We’re having an issue naming our son in that we’re trying to honor my SO’s grandfather, who was extremely important to him and a great guy. SO wants to use his grandfather’s exact name, which I understand. The problem is, his grandfather was named [name_m]Lester[/name_m]. It’s dreadful, but it’s also non-negotiable.
The name is too teaseable for him to actually be called [name_m]Lester[/name_m], so we’d agreed to put it in the MN spot. Problem #2: the flow of most names is horrible with [name_m]Lester[/name_m] as a MN. LN is one syllable and starts with B (for the purposes of this post, let’s call it “[name_u]Bell[/name_u]”).
From what I can gather, we have 3 options to solve the flow issue: Option 1: Switch [name_m]Lester[/name_m] to the FN spot but call him exclusively by the MN, i.e. [name_m]Winston[/name_m] [name_m]Lester[/name_m] [name_u]Bell[/name_u] becomes [name_m]Lester[/name_m] [name_m]Winston[/name_m] [name_u]Bell[/name_u], called [name_m]Winston[/name_m]. So he’d be L. [name_m]Winston[/name_m] [name_u]Bell[/name_u] on resumes and paperwork, but I worry about things like roll call, doctor’s offices, etc. Option 2: [name_m]Add[/name_m] a second MN either before or after [name_m]Lester[/name_m], whichever works better. Either my maiden name or SO’s FN or MN, most likely. Option 3: Pick the name we like the best and ignore the flow completely, because how often do you say someone’s FN and MN together anyway?
Our FN choices at this point are down to [name_m]Martin[/name_m], [name_m]Edmond[/name_m], [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m], [name_m]Winston[/name_m], [name_u]Teagan[/name_u], and [name_m]Absalom[/name_m] - if that helps.
So, WWNBD - what would Nameberry do? All opinions are welcome, keeping in mind that [name_m]Lester[/name_m] will not change. It’s going to be in the combo somewhere, we just need to decide the best place for it. And I could really use some help! [name_f]TIA[/name_f]
I am leaning toward option three.
[name_m]Martin[/name_m] [name_m]Lester[/name_m] and [name_m]Winston[/name_m] [name_m]Lester[/name_m] don’t sound bad in my opinion.
The only one with serious flow issues, in my opinion at least, is [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m]. All others go fine with [name_m]Lester[/name_m] as a mn. I especially love [name_m]Edmond[/name_m] [name_m]Lester[/name_m].
Option 3 and you are absolutely right - we hardly ever say someone’s FN and MN together anyway. The important focus has to be that the FN and LN sound really great together.
I don’t think [name_m]Winston[/name_m] [name_m]Lester[/name_m] [name_u]Bell[/name_u] has a bad flow. [name_m]Martin[/name_m] and [name_u]Teagan[/name_u] I think would work fine with [name_m]Lester[/name_m] aswell. Adding a second middle name would be fine too, if you don’t like [name_m]Lester[/name_m] as the only middle name.
Personally I would go with option 2 as I’m the kind of person who uses fn and mn regularly, but if you don’t anticipate doing that then go ahead with option number 3. My favorites from your list are [name_m]Martin[/name_m], [name_m]Shepard[/name_m] and [name_m]Winston[/name_m].
Ignore the flow and put [name_m]Lester[/name_m] in the middle.
I don’t think it’s sounds horrible with any of your favorites. [name_m]Martin[/name_m], [name_m]Edmond[/name_m], [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m], and [name_u]Teagan[/name_u] probably sound the best. With [name_m]Winston[/name_m] it’s the ss in the middle that trip me up with [name_m]Winston[/name_m] [name_m]Lester[/name_m].
I’d just use whatever first name you love and stop worrying about flow. I guess using a second middle name could help that but I feel like its unnecessary. You want to honor [name_m]Lester[/name_m] and not just try to cover it up. In any case I hope this helps!
[name_m]Winston[/name_m] [name_m]Lester[/name_m] flows just fine to me, I think its lovely I also like it with [name_m]Edmund[/name_m]. Option 1 is needlessly confusing to me, I would definitely suggest naming your child what you want to call him.
I know that you said [name_m]Lester[/name_m] is non-negotiable, but is it possible to honor him with his middle name instead (I’m hoping here that it is an improvement over [name_m]Lester[/name_m])? Or a name with a similar meaning if possible? I actually call my daughter by her full name fairly frequently and it would be tough to say a name you don’t adore, let alone put it on your little lad’s birth certificate! [name_m]Just[/name_m] trying to think of other solutions, but I completely understand if none of those options work for you. Good luck!
Isn’t anything an improvement over [name_m]Lester[/name_m]?
I suggested using his MN (it’s either [name_u]Ray[/name_u] or [name_u]Roy[/name_u]…) instead but to SO that’s not as special, which I get. I’m the same way - if I’m going to use an honor name I’d rather use the person’s FN than their MN or a roundabout name that’s vaguely connected somehow.
I do think this is part of the reason I feel so much pressure to find the perfect FN, because baby boy’s MN is so nms and I was/am head over heels for our girl name choice. I just want him to have a name he can be proud of in 18 or 30 or 60 years and not be embarrassed by it or have to explain it to everyone he meets. But I’m glad to hear most think that there’s either not a flow issue with most of our choices or that flow isn’t that crucial to the name. I think I’m just overthinking it at this point.
I don’t actually have a problem with the flow of any of these names. I think [name_m]Edmond[/name_m] [name_m]Lester[/name_m] or [name_m]Winston[/name_m] [name_m]Lester[/name_m] are my favorite. [name_f]Do[/name_f] you know how little my first, middle, and last name are said together. I’ll give you a hint–NEVER. I think flow is important, however, not when it comes to honoring someone.
I wouldn’t put [name_m]Lester[/name_m] in the first spot, because he will always be correcting people. You could add a second middle, but I don’t see the need to.
My personal rule: Family always trumps flow.
It’s not completely terrible and most people will never hear his full name anyway. Put [name_m]Lester[/name_m] in the middle!
My brother has two middle names, one of which is named after his father and grandfather. As he has grown up, he has discreetly dropped the second middle and generally just uses the first middle, which is the perfectly serviceable [name_u]James[/name_u]. He still knows in his heart that he bears a family name and should he ever have a son he fully intends to keep the tradition, much to his wife’s dismay. So maybe going that route would allow you to satisfy both honour and style.
The name is [name_m]Garfield[/name_m], which is possibly even worse than [name_m]Lester[/name_m].
I also like it with [name_m]Edmund[/name_m]. Option 1 is needlessly confusing to me, I would definitely suggest naming your child what you want to call him.