Our baby is due VERY soon and although we have picked two excellent first and middle name combos, I am having a last minute wobble.
[name]One[/name] of our options in [name]Henry[/name] [name]Gabriel[/name] (which we both [name]LOVE[/name]) but this morning I was struck by the thought that perhaps it should be [name]Henry[/name] [name]Cy[/name] to honor my Dad. (My Dad is still with us BTW). I don’t love the name [name]Cy[/name] in the way I love [name]Gabriel[/name], (though it is rather cool) but I like it and of course I love the connection and meaning etc. DH thinks it’s an “okay” name but loves my Dad and would be happy to use it. While my Dad doesn’t like his name, I think he’d be really touched to know his grandson was named after him. None of the other grandchildren are. (Some extra info: we are using my maiden name as a second mn so perhaps that covers the honoring thing?)
[name]Gabriel[/name] was chosen for its lovely lyrical sound, its three syllable balance with a two syllable fn and a one syllable last name and because it has literary links for us - the name of one of our favourite authors and the initials H.G. are a little nod to another literary fave. This ties in perfectly with our daughter’s literary-inspired name and initials. Plus it’s a name I have always loved.
But the sentimental pull of my Dad’s name is strong!
I was going to suggest both, but I see you’re using your maiden name as a second middle. I say, save [name]Cy[/name] for your next son. You don’t want your dad’s full name in the middle of your son’s name. Well, maybe you do, but that’s a bit weird. Good luck, I’m sure you’ll pick the perfect choice in the end.
I think [name]Henry[/name] [name]Gabriel[/name] works best. It flows better, it’s the name you both love already, your dad doesn’t like his name anyway and if you put your maiden name in, I think you’re already honouring him. [name]Henry[/name] [name]Gabriel[/name] wins hands down.
Is [name]Cy[/name] short for anything? [name]Henry[/name] [name]Cyrus[/name] or [name]Henry[/name] [name]Cyril[/name] might stand a better chance against [name]Henry[/name] [name]Gabriel[/name], as [name]Cy[/name] just doesn’t feel like a complete name to me.
I think [name]Henry[/name] [name]Gabriel[/name] is lovely and flows beautifully.
I’m not very fond of [name]Henry[/name] [name]Cy[/name] but it’s not terrible.
What about something that includes [name]Cy[/name], like [name]Henry[/name] [name]Cyrus[/name] or [name]Henry[/name] [name]Cyprian[/name] or [name]Henry[/name] [name]Cyrano[/name]?
[name]Henry[/name] [name]Gabriel[/name] is very handsome. Stick with it. Especially since you’re using your maiden name as a middle - that certainly honors your father and his family.
[name]Henry[/name] [name]Cy[/name] sounds incomplete… and like spyro pointed out, with you using your maiden name as a second middle, it would result in your dad’s full name being the middle. Which is just a touch of overkill in terms of honoring. It could also be awkward if any future grandchildren are given just [name]Cy[/name] as a middle… your child would already have the full name, so does that make his name ‘better’ than his cousin’s? Likewise… if your father’s name really is just [name]Cy[/name], and you go with a name that includes [name]Cy[/name], then if [name]Henry[/name] [name]Cyril[/name] or Cyprano has a cousin whose middle name is the original [name]Cy[/name], is [name]Henry[/name]'s middle name less-than? It would definitely depend on your family dynamics.
I think [name]Henry[/name] [name]Gabriel[/name] is fine (actually, I think it’s awesome!) and, since you’re using your maiden name as a second middle, that’s enough for honouring your family. Maybe you could use [name]Cy[/name] as a middle name if you have a second son? I think [name]Henry[/name] [name]Gabriel[/name] is a beautiful combination (so beautiful, in fact, that I may just use it myself!).
Thanks everyone. [name]Cy[/name] is short for [name]Cyril[/name] but my Dad HATES it so I couldn’t possibly use it.
There definitely won’t be any more grandchildren unless I have another baby but I don’t believe in “saving” names for future children who may not exist.
I think I you’re right that having [name]Cy[/name] Surname is overkill, I hadn’t really thought of that as my maiden name is also my daughter’s second mn so it feels more a part of her and me than my Dad if that makes sense.
Thank you Sarahmezz but please don’t use it! LOL With [name]Henry[/name] so popular it’s nice to think my HG might not be one of many
Ooh another [name]Cy[/name]-fancier! I love [name]Cy[/name] too. Wanted to use it as a full name, but it really is more of a nickname.
[name]Henry[/name] [name]Gabriel[/name] and future sibling:
[name]Cynthia[/name] or [name]Cybele[/name],
[name]Cyrus[/name], [name]Cypress[/name], [name]Cyprian[/name], or [name]Cyro[/name]
or (like me) C.Y. initials.
Since your maiden name will be the second middle name, I would keep [name]Henry[/name] [name]Gabriel[/name]. Like others have pointed out, [name]Henry[/name] [name]Cy[/name] MaidenName would have your father’s first and last name in it which does feel like overkill. Since your dad doesn’t like his first name, perhaps you could tell him that your maiden name honors him?
Thanks everyone! We have decided that [name]Cy[/name] would be too much if we also use my maiden name. I’m pretty sure that including my Dad’s family name will make him (and us) really happy. Thanks for holding my hand during my last minute wobble!
As much as I love honoring people that are close to me, I think that [name]Henry[/name] [name]Gabriel[/name] flows better than [name]Henry[/name] [name]Cy[/name]. I also think that if you plan on using your maiden name as a second middle name, using [name]Cy[/name] might be a bit of an overkill (and isn’t using your maiden name honoring your dad as well?). Is there any chance you would consider using your father’s middle name? Or possibly some indirect way of honoring him?
We gave all our children two middle names, one for a saint and one for a family member:
[name]Julian[/name] [name]Luke[/name] [name]Rodney[/name]
[name]Bethany[/name] [name]Ann[/name] [name]Teresa[/name]
[name]Theodore[/name] [name]Matthew[/name] [name]Rodney[/name] (both grandpas have the first name [name]Rodney[/name])
I’m expecting my fourth and plan on:
[name]Penelope[/name] [name]Mary[/name] [name]Therese[/name]
I think you made the right choice with [name]Henry[/name] [name]Gabriel[/name]. If you have another child in the future you could consider including [name]Cy[/name] in another name, such as [name]Cyrus[/name], Cynan, [name]Cynthia[/name] or [name]Cynara[/name]. Best of luck!
