I can’t believe it! I’m finally pregnant!! 9 years of marriage with no prevention, it’s been a journey fighting PCOS. I haven’t posted on Nameberry for the longest time, but I’ve spent years pouring over names as you can imagine. I’m sure there will be more posts to come during this pregnancy, but at this point, I just need some help for my own sanity.
I love [name_f]Adelaide[/name_f] and [name_f]Clarice[/name_f] and [name_f]Nadia[/name_f]…
[name_m]Tobias[/name_m], [name_u]Corbin[/name_u], [name_m]Gabriel[/name_m] and others.
But as all husbands, my husband likes the names he likes, no exceptions. So as every wife does, I’m trying to understand and come to a fair compromise we can agree on. But I need your help!
What do YOU think when you first hear the name [name_m]Uriah[/name_m]? …paired with [name_m]John[/name_m] as a middle? Is it usable?
Let me give you some background. He thinks of it as a warrior name because, well, it is… on so many occasions! Not favorable occasions, but the Biblical men it represents were EXTRAORDINARILY honorable… actually standing for something worth laying their lives down for. I really cannot believe I’ve gone from “Absolutely NO way - it sounds like Urine” to considering it for it’s many meanings: [name_m]Fire[/name_m]/light of God // nn [name_m]Riah[/name_m]: The [name_m]Lord[/name_m] has Remembered // and I really love the nn option [name_m]Uri[/name_m]. I’m starting to think of this as a name much like my favorites: unique and manly.
It’s been the name used for contemporary athletes and musicians, to fictional characters (most recent in Divergent), historical politicians to Biblical figures and prophets/priests.
But, would YOU use it?? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you like it? Would it work or do you think I’d be putting a bad-omen on our long-awaited son?
My first thought when hearing [name_m]Uriah[/name_m] is [name_m]Uriah[/name_m] Heep from [name_m]David[/name_m] Copperfield but that might be because I’m writing an essay on the book at the moment. I’m not sure he’s the most positive association but [name_m]Uriah[/name_m] is nonetheless an intriguing name - one that’s definitely grown on me. I’m not sure I’d use it personally, but [name_m]John[/name_m] seems to ground it and it does have an interesting sound and meaning
It is a little too much for me although I like [name_m]Uri[/name_m] ([name_u]Ari[/name_u] more so) if he went by that. Would he consider it as a middle? Very few people are familiar with the meanings of names, only name nerds like us, ha! I really like [name_m]Gabriel[/name_m] on your list.
Sorry but I also think of “urine” and when paired with [name_m]John[/name_m], a word for “toilet”, that makes for an unfortunate theme. Also [name_m]Uriah[/name_m] Heep but I’m not sure how familiar people are with Dickens these days (I’m a book nerd )
Maybe [name_m]Uriah[/name_m] in the middle, with a different first?
LOL!! Hilarious… didn’t even think of that! My choice of [name_m]John[/name_m] won’t change - it’s my dad’s name and my husband is set on using it. Guess I’ll need to work out the first name!
Last night I started thinking [name_m]Uriah[/name_m] might not be my permanent choice. Back to the drawing boards!
I agree with the person who said it reminds them of toilets. Have you considered using two middle names? [name_m]Uriah[/name_m] ___ [name_m]John[/name_m] Surname.
I know a [name_m]Uriah[/name_m], and he is like 6’5" and all muscle, but sweet and kind hearted. He is truly a unique and manly man.
There are some names that are valor names or celeb names that still hit me strangely after hearing them over and over again, but [name_m]Uriah[/name_m] lost the edge and it was just ‘him.’ Another name. And it fit him well. I never thought ‘urine’ when I first saw it, I thought biblical name.
If my husband brought this name to me and he really, really wanted it I would consider it for sure and would probably fall for it more and more like you are. I would insist on a very classic middle name ([name_m]Uriah[/name_m] [name_m]Alexander[/name_m], [name_m]Uriah[/name_m] [name_m]Christopher[/name_m]) just in case [name_m]Uriah[/name_m] really wanted a NN different from [name_m]Uriah[/name_m].
It is true that once you associate a person AS a name, it makes all the difference in the world - that’s how my husband fell for it (he heard it for the first time because of [name_m]Urijah[/name_m] [name_m]Faber[/name_m]) and that’s why I cringed when I heard it (I could only think of [name_m]Uriah[/name_m] the Hittite: [name_f]Bathsheba[/name_f]'s husband who [name_m]David[/name_m] killed on the front lines of battle)! Thank you so very much for your comments on being sensitive to my husband who is giving his input on a subject that isn’t exactly his forte. This baby is part of both of us and I do want to honor his view point as well. I appreciate your thoughts!
If you’re looking for a name that connotes strength and majesty, [name_m]Gabriel[/name_m] from your list can fit the bill for both of you. It’s also biblical, and comes from the root word “strength.” [name_m]Gabriel[/name_m] was an angel, and the full name means, 'G-d is my strength."
I only give biblical names to my children, and as soon as I saw [name_m]Uriah[/name_m], I knew who that refers to. While he has an unfortunate ending in his story, he was a noble, honest, and honorable man. I pronounce it “OO-ree-yah,” rather than “YOO-ree-yah.”
I could imagine that people who are less informed or less in-tuned might think of urine. Their loss.
What about [name_m]Gabriel[/name_m] [name_m]Uriah[/name_m]?
All I can think of with [name_m]Uriah[/name_m] is [name_m]Uriah[/name_m] Heap from Dickens. I just immediately think of slimy, sorry. It’s a strong negative connotation for me.
I think [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] and [name_u]Corbin[/name_u] are immeasurably better, and even [name_m]Gabriel[/name_m] of which I’m not a fan is much preferable to [name_m]Uriah[/name_m].
First off, let me say congratulations!!! This is so exciting!!!
I like [name_m]Uriah[/name_m] personally, but I do think it could prove hard to wear. I think urinal and urine unfortunately, even though at second thought I think it has very nice meanings and connections.
[name_m]Gabriel[/name_m] [name_m]John[/name_m] or [name_m]Gabriel[/name_m] [name_m]Uriah[/name_m] would be perfect though!
Yes, thank you! I first picked out [name_m]Gabriel[/name_m] because my husband’s name is [name_u]Michael[/name_u]… the other archangel His heritage is Irish, so I loved the pairing [name_m]Gabriel[/name_m] [name_m]Patrick[/name_m]. Your suggestion [name_m]Gabriel[/name_m] [name_m]Uriah[/name_m] has a very nice sound to it, but with our 4-syllable last name, that might be a bit much.
I find your pronunciation interesting! I’ve always pronounced it “YOO-reye-ah”
whitegardenia! Thank you for mentioning that only name nerds like us are familiar with meanings! My husband and I love the meaning of our own names so much that putting such a heavy emphasis on it is causing more of a struggle than anything else! What a wonderful reminder that this is a fun part of this process and should bring more joy than anything!! <3
Ari unfortunately won’t be a personal contender for us, because although it is wonderful in its own right (meaning, sound, etc), we already know an Ari and he is such an amazing person, there really only can be that one in our life!
A top contender is Liam (for the family name William), and he likes Owen just as much as Uriah (even though I know an Owen already too). I’m thinking Elias might be a good fit…? What are your thoughts?
I personally really dislike the name, mainly because of personal association though (ever have where every person you’ve interacted with who has a particular name has been really unpleasant?) but I wouldn’t feel any type of way seeing it used for someone else. You’ve made a really strong case in it’s favor! I’d be more inclined to put it in the middle but it’s definitely usable in the first name spot.
Working with kids I feel pretty confident this name wouldn’t be made fun of. (In general picking on names isn’t a popular bullying tactic these days.)
[name_m]Uriah[/name_m] [name_m]John[/name_m] together also does feel a bit heavy handed. Since [name_m]John[/name_m] is an honor name I would be more set on keeping that.
I agree with others that [name_m]Gabriel[/name_m] is another strong biblical choice with a meaning that your partner should find appealing.
Oh, goodness gracious, congratulations! I’m so happy for you! I remember you from a couple years back, and always crushed massively on your [name_f]Nadia[/name_f] combos ([name_f]Nadia[/name_f] [name_u]Eloise[/name_u] and [name_f]Nadia[/name_f] [name_u]Eden[/name_u] at one point, I think?)–I can only imagine how heart wrenching your journey has been, and I’m so happy for you now!
As for [name_m]Uriah[/name_m], like you, I’ve always had the association to “urine”, unfortunately, although I seem to be seeing it more and more on Nameberry, so was thinking others had moved past it even though I haven’t, fully. This, to me, is a sign when something with unfortunate associations moves past those negative ties. So maybe [name_m]Uriah[/name_m] is usable again! I do love those biblical -ah names for the boys, and [name_m]Uriah[/name_m] isn’t a mouthful, but still unusual enough to be charming.
I’d forgotten [name_m]Uriah[/name_m] the Hittite, and was confusing him with Uzzah, lol, which also greatly redeems [name_m]Uriah[/name_m] in my eyes–Uzzah, not so great, but [name_m]Uriah[/name_m] the Hittite–amazing!
All this to say, I think I’d be pleased to meet a little [name_m]Uriah[/name_m], despite my initial misgivings, and [name_m]Uriah[/name_m] [name_m]John[/name_m] is a great combo! I admit I like it even more than [name_m]Gabriel[/name_m] and [name_u]Corbin[/name_u] (though they are lovely names!), but I personally might prefer [name_m]Tobias[/name_m] to [name_m]Uriah[/name_m], myself, but both are really great options.
If you’re going for the archangel effect, know that [name_m]Uriel[/name_m] is another of the angels too! We pronounce that one “OO-ree-ell” (Like [name_u]Ariel[/name_u], but with a U.)
I know a few guys who go by “[name_m]Uri[/name_m],” either for [name_m]Uriel[/name_m], [name_m]Uriah[/name_m], or even straight up [name_m]Uri[/name_m], which means ‘my light.’
(Or another of the angels: [name_m]Raphael[/name_m]/[name_m]Rafael[/name_m]. [name_m]Rafael[/name_m] [name_m]John[/name_m] sounds really nice. He could be Rafie or RJ too…)
His heritage is Irish, so I loved the pairing [name_m]Gabriel[/name_m] [name_m]Patrick[/name_m]. Your suggestion [name_m]Gabriel[/name_m] [name_m]Uriah[/name_m] has a very nice sound to it, but with our 4-syllable last name, that might be a bit much.