It's a boy... help!

Boy Names
1

So for those who don’t know from the Momberries thread, my SO and I are expecting a baby this [name_u]November[/name_u] and on [name_m]Saturday[/name_m] (via a firework gender reveal) we found out that we’re having a little boy! Obviously it had to be a boy because we had a girls’ name set in stone. For a boy, we still have no clear front-runner. Right now we have two lists, “strong maybes” (aka a short list for the hospital) and “maybe maybes” (names that might make it to the hospital list, but not sure yet). I’m just asking for thoughts on the names at this point.

LN is one syllable starting with B. MN is a family name that ends in -er.

The “strong maybes”:
[name_u]Teagan[/name_u] - my pick but we both like it, the popularity of it as a girls’ name doesn’t bother me
[name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] - SO’s pick, I like it but not 100% sold
[name_m]Roland[/name_m] - SO loves this, I’m neutral on it and wish it had a better nickname

The “maybe maybes”:
[name_m]Absalom[/name_m] - maybe too awkward/archaic for a FN, and possibly not the nicest of namesakes? too hard to pronounce/spell?
Wolfram - maybe too weird? too “tough guy” for our boy?
[name_m]Ulric[/name_m]/[name_m]Ulrich[/name_m] - might be hard to pronounce/spell, not the best nickname options
[name_m]Abram[/name_m] - I like NN [name_m]Bram[/name_m], but [name_m]Bram[/name_m] B____ is a little gawky. SO thinks it’s “a little too normal” but is considering it.

There’s also the possibility of using my maiden name, which is one letter off from “[name_m]Kenton[/name_m]” - however I have a couple of hesitations about that. A: we’re not married, so I feel like it would be weird to be Ms. [name_m]Kenton[/name_m] and have my son also be named [name_m]Kenton[/name_m]. B: I hate the nicknames [name_m]Ken[/name_m]/[name_m]Kenny[/name_m]. C: [name_m]Kenton[/name_m] is my dad’s surname, and we’ve always had a difficult/distant relationship, so I don’t want him to feel that I’m “honoring him” and I also don’t really have any attachment to my surname besides it having a nice sound. But several people have suggested using it as a FN and SO would be okay with it so it’s under consideration.

Thoughts/suggestions? If it helps, our top pick for a girl was [name_f]Beatrix[/name_f], followed by [name_f]Guinevere[/name_f] as a backup. [name_f]TIA[/name_f]!

2

I really like [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] and [name_m]Ulric[/name_m]. I’m not a fan if [name_u]Teagan[/name_u] or [name_m]Roland[/name_m]. [name_m]How[/name_m] about:

[name_m]Holden[/name_m]
[name_u]Sawyer[/name_u]
[name_u]Tristan[/name_u]
[name_m]Ronan[/name_m]
[name_m]Ezekiel[/name_m]

3

[name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] “[name_m]Shep[/name_m]” is really cool. I prefer [name_u]Teagan[/name_u] on girls. What about [name_u]Tiernan[/name_u], [name_m]Teague[/name_m], or [name_u]Kiernan[/name_u]? I also really like [name_m]Abram[/name_m] nn [name_m]Bram[/name_m] and I don’t think [name_m]Bram[/name_m] B_____ is too much.

Other suggestions:

[name_m]Apollo[/name_m]
[name_m]Ansel[/name_m]
[name_m]Broderick[/name_m] nn [name_m]Brock[/name_m]
[name_m]Ragnar[/name_m]
[name_u]Arlo[/name_u]
[name_m]Bishop[/name_m]
[name_m]Solomon[/name_m] nn [name_u]Sully[/name_u]
[name_u]Ellis[/name_u]
[name_m]Whittaker[/name_m] nn [name_u]Whit[/name_u]
[name_m]Ivan[/name_m]
[name_m]Garrison[/name_m]
[name_m]Hugo[/name_m]
[name_m]Viggo[/name_m]

4

[name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] is my favorite. I love the idea of using [name_m]Kenton[/name_m], but if you aren’t particularly attached to your family name then I wouldn’t bother. I also like [name_u]Teagan[/name_u] and [name_m]Ulric[/name_m] but not as much as [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m].

5

Of the strong maybes, the only one I care for is [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m]. Really like that name. Also love [name_m]Abram[/name_m] and Absolom. [name_m]Ulrich[/name_m] is ok, but have you considered [name_m]Alaric[/name_m]? It’s not as heavy as [name_m]Ulric[/name_m].

6

[name_m]Abram[/name_m] is my favorite, followed by [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m]. I don’t mind [name_m]Roland[/name_m], but I prefer [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] or [name_m]Ronan[/name_m]. I’m not crazy about Wolfram, but I like [name_m]Wolfgang[/name_m]. I prefer [name_m]Teague[/name_m] to [name_u]Teagan[/name_u].

7

[name_u]Teagan[/name_u] and [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] are cool but I think Wolfram could be a real show stealer. Strong, nature-y, medieval-feeling. It has it all going on. I’m sure when he is screaming for a feed at 3am he will feel 100% brawn enough to be a Wolfram.

I feel [name_m]Roland[/name_m] is a bit “every-day guy”, and I’m not loving the other options so much. I think it’s really cool to use a maiden name as a first or middle, but only if you really love it.

8

[i]I love your naming style! My favorites are [name_m]Roland[/name_m] and Wolfram. Especially Wolfram is fantastic!

Good luck. :)[/i]

9

i like absalom, and i am partial to ulric, do not really like teagen. sounds like a girls name?

10

[name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] and [name_m]Abram[/name_m]. Great non-traditional names that aren’t too weird or out there and they have great nickname options, too. Wolfram sounds like a Game of Thrones name to me and, for me, it would be too severe and too out there on a modern boy. [name_u]Teagan[/name_u] I really dislike but that’s just my personal opinion! I lump it in with all the trendy Irish-y names and to me it’s not distinctive and a little girly sounding. It had a nice meaning, though.

11

I like all the names on your “Strong Maybe” list, but my favorite is [name_m]Roland[/name_m]. I"m not a huge fan of your “Maybe Maybe” list. I think your strong maybes are much better.

12

I really love the name [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m]! [name_m]Abram[/name_m] would be my second choice.

Suggestions:
[name_m]Talon[/name_m]
[name_m]Solomon[/name_m] – nn [name_m]Sol[/name_m]
[name_u]Leland[/name_u]
[name_m]Deccan[/name_m]
[name_u]Tristan[/name_u]
[name_m]Daphnis[/name_m]
[name_u]River[/name_u]
[name_u]Sidney[/name_u] – nn [name_m]Sid[/name_m]
[name_m]Nigel[/name_m]
[name_m]Ryker[/name_m]

13

I really love the name [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m]! [name_m]Abram[/name_m] would be my second choice.

Suggestions:
[name_m]Talon[/name_m]
[name_m]Solomon[/name_m] – nn [name_m]Sol[/name_m]
[name_u]Leland[/name_u]
[name_m]Deccan[/name_m]
[name_u]Tristan[/name_u]
[name_m]Daphnis[/name_m]
[name_u]River[/name_u]
[name_u]Sidney[/name_u] – nn [name_m]Sid[/name_m]
[name_m]Nigel[/name_m]
[name_m]Ryker[/name_m]

14

Congratulations, @greyer! So exciting!
I think I’ve said it before but I love [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] for you! [name_m]Shep[/name_m] is such a cool, catchy, sporty nickname. I’m not a fan of [name_u]Teagan[/name_u] on a boy or girl, but I do like [name_m]Teague[/name_m]. [name_m]Roland[/name_m] is nice. My nephew goes by [name_f]Ro[/name_f] at times (his name is [name_m]Roman[/name_m]) so I’ve liked that.

[name_m]Absalom[/name_m] is cool, I like the nn [name_m]Abe[/name_m] or [name_u]Sal[/name_u] for it. I do like [name_m]Abram[/name_m] nn [name_m]Bram[/name_m] better, though. I don’t know any [name_m]Bram[/name_m]'s, so it doesn’t seem “normal” to me at all haha

Wolfram is kind of cool! I have never heard it before but it’s neat. My son’s middle name is [name_m]Wolfgang[/name_m] and I feel it’s a bit heavy (it’s a family name) but Wolfram seems softer to me. I kind of dig it! It does sound a little like two names smashed together ([name_m]Wolfgang[/name_m] and [name_m]Ephraim[/name_m]), so it doesn’t seem as “legit” as your other names, but that’s not a huge deal.

Not a big fan of the sound of the first syllable in [name_m]Ulrich[/name_m]. I do like the suggestion of [name_m]Alaric[/name_m], it’s one of my favorites.

Sounds like the negatives outweigh the positives for [name_m]Kenton[/name_m], and you have a lot of good other options, so I’d nix that one.

All in all, my favorites are [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] and Wolfram :slight_smile: Very cool list you have!

15

@boyandgirl - Thanks for the suggestions… unfortunately we’ve already nixed [name_u]Tristan[/name_u], [name_m]Ronan[/name_m], and [name_m]Ezekiel[/name_m] for different reasons. SO was “meh” on [name_m]Holden[/name_m] and [name_u]Sawyer[/name_u], while I like it, has the same -er ending as the MN. I’m surprised people seem to like [name_m]Ulric[/name_m], it’s always been a GP but it’s gotten some positive response.

@jtay07 - I actually like [name_m]Teague[/name_m], but I’ve heard that it’s a slur against [name_m]Roman[/name_m] Catholics in [name_f]Ireland[/name_f] so that makes me hesitate to use it. I do like [name_u]Arlo[/name_u], [name_u]Ellis[/name_u], and [name_u]Whit[/name_u] (but prefer [name_u]Whitney[/name_u] as a full name). [name_m]Solomon[/name_m] I absolutely love but can’t use. :frowning:

@southern.maple - Yeah, that’s what I was thinking. Also people seem to have trouble pronouncing it sometimes, which is weird to me, but it happens. Thanks!

@lisaskye - I like the look of [name_m]Alaric[/name_m] but I’m never sure how to pronounce it. I thought it was “[name_m]AL[/name_m]-uh-rick” as in [name_m]Albert[/name_m], but someone told me it was “Uh-LAIR-ic” and I don’t like that at all.

@ameliab - [name_m]Wolfgang[/name_m]'s come up a few times, but idk, it seems so heavy to me. [name_u]Rowan[/name_u] is the family dog’s name or else it would probably be SO’s top choice :frowning:

@mirimouse & @bellerose - Thanks for the positive thoughts on Wolfram! I think it’s pretty cool… I just don’t want it to feel like we’re ‘trying too hard to be cool’ either!

@89mugglemom - It’s a unisex name that happens to be more popular for girls, yes, but that doesn’t bother me.

@alp249 - One of my fears with [name_u]Teagan[/name_u] is that it’s “trendy” although it seems to slant that way more for girls, but on the other hand I can see myself using it in everyday life more than the other names. Nickname options are critical to me so I’m glad [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] and [name_m]Abram[/name_m] have them!

@squidly - Thanks, I keep trying to love [name_m]Roland[/name_m] as much as my SO does. I think if it had a better nickname I would like it more.

@riverlyric - Thank you! I like [name_u]River[/name_u], but SO isn’t sold (and I love [name_m]Solomon[/name_m] but can’t use it). Plus the middle name ends in -er so the flow is a little weird unfortunately.

@meyera4 - Thanks so much! I’m looking forward to having a little boy actually, everyone keeps telling me how great the mother-son bond is and I hope eventually he’ll be a protective big brother to our future little ones. [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] and [name_u]Teagan[/name_u] (which is not getting as much love as I thought it might lol) are definitely at the top of the list, and I think [name_m]Absalom[/name_m] is super cool even though I suspect it’s a tough name to pull off. I agree with you about [name_m]Wolfgang[/name_m] although I love your son’s name - I actually suggested [name_m]Conrad[/name_m] to my SO. From what I can tell Wolfram is legit but I agree it sounds sort of made-up, and that does bother me. I’d hate it if people thought I made up my kid’s name. Also apparently a lot of SO’s family have suggested to him that we use my maiden name, but for a middle name, so he would probably lean that direction. And totally unrelated, [name_f]Mabel[/name_f] [name_f]Frederika[/name_f] and [name_f]Wilhelmina[/name_f] [name_f]Jane[/name_f] are gorgeous names (from your sig)!

So, just out of curiosity, what is it about [name_u]Teagan[/name_u] that people aren’t digging? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think [name_m]Teague[/name_m] is ok to use even though it’s sometimes used as a slur? FWIW my SO is more a fan of [name_u]Teagan[/name_u] than [name_m]Teague[/name_m]. We’re big fans of the meaning and of the low popularity of it as a boys’ name so I’m just wondering.

16

[name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] and [name_m]Roland[/name_m] are fantastic! I love the nicknames [name_f]Ro[/name_f], [name_m]Rollo[/name_m], Landy / [name_m]Land[/name_m] and Roly for [name_m]Roland[/name_m]. I definitely wouldn’t go with [name_m]Absalom[/name_m]- it has a lovely meaning and sound, but the Biblical history… Well, it’s not the nicest. Wolfram just kind of looks like ‘wolf ram’ to me, as in ‘a wolf amongst sheep’, so I don’t really like it- just [name_m]Wolf[/name_m] is nice though.

Maybe:
[name_m]Amias[/name_m], [name_u]Bellamy[/name_u], [name_m]Abraham[/name_m] (compromise between [name_m]Absalom[/name_m] and [name_m]Abram[/name_m]?), [name_m]Ivo[/name_m], [name_m]Adlai[/name_m], Luden / [name_m]Louden[/name_m] / [name_m]Loudon[/name_m], [name_m]Soren[/name_m], [name_f]Cypress[/name_f] / [name_m]Cyprus[/name_m], [name_m]Samson[/name_m], [name_u]Tierney[/name_u], [name_m]Field[/name_m], [name_m]Obadiah[/name_m], [name_u]Akiva[/name_u], [name_u]Akira[/name_u], [name_m]Eleazar[/name_m], [name_m]Adriel[/name_m], [name_m]Jabez[/name_m], [name_m]Ephraim[/name_m], [name_u]Azariah[/name_u], [name_m]Enoch[/name_m], [name_m]Melor[/name_m], [name_m]Zebedee[/name_m], [name_m]Beacon[/name_m], [name_m]Bede[/name_m], [name_m]Bard[/name_m], [name_m]Cashel[/name_m], [name_m]Donahue[/name_m], [name_m]Dermot[/name_m], [name_u]Flannery[/name_u], [name_u]Madigan[/name_u], [name_u]Mirren[/name_u], [name_m]Mulligan[/name_m], [name_u]Demeter[/name_u], Noonan, [name_m]Ephai[/name_m], [name_u]Aberdeen[/name_u], [name_u]Abilene[/name_u], [name_m]Adaiah[/name_m], [name_m]Adalius[/name_m], [name_m]Amzi[/name_m], [name_m]Beriah[/name_m], Benuel, [name_m]Japhy[/name_m], [name_m]Japheth[/name_m], [name_m]Lemuel[/name_m], [name_m]Lael[/name_m], [name_u]Lior[/name_u], [name_u]Paz[/name_u], [name_m]Phelan[/name_m], [name_u]Shalom[/name_u], [name_u]Seneca[/name_u], [name_m]Zephaniah[/name_m], [name_m]Dougal[/name_m], [name_m]Ugo[/name_m], [name_m]Pascal[/name_m], [name_u]Pascoe[/name_u], [name_u]Raleigh[/name_u], [name_m]Ansel[/name_m], [name_m]Anselm[/name_m], Oleander, [name_m]Brahms[/name_m], [name_u]Claude[/name_u], [name_m]Franz[/name_m], [name_m]Amadeus[/name_m], [name_m]Casimir[/name_m].

17

Congratulations on a boy! [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] is my favorite of your “strong maybes”. I’m not particularly fond of [name_m]Roland[/name_m] or the nn [name_u]Ronnie[/name_u] (the only [name_m]Roland[/name_m] I’ve met went by that), but I do think [name_m]Rollo[/name_m] is sweet and reminds me of the tv show Vikings (and the candy). For me, the drastic style change of [name_u]Teagan[/name_u] the other names made it stick out more than normal. There’s nothing wrong with the name, but it does feel more trendy than your other names listed because the -gan ending seems really popular right now (at least in my area). The bright side is that others might find this name more comfortable or acceptable than some of the others on your list.

As you already know, I really like your choice of [name_m]Absalom[/name_m]. I don’t think it’s too hard to pronounce or spell; maybe try the Starbucks test to see how some strangers spell the name. I also adore all of your other “maybe maybes”. [name_m]Ulric[/name_m] is handsome, imo. I could see wolf as a viable nn if you like it since according to behindthename:

Originally this was a medieval form of the Old English name Wulfric meaning “wolf power”. When it is used in modern times, it is usually as a variant of ULRICH.

Some other ones that came to mind from reading your list:
[name_m]Alaric[/name_m] (already mentioned by a pp): I pronounce the name [name_m]Al[/name_m]-ugh-rick. I would think the most people from the US will pronounce it this way when they see it written. If I heard Ul-ugh-rick I would think it was a spelling variation of [name_m]Ulric[/name_m].
[name_m]Aldric[/name_m]
Alberic
Wulfric/Wolfric
[name_m]Osric[/name_m] (nn [name_m]Ozzy[/name_m]?)
[name_m]Armin[/name_m]
[name_m]Mordecai[/name_m]
[name_u]Auberon[/name_u]: Could be some spelling issues
[name_m]Gerald[/name_m]
[name_m]Melchior[/name_m]
Gereon
[name_m]Laszlo[/name_m]
[name_m]Gunther[/name_m]: Could be awkward with the mn
Ortwin
[name_m]Balthasar[/name_m]
[name_m]Osias[/name_m]/[name_m]Ozias[/name_m] (hope you like the nn [name_m]Ozzy[/name_m] lol)
[name_m]Azarius[/name_m]/[name_m]Azarias[/name_m]
[name_m]Aksel[/name_m]/[name_m]Axel[/name_m]

18

[name_u]Teagan[/name_u] reminds me of other kids I grew up with, and I just… I guess I feel uncomfortable giving a mum-or-dad name to a new baby. I do like the meaning though, that’s pretty sweet.

19

I’ve never heard [name_m]Teague[/name_m] used as a slur. [name_f]Nor[/name_f] have I met anyone named [name_u]Teagan[/name_u]. For me it sort of mixes in with [name_u]Logan[/name_u], [name_u]Reagan[/name_u], and [name_u]Morgan[/name_u] and doesn’t really stand out. [name_u]Teagan[/name_u] does feel bright and energetic though, and I like that. It doesn’t strike me as feminine at all.

20

Well, from the names you mentioned; [name_m]Roland[/name_m] and [name_m]Abram[/name_m] are the only two which get my vote! I think [name_m]Roland[/name_m] is a handsome, interesting and a very good choice. Although, [name_m]Abram[/name_m] is also a very handsome and strong name.