We are waiting to find out if the baby is a boy or girl but have been struggling to find a boy name. [name_f]My[/name_f] husband didn’t like any names I suggested, so I had him make a list of 10 boy names and I had my list. We then rated them. The top two from my names were [name_m]Fletcher[/name_m] and [name_m]Bowen[/name_m]. [name_m]Even[/name_m] though my husband and I like a similar style of boys names, I didn’t really like his names. The top two from his list were [name_m]Adler[/name_m] and [name_m]Major[/name_m].
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[name_f]My[/name_f] husband told me he really wanted [name_m]Major[/name_m] because it could be an honor name for his grandpa who was a major in the [name_m]Army[/name_m]. I love the idea of honoring his grandpa because he was the nicest and sweetest man. [name_f]My[/name_f] husband and I were together two years before he passed away 7 years ago, however, I would have chosen a different name to honor his grandpa (already suggested but vetoed). Anyway, I told my husband I really couldn’t picture naming a son [name_m]Major[/name_m], but I could do it as a middle name.
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So right now based on our names, the only one that really fits with [name_m]Major[/name_m] is [name_m]Bowen[/name_m], so the name would be [name_m]Bowen[/name_m] [name_m]Major[/name_m] Wickmann (not actual last name, but similar). I’m happy we finally have a name, even though I don’t feel in love with it. But I don’t really love any boy names. So what are your thoughts on [name_m]Bowen[/name_m] [name_m]Major[/name_m]?
is he set on using [name_m]Major[/name_m]? why can’t u use his actual name instead of his rank in the army? because [name_m]Major[/name_m] kind of sounds like a horse name lol
i think bowen is a super sweet option! with that being said, i’m not entirely sold on bowen major, and it seems you’re likely not either. i don’t think you should have to settle for a name you don’t feel totally in love with, even if it’s one your husband feels a connection to. for me personally, bowen major sounds like “bow and major,” which isn’t a phrase, but feels like one. it reminds me of weaponry, but also brings to mind the idea of “bowing” or bending and then majoring in something, haha. i suppose it’s that it feels a bit wordy. i wonder how you picture the name? in my mind, bowen major is a very strong and rough-and-tumble combo. do you think you’re not in love with the combo because you don’t like the names, or because it doesn’t feel like it matches the vibe of your son?
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throwing out a few new suggestions in case you might want some… [name_f][/name_f]~ alder (which feels earthy like your favorites, but is very similar to adler) [name_f][/name_f]~ ellis [name_f][/name_f]~ sawyer [name_f][/name_f]~ bellamy [name_f][/name_f]~ boden [name_f][/name_f]~ ender [name_f][/name_f]~ winslow [name_f][/name_f]~ harrison [name_f][/name_f]~ hayes [name_f][/name_f]~ marshall (military term?)
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and i agree with the previous poster, maybe you could honor your husband’s grandpa by using his name or a variant/nickname of it? hope you find something you love
I think [name_m]Major[/name_m] is cute in the middle spot, it’s unique and fits in with other similar names that are trending like [name_f]Scout[/name_f] & [name_m]Kingston[/name_m]. Since [name_m]Major[/name_m] is a wordy name, I don’t love [name_m]Bowen[/name_m] paired with him. It’s a little too wordy and a little too “rough” for my personal tastes.
To honor his grandfather, maybe something else like what they enjoyed doing together? For example, if a grandmother passed and you enjoyed bird watching with her then an honor could be [name_m]Robin[/name_m] or [name_m]Cardinal[/name_m]? Maybe see if there’s something special like that?
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[name_m]Major[/name_m] should definitely be a middle name. I would do a pretty simple, common first name with it honestly. Also think of how this might affect sibling names if you all want more children.
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[name_m]Nathaniel[/name_m] [name_m]Major[/name_m]
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[name_m]Derrick[/name_m] [name_m]Major[/name_m]
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[name_m]Samuel[/name_m] [name_m]Major[/name_m]
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[name_m]Brennan[/name_m] [name_m]Major[/name_m]
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[name_m]Ivan[/name_m] [name_m]Major[/name_m] (I love this one)
I don’t hate [name_m]Major[/name_m] in the middle, but definitely would not use as a first name. Using ranks and titles as names always seems a little wrong to me [name_f][/name_f]- what if this kiddo goes into the army himself and becomes [name_m]Major[/name_m] Major?! I also think there’s big teasing potential in general. For a lot of people the word that automatically follows major will be ‘incident’ and nobody wants to be named after disasters. [name_m]Even[/name_m] in the middle, it sounds a little off because [word] followed by major usually indicates ‘the big one’ e.g. the constellation [name_f]Ursa[/name_f] [name_m]Major[/name_m] ‘the bigger bear’. Sorry to jump all over your husband’s choice, but I just think it would be a tricky name to carry.
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Other ideas to honour grandpa: something inspired by his birthday e.g. the month, season, birth stone, or star sign / his favourite colour / special places e.g. where he was born or somewhere he loved to visit.
I like Bowen Major but would only keep Major if he stays in second spot. My puerile brain goes straight to “he’s a major (insert swear/curse word)!”. I know in US context, title names are more common, but I wouldn’t risk it. It might mean an adult life of clarifying that he’s not an actual Major etc. It’s also pretty intense as a sound, whereas Bowen is strong as well as genteel and outdoorsy at the same time, and gives you some cool nicknames (Bo/Beau, Bowie etc). Major doesn’t really lend itself to nicknames.
Here are some first names that might cross over both styles:
[name_m]Bowen[/name_m] is nice if you end up going with that. [name_m]Just[/name_m] thought I’d give some other special suggestions. [name_f]Hope[/name_f] you liked something.
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As for [name_m]Major[/name_m], I can understand what it’s like to love someone so much that you want to honor them. I’d probably go with whatever his granddad’s first name was, but then again I don’t know the context. He may have been called [name_m]Major[/name_m] by most people. And saying that name must really make your partner identify with him. So it’s cool for you to let him honor that name.
I agree with others that [name_m]Bowen[/name_m] [name_m]Major[/name_m] is rather wordy. It would still work fine if you really loved it, but it sounds like you’re not sold. I also agree that finding another way to honour your husband’s grandfather would be better if you’re not in love with the name. Some other suggestions:
[name_m]Bowen[/name_m] [name_m]Major[/name_m] works [name_f][/name_f]- I like the balance between gentle [name_m]Bowen[/name_m] and tough [name_m]Major[/name_m].
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If you’re not feeling it though, maybe keep looking for an alternative first name if your husband is set 100% on [name_m]Major[/name_m]? [name_f][/name_f] Then you keep [name_m]Bowen[/name_m] [name_m]Major[/name_m] on the list but try out others too?
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(Rainer / [name_m]Rayner[/name_m] is one that came to mind [name_f][/name_f]- since you both seem to like the -r ending and it means wise army [name_f][/name_f] )
[name_m]Major[/name_m] [name_f][/name_f]- to me [name_f][/name_f]- gives dog vibes too much. [name_m]Even[/name_m] as a middle name.. I would use either grandpa’s name or his middle name as an honor name? Of [name_m]Bowen[/name_m] and Fletcher.. I like [name_m]Fletcher[/name_m] the most!
I really like the name [name_m]Bowen[/name_m], however, I worry that with [name_m]Major[/name_m] it could sound violent, and that is not something I want. I don’t mind a rough-and-tumble vibe though. Originally, before we talked about names, I really wanted the middle name [name_m]Woods[/name_m] and to have a nature vibe, but my husband wasn’t sold on that.
aw, i love woods! i do agree, bowen major feels a bit harsh, and potentially violet, and i think it’s absolutely valid that you don’t want that in your son’s name. sending you all the good name vibes, i hope you find something you both love and feel a connection to, even if that’s not bowen or major
Compromising with partners on names is soo hard [name_f][/name_f]. I feel your struggle. With our first my husband vetoed everything
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If your heart is not in it don’t settle. I think [name_m]Bowen[/name_m] [name_m]Major[/name_m] is a little noun heavy [name_f][/name_f]. Unfortunately I don’t have a Better alternative
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Is there another way to honour grandpa .. birth month [name_f][/name_f], initials [name_f][/name_f], hobbies… while it is cool grandpa was a major that is only a small piece of him [name_f][/name_f]. Could grandpa name meaning be used
