None of these really make me say “thats the one!” A close,long time friend of my husband’s (who lives in another state) used [name_m]Edsel[/name_m] for their son recently and I’m pretty sad about it. [name_m]Can[/name_m] I still use it? It’s been on my list forever and I dont share names, they picked it organically and it’s not a family name for them. [name_u]Elias[/name_u] is probably my #1 so far with the NN [name_u]Eli[/name_u]. This will be a brother for [name_m]Zebediah[/name_m] [name_u]Sterling[/name_u], nn [name_m]Zeb[/name_m]. We’re team green due in a month! Help me with some inspiration please, I feel time is running out. [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] is another middle name I’d really love to incorporate.
Wow, what are the chances of that?! I’d never even heard of [name_m]Edsel[/name_m] until you mentioned it. I do really love [name_u]Elias[/name_u] though, and it’s fantastic with [name_m]Zebediah[/name_m] “[name_m]Zeb[/name_m]”.
I really like [name_u]Elias[/name_u] [name_u]Gabriel[/name_u], [name_m]Oren[/name_m] [name_u]Elias[/name_u] and [name_m]Abram[/name_m] [name_u]Elias[/name_u] for you. [name_m]Edsel[/name_m] [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] is also great but [name_m]Edsel[/name_m] feels like the kind of name I wouldn’t feel comfortable repeating in a family or friendship group, being so unusual.
How about [name_m]Ansel[/name_m]? [name_m]Ansel[/name_m] [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] would be fabulous! [name_u]Or[/name_u] [name_m]Ansel[/name_m] [name_m]Abraham[/name_m], [name_m]Ansel[/name_m] [name_u]Elias[/name_u], [name_m]Ansel[/name_m] [name_u]Flynn[/name_u].
@katinka [name_m]Edsel[/name_m] was [name_m]Henry[/name_m] [name_m]Ford[/name_m]’s son, founder of [name_m]Ford[/name_m] motor company. [name_f]My[/name_f] husband and his friend are car guys, so maybe this is how the coincidence happened? I found [name_m]Edsel[/name_m] looking for [name_m]Edward[/name_m] alternatives to honor a family member and loved the Z sound the S makes when I say [name_m]Edsel[/name_m]. It’s odd to use it because it’s a rare name right? It’d somehow be less awkward if it was [name_m]Jonathan[/name_m] or [name_m]Stephen[/name_m]. Oh,well. [name_m]Ansel[/name_m] is unique!
If you have a close relationship with that friend, [name_m]Edsel[/name_m] probably isn’t the best choice because:
That means you’re close and the kids would see each other.
You might seem like you’re copying them, even though you are not. With a name like, let’s say, [name_u]Oliver[/name_u] this wouldn’t be the case but [name_m]Edsel[/name_m] is rare.
@ethelmary Very valid points and convincing me furthermore to strike it off the list. Bummer! Honestly, I was so excited to hear the news of their second child and then my heart sank when my husband told me the name. I’m not personally very close with them, but still. It’s a long time friend of my husband’s.
@katinka I’m loving [name_m]Ansel[/name_m] the more I say it, but was a little perplexed/disappointed to read the origin of the name or lack thereof I suppose. [name_m]Reading[/name_m] about it, I found it may be related to [name_m]Anselm[/name_m], a medieval Germanic name of uncertain meaning. But, mostly just tied to the artist [name_m]Ansel[/name_m] [name_m]Adams[/name_m] and has no real etymology. I love names with a strong meaning.
I’m going to update the NB entry for [name_m]Ansel[/name_m] because it is from the same root as [name_m]Anselm[/name_m], which is an ancient name with a long history. It derives from Germanic elements ans (god) and helm (helmet, protection). I have never heard of its etymology being unclear.
Ansel is a great suggestion! I’ll add [name_m]Enzo[/name_m] (which also has car ties and that Z sound) or perhaps something like [name_m]Lorenzo[/name_m] nn. [name_m]Enzo[/name_m]. The name [name_m]Ozias[/name_m] (meaning “salvation”) also comes to mind based on your picks. [name_m]Oz[/name_m] or [name_m]Ozzie[/name_m] would be a cute nickname!
Of the choices in the poll, my favorites for you are [name_m]Abram[/name_m] and [name_m]Oren[/name_m]. [name_u]Elias[/name_u] nn. [name_u]Eli[/name_u] is great as well.
LOVE @katinka’s suggestion of [name_m]Ansel[/name_m] [name_u]Valentine[/name_u]. [name_m]Ansel[/name_m] would make a great alternative to [name_m]Edsel[/name_m].
I also do think [name_u]Elias[/name_u] would be a great choice for you, especially with brother [name_m]Zebediah[/name_m]. [name_u]Elias[/name_u] [name_u]Valentine[/name_u]?
Dang that is too bad!! [name_m]Edsel[/name_m] is one of my favorite boy’s names!! I am sorry to hear someone used it right before you. I’m compelled to tell you to go for it, but I understand that it is a more rare name and it probably wouldn’t feel right to also use. I actually love a lot of the names on your list–we must have a similar taste in names. I think [name_u]Elias[/name_u] nn [name_u]Eli[/name_u] is great, but [name_m]Abram[/name_m] [name_u]Elias[/name_u] is really speaking to me! There have been some wonderful suggestions already. Here’s a few more unique names you might like:
Fraser (I do realize the TV connection but it’s still a cool name!)
[name_m]Ambrose[/name_m]
[name_u]Blaise[/name_u]
[name_m]Ulysses[/name_m]
[name_m]Soren[/name_m]
[name_m]Lars[/name_m]
[name_m]Adriel[/name_m]
[name_u]Ezra[/name_u]
[name_m]Leopold[/name_m]
[name_m]Amadeus[/name_m]
[name_m]Ewald[/name_m]
I absolutely adore [name_m]Edsel[/name_m] [name_u]Valentine[/name_u]! If you feel comfortable using it despite your friend I think it’s great. If not [name_m]Edsel[/name_m], I really like [name_m]Abram[/name_m].
@ceryle [name_m]Lorenzo[/name_m] is unique, it gives me dramatic soap opera feelings though for some reason, or maybe a slightly smarmy character vibe? [name_m]Ozias[/name_m] is neat though! Would two Z names be too matchy? [name_m]Ozzy[/name_m] and [name_m]Zeb[/name_m]? Who we petname Zebby, sometimes?
@elanorelle I’m loving [name_m]Ansel[/name_m], too. You think [name_u]Elias[/name_u] [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] flows ok? Our LN is pronounced like Sauna.
@Kittylitter Isn’t [name_m]Edsel[/name_m] so handsome? It has the familiarity of [name_m]Ed[/name_m], but something special with the Z sounding S. Casual,but dignified. I just feel too copy cat using it now. [name_m]Abram[/name_m] [name_u]Elias[/name_u] flows really nicely, I think. I do worry if he became a [name_m]Abe[/name_m], [name_m]Zeb[/name_m] and [name_m]Abe[/name_m] would be too similar. Maybe [name_m]Bram[/name_m] would be a better NN. We,as a family tend to make up lots of nicknames. [name_f]My[/name_f] son has multiple. [name_m]Zeb[/name_m],Zebby,Z,[name_m]Zebedee[/name_m]. [name_m]Fraser[/name_m] is cool! I never watched the show, so doesn’t really bother me. I like the nature vibe a bit, too and it has that Z sounding S that I obviously like. I wish I was brave enough to utilize [name_m]Ulysses[/name_m]! Such a great name. Our LN starts with S, so I’ve nixed that for too many S’s. I like the others, too thank you!
Handsome indeed! I think [name_m]Abe[/name_m] could work but [name_m]Bram[/name_m] also totally works! I have also never seen the show and suggested it for the s/z sound! All the best as you decide!
I do, yes. But…I don’t know how [name_u]Elias[/name_u] would sound with your surname now that you say that – the s sounds might run into each other a bit. Not a deal-breaker, just something to consider.
Elias [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] or [name_m]Ansel[/name_m] [name_u]Valentine[/name_u] would probably be my picks for you. [name_m]Even[/name_m] putting aside the issue with your friend using [name_m]Edsel[/name_m], I personally think [name_m]Zeb[/name_m] and [name_m]Ed[/name_m] are a little close for comfort.
[name_f]My[/name_f] votes for you are [name_u]Elias[/name_u] [name_u]Valentine[/name_u], [name_m]Ansel[/name_m] [name_u]Valentine[/name_u], or [name_m]Fraser[/name_m], as previous posters have mentioned. They are handsome choices! I’m sorry that your long-time favorite [name_m]Edsel[/name_m] feels like a “copycat” name now. I can see the appeal, it’s a great name as well and it’s my first time hearing it!
I’m going to be completely honest, as gutting as it is I don’t think you could realistically get away with using [name_m]Edsel[/name_m], it’s way too unique. It would definitely raise eyebrows, people would assume you copied it no matter what you say, it’s too unusual. I’d never even heard of it until now and I’ve been looking at names for years, what are the chances! [name_m]Abram[/name_m] or [name_u]Elias[/name_u] get my vote!
Oh, criminy. It turns out that my satirical nameberry meme entry (the one about we can’t use these 6 letters because our cousins in Greenland have dogs with these letters in their names) is spot on. Sadly.
There is no way on earth you can steal a name when you have loved it for years.
And when people live in another state? How can that be a problem?
Edsel is a majorly cool name. The world needs more Edsels. And for all we know, your child could go to school with 7 other Edsels anyway.
