We are TTC our second child and I’m passing the TWW stressing about names. Our girl name is set ([name_f]Sadie[/name_f] [name_f]Ruth[/name_f], for my grandmother, my favorite bible story and which also happens to be DH’s grandmother’s middle name) and we have our hearts set on [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] for a boy, but we’re stumped on a middle name.
Initially, we planned for [name_u]Reed[/name_u], until I discovered [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_u]Reed[/name_u] was an adult fiction writer. It probably doesn’t matter, but I’d rather not have that connotation. We’d like to honor a close family friend, [name_m]Herb[/name_m], but I can’t like the name [name_m]Herbert[/name_m] no matter how hard I try. [name_m]Henry[/name_m] is [name_f]MIL[/name_f]'s ex-boyfriend’s name, so it kind of has to be off the table because of that, and while I love [name_m]Hugo[/name_m], [name_u]Theo[/name_u] [name_m]Hugo[/name_m] is a little too redundant to me. The H is not a requirement, though it would be nice if the name had some special meaning/connection to someone in the family.
For reference, our son’s name is [name_u]James[/name_u] [name_u]Lawrence[/name_u] and our last name is a one syllable name that begins with M. I’m Jewish, DH is not. We’re both fond of classic names–more top 250 than top 10. I also like Biblical/Hebrew names, like [name_m]Ezra[/name_m] and [name_u]Avi[/name_u].
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Albert[/name_m] (the “[name_u]Bert[/name_u]” from [name_m]Herbert[/name_m])
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Herschel[/name_m] (actually, this was my uncle’s first and middle name)
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] Herald (variant of [name_m]Harold[/name_m] - close to [name_m]Herbert[/name_m]?)
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Caleb[/name_m]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Jacob[/name_m]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Ezra[/name_m]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Isaac[/name_m]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Winston[/name_m]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Luke[/name_m]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Lucas[/name_m]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Benjamin[/name_m]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Bennett[/name_m]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_u]Bentley[/name_u]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Abram[/name_m]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Silas[/name_m]
If you love [name_m]Hugo[/name_m], I think you should absolutely go with that. I cannot think of an occasion when someone would go by their nickname and middle name together, unless it was specifically requested. It’s always going to be just [name_u]Theo[/name_u], or [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Hugo[/name_m] - both of which sound great!
Great ideas, all! Thank you. Some I had toyed with myself, others I hadn’t thought of but work really well! ”
I do kind of like Theodore Asher, but my name is Ashley and I feel a little weird about naming him sort of after me. Herschel is a great option! I also love Bentley. It’s a family name–DH’s great-grandmother’s maiden name–but his aunt and her son have it as middle names (as his mom and sister do Janney) and I’d worry about “stealing” it. Unfortunately DH’s middle name is a family name from the other side that neither of us love and is hard to spell/pronounce.
My only worry with Hugo is the potential for playground teasing–“wait, your name is Theo Hugo?!” But, I guess there are worse things. I’m pretty fond of my name and I just got mercilessly teased for everything else. I did discover that Theo + Hugo is a French film about a couple who met at a gay sex club, though, while googling potential name combinations, so I seem to keep stumbling on non-ideal pop culture references.
In terms of other family members to honor, there’s DH’s grandmother (living) Frances, and there are some Francis’ on both sides of my family. I don’t love Francis, but Franklin could be a nice twist. Though Theodore Franklin might sound like we might as well be Roosevelts. ” I’m not sure.
DH’s grandfather (deceased) was Donald, and my great-grandfather, who by all accounts was a great guy, was Donato.
DH’s other grandmother just recently passed away, on our son’s first birthday. Her name was Cynthia–I’d rather use Cynthia as a middle name for a girl, but my heart is 100% set on our first girl name, so it would have to be a potential second. Though I think Theo/Cynthia do have a small connection.
What about [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Hendrik[/name_m]/[name_m]Hendrick[/name_m] for the H name? Also, I think you’re seriously overthinking [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Hugo[/name_m] and [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Franklin[/name_m]. No one is going to hear [name_u]Theo[/name_u] [name_m]Hugo[/name_m] (would he ever be called this?) and think of a [name_m]French[/name_m] gay romance film. I would never look at [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Franklin[/name_m] and think “oh, they must wish they were Roosevelts.” Stop googling name combinations. If no one mentions it as a concern on Nameberry, it probably won’t come up in the real world.
Thanks–that’s why I’m asking! I want to make sure there’s nothing I’m missing. Like how my father’s name ended up giving him the initials GAS–wouldn’t want to do that again!
To honor [name_m]Donald[/name_m]/[name_m]Donato[/name_m], you could do [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_u]Donnelly[/name_u].
I come from a family of women who pass down their names, so the [name_u]Ashley[/name_u]/[name_m]Asher[/name_m] connection doesn’t seem weird to me (and since it would be his middle, the connection wouldn’t be obvious to everyone you meet). But if it still makes you uncomfortable, then you shouldn’t do it.
And I agree with other posters that he’s unlikely to be called [name_u]Theo[/name_u] [name_m]Hugo[/name_m]. If you love [name_m]Hugo[/name_m], go for it. I also like [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] [name_m]Franklin[/name_m].
Our girl name is set ([name_f]Sadie[/name_f] [name_f]Ruth[/name_f], for my grandmother, my favorite bible story and which also happens to be DH’s grandmother’s middle name) and we have our hearts set on [name_m]Theodore[/name_m] for a boy, but we’re stumped on a middle name.
I want to make sure there’s nothing I’m missing. Like how my father’s name ended up giving him the initials GAS–wouldn’t want to do that again!