See the results of this poll: Rosie and…
Respondents: 104 (This poll is closed)
- Walden : 14 (13%)
- John : 4 (4%)
- August : 23 (22%)
- Simon : 21 (20%)
- Damian : 4 (4%)
- Clark : 10 (10%)
- Nathaniel : 15 (14%)
- Charles: 13 (13%)
Names that go with [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] the most to me are [name_m]Clark[/name_m], [name_m]John[/name_m], and [name_u]August[/name_u], in the order.
I don’t think [name_m]Walden[/name_m] will be dated, but may be seen as obviously romantic paired with [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f]. I still like it. He could be [name_m]Walden[/name_m] [name_m]Clark[/name_m] Lastname “[name_m]Clark[/name_m]”.
Out of curiosity, where did you get Trueblood? That’s a lot of name, but I think anything goes in the middle.
Thanks! Trueblood is my mother’s maiden name.
My thoughts, in no order:
[name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m] – great name, but it will inevitably get shortened. I would cross this off your list if you do not like [name_m]Nate[/name_m] or [name_m]Nathan[/name_m]. Unless you can come up with a creative nickname you like and will establish from the get-go.
[name_m]Damian[/name_m] – I love this name, and usually can’t stand the ‘evil’ comments. I think it sounds friendly and approachable! However since both [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] and [name_m]Damien[/name_m] are names in horror movies/books, it is something to consider. Whatever you do, I’d advise against [name_m]Damian[/name_m] Trueblood. It is actually kind of cool, but definitely crossing into vampire territory!
Otherwise, I definitely like the idea of using either [name_u]August[/name_u] or Trueblood in the name. [name_m]John[/name_m] Trueblood is handsome.
[name_m]Walden[/name_m] definitely does NOT remind me of [name_u]Aiden[/name_u]/[name_u]Jayden[/name_u]/[name_u]Brayden[/name_u] etc. Doesn’t feel quite as old-fashioned as [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] (like [name_m]Walter[/name_m] would), but I like the nature connection. I do wonder about it getting shortened tho. [name_m]How[/name_m] would you feel if people started calling him [name_u]Wally[/name_u] or [name_m]Waldo[/name_m] or something else?
[name_u]August[/name_u] - I think this can pass without a nickname, but have you considered whether you like [name_u]Gus[/name_u] or [name_m]Augie[/name_m]? I think [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] & [name_u]Gus[/name_u] would be adorable.
As far as matching with [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] “[name_f]Rosie[/name_f]”, I really like them all! I can’t really eliminate any except maybe [name_m]Damian[/name_m]. [name_m]Clark[/name_m], [name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m], [name_m]Charles[/name_m], [name_u]August[/name_u], and [name_m]John[/name_m] have the vintage vibe. [name_m]Walden[/name_m] and [name_u]August[/name_u] both have a nature vibe. And [name_m]Simon[/name_m] & [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] would be super cute together too.
Thanks so much for your reply!
I definitely would NOT pair [name_m]Damian[/name_m] with Trueblood. We’d only use Trueblood if he’s got a really classic first name ([name_m]John[/name_m], [name_m]Charles[/name_m] etc). I’m not sure what middle we’d use with [name_m]Damian[/name_m]; probably something simple like [name_m]Damian[/name_m] [name_u]James[/name_u] or [name_m]Damian[/name_m] [name_u]Noah[/name_u]. I’ll stress about MNs after we’ve finalized the first name 
I do love [name_m]Walter[/name_m], but our last name sounds like “White,” so I nixed it because of the Breaking Bad connection. I originally came across [name_m]Walden[/name_m] because I was looking for a non-[name_m]Walter[/name_m] way to the nn [name_m]Walt[/name_m]. I love nn [name_u]Wally[/name_u] too (for when he’s young), but everyone I’ve run it by goes “[name_u]Wally[/name_u]? Yuck.” No idea why, I think it’d be cute on a chubby-cheeked baby. I feel the same way about [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] - I wouldn’t call her that when she’s older, but it fits her so well at her current age (she’s 2).
I’ve generally been leaning towards “[name_m]Augie[/name_m]” as a nn for [name_u]August[/name_u], but now that you mention it, I think [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] and [name_u]Gus[/name_u] sound even better together.
Definitely lots to think about! I’m due in three months so I’ve got time, but I’ve already spent months pouring over names so I’m getting fairly worn down. It’s a bit frustrating because we had an exact girl name picked out before we even got pregnant ([name_f]Edith[/name_f] [name_u]Austen[/name_u], nn [name_f]Edie[/name_f], and [name_u]Austen[/name_u] because my husband is [name_m]Austin[/name_m]). But of course it’s a boy…
[name_m]Just[/name_m] for fun, I’ll add that I did pause over my daughter’s name because of the [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f]'s [name_u]Baby[/name_u] connection, but I ultimately thought, that movie is before MY time, it’s going to be really old by the time she comes of age. Sure enough, no one has made a reference to it, although she does occasionally get [name_m]Simon[/name_m] & Garfunkel jokes (including when she was one day old in the hospital, and her pediatrician said, “we haven’t had many [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f]'s in our practice. Maybe a [name_u]Sage[/name_u] or a Parsley…” And I thought, “so it begins…”)
I voted for [name_m]Simon[/name_m] because I think it’s such a smart name that happens to be so underused (at least in my area). I do however think [name_m]Walden[/name_m] and [name_m]John[/name_m] are great names and all three of these go well with your daughter’s name.
[name_m]John[/name_m] is a tad plain, but I don’t think it’s used much anymore for babies so it does sound fresh to me. Plus you could always do cool nicknames with it like [name_m]Johnny[/name_m] or JC, JD, etc. I think using a more unexpected middle name will really make it stand out as well.
[name_m]Walden[/name_m] is not exactly my style, but it sounds like you really like it and I can picture a little boy with that name. [name_u]Wally[/name_u] is a cute nickname that could soften it and make it more playful when he’s little too. I wouldn’t lump it into the [name_u]Aidan[/name_u]/[name_u]Jayden[/name_u] trend although it does sound surnamey to me. That’s no necessarily a bad thing, but if it bothers you I wouldn’t force it.
I do happen to love [name_m]Clark[/name_m] as well, but if your last name is short and has heavy sounds I’m not sure it’s the best fit. [name_f]Hope[/name_f] this helps
Very helpful, thank you!
[name_m]WALDEN[/name_m] [name_u]AUGUST[/name_u]: I love this one! [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] and [name_u]Wally[/name_u]!
[name_m]JOHN[/name_m]: too boring for me. [name_m]John[/name_m] [name_f]Doe[/name_f].
[name_u]AUGUST[/name_u]: I love this name and think that [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] and [name_u]Gus[/name_u] would be adorable!
[name_m]SIMON[/name_m] [name_u]AUGUST[/name_u]: I like it.
[name_m]DAMIAN[/name_m]: I rrally like this name too. No negative vibes at all. It’s a different style than [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f], but it’s not so out there really.
[name_m]CLARK[/name_m]: I like this name, but depending on your last name, it might not sound great. But a name like [name_m]Clark[/name_m] [name_m]Kent[/name_m] works 
[name_m]NATHANIEL[/name_m]: I prefer [name_m]Nathan[/name_m], which is a nice name.
[name_m]CHARLES[/name_m] TRUEBLOOD: hmm… [name_m]Charles[/name_m] is ok, but I would vote for something like [name_m]Charles[/name_m] [name_m]Truman[/name_m] or [name_m]Truman[/name_m] [name_m]Charles[/name_m] over Trueblood.
Out of your choices, I think [name_m]Walden[/name_m], [name_m]John[/name_m], [name_u]August[/name_u], and [name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m] match the best with [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f].
Here’s some more insight:
I like the sound of [name_m]Walden[/name_m]. I definitely don’t associate it with all of the -den names that are trendy right now. I don’t even think it will get mistaken as a surname name. I’d probably just assume it was an honour name after someone’s older relative; it has an old timey vintage charm to it.
[name_m]Just[/name_m] personally, I don’t even think of the Bible immediately when I hear [name_m]John[/name_m]. It was such a common name in previous decades that I feel like the association got watered down. It’s not exactly an exclusively biblical name like [name_m]Moses[/name_m] or [name_m]Nehemiah[/name_m]. There are dozens of biblical names that are mainstream nowadays, and I think [name_m]John[/name_m] falls among them. [name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m] is biblical as well, and it’s not perceived as ragingly [name_m]New[/name_m] Testament. [name_m]Just[/name_m] a suggestion, but I think [name_m]John[/name_m] [name_u]August[/name_u] has a nice ring to it.
[name_u]August[/name_u] would be my top choice, but it seems like the popularity of it bothers you. I think [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] and [name_u]August[/name_u] make a stunning sibset. I really wish I had something better to say here, but unfortunately, if the name doesn’t click for you, then there’s no forcing it.
[name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m] is a cute name, but I do think it will probably get shortened to [name_m]Nate[/name_m] at some point. I can’t say for sure though. [name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m] [name_m]Hawthorne[/name_m] always gets referred to by his full name, so I think it’s just a matter of what you as a parent reinforce as far as his name goes. If you call him [name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m], most people will probably follow suit.
Overall, I don’t think I would call any of your choices boring; they all seem like fairly uncommon selections for this day and age, so I think that will make them stand out. I hope this could help you, even if only a little! Good luck!
Thanks so much Vestiges and [name_f]Felicity[/name_f] for your replies.
I don’t know what’s making me hesitate over [name_u]August[/name_u]. It’s a great name, and it’s actually a nod to my husband ([name_m]Austin[/name_m], which derives from [name_m]Augustus[/name_m]/[name_m]Augustine[/name_m]). Speaking of my husband, [name_u]August[/name_u] is his landslide favorite. He actually wants [name_m]Augustus[/name_m], but I think we’d stick to plain [name_u]August[/name_u]. I think my hesitation just is the popularity thing. It’s so funny how it’s way more likely in our neighborhood that there will be other baby [name_u]August[/name_u]'s rather than other [name_m]Jacob[/name_m]'s or [name_m]William[/name_m]'s (or [name_m]John[/name_m]'s).
I’m glad everyone loves [name_m]Walden[/name_m]. We keep the name a secret [name_m]IRL[/name_m], so it’s kind of scary to pick a rare name without getting reactions. We accidentally referred to the baby as “[name_u]Wally[/name_u]” in front of my mother. She doesn’t know what it’s short for (or that it was short for anything), but she HATED it and basically said “please don’t name your child [name_u]Wally[/name_u].” It’s frustrating because this is exactly why we don’t tell names to family beforehand! Although if she thought that was going to be his legal name, maybe that is a reasonable reaction. Either way, I think it is what had me doubting. That and the darn [name_u]Jayden[/name_u] trend!
[name_m]Walden[/name_m]
[name_m]John[/name_m]
[name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m]
[name_m]WALDEN[/name_m]: A great vintage match for [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] This doesn’t seem trendy to me at all, I’d get that out of your head!
[name_m]JOHN[/name_m]: I like the sound of [name_m]John[/name_m], but it seems a bit boring and conservative to me too.
[name_u]AUGUST[/name_u]: I love both [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] & [name_u]August[/name_u] and [name_f]Rosie[/name_f] & [name_u]Gus[/name_u] as siblings, beautiful pair! I also don’t think it’s the end of the world if there happens to be another [name_u]August[/name_u] in his class some day! It still sounds solid and fresh, and I think it would serve him well throughout his life, even if it rises a bit in popularity.
[name_m]SIMON[/name_m]: [name_m]Simon[/name_m] is a personal favourite of mine!
[name_m]DAMIAN[/name_m]: I also like [name_m]Damian[/name_m], but I don’t think it’s the best stylistic match with [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f]. Especially given the other great options on your list
[name_m]CLARK[/name_m]: I’m not actually a big fan of [name_m]Clark[/name_m], but objectively speaking, I don’t think it would sound that great with your last name either. Particularly with another one-syllable middle name - [name_m]Clark[/name_m] [name_u]Finn[/name_u] ‘White’ is really abrupt and choppy. Perhaps something like [name_m]Clark[/name_m] [name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m] ‘White’ could work though.
[name_m]NATHANIEL[/name_m]: I think [name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m] is a nice name and a great match for [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f], but I agree with your concern… Especially since [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f] goes by [name_f]Rosie[/name_f], and you seem to like nicknames in general. If you can’t find a nickname you love for [name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m], it might be best to cross off your list (although I do like [name_m]Nate[/name_m] for what it’s worth).
[name_m]CHARLES[/name_m]: I think it’s important to appreciate the full name just as much as the nickname (like I imagine you do with [name_f]Rosemary[/name_f]/[name_f]Rosie[/name_f] and [name_f]Edith[/name_f]/[name_f]Edie[/name_f]). If you’re not in love with [name_m]Charles[/name_m], it may be best to use in the middle spot or just cross off your list.
Top 3: [name_m]Walden[/name_m], [name_u]August[/name_u], [name_m]Simon[/name_m]
Thank you for your feedback.
I’m really flexible on middle names so we could definitely pair [name_m]Clark[/name_m] with a longer middle.
You are right that I want the name to have a usable nickname. I wish I could think of one for [name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m], because I really like the name. I knew several Nates growing up and they were all really awkward, which is why I’m turned off to it.
I’ve got three months left until my due date, so maybe I’ll spend each day this week calling him a different name and see how it feels.
[name_m]Jonathan[/name_m] [name_m]Walden[/name_m], [name_m]Jonathan[/name_m] [name_m]Walter[/name_m], [name_m]Jonathan[/name_m] [name_m]Charles[/name_m],[name_m]Ward[/name_m], [name_m]Warren[/name_m], [name_m]Windham[/name_m]
[name_m]Walden[/name_m] is a great name. I haven’t heard it before… I might just have to add it to my own list! I’m not a fan of the middle name Trueblood, even if it is a family name (you may as well call him Lestat).
I really like [name_m]Clark[/name_m] as well. It’s a name we’re considering.
I’m a fan of [name_u]August[/name_u], but if you don’t love it then dump it. You have lots of other great names.
I definitely think [name_m]Walden[/name_m] is a wonderful name, whether or not we use it. Hits that sweet spot of people know it, but you don’t often hear it. We visited [name_m]Walden[/name_m]'s Pond shortly before we got pregnant, so that adds another layer of significance for us.
I definitely think [name_m]Walden[/name_m] is a wonderful name, whether or not we use it. Hits that sweet spot of people know it, but you don’t often hear it. We visited [name_m]Walden[/name_m]'s Pond shortly before we got pregnant, so that adds another layer of significance for us.
[name_m]Warren[/name_m] is my DH’s absolute favorite name. I like it, but I nixed it because it’s fairly nickname proof, plus I don’t like that it starts with “War.”
I chose the name [name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m] and it may be a bit of a stretch for you but perhaps the nn [name_m]Niel[/name_m]/ [name_u]Neil[/name_u].