[name]Hi[/name] berries. I’m 18 weeks pregnant, and I have my anatomy scan on Thursday! I’m excited, but super anxious. Part of the anxiety revolves around possibly naming a boy. I’m not 100% happy with our top boy names, and I feel like I’ve went through every name in the book. DH is very traditional when it comes to naming. I’m not as much, so it’s hard for us to find names that we both like. In fact, there is only one boy name that we both like right now - [name]Barrett[/name] (nn [name]Bear[/name]). There are things I really love about [name]Barrett[/name] (strong sound, cute nn, good meaning, “manly”), but what bothers me about it is the surname aspect. There are no [name]Barrett[/name] in our families, so I feel a little strange about using a surname that doesn’t have family ties. I guess I’m looking for fresh ideas that I can throw at DH. Ideally, I’d like to have 3 strong contenders. Of course, this baby could be a girl, and this will all be a waste of time.
Background - Our DD is [name]Gwyneth[/name] [name]Susannah[/name]. If this baby is a boy, the middle name will be [name]Garland[/name] (family name). Our last name is one syllable, and starts with an “H”.
Names that I like, so you can sort of get a handle on my style. Note: I don’t think I’m really needing opinions on these names. DH doesn’t like them, so they are pretty much out of the running.
[name]Harrison[/name]
[name]Leland[/name]
[name]Truman[/name]
[name]Leo[/name] - getting too popular?
[name]Byron[/name] - too serious?
[name]Leopold[/name] - too fussy?
[name]Abram[/name]
[name]Abner[/name] - too old man/hick?
[name]Lionel[/name]
[name]Samson[/name]
[name]Linden[/name] - I really like trees
[name]Stellan[/name]
[name]Anders[/name]
I, for one, think [name]Barrett[/name] [name]Garland[/name] is a handsome name, and it’s a natural fit for a sister with two classic but unusual names. The nickname of [name]Bear[/name] is very sweet.
You shouldn’t worry much about ‘appropriating’ surnames. So, so many given names in frequent use originated as someone’s surname or descriptor. Unless they’re obvious, current meaning words, the actual meaning of the name is pretty far removed from most people’s associations. For example, if you name your kid [name]Rory[/name] does he have to have red hair? Can [name]Eloise[/name] ever get sick; can [name]Claudia[/name] walk? Etc. The -ett ending is relatively popular now for boys’ names ([name]Everett[/name], [name]Rhett[/name], [name]Garrett[/name], [name]Bennett[/name], etc) so it won’t strike people as especially surnamey.
Your husband’s taste is more traditional than yours, which is often the case. A few thoughts-- I would stay away from tree or other botanical names with a middle name of [name]Garland[/name] (which, as you know, is a wreath of flowers). Many of your choices, with the exception of [name]Harrison[/name], are ‘antique’ names which are in the process of being revived. Your husband might still think they have a fusty image, whereas you see them in a fresher light.
Possible suggestions (though again, I like [name]Barrett[/name] [name]Garland[/name] nn [name]Bear[/name]):
I think [name]Barrett[/name] is great with [name]Gwyneth[/name]. I really love [name]Leo[/name] and [name]Truman[/name] from your list as well. I also am not a huge fan of surnames, but surprise, surprise, I have a [name]Bennett[/name] with no Benetts in my family.
[name]Harrison[/name] - like
[name]Leland[/name] - not sure, bt goes will w/ gwyneth
[name]Truman[/name] - maybe a little to serious for a baby
[name]Leo[/name] - very cute, but i don’t think it goes w/ gwyneth
[name]Byron[/name] - love and its perfect with gwyneth
[name]Leopold[/name] - don’t like, yes too fussy
[name]Abram[/name] - like
[name]Abner[/name] - though a bit old sounding, could be REALLY cute on a baby especially with a sister with a rather unique name as well
[name]Lionel[/name] - love love love
[name]Samson[/name] - like
[name]Linden[/name] - not so much for a boy
[name]Stellan[/name] - a male version of stella maybe not such a good idea now that stella is popular
[name]Anders[/name] - like
I really like [name]Barrett[/name] [name]Garland[/name]! It’s great with [name]Gwyneth[/name].
I also love [name]Stellan[/name] and [name]Byron[/name], but they don’t sound nice with mn.
[name]Just[/name] a quick update - the ultrasound revealed that we are indeed having a little boy! So I’m applauding my instincts. Thanks for your help! I have some new ideas to present to the hubby. [name]Grant[/name], [name]Desmond[/name], [name]Ezra[/name], and [name]Everett[/name] are appealing.
