We’re expecting our second in [name_u]December[/name_u], and have found out that we’re having a boy!
We love names that are unusual but not completely made up or modern, and are drawn to names with a family tie (seems to make an uncommon choice feel less ‘try hard’!)
Looking in our family history, my husband has discovered a great uncle Birdwood! And we kind of love it but are unsure if it’s too much for a first name, or how it comes across to others?
[name_u]Honest[/name_u] opinions please! Birdwood, yay or nay?!
Birdwood is intriguing and I do like the boldness of it, but for me, it feels a bit awkward as first name. I’m just not sure I’d like to have it as a name.
As a middle, however, I think it would be fun and a great family tie!
Alternatively, I think it would be fun to have a name that means ‘bird wood’, like [name_u]Peregrine[/name_u] [name_m]Silas[/name_m], [name_u]Robin[/name_u] [name_u]Sylvester[/name_u], [name_m]Rook[/name_m] [name_m]Sylvan[/name_m] etc.
It’s too much for a first name, but I love [name_m]Elwood[/name_m]! I think that would be a more wearable alternative, while still honoring an Uncle Birdwood.
Also no first (@Greyblue I’m in love with [name_m]Rook[/name_m] [name_m]Sylvan[/name_m] though) but a favorite alternative of mine would be [name_m]Linwood[/name_m]!
You could also save [name_f]Birdie[/name_f] as a middle for a potential future girl?
[name_u]Or[/name_u] for this baby, you could go with [name_u]Raven[/name_u], [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u] or [name_m]Talon[/name_m].
I think it’s too strongly a noun because it’s two nouns smooshed together - ie Birdwood could be like, “have you got the bird wood, the dog food, and the fish rocks?”.
I would use as a middle as it is quite charming, or else break it up and use something honouring “bird” or “wood”.
Linwood is a great name that I haven’t come across so far! Thanks for the suggestion!
Funnily enough Birdie was on my list when I had my daughter but felt like it might be too playful to age well on an adult - one of the appeals of Birdwood for our baby boy would be calling him Birdie as a nn!
[name_u]Peregrine[/name_u] is my absolute favourite name but I love it on a girl more than a boy (not traditional I know!) and I even have a cat named it!
I think it’s a bit much as a first name a little to much of a noun however as a middle name I think the name works. Also fab name to find in a family tree! Do you like Elwood? Fab suggestion! Also would still carry that style of name forward honouring the family tree. I also think Woodrow could be more workable.
Just wanted to add it’s definitely not laughable I think the comment is a little harsh it’s nice to carry on rare family gems and I understand the desire to use it. I would say as a middle name it would be very cool.
Thank you for this! Family means everything to us so keeping some of our quirks alive is always a bonus but we don’t want to burden him with ‘too much’!
Taking on board everyone’s comments I think we will definitely incorporate it as a middle name with the option of calling him [name_f]Birdie[/name_f] as a nn if it fits him (our daughter is usually referred to as ‘Bug’ so it fits )
maybe for a sibset!
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