I always go back and forth on this name, so I don’t have a super strong opinion on whether or not its wearable. I think it may be this generation’s “[name_u]Ryan[/name_u].” It does have a somewhat harsh sound, but it’s also interesting and culturally relevant.
My main question to you is: have you seen [name_f]Star[/name_f] Trek: The Next Generation? Because the [name_m]Ryker[/name_m] character is a very important main character in the show, and you will probably get [name_f]Star[/name_f] Trek references and/or questions throughout all of your lives. I am personally a big fan of the show (I have [name_u]Jean[/name_u]-[name_m]Luc[/name_m] in my signature because of it), but you should know what you’re getting into with this name. There are a LOT of [name_f]Star[/name_f] Trek fans out there, and they’ll ask you if you’re a fan when they hear your son’s name. But if you are, I think it would be a cool way to honor that!
I used to think it was almost too fandom-y (I always get the [name_f]Star[/name_f] Trek association, almost never the prison, especially because of the spelling), like naming your kid after a video game character, but then I met a little [name_m]Ryker[/name_m], and it totally worked on him! He was a rambunctious but very sweet little boy. His brother was named [name_m]Wyatt[/name_m], which I thought was a very nice sibset.
It sounds like one of those ‘trying too hard to be manly’ choices. Not only that but, as harsh as it is to say, for me personally I feel like [name_m]Ryker[/name_m] is the type of name that wouldn’t look out of place in a prison. As such, I don’t like the name at all.
Wow, lots of opinions! Thanks for honest responses. I don’t see [name_m]Ryker[/name_m] being more harsh sounding than [name_u]Parker[/name_u], which is our second choice. We are still undecided but definitely still loving [name_m]Ryker[/name_m] [name_m]Joseph[/name_m] – and for those with issues of it having bad connections – there were almost 3k born in 2015. It’s pretty popular and a legitimate name.
It is a fairly popular name and rising! I really like it. I don’t think it sounds too harsh or hyper-masculine at all (and even if it did, what does that matter if that’s your style?!). I like the sound of it and as it grows in popularity, fewer and fewer peoples’ first association will be with the prison (which I’d never heard of till I stumbled across this name on this site).
Personally, I like [name_m]Ryker[/name_m] and I think you should go for it. [name_u]Parker[/name_u] is fine, too, but it’s a MUCH more common surname and, as such, not as interesting.