We are still working our way through choosing a boy’s name - we really like last names for first names - and have narrowed our list somewhat. I am hoping to get thoughts on the following three names (I have listed my concerns with each one):
[name_u]Sullivan[/name_u] - worried about the meaning of the nickname “[name_u]Sully[/name_u]” (although less so after my last post on this name) and our last name starts with a V so maybe too much?
[name_m]Smith[/name_m] - for some reason we both really like it, but worried it may be too simple/it may be seen as trying too hard
[name_m]Adler[/name_m] - we both really like this name, but worry that it is just the [name_m]German[/name_m] word for [name_u]Eagle[/name_u]. We would never name our kid “[name_u]Eagle[/name_u]” so why would we do it in [name_m]German[/name_m]??? But we love the soudn of it and the nickname “[name_m]Add[/name_m]”
You have some interesting options here! I’ll weigh in:
[name_u]Sullivan[/name_u]- Cool name; I’m generally a fan. However, with the potential nickname of [name_u]Van[/name_u] (especially since you’re unsure of [name_u]Sully[/name_u]), it may be a lot of Vs with your last name. I’m not sure if V is the great sound to have alliterative. It may sound totally fine, just depends on your name.
[name_m]Smith[/name_m]: I see what you mean about it sounding like you’re trying too hard. But, I don’t think it really does. It’s so common as a surname but totally unexpected as a first, and I kind of like it. Would you call him anything else ([name_m]Smitty[/name_m]?)? I had a lisp as a child and found words ending in “th” difficult, but that’s a minor concern.
[name_m]Adler[/name_m]- Is [name_m]Adler[/name_m] used as a name in Germany? If it is, it’s fine to use. It’s fine to use anyway if you don’t frequent Germany, I’d say. I’d express some caution that it sounds like “addled” and I could see it being used on girls as often as boys. If those things don’t bother you I’d say it’s a decent option.
Out of your names, I like [name_m]Smith[/name_m] the best. If you’re up to suggestions along the same lines, perhaps [name_m]Truett[/name_m], [name_m]Radcliffe[/name_m] (nickname [name_m]Rad[/name_m] instead of [name_m]Add[/name_m]), [name_u]Jamison[/name_u], or [name_m]Fletcher[/name_m].
Sorry to hijack your post but I have a similar conundrum. I love the name [name_u]Sullivan[/name_u] but our last name starts with S and is 2 syllables. Is a ‘S S’ name a no go? I tend to agree with the below poster that [name_u]Van[/name_u] V might be a tongue twister.
[name_u]Sullivan[/name_u] - I like this name. I know an older gentleman with this name who goes by [name_u]Sully[/name_u] and he is just adorable.
[name_m]Smith[/name_m] - I feel like at some point he will invariably be nicknamed [name_m]Smitty[/name_m] (just fyi). [name_f]Every[/name_f] guy I’ve known with this last name has gotten called this at some point.
[name_m]Adler[/name_m] - I don’t have issues with the meaning, but if it bugs you then definitely factor that in. If you’re a [name_m]Sherlock[/name_m] fan, then you may understand that this makes me think of [name_f]Irene[/name_f] [name_m]Adler[/name_m].
I’m considering the name [name_u]Sullivan[/name_u] for our second boy as well! Our first son has a last name for a first name as well. [name_m]Smith[/name_m] seems a bit strange for a first name, but I do like it. [name_m]Adler[/name_m] is a name I have never considered, but I actually like it a lot! Here’s how I’d rank the three: [name_u]Sullivan[/name_u], [name_m]Adler[/name_m], [name_m]Smith[/name_m]. Good luck! I don’t think you can really go wrong.
I think [name_m]Smith[/name_m] is great, it sounds classic and familiar even though I’ve never met a first name [name_m]Smith[/name_m]. It doesn’t strike me as at all odd or unusual! I find it pretty dashing. I think [name_m]Adler[/name_m] is really handsome, too, and although I see you’re concern I think it fits in with names like [name_m]Forest[/name_m], [name_m]Ford[/name_m] and [name_m]Smith[/name_m] as word names that have more of a “name” feel to them, since they are often used as surnames. If you aren’t a fan of the [name_u]Sully[/name_u] nn for its negative connotations I would rule [name_u]Sullivan[/name_u] out, especially since your last names stars with a v and the other intuitive nn for [name_u]Sullivan[/name_u] is [name_u]Van[/name_u]. Maybe you would like [name_m]Edison[/name_m], or Daehler?
[name_u]Sullivan[/name_u] - This is by far the most established “first name” of them all. I think it’s incredibly handsome. Not a huge fan of the nickname [name_u]Sully[/name_u], which for me is associated too closely with Monsters Inc., but not enough to think it’s unusable!
[name_m]Smith[/name_m] - I think this is honestly a name where the kid can make or break the name. Does that make any sense? I like it, don’t love it.
[name_m]Adler[/name_m] - I think this is my least favorite. I would prefer Alder. But I’ve found that I’m not quite fond of the [name_m]Add[/name_m]- sound at the beginning of any names ([name_u]Addison[/name_u], [name_f]Adelyn[/name_f], [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f], etc.)
Overall, I don’t mind surnames as first names and I think you’ve got some good ones here!
My issue with [name_m]Adler[/name_m] is not that it comes from the word [name_u]Eagle[/name_u] - rather it is the word [name_u]Eagle[/name_u] in [name_m]German[/name_m]. Other than that we love it. Like I said it would be ludicrous to name your child [name_u]Eagle[/name_u] - so is it ok to just do it in another language?