I’ve about a month to go before welcoming baby 4, and a boy name we’re set on eludes me. We have a long list but only one standout, [name_m]Jethro[/name_m] [name_m]Valor[/name_m] nn [name_m]Jett[/name_m]. It fits with my other kids and I’m confident it’s the name until I think about introducing him to older adults. I have zero pop cultural perspective on [name_m]Jethro[/name_m] (never watched [name_f]Beverly[/name_f] Hillbillies or NCIS), so to me it’s just a cool underused name with a great meaning. And I think to the next generation it will be as well.
But then I think about the grandparents and our older friends and I start to second guess. Berries, I don’t want name regret either from using or not using our name. What do you do when you’re just not sure and can’t seem to find option B?
And for those who might like to suggest other names, we like outside top 500 full names with good meaning & a more common nickname, and we’re looking for a subtle link to trees in either the first or middle spot. Quite by accident my other kids ended up with their own tree ([name_m]Will[/name_m] has the willow, [name_f]Verity[/name_f] [name_f]Sakura[/name_f] has the cherry tree, and [name_m]Ace[/name_m] has the maple since Acer is the botanical name for maple trees. Our top 2 girl names are [name_f]Linnea[/name_f] and [name_f]Elowen[/name_f]), and now that I see the link I’d love to continue it. [name_m]Jethro[/name_m] was our name before noticing the theme, and I almost gave it up because of that, but my husband pointed out jet the gemstone is formed from trees. None of the boys are obvious nature names and I think I prefer that, but I’d love to hear any suggestions. Thanks Berries!
[name_m]Jethro[/name_m] “[name_m]Jett[/name_m]” [name_m]Valor[/name_m] is beautiful and does indeed fit nicely with the rest of your family.
For the situations when you feel shy, introducing him as [name_m]Jett[/name_m] would be perfectly reasonable. I understand older family members would want to know his full name, but I don’t see [name_m]Jethro[/name_m] [name_m]Valor[/name_m] as any more “out there” than [name_m]Alistair[/name_m] [name_m]Ingram[/name_m]. What has response been to your older kids’ names? Is this stemming from insecurities over the way you’ve been made to feel about your past choices?
I expected to get some eyebrow raises re: my son’s name, but so far I haven’t (he’s coming up on 6 months). He also has a TV name, the main character in CSI [name_f]Miami[/name_f], which I have also never seen. Very few people have mentioned that connection, and if they do, it’s because they like that show and have a positive association with the name. More important to me are the name’s connections to history and literature and the positive meaning of his full name, all of which your [name_m]Jethro[/name_m] [name_m]Valor[/name_m] also has. If those are important to you, then that’s what matters most.
[name_m]Redmond[/name_m] [name_m]Valor[/name_m] nn [name_u]Red[/name_u] (redwood tree)
[name_m]Abram[/name_m] [name_m]Valor[/name_m] nn [name_m]Abe[/name_m] or [name_u]Abie[/name_u] (fir tree)
It sounds like [name_m]Jethro[/name_m] [name_m]Valor[/name_m] really is the one for you, and if that’s the case, I say go for it!
I was in a similar situation prior to my daughter’s birth. I got major cold feet about our frontrunner, [name_f]Hermione[/name_f]. I was actually familiar with the pop culture references (in fact, [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m] is my favorite series, there’s a saint by the name, and I appreciate that there are also mythological and Shakespearean Hermiones), and I worried about people’s reactions to her name and how very nerdy it is. And to be honest, people were often rude when we mentioned it as an option prior to her birth. But now, some people do ask “like [name_m]Harry[/name_m] [name_m]Potter[/name_m]?” or, in our Catholic circle, “like the saint?” but everyone is kind and sees that the name suits her. Some people have, surprisingly, never heard of it despite all the pop culture references, and just say it’s a lovely name. Sometimes I elaborate when people ask those questions; sometimes I don’t. But it’s working well so far. There’s nothing like having a child with that name for you to see it as separate from others–though you, of course, don’t have that problem if you’re not personally familiar with the shows!
I hope you go with [name_m]Jethro[/name_m] and find that the comments aren’t a big deal. [name_m]Even[/name_m] if a few people judge the name negatively, they’re unlikely to do so to you or your child’s face, so what does it matter. And more likely than not, the name will work for him. It also does go well with your other kids’, and it really just matters that you love the name, that it’s meaningful to you, and that your son knows it was bestowed with love.
P.S. [name_m]Jethro[/name_m] “[name_m]Jett[/name_m]” is one of my husband’s favorite names. It doesn’t quite work for me personally, but I’m excited to see someone considering it!
I love it! Besides [name_f]Beverly[/name_f] hillbillies I think of [name_m]Jethro[/name_m] [name_m]Tull[/name_m], so yet another pop culture reference, this one gives a rock and roll vibe. I don’t think any of those associations are negative and if anything it’s positive because it’s an association that will help people remember an uncommon name.
I always get nervous to finalize a name. No name is going to get everyone’s approval and it’s easy to get caught up thinking about why it might not be some people’s style. But in the end, it’s a great name, not common but not uncommon enough that it will lead to confusion, has a fun nickname, will fit an adult as well as a child… it checks all your boxes and will serve him well. So, it’s a winner!!
Good luck.