We are tossing around names for our little boy due in February. I am starting to waver from my original favorite [name]Frederick[/name] and have now landed on [name]Nico[/name].
We’re a [name]German[/name]/American bilingual family. [name]Both[/name] my husband and I really like [name]Nico[/name] but feel it’s not substantial enough for a birth certificate. My question is, which way should we go to reach [name]Nico[/name]?
I prefer [name]Nicholas[/name], since it’s a more obvious way. But is it too “blah” and common? My husband ([name]German[/name]) prefers Niklas, but I have an issue with the K and wanting to spell [name]Nico[/name] with a C. I also feel like [name]Niclas[/name] spelled with a C just looks funny. Would English speakers have a tough time grasping the name “Niklas”?
What are your thoughts about the name [name]Nico[/name] in general?
Thanks so much everyone for helping me out! I am having such a tough time with this decision. I am really grateful for everyone’s thoughtful input!
Congratulations on your second baby! [name]Both[/name] [name]Louisa[/name] and [name]Nicholas[/name] happen to be two of my ultra-favorite names!
In deciding between [name]Nico[/name] and [name]Nicholas[/name] for the birth certificate, I would go with [name]Nicholas[/name] for several reasons. (1) With [name]Nicholas[/name], he will have a more full-sounding classic name that is also fun, and yet formal enough for any and all occasions. (2) Throughout his life, he will have more options in what he is called. (3) When people ask if [name]Nico[/name] is a nickname, he might get the impression that others view the name as somehow inadequate or incomplete as a formal name. In which case, he may prefer to be able to say that his full name is [name]Nicholas[/name]. (4) I can see some people mispronouncing [name]Nico[/name] as “[name]Nick[/name]-o” instead of “Neeko.” Some people will probably misspell it ([name]Niko[/name], Neeko, etc.).
While I love the idea of using the [name]German[/name] spelling (my background is [name]German[/name] too), if you plan to remain in the U.S.A., I would use the standard English spelling of [name]Nicholas[/name] instead of [name]Niclas[/name]. No one will expect it to be spelled [name]Niclas[/name], so everyone will need to have it spelled out or it will be misspelled. With the name [name]Niclas[/name], he would probably get questioned frequently about the spelling AND pronunciation – with people wondering if “[name]Niclas[/name]” is misspelled and asking if it’s pronounced “Nicluss” or “Niclaus,” etc. It just seems like it could be a lifelong headache for him.
I also think that [name]Louisa[/name] and [name]Nicholas[/name] make for a perfect sibset - if that matters to you at all.
[name]Nico[/name] is a great choice. It’s very fashionable in Germany but much less well-known here. It will pair well with a heavy Germanic surname. I like [name]Nico[/name] as a shorthand for [name]Dominic[/name], personally.
I really like [name]Nico[/name] on it’s own as well. I am also struggling with whether to use a nickname as the full name, and everwaiteing’s comments about him feeling that his name is inadequate or perhaps wishing for a fuller name make sense. However, I also think that nicknames are used much more commonly these days so it may not be an issue.
Have you considered [name]Nicolai[/name]? It’s not [name]German[/name], but I really like it as a way to get to [name]Nico[/name].
You could spell it [name]Nicolas[/name] - that way [name]Nico[/name] is explicitly right there in the name. While this spelling is not exactly [name]German[/name], it does give off a more continental flair to me.
I prefer [name]Nicholas[/name] but I don’t think anybody over here will have a hard time pronouncing Niklas but would probably assume you misspelled [name]Nicholas[/name]. I actually really love [name]Nico[/name] on its own.
[name]Nicholas[/name] is a strong, handsome and timeless classic like [name]Louisa[/name]'s name so it gets my vote. I also like the exotic Russian name of [name]Nikolai[/name] and the spunky [name]Nico[/name] but I think [name]Nicholas[/name] is the best “fit” with [name]Louisa[/name].
I like [name]Nico[/name] as a nick name. My favorite form of [name]Nicolas[/name] is [name]Nikolai[/name] ([name]Nicolai[/name] can work too), very cool. I don’t think English speakers would have any problem with Niklas, if your in [name]America[/name] some people will probably think it looks made up, but they’ll probably get the pronunciation right. I pronounce it nik-luss, is that right? He will have to get used to spelling his name out for everything though, that could be a pain, or not depending on who you are. I’m not a fan of [name]Nicolas[/name], the other form are more interesting but if ya’ll plan on living in the US for a long time I might consider using it. Can’t you still spell [name]Nico[/name] with a “c” even though his name is Niklas? Like how [name]Catherine[/name] is nn [name]Kate[/name]. If you don’t mind me asking, what are your issues with the “k”?
Thanks everyone for your feedback! I’m happy to hear positive comments about [name]Nico[/name].
amandaberry: You asked why I don’t like the K. I guess I just don’t like the idea of spelling [name]Nico[/name] with a C but not having a C in the proper name. I never thought about the [name]Kate[/name]/[name]Catherine[/name] connection though! Niklas in [name]German[/name] is usually spelled with a K, so if we did choose that name, I’d rather go the traditional route.
dantea: I worry also that people in the US will think that we invented our own name or own creative spelling if we go with Niklas, even though Niklas is an actual [name]German[/name] name! We live in Germany right now but do plan on moving back to the US in the next few years. It’s definitely food for thought!
I still don’t know where we stand right now, but your feedback is very helpful! Right now I think I prefer [name]Nicholas[/name] (nickname [name]Nico[/name]), but who knows how I’ll feel next week. Fortunately (or unfortunately?!) I still have 20 weeks until my due date so I have some time. Thanks again to everyone!
Thanks again to everyone!