S/O’s current #1 pick for our baby boy is Rhett. It does tick all of the boxes we’ve discussed; it’s softer in sound, not overly common, but also not unheard of, it’s got a bit of an 80s vibe thanks to Rhett from Good Mythical Morning (which we’re both fans of), it has a nice meaning, has it’s own initial that stands out from his 7 older cousins (wasn’t a dealbreaker but is a nice bonus) and it works well with the surname, as well as our top choices for middles.
My only reservation with Rhett is that a few times now when I’ve said it out loud to others, it’s been misheard as Brett. I’ve always hated that my own name is constantly needing correcting, so I don’t really want to do that to my own child’s name, but S/O doesn’t think it’ll be as big of an issue as I think it is.
Do you think it’s likely that Rhett will constantly need correcting and be a difficult name to wear because of it, or is it just a simple fix?
I don’t think it will constantly need correcting! At least where I live, [name_u]Rhett[/name_u] would be much more expected on a baby/child than [name_u]Brett[/name_u]. I think most people will hear it correctly.
As a name it is not my taste but i love it for you! I highly doubt the correcting will need to happen much as Rhett is an established name and if people do need correcting, once should do it! I would say go for it
[name_m]Even[/name_m] commonly-used words get misheard so the same applies to names. It is going to happen. [name_u]Rhett[/name_u] and [name_u]Brett[/name_u] do rhyme. You’ll probably have to make the correction occasionally but [name_u]Rhett[/name_u] still seems like a great choice for you it’s so interesting to hear it being used again! I live in a very “country-ish” small town where people occasionally use it for [name_u]Rhett[/name_u] Akins (country singer). It has a cowboy vibe to me and it’s really cool!
I love Rhett!! [name_f]My[/name_f] cousin has a little guy named [name_u]Rhett[/name_u]. And I’ve never misheard it as [name_u]Brett[/name_u] personally, mostly because [name_u]Brett[/name_u] is a name from my generation and I’ve never known a child named that. [name_u]Rhett[/name_u] is far more common than [name_u]Brett[/name_u] in the under 5 set.
I know a [name_u]Rhett[/name_u]! I’ve personally never heard his name confused for [name_u]Brett[/name_u], though I’m sure that could happen. But I made a whole post a few weeks ago about how someone misheard my name (Hazel) for [name_f]Rapunzel[/name_f]. Sometimes I get [name_f]Hailey[/name_f], too. Mishearings are inevitable, no matter the name! If that’s the only thing holding you back from [name_u]Rhett[/name_u], I think you should still go for it!
I think it also helps that there’s really only one spelling of [name_u]Rhett[/name_u]. It’s not a name like, say, [name_f]Katherine[/name_f] that might be spelled 10 different ways and be confusing in that regard!
[name_u]Rhett[/name_u] is such a cool name. Super strong and sturdy, unusual but instantly comfortable to hear. I can’t imagine that mishearings or spellings would make [name_u]Rhett[/name_u] a difficult name to wear… the [name_u]Rhett[/name_u] I know seems totally okay after 18 years thus far as a [name_u]Rhett[/name_u].
I think most names will have this problem and it literally doesn’t matter what you do this will always be a problem, especially if you pick a name to avoid the problem.
I know a five-year-old [name_u]Rhett[/name_u]. I’ve never misheard his name as [name_u]Brett[/name_u] and my kids haven’t either - I’m not sure they know [name_u]Brett[/name_u] as a name! I’m guessing you’ll have to correct a few adults, but not kids around your son’s age.
[name_u]Rhett[/name_u] sounds just right for your little one’s name.
Rhett is great! Seriously smart and cool, and at this point I’d be more surprised to meet a young Brett than a young Rhett so I don’t think that mix up will happen a lot – certainly in his social circle at school and as he grows up.
Rhett inevitably gives me dashing Gone With the Wind vibes, but it’s also a little bit cowboy and a little bit boy-next-door. I think that’s a perfect blend for you Especially with the 80s connection, which I’m personally not familiar with but then that’s not my personal pop culture niche!
I’m excited about Rhett for you actually – I love it more the more I say it (and I liked it a lot already!) I remember ages ago you had Dallas on your list and if I’m being honest I still carry a torch for that one, but Rhett gives me very similar snappy yet easygoing, low key cool, slightly retro vibes.
I think [name_u]Rhett[/name_u] is a great name! I would personally never think of confusing it with [name_u]Brett[/name_u] and nowadays I’d expect [name_u]Rhett[/name_u] more than [name_u]Brett[/name_u]
While I think some correction will be needed now and then, I do think [name_u]Rhett[/name_u] would be a more expected name than [name_u]Brett[/name_u] nowadays. I wouldn’t let this deter you.
Thanks everyone! I’n glad it’s not likely going to be an issue I’m still contemplating it, as there are other names we discussed that I like more, but we’ll see!
I brought Dallas up again to S/O last night as it also ticks all the boxes and has several 80s references (one to a favourite movie of mine, The Outsiders) after reading your comment, and he said he’d think about it He wasn’t keen on the repeated initials with the surname, but he said he likes Dallas itself!
I love Rhett for you. You may have to correct someone once, but they’d get used to it. It should just be a simple fix. Good Mythical Morning is the best and I love to see it mentioned here.
it’s so interesting to hear it being used again! I live in a very “country-ish” small town where people occasionally use it for [name_u]Rhett[/name_u] Akins (country singer). It has a cowboy vibe to me and it’s really cool!
)
But I made a whole post a few weeks ago about how someone misheard my name (Hazel) for [name_f]Rapunzel[/name_f]. 
Sometimes I get [name_f]Hailey[/name_f], too. Mishearings are inevitable, no matter the name! If that’s the only thing holding you back from [name_u]Rhett[/name_u], I think you should still go for it!
Especially with the 80s connection, which I’m personally not familiar with but then that’s not my personal pop culture niche!