Should They Stay or Should They Go? 🌈 [boys]

seawillow · December 29, 2024, 12:46am

Hello, friends!

[name_f][/name_f]

I’ve been struggling with my lists recently as I’ve been liking more and more “normal” names, and I’d love some guidance regarding which of my current favorites I should keep and which I should toss.

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]My[/name_f] list of favorites currently includes:

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_m]Shepherd[/name_m]
[name_f]Haven[/name_f]
[name_m]Wilder[/name_m]
[name_f]Sage[/name_f]
[name_m]Asher[/name_m]
[name_m]Ezra[/name_m]
[name_m]River[/name_m]
[name_m]Levi[/name_m]
[name_m]Asa[/name_m]
[name_m]Tobias[/name_m]
[name_m]Silas[/name_m]
[name_m]Rowan[/name_m]
[name_m]Jonah[/name_m]
[name_m]Jude[/name_m]
[name_m]Abel[/name_m]
[name_m]Gideon[/name_m]

[name_f][/name_f]

And my latest crushes:

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_m]Eli[/name_m]
[name_m]Will[/name_m]
[name_m]Peter[/name_m]
[name_m]Jack[/name_m]
[name_m]Noah[/name_m]
[name_m]Fisher[/name_m]
[name_m]Creed[/name_m]
[name_m]Finley[/name_m]
[name_m]Whit[/name_m]
[name_m]Eben[/name_m]
[name_f]Fifer[/name_f]

[name_f][/name_f]

I know that most of these names are perfectly usable, but I’m specifically worried about [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m], [name_f]Haven[/name_f], [name_m]Wilder[/name_m], and [name_f]Sage[/name_f], as well a few others on my “crushes” list. So, focusing on usability in particular, which of my favorites and crushes should I keep on my list? [name_m]Or[/name_m], if it’s easier, which should I toss?

tallemaja · December 29, 2024, 1:01am

I think [name_f]Sage[/name_f] & [name_m]Wilder[/name_m] are both fine! They aren’t traditional classics, yes, but they feel very on-trend and “normal” with current name trends. [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m] too – it’s a bit more out-there but it makes sense with other popular occupational names, and the cool nickname [name_m]Shep[/name_m] makes it usable to me! Plus, it’s been increasing in use every year recently.

[name_f][/name_f]

The only one I’d say “no” to is [name_f]Haven[/name_f]. It’s quite familiar as a girl name, but nowhere on the popularity lists as a boy name, so I think it’s a bit less usable as a first name for a boy.

[name_f][/name_f]

From your crushes list, [name_m]Fisher[/name_m] isn’t realistically usable imo, but the rest are perfectly fine! (:

ashthedreamer · December 29, 2024, 2:47am

How long of a list do you usually try to keep? [name_f][/name_f] The ones that feel least usable to me are [name_f]Haven[/name_f] and [name_m]Creed[/name_m], although I know both get used. [name_f][/name_f] I think [name_f]Haven[/name_f] has such a lovely sentiment; I just don’t love it personally? [name_f][/name_f] I couldn’t say why. [name_f][/name_f] I also am not the largest fan of [name_m]Eli[/name_m], I like [name_m]Ellis[/name_m], [name_m]Elliot[/name_m], [name_m]Elias[/name_m], and [name_m]Elihu[/name_m] much more myself. [name_f][/name_f] I just don’t like [name_m]Eli[/name_m] the priest as a namesake from scripture; I know hindsight is 20/20 but he wasn’t a great father and the things his sons did were… [name_f][/name_f] very not good. [name_f][/name_f] Then again, Samuel’s sons were known as not being good either so I guess if Samuel’s usable, so should [name_m]Eli[/name_m] be.

[name_f][/name_f]

I love [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m], [name_m]Wilder[/name_m], and [name_f]Sage[/name_f] for you though!

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]My[/name_f] favorites are [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m], [name_f]Sage[/name_f], [name_m]Asher[/name_m], [name_m]Ezra[/name_m], [name_m]Levi[/name_m], [name_m]Asa[/name_m] (ASA!), [name_m]Tobias[/name_m], [name_m]Rowan[/name_m], [name_m]Jude[/name_m] (though I prefer Judah), [name_m]Gideon[/name_m], [name_m]Peter[/name_m], [name_m]Jack[/name_m], [name_m]Fisher[/name_m], [name_m]Finley[/name_m], [name_m]Whit[/name_m], and [name_m]Eben[/name_m]. [name_f][/name_f] I love [name_f]Fifer[/name_f] in theory but prefer [name_f]Fifer[/name_f] for a girl, [name_m]Fife[/name_m] for a boy.

[name_f][/name_f]

Good luck girly

Greyblue · December 29, 2024, 1:23pm

The ones I’d lose, if focusing in on usability (though perhaps practicality is a better word):

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_m]Whit[/name_m] → maybe because it places that expectancy to be witty, it’s close to ‘white’, rhymes with twit (idk it that’s only a UK thing), I feel like it’s one that people might not mishear but say ‘what?’ on first being introduced

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Fifer[/name_f] → very distinctive and unusual [name_f][/name_f]- I mean, say besides [name_m]Noah[/name_m] or [name_m]Asher[/name_m] or [name_m]Ezra[/name_m]. Could be misread as FIFA (as in FIFA world cup?)

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_m]Fisher[/name_m] → I like it a lot but I can imagine ‘fishy’ jokes? Also, [name_m]Asher[/name_m] feels like more set on your list and out of the two, it’s the one that feels most usable/practical

[name_f][/name_f]

On the fence:

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_m]Creed[/name_m] → feels quite of its moment, or maybe very tied to religion? I don’t think it has to be, but it’s one that gives me a teeny pause

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Haven[/name_f] → again, usable imo, and I know it feels important to you, but it does stand out for grounded choices like [name_m]Levi[/name_m] and [name_m]Jack[/name_m].

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_m]Will[/name_m], [name_m]Jack[/name_m], and [name_m]Peter[/name_m] → perfectly usable, perfectly practical, but they just feel, I don’t know, not in tune with other options on your list.

Hello1 · December 29, 2024, 3:34pm

From your list I love [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m], [name_f]Sage[/name_f], [name_m]Asa[/name_m], [name_m]Abel[/name_m] & [name_m]Eben[/name_m]. I think all of these names are useable and I’d love to hear to hear them in person more. I also prefer [name_f]Sage[/name_f] as a boy name. I went to see a band and the drummer was called [name_f]Sage[/name_f] and he made it click as a very nice choice for a boys name.

[name_f][/name_f]

Some on your list I might consider losing are [name_m]Whit[/name_m], [name_f]Fifer[/name_f], [name_m]Creed[/name_m], [name_f]Haven[/name_f] & [name_m]Fisher[/name_m].
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Whit[/name_m] & [name_f]Fifer[/name_f] stand out as unique compared to some more well known names.
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Creed[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]- feels dated and makes me think of the office.
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Fisher[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]- it just makes me think of fisherman, fish/fishy.
[name_f][/name_f][name_f]Haven[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- it’s useable if you love it. But I think you’d have to be confident in your choice as it’s more unique compared to others on your list.

[name_f][/name_f]

It’s all about what you feel confident with though, I think most names are useable as long as you have confidence in your choice.

moonlion · December 29, 2024, 4:41pm

What has you worried about [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m], [name_f]Haven[/name_f], [name_m]Wilder[/name_m] and [name_f]Sage[/name_f]?

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Love[/name_f] your lists, tough ask!

[name_f][/name_f]

But, getting super picky
[name_f][/name_f]toss:
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Fisher[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]- a bit too …fishing for me? I don’t think it holds up a candle to the other names on your list, if that’s ok to say. It’s also similar to [name_m]Asher[/name_m] in sound, and I personally would pick [name_m]Asher[/name_m] and its meaning over [name_m]Fisher[/name_m].

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_m]Finley[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]- I also don’t think it fits as well, it feels more trendy than meaningful, and if we’re getting picky, what if he’s not fair-haired?

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_f]Fifer[/name_f] [name_f][/name_f]- I haven’t seen this on a boy yet, I fear he might be mistaken for a girl often?

[name_f][/name_f]

[name_m]Jude[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]- honestly just super weird to me as someone raised Jewish. As a nickname, sure. But I know it’s quite normal in [name_f]English[/name_f] and most folks don’t think about it like that, but we were being nitpicky

[name_f][/name_f]

point to the favorites:
[name_f][/name_f][name_m]Shepherd[/name_m], [name_f]Haven[/name_f], [name_m]Wilder[/name_m], [name_m]Asher[/name_m], [name_m]Ezra[/name_m], [name_m]River[/name_m], [name_m]Levi[/name_m], [name_m]Asa[/name_m], [name_m]Silas[/name_m], [name_m]Creed[/name_m], [name_m]Whit[/name_m] and [name_m]Eben[/name_m]

readingreverie · December 29, 2024, 5:43pm

Following the pattern of my response on the girls and focusing on usability for the first part of my answer…

[name_f][/name_f]

Ones I think are 100% usable: [name_m]Wilder[/name_m], [name_m]Asher[/name_m], [name_m]Ezra[/name_m], [name_m]Levi[/name_m], [name_m]Asa[/name_m], [name_m]Tobias[/name_m], [name_m]Silas[/name_m], [name_m]Rowan[/name_m], [name_m]Jonah[/name_m], [name_m]Jude[/name_m], [name_m]Gideon[/name_m], [name_m]Eli[/name_m], [name_m]Will[/name_m], [name_m]Peter[/name_m], [name_m]Jack[/name_m], [name_m]Noah[/name_m], and [name_m]Finley[/name_m].

[name_f][/name_f]

Ones I think are usable but might be surprising to others: [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m], [name_f]Sage[/name_f], [name_m]River[/name_m], [name_m]Abel[/name_m], and [name_m]Eben[/name_m].

[name_f][/name_f]

Ones that I would be apprehensive about: [name_f]Haven[/name_f], [name_m]Fisher[/name_m], [name_m]Creed[/name_m], [name_m]Whit[/name_m], and [name_f]Fifer[/name_f].

[name_f][/name_f]

I do want to mention, I honestly think your list of favorites is more usable than your latest crushes based on majority! [name_m]Even[/name_m] the ones in your favorites list people might be surprised to hear (Shepherd, [name_f]Sage[/name_f], [name_m]River[/name_m], and Abel) are still very normal to me. I think people would grow used to them very easily, where as I think the unexpected-ness of the ones you’re recently crushing on wouldn’t wear off much (Fisher and [name_m]Creed[/name_m] especially, [name_m]Whit[/name_m] and [name_f]Fifer[/name_f] a little bit less.)

[name_f][/name_f]

Focusing on which ones you should toss…

[name_f][/name_f]

Honestly, the only one from your favorites list that I think you might want to consider tossing is [name_f]Haven[/name_f], and even then, I think it is perfectly fine as a middle name. [name_f][/name_f] I know you said you won’t be having children, so the usability shouldn’t ultimately matter, but I get that it does to you! [name_f]My[/name_f] feelings with [name_f]Haven[/name_f] are similar to what my feelings with [name_f]Mercy[/name_f] and [name_f]Glory[/name_f]. Although I really do like the meaning it has, it feels quite religious to me, which I’m personally not a big fan of. With the religious feeling combined with the fact that the name reads quite “girl” to me, I’d worry about teasing potential. Something like [name_m]Harbor[/name_m] feels a lot like [name_f]Haven[/name_f] to me, but more usable in my opinion.

[name_f][/name_f]

As for your crushes, I am apprehensive about a few of them. I listed [name_m]Fisher[/name_m] on my bottom tier usability list, but I do think it’s fine in the middle and okay as a first. I will say, it doesn’t read really “Theo” to me, so I lean towards tossing it. [name_f][/name_f] Personally, I’d toss [name_m]Creed[/name_m]. It feels like a fighter name to me, and all I see is that canterbury font saying “CREED” in red in black as a logo to a boxing match or movie about fighting (or a tattoo). [name_f][/name_f] Maybe it’s a personal thing, but I’ve never liked [name_m]Creed[/name_m]. [name_m]Whit[/name_m] is another one I put on the bottom tier of usability, but I feel similar about him as I do to [name_m]Fisher[/name_m]. Fine as a middle, for sure, okay as a first, even if it’s suprising. It also doesn’t read “Theo” to me, which makes me a little sad, because I do think it’s fun! And again, I know I put [name_f]Fifer[/name_f] on the bottom tier, but I really think you should keep this one. [name_f]Fifer[/name_f] for a boy is so sunny and springy and bouncing and happy, a flower picker and lover of twirling [name_f][/name_f]- I love it!

seawillow · December 30, 2024, 11:37pm

Hello, friends! Once again, I’m so sorry for the delay in replies – I appreciate the time and effort that you all took Immensely.

[name_f][/name_f]

@tallemaja[name_f][/name_f], [name_f]Maya[/name_f], thank you so much! I completely see what you mean about [name_f]Haven[/name_f], although that one stings. I did have a male student called H@ven once, which I think is what makes it feel a little more usable to me than the average person, but perhaps it’s best suited for a middle name. I’ve also gone back and forth on [name_m]Fisher[/name_m], so I agree, he’s likely best taken off the list. It feels a little too similar to names like [name_m]Trapper[/name_m], [name_m]Hunter[/name_m], etc., which I’m really not a fan of. Thank you for the kind and reassuring words about [name_m]Shepherd[/name_m]! It’s such a special name to me, I think I would keep him even if he wasn’t actually “usable” as such.

[name_f][/name_f]

@ashthedreamer[name_f][/name_f], [name_m]Ash[/name_m], I usually like to keep a top 20-ish, although only the first fifteen are always (fairly) consistent. I think I agree about [name_f]Haven[/name_f] and [name_m]Creed[/name_m] – I’ll be spending some time trying to find combos for them as middles instead of firsts. I do love [name_m]Judah[/name_m], but I’ve read a bit about how it could be offensive in Jewish circles, so I thought [name_m]Jude[/name_m] may be a better choice. [name_m]Fife[/name_m] is very cool. I may actually like that more than [name_f]Fifer[/name_f]! Thank you so much for your time and feedback, this was super helpful.

[name_f][/name_f]

@Greyblue[name_f][/name_f], [name_f]Nell[/name_f], thank you ever so much! Your words have been so instrumental in helping me figure out which names I truly love and which I should keep. I think I’ll be keeping [name_m]Peter[/name_m], and [name_f]Haven[/name_f] and [name_m]Creed[/name_m] as middles, but [name_m]Will[/name_m], [name_m]Jack[/name_m], [name_m]Fisher[/name_m], [name_f]Fifer[/name_f], and [name_m]Whit[/name_m] are being axed. Maybe [name_m]Whitman[/name_m] for a middle as well? I’m not quite sure. [name_m]Creed[/name_m] I’ve gone back and forth on, as I don’t love the video game association, and [name_m]Fisher[/name_m] does seem too “fishy.” Thanks again, friend!

[name_f][/name_f]

@Hello1[name_f][/name_f], thank you so much for your thoughts, especially about [name_f]Sage[/name_f]. That one has been on my list for years upon years, but I always worry that perhaps it’s too out-there. I do think I will be losing the others that you mentioned, except as middles!

[name_f][/name_f]

@moonlion[name_f][/name_f], I think those names just feel like the most “daring” on my list of favorites, and I can imagine my family members making comments about them, which my sensitive soul would struggle a lot with. Your point about [name_m]Finley[/name_m] is super fair! That one is definitely more of a guilty pleasure, I’d say. And thank you so much for your thoughts on [name_m]Jude[/name_m] in particular. I’ve been struggling with that one as I read that [name_m]Judah[/name_m] is offensive, and that [name_m]Jude[/name_m] perhaps could be a nice alternative as most of the opinions I’ve read online mentioned that they didn’t feel as bad about [name_m]Jude[/name_m] as [name_m]Judah[/name_m], but I may just be grasping for straws with that. And obviously anyone being uncomfortable should be enough to give me a pause.

[name_f][/name_f]

@readingreverie[name_f][/name_f], [name_f]Mollie[/name_f], thank you so much! Again, you have helped so, so much with your thoughts. It’s interesting that you mentioned [name_m]Harbor[/name_m] – I always loved it, but I feel like it would constantly misheard as [name_f]Harper[/name_f]? But perhaps that doesn’t matter. I definitely agree about my crushes being less usable. I’m not sure that any of them will end up actually making my list, but as middles they could be quite fun. Something like [name_m]Eli[/name_m] [name_f]Haven[/name_f] could be lovely, and perhaps mitigate the religious aspect a little as a middle is easier to “hide.”

moonlion · December 31, 2024, 4:46am

Huh, I hadn’t heard anything about [name_m]Judah[/name_m] vs [name_m]Jude[/name_m] like that. [name_m]Judah[/name_m] is quite commonly used for Jewish (and Christian?) kids, so from my side I don’t immediately see what’s offensive, but [name_m]Jude[/name_m] though so cute, just screams [name_f][/name_f] if you know what I mean

[name_f][/name_f]

I think I should add [name_m]Whit[/name_m] to my own list at this point, since I want to tell you how much I love it and what a great addition it would be to yours