Husband and I are now disagreeing on a second middle name for a boy. The first middle name will be [name_m]Ian[/name_m] as it’s his (step)dad’s first name and the name my dad is known by. Our choice for a second middle name is either my choice [name_u]Douglas[/name_u] which is his birth dad’s name. (Douglas died of cancer at 26 years old) or his choice [name_u]James[/name_u] his grandfather’s name and my grandfather’s middle and preferred name.
[name_m]Ian[/name_m] [name_u]Douglas[/name_u] or [name_m]Ian[/name_m] [name_u]James[/name_u] Which middle names do you all prefer?
I think both work perfectly well, but I would probably go with [name_m]Ian[/name_m] [name_u]Douglas[/name_u] because it seems just a bit more meaningful and maybe save [name_u]James[/name_u] for a future brother.
[name_u]Howard[/name_u] isn’t a family name but from when we started discussing children’s names it’s the only boys name my husband admitted he really loved.
Only suggesting this because you all are clearly open to the idea of 2 middle names, have you thought about dropping [name_u]Howard[/name_u] and working with [name_m]Ian[/name_m] [name_u]James[/name_u] and [name_u]Douglas[/name_u] alone?
This is actually an awesome suggestion. I’d push for [name_u]Douglas[/name_u] [name_m]Ian[/name_m] [name_u]James[/name_u]. I’d push for the first name as [name_u]Douglas[/name_u] as it’s similar to [name_u]Howard[/name_u] with the syllable count and they both fall similarly toward the end of the top 1,000 in regards to current popularity.
[name_f]My[/name_f] first instinct was [name_m]Ian[/name_m] [name_u]Douglas[/name_u] , but after learning the first name is [name_u]Howard[/name_u] I think [name_u]Howard[/name_u] [name_m]Ian[/name_m] [name_u]James[/name_u] fit and flows better than [name_u]Howard[/name_u] [name_m]Ian[/name_m] [name_u]Douglas[/name_u]
Based on the meaning it holds, I love [name_u]Douglas[/name_u] for you. [name_u]Douglas[/name_u] [name_m]Ian[/name_m] [name_u]James[/name_u] is also a great suggestion!
I prefer the sound of [name_u]Howard[/name_u] [name_m]Ian[/name_m] [name_u]James[/name_u], though either works well. I would also like [name_u]James[/name_u] [name_m]Ian[/name_m] [name_u]Douglas[/name_u] [name_u]Or[/name_u] [name_u]Douglas[/name_u] [name_m]Ian[/name_m] [name_u]James[/name_u] if either of those is on the table.