Is it selfish to give our baby this name?

Hello, Berries.

My fiance and I have FINALLY selected the name for our baby boy, and we have a girl name ready just in case. However, we’re worried that the name we chose has too much personal meaning.


~[name]Leo[/name] [name]Sebastian[/name] [name]Felix[/name]~

[name]Leo[/name] is a name that we both love, and like [name]Violet[/name], it has meaning. [name]James[/name], my fiance, gave me a stuffed lion a few years ago when I was in the hospital after I fell and shattered my ankle (I’m very clumsy) to encourage me through physical therapy, as the lion signified strength and courage. [name]Leo[/name] means lion, so that’s where that comes from. That lion is still with me–it’s kind of like my security blanket–and I’m planning on giving him to my son (or daughter) when the baby’s born.

[name]Sebastian[/name] was the name of this amazing ancestor of my fiance’s who, according to [name]James[/name]'s grandmother, saved an entire town of children during the Holocaust–he was only sixteen when this occurred–and then managed to survive when he was discovered by the Nazi’s. We have no way of knowing if it’s true, exaggerated, or completely false, but we think it’s pretty neat and a good testament to bravery.

[name]Felix[/name] means happy and fortunate, and we want to include that meaning.


Our back-up girl name, just in case the baby comes out a girl, or for future babies:

~[name]Violet[/name] [name]Matilda[/name] [name]Esme[/name]~

I’ve loved [name]Violet[/name] forever, and it has very special meaning for us; my fiance, [name]James[/name], actually asked me out way back in high school (we’ve been together eleven years!) with a beautiful bouquet of wild violets that he spent hours picking, as he knew they were my favorite flower. [name]Ever[/name] since then, he’s given me a bouquet of gorgeous violets on our anniversary and on my birthday.

[name]Matilda[/name] was my grandmother’s name. We were very close to her, and she was the one that predicted I would marry [name]James[/name] when she first met him eleven years ago; we both adored her. She died last year, so we want to honor her.

[name]Esme[/name] means beloved, and we want to include that meaning in her name. My mother’s name is [name]May[/name], and [name]James[/name]'s mother’s name was [name]Esther[/name], so it is also a blend of their names.


Is there TOO much personal meaning in these names, and is it selfish to give our baby names that mean things only to us? We don’t want our child to feel like we gave them a mold that they have to fit into because of their name.


Also, is the boy name we chose too animal themed? [name]Leo[/name] means lion, [name]Sebastian[/name] has the connotations of the crab/lobster from the [name]Little[/name] Mermaid, and [name]Felix[/name] reminds most people of [name]Felix[/name] the [name]Cat[/name]. Furthermore, our last name is [name]Griffin[/name], which happens to be a mythological creature with the body of a lion. Is it too much? All of it is coincidental.


Thanks so much!

~[name]Elizabeth[/name] and [name]James[/name]

I love the meanings you have!! I say go for it. When they ask how their name came about… you will have such great stories! :slight_smile:

Definitely not! In fact, I think it’s nice that there are stories behind each name. It shows you put a lot of thought into it, instead of “oh, that name sounds pretty” like many people do. Besides, both combos are wonderful-- all six names are legitimate, classic names that will no doubt serve your child well, and that’s really the most important part, right? [name]Leo[/name] [name]Sebastian[/name] [name]Felix[/name] manages to include three of my favorite boy’s names, and [name]Violet[/name] [name]Matilda[/name] [name]Esme[/name] is really gorgeous. I think you’re overthinking it! :slight_smile:

I think it’s fine! Not selfish at all. The names have sweet significance to you, and the meanings behind them are nothing terribly impacting. I especially love the stories behind [name]Leo[/name] and [name]Violet[/name]; I would love it if my name had a story behind it like that.

These names are perfect. if you were going to name your son Pooh bear after a stuffed animal your DH gave you then yes that would be selfish. The names u chose are very nice plus they have meaning win win situation.

It is absolutely NOT selfish to give your baby names that have as much thought and personal meaning behind them as yours do! S/he may not be able to appreciate it for a while, but once you are able to tell them how much their name means to you and they understand that, they will love their names so much more for it.

[name]Leo[/name] [name]Sebastian[/name] [name]Felix[/name] and [name]Violet[/name] [name]Matilda[/name] [name]Esme[/name] are both gorgeous names. I say go for it. Have you ever considered swapping the middle names in [name]Leo[/name]'s? [name]Leo[/name] [name]Felix[/name] [name]Sebastian[/name]? I feel like this flows slightly better, but I may be in the minority here, and this would depend on the LN as well.

I think it is beautiful. Go for it!
I hate my name, and it makes me hate it so much more as I know I wasnt named after anyone and my mother put little thought into it.

I think the names having such personal meaning to you just shows the child how much thought and care you took when picking a name for them. It shows the child how much love you had for them even before they were born.

I would treasure the names because of the personal meaning that it has for you. Go ahead use these lovely names.

I think the names you have picked out are stunning, individually, as combinations with great flow, and as possible future siblings. Those names are not selfish at all! They will both work for all ages, and are great classics.

I think the personal meaning that the names have for you makes them all the more perfect, and your children will be pleased that they got names with so much meaning and history. It would be a different story if every single one of the names was a family name, as I think that children should have one name of their own, too, but they aren’t - simply names with great meaning to you and your husband.

Good luck! [name]Auburn[/name]

Is it possible for a name to have too much personal meaning?! I wouldn’t say so! I think the more personal meaning the better, rather than just randomly picking a name because you like it. Our tastes change all the time, but with all that meaning behind the names, it ensures you will love them forever :slight_smile:

I particularly love [name]Leo[/name] and [name]Mathilda[/name] :slight_smile:

Great names!

Not at all. The names mean something very important to you. Go with your gut on this one. You can only name your baby once, make it count.

The names you picked are PERFECT! Really, a name cant have too much meaning in my opinion. My name means squat, my parents just picked it on a whim and [name]Ive[/name] always felt a little cheated. I wish they had spent the time you had and really put thought into my name. Dont worry about the [name]Leo[/name] combo, I doubt anyone would ever make that connection. The combos are awesome and the meaning is amazing. You really couldnt have picked better names.

I think the names you have chosen are gorgeous and the meanings make them all the more beautiful!

Personally I don’t think it’s possible to have too much personal meaning! Someday when your child asks why you chose their names, how much better is it to have such wonderful background stories than to say you just chose their names because you liked them?

You’ve taken great care in your selections; what a special gift to give to your child (or future children)!

All the best to you!

I think your names are beautiful and love that they mean so much to you!

Oh my gosh, you guys sound adorable! I don’t think there is such thing as ‘too much personal meaning!’ You will have beautiful stories to tell your children about why you chose each name. If you were choosing names that had personal meaning but were strange or unattractive names, that would be one thing. But these names are absolutely stunning. Go for it!!

My name has tons of personal meaning for our family; it makes me feel treaured, honored, and a ‘wished for child.’

The names themselves are beyond gorgeous, I didn’t think the boy name was themed, most won’t because it is not as if you are naming him [name]Lion[/name] Crab [name]Cat[/name] [name]Bird[/name], worry no more! And as a [name]Berry[/name] it does not bother me in the slightest.

Go in peace, your names are fabulous!

Blessings, [name]Bella[/name] <3

selfish? absolutely not. this is exactly what the rest of us are going for! names that you love with personal meaning? you’ve hit the jackpot on both names. I hope you end up having one girl and one boy so you can use them both!!! I wish I had names like that, especially ones my husband would agree with?? I am jealous! good work!

love the names you choose what a great story :slight_smile:

[name]Leo[/name] is on my list and my grandmother was a [name]Matilda[/name] as well and hopefully someday will use it on a girl : )

love the names you choose what a great story :slight_smile:

[name]Leo[/name] is on my list and my grandmother was a [name]Matilda[/name] as well and hopefully someday will use it on a girl : )