I’m expecting my first child at the end of [name]October[/name]. My husband and I are both very opinionated about names and our tastes don’t really match up. (For example, my girl list has mostly soft, feminine names and his is almost all unisex or surname names).
We’ve got a short list of boy names that neither has vetoed.
[name]One[/name] of those names is [name]Huckleberry[/name]. And I’m pretty close to vetoing it.
We were both English majors in college, and he even specialized in post-Civil War American lit. I find it to be a really endearing name that fits with both of our “styles.” We also really like [name]Atticus[/name], but worry it is becoming too popular. I really like [name]Huckleberry[/name], but am somewhat luke warm on [name]Huck[/name]. Mainly, I need to know if kids still play the name game, where [name]Huck[/name] will rhyme with you-know-what.
Added to this, we also had twin goatlings last year named Blueberry and Buckleberry, so I worry that [name]Huckleberry[/name] is to much “pet name” and not a “person name.”
So, either tell me that I am right in my hesitation or I am wrong and [name]Huckleberry[/name] is a fine choice. Middle name possibilities are [name]James[/name], [name]John[/name], or [name]Nicholas[/name] (all family names).
[name]Chuck[/name] also rhymes and I specifically remember my third grade teacher changing the name game song to something else for the [name]Chuck[/name] that was in our class (he never went by [name]Charles[/name]).
Personally, I wouldn’t use [name]Huckleberry[/name] as a first name due to the teasing factor but it would make a quirky middle name choice. Since it’s also similar to your pet names, I think your hesitation is spot on.
I have never heard the name game song in my life, so I say go for it. [name]Huckleberry[/name] is a pretty awesome name, and even if he goes by [name]Huck[/name] it’s not that big of a deal that it rhymes with a nasty word. My husband and I’s last name rhymes with a nasty word and most people never even mention it.
I laughed when I read this thread title. Yes, I definitely see a problem with [name]Huck[/name], and have felt that way ever since first seeing the name. I’ve never known anyone named [name]Huckleberry[/name] in real life, but have seen people discuss the name on these forums. I love the full name in look and feel, but the rhyming word is always the first thing to pop into my head…and I’m a grown adult woman, so I can’t imagine how his preteen boy classmates would react to his name. [name]Even[/name] if you were able to avoid the nickname [name]Huck[/name]–even if you could convince everyone to call him [name]Huckleberry[/name]–I would worry that kids would call him **uckleberry instead (the thought of which makes me laugh out loud but is completely inappropriate). I recommend steering clear of [name]Huckleberry[/name], whimsical and charming though it may be. Someone above mentioned that the name [name]Chuck[/name] has the same problem, and I recall being at a lake once and overhearing one man call his fishing buddy “F–ky [name]Chucky[/name].” So yeah…that’s a problem for Chucks too, and immature people are going to go there. I’m sorry. (By the way, I majored in English too!)
Our #2 is going to be a little [name]Huckleberry[/name], so I think it’s an awesome choice As for teasing–I can take any name (first, middle, last) and turn it into something ugly, so I’m not going to let “teasing potential” influence my decision too much.
I can’t fathom having berry in my son’s name. [name]Huck[/name] is different than [name]Huckleberry[/name]. But, yes, I can see major teasing potential. And, yes, kids still play the name game.
The name game is definitely still played. When I was in grade school, there was a kid named [name]Tucker[/name]…
Use it as a middle name and go with something neutral for a first. Let him choose if he wants to go by that name.
I also find [name]Huck[/name] problematic and [name]Huckleberry[/name] not “human name-ish” enough for my tastes, so I get where you’re coming from. On the other hand, there were over 2000 Tuckers born last year, and their parents must know the Name Game lurks in wait for them too. Maybe it’s not such a big deal.
You still have a few months, so I recommend looking for other options that please you both and then seeing what feels right in the end.
I much prefer [name]Hawthorn[/name]. [name]Hawk[/name] or [name]Huck[/name] could both be used, as well as [name]Thorn[/name] or even [name]Howie[/name] for something more “regular”.
I’ve also heard of [name]Hudson[/name] being nn [name]Huck[/name].
I much prefer [name]Hawthorne[/name] to [name]Huckleberry[/name] and it has the same sort of feel. The bad word will most definitely be used as he is growing up if you use the name [name]Huck[/name], even though it is a cute name. But I think your pet names are just another reason to steer clear of [name]Huckleberry[/name]. Also I think [name]Atticus[/name] is adorable! What about Sutter, [name]Holden[/name], [name]Finnian[/name], [name]Linden[/name], or [name]Ellis[/name]?
I know a little boy called [name]Huck[/name] as a nickname for [name]William[/name] (I’m not sure how that happened) but he’s never had a problem with the name at all. Everyone compliments his name, in fact! Most people don’t even know it’s a nickname. I personally adore [name]Huckleberry[/name]- it’s cute and quirky, with a nice vintage, sort of exciting feel that is so desirable. I think you should go for it!
I prefer [name]Hawthorn[/name] to [name]Huckleberry[/name], simply for the fact that my cousin used to have a dog named [name]Huckleberry[/name]. I have a hard time picturing it on an adult. If it helps though, I have never heard of the Name Game. So, that probably would not be a deciding factor for me. I know you mentioned [name]Atticus[/name] and its rise in popularity, but it really is one of my all time favorite names.
I would far prefer [name]Hawthorne[/name]! It’s refined and different without being too ‘out there’ and I remember the name game so idk…I personally find [name]Huckleberry[/name] a lot to saddle a small child with. And [name]Huck[/name] is a nice nickname but like others have mentioned immature people will go there. I feel like [name]Huckleberry[/name] would be best as a middle name?
Haha, I’ve been singing this song a lot lately! You’d have to changed the lyrics a bit in your family. I do however agree with your feeling that [name]Huckleberry[/name] might make a better pet name than person name.
I love both [name]Hawthorn[/name] and [name]Huckleberry[/name], and [name]Huck[/name] is by far one of my favorite male nicknames! I find them both completely wearable!
While yes [name]Huck[/name] rhymes with a bad word, at the age kids are playing the name game a lot of them wouldn’t even realize what they’re saying. And, like previous posters stated, it’s not as if [name]Huck[/name] is the only name to rhyme with said word.
I’m a firm believer in the fact that any name can be made fun of, and if your kid’s biggest problem is that his nickname rhymes with an unfortunate word then I think he’ll be just fine.
(By the way, I majored in English too!)
As for teasing–I can take any name (first, middle, last) and turn it into something ugly, so I’m not going to let “teasing potential” influence my decision too much.