My husband and I are almost in agreement with the name [name_m]Alphonse[/name_m] (al-fonz) but my husband has the reservation that the name might be too unusual and old fashioned to use in the real world. I just want some opinions from other people to help us feel more confident in our choice.
Hmm, I’m not too sure about this name. Have you thought about nicknames? Would you mind him being called [name_m]Al[/name_m], or [name_m]Fonzie[/name_m]? Perhaps not by you, but by others?
We actually like the nickname [name_m]Al[/name_m] for when he gets older, thats one of the big reasons I feel so confident in it since he could shorten it easily.
Honestly, my first thought was, “what if people call him ‘The [name_m]Fonz[/name_m]’?” Are you okay with this possible nickname, as in the guy from [name_f]Happy[/name_f] Days? “[name_m]Fonz[/name_m]” or “[name_m]Fonzie[/name_m]” might be cute for just the right (thick-skinned) kid, but it would be tough to carry [name_m]Alphonse[/name_m] as a first name.
I think it would make an absolutely gorgeous and unexpected middle name. However as a first it doesn’t seem to work, in my opinion. It’s lovely just too heavy and old fashioned, sorry.
Well I love it. It’s soft and sweet and still quietly strong. And I don’t know if you’ve ever watched the anime Fullmetal Alchemist, but there’s a character in there named [name_m]Alphonse[/name_m] and he’s a giant suit of armor. It’s got tons of nicknames – [name_m]Al[/name_m], [name_m]Fonz[/name_m], [name_m]Fonzie[/name_m], [name_m]Alon[/name_m], [name_m]Lon[/name_m], [name_u]Lonie[/name_u], Lonz, Lonzie, Alonzie … It’s no more old fashioned than [name_u]August[/name_u], [name_m]Henry[/name_m], [name_m]Bartholomew[/name_m], [name_m]Rupert[/name_m], [name_m]Abraham[/name_m], [name_m]Cornelius[/name_m], [name_m]LEopold[/name_m] or any other number of older names that I see getting lots of love on this site.
Also, a close friend just had twins and she named the boy [name_m]Alphonse[/name_m] [name_u]Ariel[/name_u] 
I just don’t like it. Too unapproachable, I feel like he would be teased for having that name. I am not one to shy away from unique names but this one just sounds like it should be on sesame street or something…
I’m not sure why so many people are saying [name_m]Alphonse[/name_m] is unusable. I agree with Dantea that it’s soft but strong. It has that lovely [name_m]French[/name_m] flair and sounds to me like a name from a classic 19th century [name_m]French[/name_m] novel, [name_m]Dumas[/name_m] or Flaubert or something. (Not actually sure if there are any famous characters named that, but gives off that kind of vibe for me). It does have a rather upper-class feel, but I like it! I’d love to meet an [name_m]Alphonse[/name_m].
I think there are a lot of better options out there. Sooner or later the poor kid will get called [name_m]Fonzie[/name_m] or [name_m]Alf[/name_m]…both of which are embarrassing tv characters from past decades. The only cute nn you can get from [name_m]Alphonse[/name_m] is [name_m]Alphie[/name_m], and that really only works in the UK. I’d suggest [name_m]Alaric[/name_m], [name_m]Algernon[/name_m], or [name_m]Alain[/name_m] if you’re going for the nn [name_m]Al[/name_m] (though I find [name_m]Al[/name_m] a bit dated).
I am not sure the past tv characters are a problem. I’m not sure how many people know classic tv? (Look at the berries bringing back [name_m]Jethro[/name_m])
The nickname [name_m]Al[/name_m] seems old to me. It makes me of [name_m]Al[/name_m] from [name_f]Happy[/name_f] Days or [name_m]Al[/name_m] Bundy. Huh? With [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] being so popular, [name_m]Al[/name_m] is probably used a lot.
I like [name_m]Fonzie[/name_m], but I like [name_f]Happy[/name_f] Days and I have a friend we call Phan or Phanz.
So I think it’s usable.
Good [name_m]Luck[/name_m]!
[name_m]Just[/name_m] so you’re aware, there is a popular and well-known anime character from a show called Fullmetal Alchemist that’s also named [name_m]Alphonse[/name_m] and goes by [name_m]Al[/name_m].
But it’s still a nice name and I love the nickname [name_m]Al[/name_m]. Personally, I’m not a fan of the other possible nicknames for it though.
Have to say I am taken aback by all the negativity. I’m with Dantea, it is a gem of a name. Strong and soft, familiar yet underused, great meaning and history.
The sounds are very current- the softness of [name_u]Alfie[/name_u], [name_m]Asher[/name_m] and [name_u]Arlo[/name_u], and a suite of splendid nicknames: [name_m]Al[/name_m], [name_m]Fonz[/name_m], Fonsi, [name_f]Alpha[/name_f], [name_u]Alfie[/name_u].
I can’t see a downside to this name at all. Except that it’s so great it might become wildly popular!