H and I have been planning on naming a future son, [name]Parks[/name] [name]Benjamin[/name], since we were dating. Now that we are 4 weeks from my due date with a boy, I have been reconsidering this big time.
What do you think of the name [name]Parks[/name] [name]Benjamin[/name]?
What would you think if you heard the name [name]Parks[/name] on the playground?
What kind of a boy comes to mind when you think of that name?
It is H’s great-great grandfather’s name, and I liked it from the moment I saw it, but thinking about having a real live child with that name…I just don’t know.
Other names we’ve considered are [name]Levi[/name] [name]Michael[/name] and [name]Benjamin[/name] [name]Michael[/name].
To me, it sounds ultra-preppy/yuppy/maybe with a touch of hipster. But I also agree with pp’s that if it’s a family name and it’s very special to you or your hubby, then go with it anyway.
It does sound like you’re having some real hesitation though now that it’s almost time for baby to arrive so I think it’s great to consider other options too - you don’t want to end up having a re-naming crisis 6 months after he’s born if it can be avoided! I say be sure to say the name out loud a lot for a few days, pretend you’re introducing your son to people, and see how that feels. Saying names out loud can be a lot different than just saying them in your head. Maybe ask a very close friend or family member, whose opinion you really care about, for feedback as well. Good luck!
It IS out there. That’s my hesitation. I mean, I like the flow. I like the significance. But the thought of putting it on an actual child just makes me hesitant.
We have always thought that he can go by P. [name]Benjamin[/name] if he wants to, in the future.
People do love [name]Brooks[/name]. I guess it kinda has that feel, of course much less familiar. It’s cool that it has the family connection, but it sounds made up. Or yes like a nn for [name]Parker[/name]. Maybe it would be better to honor [name]Parks[/name] by [name]Parker[/name] [name]Benjamin[/name], nn [name]Parks[/name]?
On a side note, I do like the flow–my best friend’s son is name [name]Max[/name] [name]Benjamin[/name]. <3
I love the name [name]Brooks[/name], not surprisingly. I really don’t like the name [name]Parker[/name]. We haven’t kept the name (or the fact that we are waffling and considering [name]Levi[/name] [name]Michael[/name] and [name]Benjamin[/name] [name]Michael[/name]) a secret from anybody. We have gotten a lot of reactions. Some positive. His mother and her family hate it, but I don’t really care. The name comes from H’s father’s side, and they never got along anyway. Most people say that they’ll love him, whatever his name is.
My first thought was “and Recreation”, though that may be because I’ve been having a binge on the series recently. My second thought was a nickname for [name]Parker[/name], because a book I read a while ago has a character named [name]Parker[/name] who gets called [name]Parks[/name]. It’s not really my cup of tea, but if it’s meaningful to you, use it. Or what about switching - [name]Benjamin[/name] [name]Parks[/name]? Or [name]Levi[/name] [name]Parks[/name]? That way you get to use the family name without having to worry about whether he’ll like it/it’s too out there/whatever.
If I heard it on the playground, I’d honestly think I misheard it. Some word names sound like they could be names ([name]River[/name], [name]Olive[/name], [name]Sage[/name]) and some, like this one, do not. This is obviously just one stranger’s opinion though!
Honestly, I think I would prefer just [name]Park[/name]. [name]Parks[/name] feels plural and too word-like. Like naming someone Gyms.
I like [name]Park[/name] alright because it’s similar to [name]Mark[/name] or [name]Lark[/name]. It maintains the spirit without being an entirely different name, but is easier to swallow for me.
I like the idea of [name]Benjamin[/name] [name]Parks[/name].
Because it’s a family name, my default is to keep it as-is. But [name]Benjamin[/name] is such a good name. [name]Parks[/name] [name]Benjamin[/name] sounds good too, I just think that if you’re hesitating [name]Benjamin[/name] [name]Parks[/name] is safer.
I am so tempted to instantly nickname him Sparky. But that’s just me.
I like it, I automatically think of it as a nn for Parker. Plus Parks Benjamin flows really well and it is a family name so it holds special meaning. I say go for it. Plus I think it is super sweet you two discussed children/names when dating and chose it. Its all meaningful which out ways the other factors IMO. Plus I am not a fan of the other names. If you are super concerned then I would do Benjamin Parks like @brigid16 suggested so you still have the family name in there.
I think it’s wonderful. I’d imagine [name]Parks[/name] would be a little rascal who’s also a charmer.
I don’t find it at all “out there” but as a Southerner I’m used to unusual surname names.
This is my surname and I never considered it for first name use until now. I’m un-married and am the first of four girls, so once we’re all married our last name ends with us. I love the idea of using it as a first name, its strong, simple and affords creative freedom with middle names and for me, will have a personal connection.
It only sounds weird because its not common. I say do it. He’ll be he only [name]Parks[/name] in his class.