My husband and I attended our 20 week ultrasound last week and, much to our shock, we’re having a boy! I was positive it was going to be another girl.
[name_u]Ever[/name_u] since the appointment I haven’t been able to get the name [name_m]Myer[/name_m] out of my head. As soon as I saw that little face it popped into my head and felt very “meant to be”. The more traditional “[name_m]Meyer[/name_m]” spelling means “bringer of light”, which I thought was fitting as our 2.5 year old daughter’s name also means light. Her name is [name_f]Nora[/name_f], and her middle name is [name_u]Gray[/name_u].
I’m looking for some feedback on the name. What do you think? Does it go well with [name_f]Nora[/name_f]? Our last name is also two syllables ending in ‘er’, so I’m worried it may be too rhyme-y. Also some feedback on spelling of the name. I’m leaning more phonetic, but opinions are welcome!
[name_m]Myer[/name_m]
[name_m]Meyer[/name_m]
Mier
[name_m]Meier[/name_m]
Mire
We’re leaning towards a family name for middle, as our daughter has. Perhaps [name_m]Lance[/name_m] or [name_u]Devin[/name_u], or my husband’s name, [name_m]Levi[/name_m].
I prefer the [name_m]Meyer[/name_m] spelling, and while it feels quite different in style to [name_f]Nora[/name_f], I like how the meanings tie them together, and besides, I don’t think siblings need to fit perfectly. As for it clashing with your surname, I think it totally depends on how different in sound they are - if they only share the er ending, I think it would probably be fine.
I love Meïr/[name_m]Meir[/name_m] and its variations derived from the Hebrew meaning “enlightened”.
There is also another etymology, especially for [name_m]Meyer[/name_m] and its variations. This one is derived from the Latin “maior”, originally referring to an administrator or someone who was in a ruling position over a village or town. This is where the very common [name_m]German[/name_m] last name [name_m]Meier[/name_m]/[name_m]Meyer[/name_m]/[name_m]Mayer[/name_m] comes from.
Jewish people in Germany were once required to adopt the [name_m]German[/name_m] last name system, so many of them changed their [name_m]Meir[/name_m] into [name_m]Meier[/name_m] or [name_m]Meyer[/name_m].
[name_m]Meier[/name_m] is the most common [name_m]German[/name_m] surname together with Mueller, so you may see it given as a last-name-as-first-name too.
If you want to stick with the [name_m]Meir[/name_m] etymology, I’d think about the spelling that feels right to you- [name_m]Myer[/name_m]? Meyr? To me, [name_m]Myer[/name_m] sounds more like it’s a variation on [name_m]Meyer[/name_m], but I guess it depends on how you’d pronounce it.
I prefer the [name_m]Meyer[/name_m] spelling and think it looks better with sister [name_f]Nora[/name_f], but phonetic [name_m]Myer[/name_m] is a close second so if you prefer it I think it will work fine.
While addimittedly the last name in this case would be a dealbreaker for me, it certainly doesn’t have to be for you. It really depends on the name.
As an example, when my partner was born, his parents decided on the name [name_u]Tyler[/name_u] and gave him his mom’s maiden name as his surname because they felt [name_u]Tyler[/name_u] was far too matchy with his dad’s surname, [name_f]Eller[/name_f]. And I think most people would agree thay [name_u]Tyler[/name_u] [name_f]Eller[/name_f] would have been a bit much.
Depending on the beginning sound of your surname though, [name_m]Meyer[/name_m]/[name_m]Myer[/name_m] ____er could have a nice sing song quality, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I’d try saying the name aloud in different tones and see how you feel about the 2 together.
[name_m]Meyer[/name_m] would be my favorite spelling, though I know numerous people with the last name spelling [name_m]Meier[/name_m]. [name_m]Meyer[/name_m] [name_m]Levi[/name_m] is very handsome!