Is Hayes a usable first name?

Hello All!

I’m 27 weeks with a boy and struggling to find a name I love.

I really like [name_m]Hayes[/name_m], it has a special meaning to my husband and me. However, I’ve always seen it as more of a middle name and not really a viable first name choice… for example I feel like I’d have to repeat the name and explain/spell it when telling all the older ladies at church what our son’s name is.

The thing is, we probably won’t use it for a middle name either because my husband wants to use the traditional middle name passed down to all the men in his family.

So what are your opinions on [name_m]Hayes[/name_m] for a first name? Should I add it to my list of possibilities?

I think it’s usable. I like [name_m]Hayes[/name_m]. I never seriously considered it myself because it bugs me it sounds like [name_m]Haze[/name_m]… But honestly, It’s also a surname so I don’t think it’s that hard to understand. You might have to explain it upon introduction, but you shouldn’t have to repeat it again and again.
I think a name that’s meaningful is so much better than a name without meaning so if it’s meaningful for you I think the little explanation you and your son may have to give would be worth it.
Good luck.

I know a little boy named [name_m]Hayes[/name_m]. It definitely works as a first! It’s very strong and masculine

I think it’s usable. [name_f]Jessica[/name_f] [name_f]Alba[/name_f] named her son [name_m]Hayes[/name_m] and I think I’ve heard it other places as well.

I definitely think it’s usable! I know a young [name_m]Hayes[/name_m] and I don’t think he has any trouble with his name. I think it’s recognizable enough that you won’t need to constantly repeat it. [name_m]Hayes[/name_m] is such a handsome name- and it has special meaning to you and your husband. I would use it!

Definitely usable

I think it makes for a great first name – definitely usable. If it has special meaning, I think you should go for it, regardless of your concern about spelling and such with the older generation (I’d guess this group might see any name other than the typical traditional names as unusual, but a quick explanation and all would be well). I have seen the name as a first a couple of times in recent years and it worked well for those boys.

It’s definitely usable as a first name - surnames as firsts is a huge trend right now! I like that it’s strong and masculine, while also soft and dreamy. If it has special meaning to you, that’s all the more reason to go for it, in my opinion!

I know a little boy names [name_m]Hayes[/name_m] and it works great! Its on my list too!

Totally usable. I know some people with [name_m]Hayes[/name_m] as a surname. Although I haven’t yet seen it as a first name myself, I think it sounds very natural. You might need to spell it for some people but that is true about many if not most names. As I sit here thinking about it now, I really like it!

Thank you all for your input!! I’m really starting to come around to it.

We already have a baby girl named [name_f]Jillian[/name_f] [name_f]Ruth[/name_f] and now for our little boy we’re debating between [name_m]Hayes[/name_m] [name_m]Patrick[/name_m] and [name_u]Finley[/name_u] [name_m]Patrick[/name_m]!

Not sure if it matters to you, but there are a million little [name_u]Finn[/name_u]/[name_u]Finley[/name_u] toddlers where I live ([name_m]Pacific[/name_m] Northwest). [name_u]Finley[/name_u] seems to be used more commonly for girls here. I personally would go for [name_u]Finn[/name_u] over [name_u]Finley[/name_u] for that reason but that is just me!

[name_m]Hayes[/name_m], on the other hand, is much more unique but also has a soft sound relative to most boy’s names. I really love [name_m]Hayes[/name_m] and encourage you to use it if you are pulled in that direction.

I also love [name_f]Jillian[/name_f], have only met one in my life but always liked it. [name_f]Jillian[/name_f] and [name_m]Hayes[/name_m] sounds so sweet together!

I have known two girls name [name_m]Hayes[/name_m] and it definitely works on them, although I tend to think [name_m]Hayes[/name_m] leans male. I think it is very wearable.

I love [name_m]Hayes[/name_m] and [name_f]Jillian[/name_f] together such a lovely set!