Struggling to commit, can you help me resolve this name dilemma??

Boy Names
1

[name]Hi[/name] Nameberries,

I first wrote 4mths ago and belatedly thank you all for your responses and assistance back then. I had imagined replying earlier to confirm the outcome of our name decision and to send my thanks then. However, I haven’t been able to settle.

Our son is now approaching 6mths of age. He is the 4th child, 3rd son. His siblings are [name]Ella[/name], [name]Isaac[/name] and [name]Henry[/name]. It was resounding in the last post that [name]Samuel[/name] would be a good choice with his sibset. We were considering [name]Clancy[/name] as another option at that stage. [name]Clancy[/name] is out, but everyday I keep looking at Nameberry wondering if there is a better choice. I relate to previous forums regarding BNDD ([name]Baby[/name] Name Desensitisation Disorder) and really struggle to love any boy names.

I introduce him to the world as [name]Samuel[/name] (and will push for this over [name]Sam[/name] or [name]Sammy[/name]), but I otherwise don’t use the name and call him Bubzy or Bubz.

I think [name]Samuel[/name] fits, I like the way it looks. But I find it a little boring/overused. But maybe that trend had been set with our other names which are clearly top 100. Not exactly sure what is the magic or x-factor I’m seeking. Names I like include [name]Felix[/name] and [name]Arlo[/name], for example. My husband is really happy with popular and common, so vetoes most names, [name]Samuel[/name] has been the one name we both like enough (he actually quite likes, and in fact thinks we were quite out there in choosing [name]Isaac[/name]…).

When looking for names prior to birth, I was quite concerned about sibset themes and felt that a name more like [name]Isaac[/name] would help keep [name]Isaac[/name]'s name in the sibset (I think [name]Ella[/name] and [name]Henry[/name] are more flexible in this regard). We are not religious but I like many biblical names, so [name]Samuel[/name] fit the bill in this regard. Now I wonder if sibset themes are so important, as they eventually all stand alone.

So [name]Ella[/name] [name]Frances[/name], [name]Isaac[/name] [name]Alfred[/name], [name]Henry[/name] [name]Lambert[/name] and [name]Samuel[/name] Gallant. Is this it? Is it worth pushing for alternatives like [name]Felix[/name] or [name]Arlo[/name] (with Gallant as middle name)?

Thanks for your time,
Regards, [name]Kylie[/name].

2

I really love your children’s names, including [name]Samuel[/name]. You did a great job naming. I know what you mean about not being totally in love with one of your kids’ names, but really, you love your child, he has a fine name that will serve him well, and your husband is content. I personally wouldn’t rock the boat, unless we had made a serious mistake, and I don’t think the name [name]Samuel[/name] qualifies.

I have one daughter who has a nice name, but I wish I had chosen the other name that we had been considering. It would have fit better with what is now our sib set of 7 kids. Oh well, I am the only one who cares even a smidge! The sun doesn’t rise and fall on whether we chose a name that would be a little MORE perfect than another, kwim?

3

I actually [name]LOVE[/name] [name]Samuel[/name] Gallant! And yes, [name]Samuel[/name] is growing in popularity but to be fair it’s never really been unpopular.
It’s a good solid name, and I absolutely [name]LOVE[/name] the middle name. I’ve been looking for a middle name for [name]Ambrose[/name], and
that is going to be a major contender now!

I don’t use nicknames for my kids, and I prefer them being called by their proper names, so I completely relate to
you on that point!

I named my firstborn son [name]Aidan[/name]. I was 20 at the time. While I love the name still, I hate how it spawned all those
rhyming trendy names. That being said, I still don’t regret naming him [name]Aidan[/name], because I went with the name I loved.
That is my advice to you. Go with what you love.

4

I think [name]Samuel[/name] is a perfect addition.

5

I think you are getting hung up on little details. Call him Bubz or Bubzy! He’s still quite small. Give him time to become a [name]Samuel[/name]/[name]Sam[/name]. You already made the decision (a very solid, respectable, adorable name!) & now you just have to work on figuring out how to feel good about your choice. I have a baby nephew who is named [name]Alasdair[/name] (he’s about the same age as Bubz) & my sister doesn’t want me calling him “[name]Al[/name]” so I call him [name]Buster[/name], [name]Buddy[/name], or [name]Baby[/name] Boy. I figure we’ll handle the nickname issue when he’s old enough to let me know what he likes to be called. That’s what happened with my cousin [name]Elizabeth[/name]! Her parents insisted that everyone call her [name]Elizabeth[/name]; no [name]Lizzy[/name], no [name]Liza[/name], no [name]Beth[/name], no [name]Ella[/name], no [name]Eliza[/name]… [name]ELIZABETH[/name], thank you. Guess what happened when she started talking? She refered to herself EXCLUSIVELY in the third person as Ebie (said like E.B.): “Ebie likes to dance!”, “Ebie wants a snack!”, “Ebie loves grandma!”. She’s in highschool now & everyone still calls her Ebie. People often compliment her for her classic name & offbeat nickname. Once you give your baby a name you sort of give it away to them to make it into what they will. My name is [name]Eleanor[/name] & it took me a long time to grow into it and appreciate it but I have come full circle & frequently suggest the name to other Berries and encourage it’s use as a beautiful, historical, classic, intelligent, elegant, & versitile name. I have even come to the conclusion that I would use it on a daughter of my own if it was right. 8 year old me would punch 28 year old me in the face for saying that but I figured out that the 8 year old had it all wrong. People’s feelings change because the world constantly changes. Once [name]Samuel[/name] Gallant starts walking & talking he might be able to redefine his name for you. Have you researched historical figures named [name]Samuel[/name]? Finding other [name]Eleanor[/name]'s I could be proud of and brag about made my name seem cooler, or better for me. It broadened my view of what “an [name]Eleanor[/name]” could be. I even found out that there is a really awesome car named [name]Eleanor[/name] (Eleanor (automobile) - Wikipedia) & maybe you can find a [name]Sam[/name] or a [name]Samuel[/name] that changes the way you think about the name —> Samuel (name) - Wikipedia. Good luck with everything, I hope you can resolve this issue soon so it doesn’t keep weighing on your mind.
-ellieberry
P.S. I love all your children’s names; together & separate! You did wonderfully with their name combos & I think all of them are well named to stand alone someday.

6

Thank you so much for the support and taking time to respond.
Time for me to let things be.
But rather than feeling bad about using Bubzy or Bubz, I think I can feel okay about using Bubzy, Bubz and [name]Samuel[/name] as they are all part of his story now anyway.
Thanks,
[name]Kylie[/name]

7

I’m glad you seem to be finding some peace in the situation! I wanted to respond earlier but I wasn’t sure how to encourage you… but [name]Samuel[/name] really is a handsome, perfect name and it sounds like it suits your son perfectly. I, too, wanted to compliment you on your style–[name]Ella[/name], [name]Isaac[/name], [name]Henry[/name], and [name]Samuel[/name] are completely wonderful and work so well together. Enjoy your family, and here’s to hoping you can be completely at peace with little [name]Samuel[/name]'s name!

All the best,
[name]Ashley[/name]