]Cross[/name_m].

14

Well, I’m sorry you feel like you can’t use some of the names you really like. Some people haven’t liked some of our kids’ names at first, but they got over it. For the ones that didn’t, well, they are generally the “not nice” people anyway so I don’t know why they think their opinion should matter to me in the first place. As for [name_u]Everett[/name_u], that one is a classic that has recently sprung to popularity #189, so it seems like it ought to be at least distantly trendy. Some of the others on your list, like [name_m]Beau[/name_m], [name_m]Colin[/name_m], and [name_m]Hugo[/name_m], are classics that everyone has heard. It’s not like you have Moonbuckyt or something insane like that on your list.

It’s your choice, and definitely you have to pick something that you will be proud of now and forever. [name_m]Just[/name_m] don’t get pressured into using something you don’t really love, though. Incidentally, [name_u]Ashton[/name_u] ranks #152 for boys, holding steady for the past decade – and ranks at #778 for girls and is in decline. I think that one is staying “blue” for the moment. (And [name_u]Rex[/name_u] is still a great name! I just have to put in one more cheer for [name_u]Rex[/name_u]!) Good luck deciding on the best name for your little guy.

15

Stick with what you like or are comfortable with. [name_u]Rex[/name_u] is a [name_m]Noble[/name_m] name!

  • [name_u]Rex[/name_u] [name_m]Wilder[/name_m] * [name_u]Rex[/name_u] [name_m]Leon[/name_m] * [name_u]Rex[/name_u] [name_m]Colin[/name_m] *

The following is another sibling or another Choice. [name_m]Don[/name_m]'t forget Middle names are hardly used, yet it gives the child originality. It also gives the Child an option to use the middle if so desired.

  • [name_u]Ashton[/name_u] [name_m]Maxwell[/name_m] * [name_u]Ashton[/name_u] [name_m]Maverick[/name_m] * [name_u]Ashton[/name_u] [name_m]Oswald[/name_m]*
16

[name_u]Rex[/name_u] is my favorite. It’s strong, dashing, gallant, vintage yet modern feeling because you rarely hear it these days. [name_u]Love[/name_u] it.
It’s bold yet classic so you don’t get that trying-to-hard/hipster vibe. I’m team [name_u]Rex[/name_u].

[name_u]Rex[/name_u] [name_m]Theodore[/name_m]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_u]Rex[/name_u] - still works for th T-[name_u]Rex[/name_u] nickname!

I also like almost all of your ‘Names I love, but can’t imagine having a child with it’ names. Most would make suitable names imo.

[name_u]Rex[/name_u] [name_u]Everett[/name_u] C@rter is nice…
[name_u]Rex[/name_u] [name_m]Conrad[/name_m] C@rter
[name_u]Rex[/name_u] [name_m]Errol[/name_m] C@rter

[name_m]Rexford[/name_m] [name_u]Jules[/name_u] C@rter
[name_m]Holden[/name_m] [name_m]Rexford[/name_m] C@rter
[name_m]Niels[/name_m] [name_m]Rexford[/name_m] C@rter

[name_m]Errol[/name_m] [name_m]Fox[/name_m]
[name_m]Niels[/name_m] [name_u]Everett[/name_u]
[name_m]Holden[/name_m] [name_m]Amos[/name_m]

Dang…[name_u]Hunter[/name_u] ends in -er

17

Congrats! I actually am a [name_u]Rex[/name_u] fan. I think it’s a cool name. It was my great-grandpa’s name - short for [name_m]Reginald[/name_m]. If it’s the one you really love, I say go for it.