How outrageous is too outrageous? :P

Boy Names
1

[name_m]Long[/name_m] story short: 2 parents, 3 kids, one on the way (and 2 dogs, 2 cats, and a turtle just because we don’t have enough going on already)

Number 4 has shown himself quite proudly to be a bouncing baby boy and now we must succumb to the naming process. We have read baby name books and talked about family names and all that jazz, which led us to the topic of mainstream biblical names vs. unused biblical names. [name_u]Noah[/name_u], [name_u]James[/name_u], [name_m]Daniel[/name_m], [name_m]Joseph[/name_m] are all used so much that they don’t even seem biblical anymore and if we’re going to go biblical we want go all-in :stuck_out_tongue:

[name_m]How[/name_m] outrageous is too outrageous though? We don’t want something that he will be ridiculed for or something that nobody can ever say, but we don’t mind if it’s different or considered somewhat odd. Everything we do is sort of eclectic and non-conformist so if his name fits that category it’s all good. Anyway here is what we’ve got and throw at us what you think!

[name_m]Jethro[/name_m]
[name_m]Boaz[/name_m]
[name_m]Hezekiah[/name_m]
[name_m]Obadiah[/name_m]
[name_m]Zaccheus[/name_m]
[name_m]Ephai[/name_m]

2

[name_m]Jethro[/name_m] – Not too outrageous. I think because it shares some similarities with [name_u]Seth[/name_u] (which is really common where I live).

[name_m]Boaz[/name_m] – Mmm…nn [name_u]Bo[/name_u] makes it more usable, I think.

[name_m]Hezekiah[/name_m] – Sorry, no. I can’t see this one being usable.

[name_m]Obadiah[/name_m] – Worse than [name_m]Hezekiah[/name_m].

[name_m]Zaccheus[/name_m] – Not too bad. Especially factoring in nn [name_m]Zach[/name_m].

[name_m]Ephai[/name_m] – I didn’t even know this name was in the Bible! Lol

So here’s how I would rank them from least to most outrageous:
[name_m]Boaz[/name_m]
[name_m]Jethro[/name_m]
[name_m]Zaccheus[/name_m]
[name_m]Hezekiah[/name_m]
[name_m]Obadiah[/name_m]
[name_m]Ephai[/name_m]

I would say [name_m]Boaz[/name_m] is your safest bet. It’s unique, completely Biblical – a good, strong character behind it, at that – and it has the plus nn [name_u]Bo[/name_u]. :slight_smile:

3

[name_m]Boaz[/name_m] seems like the most wearable of your list. Some of those names ([name_m]Hezekiah[/name_m], [name_m]Obadiah[/name_m]) just seem impractical in the modern world - with [name_m]Zaccheus[/name_m], I would wonder why not go with [name_m]Zachary[/name_m] or even [name_m]Zachariah[/name_m]. [name_m]Jethro[/name_m] doesn’t say Biblical to me, it says [name_f]Beverly[/name_f] Hillbillies or [name_m]Jethro[/name_m] [name_m]Tull[/name_m]. [name_m]Ephai[/name_m] is maybe doable.

Less common biblical names that seem more usable to me:

[name_m]Eben[/name_m]
[name_m]Gideon[/name_m]
[name_u]Micah[/name_u]
[name_m]Abel[/name_m]
[name_m]Asher[/name_m]
[name_m]Malachi[/name_m]
[name_m]Silas[/name_m]
[name_u]Asa[/name_u]
[name_m]Azriel[/name_m]
[name_m]Levi[/name_m]
[name_m]Phineas[/name_m]
[name_m]Uri[/name_m]

4

I wouldn’t use [name_m]Zaccheus[/name_m] because of the song, but if it wasn’t for that I like it. I think of that list [name_m]Boaz[/name_m] would be the best.

(if you’ve never heard it- Zacchaeus Was a Wee Little Man - YouTube )

5

@emmamay - Thanks! [name_m]Hezekiah[/name_m] is in the top 1000 popular baby names so I figured it wasn’t too outrageous. I understand why [name_m]Obadiah[/name_m] probably is too much for modern day :stuck_out_tongue: But [name_m]Ephai[/name_m] I thought was our safe choice since [name_m]Eli[/name_m] is so popular!

@kristin - Like I said above, [name_m]Hezekiah[/name_m] is being used by enough people that its on the top 1000 baby names list. I figure that makes it at least slightly mainstream and I don’t think it’s that different from [name_m]Ezekiel[/name_m] which is really popular. I do get that [name_m]Obadiah[/name_m] is pretty out-there! As for not going with [name_m]Zachary[/name_m] or [name_m]Zachariah[/name_m] - 1) [name_m]Zachary[/name_m] is so common place that it hardly seems biblical. 2) [name_m]Zachariah[/name_m] isn’t as appealing to my ear as [name_m]Zaccheus[/name_m]. Similar names but different - kind of like asking “why not [name_m]Joseph[/name_m]?” to someone named [name_m]Josiah[/name_m]. [name_u]Love[/name_u] the suggestions of [name_m]Malachi[/name_m], thanks!

@oneofthetrio - I had never heard that song but it made me love the name even more! I get there could be teasing possibly associated with it, but I think the sweetness of the song outweighs that.

6

Maybe its where we’re living but i see [name_m]Hezekiah[/name_m] as usuable. I like it a lot actually. [name_m]Ive[/name_m] seen/heard about 3 people with the name in the last year all of whom were under 5yrs of age.

7

Ok, so clearly my ideas of normal are different than everyone here, but…
[name_m]Boaz[/name_m] - I instinctively pronounce this Bowz, (like bows, with a stronger Z sound). Apparently [name_u]Bo[/name_u]-az is the correct pronunciation, I find it cumbersome.
[name_m]Jethro[/name_m] - I like this reminds me of [name_u]Nico[/name_u], [name_u]Cairo[/name_u], and [name_u]Indigo[/name_u]. Short, snappy, but packs a punch. And has nn [name_u]Jet[/name_u] and [name_f]Ro[/name_f] which are both cool.
[name_m]Zaccheus[/name_m] - Is this [name_m]Zack[/name_m]-kee-us/ees? Or Zuh-kee-us??? The latter is easier to say, not my favorite, but it could work.
[name_m]Hezekiah[/name_m] - I just don’t like this.
[name_m]Obadiah[/name_m] - Ok, so…really surprised about all the hate on this name. I feel kind of offended. :smiley: I love it, one of my GPs, and the NN [name_m]Obie[/name_m]! The arabic Ubaidah/Obaidah and Ubaid/Obaid just can’t compare sigh. (IGNORE EVERYONE [name_f]ELSE[/name_f] THIS NAME IS AMAZING AND DESERVES TO BE USED.)
[name_m]Ephai[/name_m] - So (F-I) or (ef-fye)? Very insubstantial, I don’t even really like [name_m]Eli[/name_m] as a full name, but the L packs way more of a punch than the whispery f sound here so I would say no for this too.

8

@jalila13 - Thanks for the feedback! To answer your questions 1) [name_m]Zaccheus[/name_m] is pronounced za-KEE-us 2) [name_m]Ephai[/name_m] is pronounced EE-fye

9

[name_m]Jethro[/name_m]- I always liked it, I don’t think its too obscure, I would consider it if my husband liked it
[name_m]Boaz[/name_m]- I like [name_m]Boaz[/name_m], in the bible [name_m]Boaz[/name_m] is kinda a really cool guy, beau is popular, the az ending makes it fun, I like it, if my husband suggested it I would go with it. Both of them due for a comeback

10

zaccheus - my fave zac name, if the husband wanted it I wouldn’t veto either
[name_m]Hezekiah[/name_m] - I would use this one also, [name_m]Zeke[/name_m] or ki could be good nuns
[name_m]Obediah[/name_m] - harder to love, I dont dislike it, just o would have to be the nn ?
[name_m]Ephai[/name_m] I have never thought of… don’t hate it but its probably the only one you’d see weirdness with.

11

Thanks for all of the feedback! I probably should have mentioned my other kids’ names in the original post. I don’t really play off of the other names when choosing a new name but it is probably still helpful. I have a [name_u]Byrd[/name_u], [name_m]Rocco[/name_m] and [name_f]Gaia[/name_f].

12

I actually like all of them! I love when people use unique names. I say go with the one you love most

13

I like [name_m]Boaz[/name_m]! :slight_smile:

14

I don’t think any of the names you listed are outrageous. I live in an area with a large, devout Baptist population and have heard [name_m]Boaz[/name_m], [name_m]Hezekiah[/name_m], and [name_m]Obadiah[/name_m] on little ones. [name_m]Jethro[/name_m] isn’t really in use here because the older generations all loved the [name_f]Beverly[/name_f] Hillbillies. [name_m]Zaccheus[/name_m] isn’t any less wearable than [name_m]Augustus[/name_m] or [name_m]Maximus[/name_m]. I didn’t know [name_m]Ephai[/name_m] was a name.

15

I think almost all those names are usable! I definitely prefer the more rare Bible names to the common ones.
The one of yours that I have a problem with, personally, is [name_m]Ephai[/name_m] as it apparently means gloomy. I know alot of people don’t care much about meaning, so that maybe doesn’t bother you, but it’s just something to take into consideration.
I love [name_m]Jethro[/name_m]. Really spunky amd great nickname potential! [name_m]Boaz[/name_m] is also cool. I like [name_m]Hezekiah[/name_m] solely because of the nickname [name_u]Kiah[/name_u] ;). And I think [name_m]Obadiah[/name_m] is just fine. [name_m]Zaccheus[/name_m] is fine too, but I can see it always being shortened to [name_m]Zach[/name_m] which I’m not fond of, so it wouldn’t be for me.

I don’t know if you were looking for more suggestions, if not ignore the next part…
[name_m]Adriel[/name_m]
[name_m]Eleazar[/name_m]
Elkanah
[name_m]Japheth[/name_m]
Joash
[name_m]Mordecai[/name_m]
[name_m]Nicodemus[/name_m]
Othniel
Shadrach
[name_m]Tobiah[/name_m]
[name_m]Zebulon[/name_m]

If you are open to place names…
[name_m]Canaan[/name_m]
[name_m]Gilead[/name_m]
Hebron
[name_u]Shiloh[/name_u]
[name_u]Zion[/name_u]

I love your other kids names! All the best.

16

I know a boy named [name_m]Ephraim[/name_m]! I think it would be an uncommon biblical choice.

17

I like [name_m]Jethro[/name_m] best, from your list.

18

Love Jethro! I think that would totally work, and it definitely sounds at home with your sibset! Love nicknames Jet, Jerry, Joe, and Ro. (Gaia’s perfectly lovely btw.) Boaz would fit too, and also seems wearable, though personally Boaz and Byrd feel a little similar to me (even though they only share one letter!).

I actually think you could get away with Obadiah, though I am quite familiar with the name, which many people may not be. Can’t think of an obvious nickname though. It also seems quite long with your other names. Zaccheus - I like this too, probably my second favourite behind Jethro.

Byrd, Rocco, Gaia, and

Eben
Ozias
Philip [not exactly unusual]
Amias
Elias
Simeon
Jonah
Darius

19

I [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_m]Hezekiah[/name_m]! We had it on our list for a possible middle for our son, and I will still consider it next time around :slight_smile: I think the nickname Ezzie is adorable.
I don’t think any of your choices are too out there at all. What are your other kids’ names?

20

My husband and I have had this same discussion, although he prefers more common ones while I prefer more out there ones.

[name_m]Jethro[/name_m]: I don’t automatically associate this with the bible. It reminds me of [name_m]Leroy[/name_m] [name_m]Jethro[/name_m] Gibbs, from the TV show NCIS…who is still an awesome namesake :wink: lol. I do like [name_m]Jethro[/name_m], though! It’s friendly, sweet, and also strong. The “o” at the end reminds me of [name_m]Milo[/name_m], [name_m]Leo[/name_m], and other ‘o’ names that are ‘in’ right now, so I don’t see [name_m]Jethro[/name_m] getting too many weird looks.

[name_m]Boaz[/name_m]: I’m not a huge fan of this, unfortunately. I know the story about him in the bible, but I still don’t see a lot of appeal in it. [name_u]Bo[/name_u]-azz sounds choppy, which is why I think that I don’t like it.

[name_m]Hezekiah[/name_m]: I really, really like [name_m]Hezekiah[/name_m]! I know one and he goes by [name_u]Kiah[/name_u] (kye-uh) with close friends and family, which I think is super cute :slight_smile:

[name_m]Obadiah[/name_m]: I’m not in the norm here, but I like [name_m]Obadiah[/name_m] as well! Sure, there’s “oh bad die uh”…but I don’t think it is a bad name! What stopped us from using it was that we didn’t like potential nicknames for it. I know not every name needs a nickname, but it’s natural for people to shorten names…and what was there? Obad? Baddie? Dye? Diah? Someone else mentioned [name_m]Obie[/name_m], which is pretty cute.

[name_m]Zaccheus[/name_m]: This reminds me of [name_f]Sunday[/name_f] school lessons and the song! I don’t see why this would be unusable. [name_m]Zachary[/name_m] is common enough for people to be able to at least guess how it is said.

[name_m]Ephai[/name_m]: I hadn’t heard of this one before! I probably came across it and forgot, but anyway, I like it! It does lend to some pronunciation issues though! Not a big deal, but something to at least keep in mind.

Here’s some related names that we talked about:
[name_m]Zebedee[/name_m]
[name_m]Hosea[/name_m]
[name_m]Ebenezer[/name_m]
[name_m]Nahum[/name_m]
Shadrach (it’s a family name, actually!)