What do you think of the name Somerset?
I’m thinking it would make a nice middle name for a boy. Opinions?
Thanks!
One of my favourite authors was [name_m]William[/name_m] Somerset Maugham so I do have a fondness for the name. I prefer it in the middle name spot and I think it would work for either gender (glancing at your signature names, I think any of your girls names would be lovely with Somerset in the middle although [name_f]Willa[/name_f] Somerset may be too close to the author’s name). People in [name_f]England[/name_f] may think it’s an odd choice because it’s a place name in south of that country but I find its cheerful and optimistic vibe to be quite enchanting.
Like [name_u]Mischa[/name_u] pointed out, I’m English so it’s weird to me to be named after a county in [name_f]England[/name_f]. It’s like calling your child [name_m]Norfolk[/name_m], Suffolk, Merseyside or [name_m]Essex[/name_m]… It’s not my style at all.
There is also a Somerset and Somerset County in Pennsylvania, which makes it equally odd to me. If I were using it I would use it on a girl, since it sounds like [name_f]Summer[/name_f].
I agree with the pp, but feel a bit hypocritical, since I love [name_u]Phoenix[/name_u], but I feel like British place names are some of the most unattractive (maybe because I live here? Idk). I must admit though, I can kind of see the appeal, there are worse place names.
I’m from Somerset. The word is very stately and it has a nice ring to it, but it does strike me as kind of weird. Unless you have a deep love for Somerset for some reason. I mean, it’s a lovely county and it’s very dear to me personally, but I’m assuming you’ve never been there? It’s not a place people tend to go unless they live there.
It’s occasionally seen as a surname, though.
N.B. I’m sure there are other places named Somerset besides my county, perhaps one of those has significance for you?
It’s a little strange for me just because I know of a Somerset and a Somerset County in Maryland. I think one of the colleges here also has a dorm named Somerset. According to wiki, there are also Somerset towns in Illinois, [name_u]Colorado[/name_u], Kentucky, [name_u]Indiana[/name_u], [name_f]Maine[/name_f], Massachusetts, Michigan, [name_m]New[/name_m] [name_u]Jersey[/name_u], Minnesota, [name_m]New[/name_m] [name_m]York[/name_m], Ohio, [name_m]Vermont[/name_m], [name_f]Virginia[/name_f], and Wisconsin (besides the two PA ones that were previously mentioned).
But, you would use it as a middle name which would make it more wearable. Most people on a daily basis wouldn’t know the middle name, so I don’t think it would be problematic in any way.
I have to agree with you all. There’s a Somerset an hour or two south of where I live so I think of it as a place name as well. I can’t say I would ever use Somerset as a name. I just happen to like [name_f]Summer[/name_f] as a middle name and I think Somerled is handsome so, I got to thinking, “Why not Somerset?”.
I appreciate everyone’s input! Thank you.
I can see the appeal, but I don’t personally like it.
I used to holiday in Somerset in the UK when I was younger, it reminds me of Glastonbury and caravans. I guess I have difficulty seeing it a child’s name as I am very familiar with it as a place name, I have the same issue with Winchester, [name_u]Sutton[/name_u] and [name_u]London[/name_u] being used as names though, once I meet someone with the name I think the feeling might change. Saying that [name_f]Summer[/name_f]/[name_f]Somer[/name_f] is used as a name and Somerset would be a nice middle name for both a girl and a boy.
I like it and think it works equally well for a boy or girl. I think it is cooler than [name_f]Summer[/name_f]. A lot of place names are popular baby names. I see no reason for Somerset to be any different. Go for it!
You could also use:
Samoset
[name_f]Summers[/name_f]
[name_f]Sommer[/name_f]
[name_u]Sommet[/name_u]
Summit
[name_f]Sommers[/name_f]
Summerville
Good luck!