Request for guidance, please . . . .

Boy Names
1

Dear fellow naming geeks,

We are expecting a third baby (gender unknown as is our [name_u]MO[/name_u] with babies) this winter and struggling as ever with male baby names. Our daughters are [name_f]Cora[/name_f] [name_f]Ophelia[/name_f] (2000) and [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] [name_m]Alexander[/name_m] (2006). My husband and I both tend to like a bit of whimsy and uniqueness with female names and have come to a consensus on several possible female names early for this pregnancy as we have in the past. But, for male offspring, we are less productive. I tend to like more unique, but traditional names while my husband is of the [name_m]John[/name_m] and [name_m]William[/name_m] sort. While, I do find those names to be lovely, they just don’t have the unique quality I am seeking. My husband and I have always enjoyed the process of naming and want to continue with this wonderful tradition in our partnership.

Here are a few possibilities that my husband will consider . . . . our surname is clearly Scotch Irish but not a McName.

MacCleod (possibly call him [name_m]Mac[/name_m] - family surname)
[name_m]Lincoln[/name_m] (this was a top contender for the 2006 baby had she been male, lost a dear friend that year with the same name at the age of 96 that year, but am concerned about the recent popularity with the film)
[name_m]French[/name_m] (the first name of my husband’s grandfather, born 1890s - though my husband has been saying recently that perhaps he can only consider this as a middle name)

Possible middle names include Keeney, [name_m]Harris[/name_m], and [name_u]Howard[/name_u] - all have familial significance, but we have not exhausted all the possibilities at this time.

Any thoughts or feedback on the above names or suggestions would be much appreciated!

Thanks, [name_f]Hallie[/name_f]

2

I like MacCleod, and calling him [name_m]Mac[/name_m]. It’s a sweet name, plus the family surname would be great to honor.

3

I love MacCleod, but perhaps w/a 3 syllable middle name like MacCleod [name_m]Harrison[/name_m], [name_u]Jameson[/name_u] or [name_m]Jonathan[/name_m].

4

I think [name_m]Lincoln[/name_m] goes well with your sib-set, and I really think it won’t get too popular. It’s too good a name to pass up : ) MNs:

[name_m]Ignatius[/name_m]
[name_m]Sebastian[/name_m]
[name_m]Dominic[/name_m]
[name_m]Charles[/name_m]
[name_m]Theodore[/name_m]
[name_m]Xavier[/name_m]
[name_m]Thaddeus[/name_m]
[name_m]Peregrine[/name_m]
[name_m]Jasper[/name_m]
[name_m]Oliver[/name_m]
[name_m]Zane[/name_m]
[name_m]Vincent[/name_m]
[name_m]Matthias[/name_m]

5

The best “fit” is definitely [name_m]Lincoln[/name_m], and I don’t think the name is going to get more than a small surge of popularity in the real world, about the same as the increase in popularity of [name_f]Cora[/name_f] and [name_f]Matilda[/name_f]. I think MacCleod is a cool name for a boy, but doesn’t fit in as well. I’m not crazy about [name_m]French[/name_m] as a first name. I think [name_m]Lincoln[/name_m] [name_m]Harris[/name_m] is a good combo.

6

I vote [name_m]Lincoln[/name_m], it’s so handsome! It works amazingly well in your sibset.

7

I think [name_m]Lincoln[/name_m] fits with the sib-set.

8

MacLeod or [name_m]Lincoln[/name_m] sounds good, [name_m]French[/name_m] is too much.

[name_f]Cora[/name_f], [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] and MacLeod
[name_f]Cora[/name_f], [name_f]Matilda[/name_f] and [name_m]Lincoln[/name_m]

MacLeod’s definitely more unusual, but I kinda like it. It’s a bold choice, and I love the nn [name_m]Mac[/name_m].
[name_f]Cora[/name_f], [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], and [name_m]Mac[/name_m]

9

I agree [name_m]Lincoln[/name_m] works well with your 2 girls. i do also like MacLeod. its my best friends surname & she is very proud of it.

i have also recently started taking more of an interest in [name_u]Howard[/name_u]! i love the nn [name_m]Howie[/name_m] on a little boy & i havent heard of ANYone using it lately!! it goes beautifully with your girls names too.

10

Thanks friends for all the feedback! This is great! I am especially interested that you do not think [name_m]Lincoln[/name_m] will become popular. My mother likes [name_u]Howard[/name_u] as a first as well, but I am just not sure.

Laughing at the description of MacCleod as a “bold choice” - my dearest friend from high school and I were talking about bold boy names last week and she was saying that those little boys with the boldest names (she is a pediatrician and sure sees a lot of them) are always the most awkward. This characterization gives me reservations.

Thanks again and keep 'em coming!

11

With [name_f]Cora[/name_f] and [name_f]Matilda[/name_f], how about:

[name_m]Gilbert[/name_m]
[name_m]Ernest[/name_m]
[name_u]Cal[/name_u]
[name_m]Conrad[/name_m]
[name_m]William[/name_m]
[name_m]Henry[/name_m]
[name_m]Ike[/name_m]
[name_m]Frederick[/name_m]
[name_m]Edward[/name_m]

12

I think [name_m]Lincoln[/name_m] definitely works (it’s nms personally but to each their own!). I also agree that any uptick in the naming of baby Lincolns will be small-- the percentage increase may be high, but the overall number will be small.

13

also just thought of [name_m]Malcolm[/name_m]? has a similar feel to [name_m]Lincoln[/name_m]

14

Laughing “boyandgirl” - My husband really likes [name_m]William[/name_m] and [name_m]Henry[/name_m]. I do as well, I just find them a bit too plain. His ultimate favorite is [name_m]John[/name_m]. We actually would have named out 2000 baby [name_m]Henry[/name_m] had she been male, but it seems there are just so many at the playground in recent years . . . .

[name_m]Malcolm[/name_m] is lovely too.

Thanks for your thoughts collmcc523 - I hope that you are correct!

15

[name_m]Lincoln[/name_m] gets my vote. MacCleod is too outlandish and [name_m]French[/name_m] doesn’t go well with your sibset (and it isn’t my style at all.).