No baby on the way but we have been considering some names for quite awhile now and I would love to hear your opinion.
We are looking for a name that we could qualify “contemporary regency” -or something along those lines-, elegant, mysterious, not too heard of, connected to art or literature.
Here is our list:
• [name_m]Zadig[/name_m], a literary name, from Voltaire’s novella. He is a philosopher and traveler of ancient Orient. [name_f]My[/name_f] only fear is about the name being too strange or too foreign. Our favorite combo is [name_m]Zadig[/name_m] [name_m]Ambrose[/name_m].
• [name_m]Aleph[/name_m], appears in the book of [name_m]Paulo[/name_m] Coehlo as a place name. I love that it finishes like the very classic [name_m]Joseph[/name_m]. The meaning is Prince/First.
• [name_m]August[/name_m], more popular, for sure. I love how strong and authentic [name_m]August[/name_m] sounds.
Another name we could consider is [name_m]Felix[/name_m]. [name_f]Beautiful[/name_f] name, joyful, light, almost aerial, but in my opinion not as strong and “remarkable”.
Other middle name options are [name_m]Nils[/name_m], [name_m]Caspian[/name_m], [name_m]Pio[/name_m], [name_m]Rhodes[/name_m], Embrun, [name_m]Desmond[/name_m], [name_m]Basile[/name_m], …
Please, tell me how you would classify our names and what they inspire you.
I’m not familiar with [name_m]Zadig[/name_m]! To be honest, it doesn’t have that kind of elegant, regal or mysterious vibe to me. I do like it – especially because I’m a big fan of the nickname [name_m]Ziggy[/name_m] – I just don’t get a strong vibe from it. I would assume the parents had some ancestry from somewhere outside of Europe, maybe [name_f]Asia[/name_f], but I wouldn’t be able to tell you where. I think it’s a cool, distinct choice with the Z initial and all its fun, contemporary nicknames!
[name_m]Aleph[/name_m] - I really like the sound of this one as well! Again I don’t really get the “contemporary regency” vibe necessarily, it just sounds cool, modern, but pleasantly down-to-earth (because of its similarity to names like [name_m]Alex[/name_m] and Alec). I couldn’t tell you why, but I think the [name_m]Alef[/name_m] spelling has more of that vibe you’re looking for!
[name_m]August[/name_m] - A handsome classic! Maybe a bit too on-trend for what you’re looking for, but other than that it definitely has a bit of a regal feel and noteworthy connections. I’d maybe suggest Augustin(e) to you for a more contemporary regency vibe but I think that may be a bit too long for your taste? Either way, I like [name_m]August[/name_m] for you!
Of the three, I think I like [name_m]Aleph[/name_m] best knowing what you’re looking for!
From your longer list, a lot of them stand out to me as really hitting that slightly fantastical and mysterious but not too-out there vibe! [name_m]Felix[/name_m] definitely does, I think it’s plenty remarkable with its distinct -x ending! And from your middles list, I love [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] & [name_m]Basile[/name_m] for the vibe you’re going for!
[name_m]Zadig[/name_m] - not really familiar with this either, reminds me a lot of maybe a [name_m]French[/name_m] take on a Bible name. I think of [name_m]Zadok[/name_m] from the Bible, and it sort of reminds me of how [name_f]Anna[/name_f] transitioned into Annaïg (which I’m utterly fascinated by). It’s an interesting sound for sure, just seems a little TOO quirky for me as a first name, although I love [name_m]Ambrose[/name_m]. [name_m]Ambrose[/name_m] [name_m]Zadig[/name_m] might be easier?
[name_m]Aleph[/name_m] - love this name, I’ve always liked it since [name_f]Natalie[/name_f] Portman (I think?) used it for her son. It’s also the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet (I believe?) which I think is pretty cool.
[name_m]August[/name_m] - definitely more popular… but I think it suits your kiddos a little better?
[name_m]Felix[/name_m] - also fits with your kiddos, I’m not a huge fan, but I wish I was.
I think [name_m]August[/name_m] [name_m]Desmond[/name_m] or [name_m]Aleph[/name_m] [name_m]Desmond[/name_m] are fun, or [name_m]Aleph[/name_m] [name_m]Caspian[/name_m], [name_m]Aleph[/name_m] [name_m]Rhodes[/name_m], [name_m]Aleph[/name_m] [name_m]Basile[/name_m]? [name_m]August[/name_m] [name_m]Pio[/name_m], [name_m]August[/name_m] [name_m]Nils[/name_m], [name_m]August[/name_m] [name_m]Basile[/name_m] (although this feels too wordy for me), etc.
Not too familiar with Embrun, but it sounds interesting - is it [name_m]French[/name_m]?
[name_m]Zadig[/name_m] is intriguing - zippy, but rugged. I don’t find it too strange
[name_m]Aleph[/name_m] feels familiar but distinctive
[name_m]August[/name_m] is gentle but strong - I like it
[name_m]Felix[/name_m] is lovely - I like that cheerful, bright feel.
I’d consider your names literary and international with a hint of the unexpected.
[name_m]August[/name_m] [name_m]Nils[/name_m] Embrun, [name_m]Zadig[/name_m] [name_m]Ambrose[/name_m] [name_m]Felix[/name_m], and [name_m]Aleph[/name_m] [name_m]Caspian[/name_m] [name_m]Basile[/name_m] would be my fave combos
Zadig really intrigues me! I’m not sure if I’m pronouncing it right in my head though, and since most people probably have not heard the name that might be a frequent issue you guys run into. But if you don’t mind that I actually think it could be a really cool name!
I’m more confident in my ability to pronounce Aleph, not 100% though. I love the simplicity of this name and the meaning is really nice!
The above names would take bravery to use, but just because they are more out there doesn’t mean you can’t use them if you guys both really love them!!
August and Felix are classics but have also become more trendy recently so they’re your “safe” options.
Are you and hubby risk taking, out of the box, don’t care what others think about you people? Or are you guys more likely to seek validation and acceptance from your peers, wanting to fit into social “norms”? There’s no wrong answer but I think the answer to that will tell you the direction to take!
Also love Ambrose and Caspian for first or middles!
It is pronounced “Zah-dig”.
Oops I should have clarified that we live in [name_f]France[/name_f]. We want the name to work in both languages, [name_m]French[/name_m] and [name_f]English[/name_f] (our children have both nationalities), but we don’t want to restrict ourselves too much and rule out “French names”, because we have no idea if we will move back to the US one day.
Thank you! We think the name should only please us and we don’t really care what others think. Our children already have 4 names each and their middle names aren’t common.
Embrun is a [name_m]French[/name_m] name. It’s a beautiful city located in the [name_m]French[/name_m] Alps. It also is a poetic word that means “sea-spray”. [name_f]My[/name_f] husband loves it.
Oh the meaning is beautiful! [name_m]Aleph[/name_m] Embrun or [name_m]August[/name_m] Embrun might be nice… or even [name_m]Felix[/name_m] Embrun, although I don’t know that I’d do [name_m]Zadig[/name_m] Embrun… unless either is much more well used in [name_f]France[/name_f] lol.