Thank you so much for all your imput!!!
I am revising my list. I think that you made some great points
Keeping:
[name]Abraham[/name] ([name]Abe[/name]), -to me, this name is as solid as [name]Benjamin[/name] with the nn [name]Ben[/name]. [name]LOVE[/name] IT!!
[name]Amos[/name], - still like despite [name]Amos[/name] 'n [name]Andy[/name], cookies
[name]Cedric[/name] - I also thought of the “Entertainer” but to me, it has the same feel that [name]Eric[/name], but in an British way. Also reminds me of the kid killed in the [name]Harry[/name] [name]Potter[/name] series. Hopefully thats the association it will have in the future?
[name]Clarence[/name] (mn only),- Its a family name. I have a great grandfather [name]Martin[/name] [name]Clarence[/name] and have only recently begun to appreciate it. Worried that it might be too “sissy” but am still considering it with the right fn
[name]Dashiell[/name] ([name]Dash[/name]), - [name]Love[/name] it, but had NO idea is was becoming popular?!? When did this happen???
[name]Boone[/name] (mn only),- still think it could give a bland name a cool feeling when used as a nn
[name]Homer[/name] (love it!), - I know of the association with [name]Simpson[/name], but, BUT… is it possible that people could begin to associate it as a ball player, OR in a literary sense? [name]Homer[/name] [name]Williams[/name]… I can see him as studious and in the library, or out on the ballfield
[name]Finnegan[/name] ([name]Finn[/name]),- I must have missed it when [name]Finnegan[/name] became popular. I [name]LOVE[/name] the name!! More every time I say it!! Its a FUN name. I love [name]Finn[/name] too. It could be celtic, nordic, or the perfect name for a Pisces. [name]How[/name] popular are we talking?
[name]Johannes[/name] ([name]Johan[/name] or [name]Hans[/name]), I was on a Nordic trick when I landed this name. [name]Johan[/name] and [name]Finn[/name]. [name]Finnegan[/name] and [name]Johannes[/name], [name]Hans[/name] and [name]Finn[/name]?? yes? no?
[name]Leonardo[/name] ([name]Leo[/name]), - I am an architect/historian and yes, this would be a nod to Da [name]Vinci[/name]. Has it become too popular?
[name]Raphael[/name] ([name]Ralph[/name]), Curious. Is [name]Rafe[/name] prounounced [name]Raff[/name] or Raef? I think it has revival potential
[name]Moses[/name] ([name]Mose[/name]), I have always liked the name [name]Elijah[/name], nn [name]Eli[/name]. [name]Moses[/name] is my answer to [name]Elijah[/name]'s soar to popularity.
[name]Hugo[/name] (mn only), Still a mn option
[name]Jacques[/name] (mn only), What can I say? I like saying French names
[name]Murray[/name], - I thought that it would be judged more harshly because [name]Linda[/name] and [name]Pam[/name] said, "Has become almost a joke name, more often given to dogs than babies these days, but it sounds cute – a la [name]Sydney[/name] – when used for girls. " REALLLY?? I think its like [name]Murphy[/name], but fresher!? Can it still be used as a boy’s name?
[name]Sinclair[/name] (mn only), - Despite it sounding somewhat girly, I [name]LOVE[/name] this name. I love the flow of it and the accent on the last syllable, as a middle name.
[name]Gulliver[/name], - [name]Will[/name] he be teased as being Gullible?? It was my reaction to [name]Oliver[/name]
[name]Sullivan[/name] (has nice rhythm to it),- this one is staying for sure. It has personal meaning to my husband and I. [name]Sullivan[/name] and [name]Finnegan[/name] have a nice ring to them
[name]Wolfgang[/name] (love the nn [name]Wolf[/name])- ok, maybe the gang part makes it a little extreme, but [name]Wolf[/name] as a nn is fun. My son isnt going to become a biker is he?
[name]Oliver[/name] (must be paired with something interesting to make up for its commonality), - paired with something unique I still really like this one, despite its popularity. Also love it as a nn.
[name]Soloman[/name]- goes so well with [name]Abraham[/name]
[name]Murphy[/name]- Still love it!!
[name]Say[/name] goodbye to::
[name]Tennessee[/name] - Eliminating. I like the name, but agree that I can’t do it with the last name [name]Williams[/name].
[name]Donatello[/name] ([name]Donnie[/name]), - I didnt make the Versace reference. Good-bye!
[name]Dante[/name] (but don’t want to sound too Italian), - on second thought, sounds like [name]Drake[/name], [name]Brock[/name] and other soap opera bad boy names. Gone.
[name]Merlin[/name] ([name]Merle[/name]), - You are right, [name]Merle[/name] is a Girl.
[name]Neville[/name] ([name]Nev[/name]),- Its kind of a wimpy name now that I think about it.
[name]Peregrin[/name] ([name]Pippin[/name]), Ok. didnt make the musical reference. [name]Don[/name]'t love it as much anymore.
Rudolphe- yup, even with the E he has a red nose.
[name]Vincent[/name] ([name]Vinny[/name], but dont want an Italian sounding name, [name]VINCE[/name]),- [name]Vinny[/name] always sounded Italian mafia to me. [name]Just[/name] checked and it was #120 last year!! Really?? Now I am on the fence with this one.
[name]Sawyer[/name]- Didnt know it was so trendy