[name]Revel[/name] was a name that my SO and I immediately agreed upon when we found out I was pregnant. Since then, I have moved on and on through potential names for our son (although it could still be a daughter). I gave up on [name]Revel[/name] several weeks ago because it started to strike me as a strange name. I began to think we were telling people to ‘revel in our child’s glory’ or something, and I didn’t want that to be the message. I personally just really liked the strong consonant sounds and that it is incredibly uncommon as a name, but not weird and out there. [name]Even[/name] though I had given up on this name, my SO still really, really loves it. We have had a tough time agreeing on anything because I like more uncommon and bold names like [name]Atticus[/name], [name]Caspian[/name], [name]Cassius[/name], and [name]Huxley[/name], for example. He tends to be much more simple, common, and traditional. The fact that he really loves [name]Revel[/name], and that it tends to fit my style more than his usual style has caused me to reconsider it.
You Berries are so great with names and really “get” them. You also understand the importance of the right name and seem to know if a name just won’t work.
So, Berries, what is your opinion on [name]Revel[/name] as a name? We’d most likely pair it with something more traditional like [name]Revel[/name] [name]Alexander[/name], [name]Revel[/name] [name]James[/name], or [name]Revel[/name] [name]Joseph[/name].
[name]Even[/name] though I love word names, I wasn’t quite sure what to think of [name]Revel[/name] at first. Now I actually like it. The nn Rev would be adorable.
Here are the pros and cons that I could think of.
Pro: Has a great meaning; extremely unique as a name; has nn option of Rev which reminds me personally of the revving sound of a motorcycle or car though you could also think of Reverend (a pro or a con depending on your worldview).
[name]Con[/name]: Though I know the definition of revel, it’s sound still makes me think of rebel; extremely unique as a name to the point of edgy; people will probably tell you that it’s not really a name since it’s just a word (though I’d argue that most names are “just” words).
Of your combos I like [name]Revel[/name] [name]Alexander[/name]. If you truly love this name and are willing to deal with any of the negatives, then go for it.
I love uncommon names, like most berries, but not [name]Revel[/name]. I think it sounds name-like to you because of similarities to names like [name]Neville[/name] or [name]Percival[/name]. In a strict sense, a revel is a wild gathering, an orgiastic party. It implies losing control. (There is also the nicer sense, that you mentioned, to “revel in” something i.e. take great delight, but the primary sense is the one mentioned).
I will unfortunately have to disagree with your assessment-- [name]Revel[/name] is “weird and out there.” It is not anything like [name]Atticus[/name], [name]Caspian[/name], [name]Cassius[/name], and [name]Huxley[/name]. [name]Nor[/name] is it anything like more commonly used name words like [name]Birch[/name], [name]Justice[/name], [name]Sage[/name] or [name]West[/name], mainly due to this rather negative meaning.
I do think you can coin a new word-name if you choose. A poster recently was considering naming her son Venture, which I thought was wonderful as it implied curiosity, enterprise, adventure, taking chances, etc.
Thanks for the suggestions. The point for me isn’t to “coin a new word-name”. The point is to figure out if I could compromise with my SO on at least one boy name. He loves the name, and I am trying to research whether or not I can get back on board with it.
I love word names, and [name]Revel[/name] sounds cool… But I think you, and then later he, would constantly have people thinking his name is [name]Rebel[/name], you’d have to REALLY pronounce the v every time you introduced him.
You might like [name]Reverie[/name] if you find out you’re having a girl.
I quite like the Old English surname Meriwether. Strictly a mn choice, imo, but it gives some of the same feeling as [name]Revel[/name].
[name]Felix[/name] Meriwether? [name]Maxwell[/name] Meriwether?
I’m not wild about [name]Revel[/name]. At first I saw [name]Ravel[/name], as in the composer. Then I thought of Dionysian revels.
[name]Raphael[/name]
[name]Virgil[/name]
[name]Valery[/name]/[name]Valerio[/name]
[name]Ajax[/name]
Or you know what’s a beautiful word? Mirth. Could be amazing as a middle name with the right first name.
From your list, I like
[name]Caspian[/name] Mirth.
I truly and completely adore [name]Revel[/name] and would use it in a heartbeat…except for the phonetic similarity to “[name]Rebel[/name]” and “[name]Ravel[/name]”. He has a starring role in all my boy combos as a middle name, however!
Honestly, for you and your SO, I would totally use [name]Revel[/name] as a first. You have fantastic reasons for loving it and agreeing so strongly on a name is all too rare. Sure, the kid may have to correct a few people on the pronunciation, but as someone who has a constantly mispronounced first name I can tell you that it’s a minor annoyance that hasn’t scarred me as a human being. And in this age of [name]Maverick[/name], [name]Ryker[/name], and [name]Colt[/name], [name]Revel[/name] is on-trend while also having a depth, resonance, and history that so many similar-sounding names lack. In summary: [name]Revel[/name] is awesome and you should totally use it.
I would choose [name]Felix[/name] most definitely except my good friend named her son that recently AND it’s the name of one of the baby’s uncles
[name]Ajax[/name] is very appealing to me, but I can’t get the idea of the household cleaner out of my mine. [name]Caspian[/name] Mirth is great, but my SO just won’t go for it.
Thanks for the suggestions. These opinions are helpful.
[name]Beckett[/name] is the one name on this list that I like AND could potentially get SO on board with. I just keep thinking it’s going to become too popular in the years to come?
I’m honestly not quite sure what I think of [name]Revel[/name], but I agree that it feels much more out there than the other names you’ve listed. What about Revere? Very similar, but it seems more name-like to me somehow. Maybe because of its familiarity as a surname, mostly because of [name]Paul[/name] Revere. [name]Ransom[/name], which I’ve been liking more and more lately, also comes to mind as a possible alternative.
Maybe it’s just me… but a [name]Revel[/name], is an ice cream treat, you know, the one with a hard chocolate shell, with vanilla ice cream on a Popsicle stick??
I really want to like it as a name… but I love those ice cream things, and for myself, there’s no getting past the association. It would be like naming your daughter [name]Candy[/name] or something like that to me.
I, too, have a name that is often mispronounced. It doesn’t bother me either. I only have to correct it once for someone, and then they know. Not a bid deal at all.
We have 22 more weeks to decide, thankfully. I am really trying to meet my SO halfway with this process, so I want to give his favorites a fair shot. It’s a challenge because I want to choose the name I want, but unfortunately this is a team effort.
Thanks for your thoughts. My guy will love what you have to say about his favorite name choice.
I like [name]Revel[/name]. My friend has a boy named Jovial. I asked her to repeat his name a half-dozen times, literally, the first time I heard it because I was sure I had to be mishearing her. Bit awkward moment when I realized that she was indeed saying Jovial but then I grew to love his name. I think [name]Revel[/name] would get similar reactions.
I like it!
There’s a local family-owned store I frequent called [name]Revel[/name]'s; it’s the first name of the original owner. [name]Even[/name] though it’s close to [name]Rebel[/name] I’ve never heard anyone mispronounce it
Thanks everyone for the feedback. I truly appreciate all of your pro’s and con’s. I will bring them to the table with my SO as we try to make the final decisions. Very helpful, indeed!
