I know you guys all have excellent taste. And since my brain is apparently pregnancy mush I need some guidance. Please help!
We are due in a month and feeling so uninspired this time around with our boy name. We have a 2.5 year old, [name_u]James[/name_u] [name_m]Willis[/name_m] Carraway at home. We had his first name chosen long before we were even pregnant. My husband prefers names with strength and meaning. I also prefer names with strength and meaning but I also like names that have a little more spunk.
He likes:
[name_u]August[/name_u] (We lived on a street with this name when baby was conceived and my husband did research all last year in a school named after another [name_u]August[/name_u]. We were also married in [name_u]August[/name_u].)
[name_u]Ellis[/name_u] (Classic but different enough.)
Besides the two above, no names are speaking to me like they did the first time but this is what else I have on my list:
[name_m]Oliver[/name_m] (We have a cat named [name_f]Olive[/name_f]. it doesn’t seem like a huge issue to me but other people have said its a no because of this. I just don’t think that many people know we have a cat, let alone her name. Also feel like maybe its a little boring?)
[name_u]Hollis[/name_u] (He feels this just falls away when you say it, aka “not strong”.)
[name_m]Jack[/name_m] (I don’t want to use [name_m]Jonathan[/name_m] and don’t love using a nn as a first.)
[name_m]Ford[/name_m]
[name_u]Grey[/name_u]
Oakland (Nn [name_m]Oakes[/name_m]. we have special memories in Oakland Township that seems super appropriate but he worries people will just associate it with Oakland in CA --not something we want.)
[name_m]Hayes[/name_m] (Again sounds “weak on the tongue” to my husband. He vetos.)
[name_m]Truman[/name_m]
[name_m]Felix[/name_m]
[name_m]Davis[/name_m] (Too much “like a comic book character” with our last name which is D–on.)
[name_u]Merritt[/name_u] (I think I really like this but he can’t get into it.)
[name_m]Lincoln[/name_m] (My sister’s dog’s name. [name_f]Deal[/name_f] breaker?)
[name_m]Asher[/name_m] (We have close friends who’s son has this name. We will be moving away from them in a year so I feel like we could get away with it. Although it would be awkward at first.)
[name_m]Conrad[/name_m]
I’m really trying to talk myself into [name_u]August[/name_u] but it’s like I’m numb to it. I think I like it sometimes and other times I just don’t know. What associations do you and your readers put with [name_u]August[/name_u]? Is it up-and-coming? Fuddy-duddy grandpa? I’ve noticed it’s being used more and more by people who’s style I admire so I think that’s why I’m considering it. If I could be talked into this it would be so much easier!
We will again be doing a double middle name. My husband is much more willing to go a little more adventurous in the middle spot (as we did with our first).
Middles we are considering:
Stevens (Family name on my side.)
Wilde/[name_m]Wilder[/name_m] ([name_f]Via[/name_f] [name_m]Oscar[/name_m] Wilde or [name_u]Gene[/name_u] [name_m]Wilder[/name_m]. Both people we admire.)
[name_m]Forster[/name_m] (Another distant family name on my side that I like d/t the loose wilderness feel.)
[name_m]Liam[/name_m] (Our first son’s middle is [name_m]Willis[/name_m] in honor of [name_m]William[/name_m] on my side, [name_m]Liam[/name_m] would complete the “[name_m]William[/name_m]” more-or-less which is kind of a fun thing. We’ve found it hard to use in the middle spot though. It doesn’t seem to flow well.)
[name_m]Rudolph[/name_m] (Family name on my side. We don’t love it but it could work with a funkier second like Wilde.)
Oakland/[name_m]Oakes[/name_m]
The two combos I’m most contemplating at this point (but am open to other suggestions) are:
[name_u]August[/name_u] Stevens [name_m]Wilder[/name_m] D–on
[name_u]Ellis[/name_u] Stevens [name_m]Wilder[/name_m] D–on
I would love some more excitement in the middle (maybe with a different combo?) and I would love to decide on this freaking first name.
What do you guys think? Super long winded. Sorry! We would both greatly appreciate any feedback you have!
Out of [name_u]August[/name_u] and [name_u]Ellis[/name_u] I prefer [name_u]Ellis[/name_u]. I like your meanings surrounding [name_u]August[/name_u] though so maybe it could be included in your middle name combo? I actually recently added [name_m]Augie[/name_m] to my list which is similar to [name_u]August[/name_u] but not so ‘hard’ sounding.
You have a fantastic list. I love [name_u]August[/name_u], [name_m]Conrad[/name_m], and [name_u]Ellis[/name_u] best of all.
With [name_u]James[/name_u] [name_m]Willis[/name_m] Carraway, I think [name_u]August[/name_u] Stevens [name_m]Wilder[/name_m] sounds best. [name_m]Conrad[/name_m] seems a little out there when paired with [name_u]James[/name_u], and [name_u]Ellis[/name_u] is very similar to [name_m]Willis[/name_m], making [name_u]Ellis[/name_u] seem just a little less special.
I love the classic feel of [name_u]August[/name_u], and I love that it’s soft, yet strong. [name_m]Just[/name_m] like [name_u]James[/name_u]. Plus, [name_u]August[/name_u] seems to have lots of meaning for your family. It seems like the perfect choice. Plus, it’s incredibly handsome.
Good luck! With such a lovely list, you really can’t go wrong.
I prefer [name_u]Ellis[/name_u] on a girl. [name_u]Ellis[/name_u] [name_u]Grey[/name_u] comes the popular tv show Greys Anatomy so that may be something you consider.
I love [name_u]August[/name_u] Stevens [name_m]Wilder[/name_m]! Oakland Stevens [name_m]Liam[/name_m] “[name_u]Oak[/name_u]” sounds nice to me as well.
Honestly, I’m not a big fan of [name_u]Ellis[/name_u].
I do really love [name_u]August[/name_u] though. [name_u]August[/name_u] has a strong history of use, but manages to sound fresh to my ear. It is classic, but still manages to be a little exciting. I really only have good things to say about it!
I much prefer [name_u]August[/name_u] over [name_u]Ellis[/name_u], especially with the meaning for you. I also love [name_m]Lincoln[/name_m] but if that is your sisters dogs name it could be a deal breaker (if for example you see your sister at least once a week and her dog is only a puppy) however as it is not your dog and your son would only share the name as a child it could be still usable for you.
[name_m]How[/name_m] about [name_m]Jackson[/name_m] for [name_m]Jack[/name_m]? [name_m]Angus[/name_m] instead of [name_u]August[/name_u] (imo [name_u]James[/name_u] & [name_m]Angus[/name_m] go well together) or [name_m]Augustus[/name_m] as a middle instead of [name_u]August[/name_u] as a first
Overall I say go with [name_u]August[/name_u] and I do love [name_u]August[/name_u] Stevens [name_m]Wilder[/name_m] ([name_u]Ellis[/name_u] is too close to willis and [name_f]Alice[/name_f] for me), other possible combos are:
[name_u]August[/name_u] [name_m]Liam[/name_m] [name_m]Wilder[/name_m] (this flows ok but it may depend on how it sounds with your surname)
[name_u]August[/name_u] [name_u]Grey[/name_u] [name_m]Forrester[/name_m] (for [name_m]Forster[/name_m])
[name_u]August[/name_u] [name_m]Ford[/name_m] [name_m]Lincoln[/name_m]
[name_u]August[/name_u] [name_m]Forrester[/name_m] [name_m]Hayes[/name_m]
[name_u]August[/name_u] Wilde [name_m]Lincoln[/name_m]
[name_u]August[/name_u] [name_m]Liam[/name_m] [name_u]Grey[/name_u]
I know it’s easy to say but try not to stress too much you will find a name! Also sometimes taking a break from thinking about it for 24 hours can help clarify what you like and dislike.
What wonderful responses! Thank you all. I am about 30% more convinced of [name_u]August[/name_u] I think when I think about it less as “[name_u]Gus[/name_u]-[name_u]Gus[/name_u]” from [name_f]Cinderella[/name_f] (when I picture that chuby little mouse saying his name it makes me cringe) and more like the summery month, it does wonders to my view point! Picturing a little boy with a strong, sweet name is what I am going for and I am leaning more and more that way the more positive responses I get. Funny how other people’s opinions matter so much. I never thought I’d care so much!
I love both names, so not much help there. But it sound like you’re trying to talk yourself into [name_u]August[/name_u], but maybe you just love [name_u]Ellis[/name_u] more?
As for your combos, I think [name_m]Wilder[/name_m] sounds better before Stevens. I’d vote for [name_u]Ellis[/name_u] [name_m]Wilder[/name_m] Stevens blank. Good luck!
I think when I think about it less as “[name_u]Gus[/name_u]-[name_u]Gus[/name_u]” from [name_f]Cinderella[/name_f] (when I picture that chuby little mouse saying his name it makes me cringe) and more like the summery month, it does wonders to my view point! Picturing a little boy with a strong, sweet name is what I am going for and I am leaning more and more that way the more positive responses I get. Funny how other people’s opinions matter so much. I never thought I’d care so much!