This is my first forum post here (although I’ve literally read through hundreds). [name_m]Long[/name_m] story short, I’m 33 weeks along and my husband and I haven’t been able to agree on ANYTHING for a name. My favorites so far have been [name_m]Eli[/name_m], [name_u]Elias[/name_u], [name_m]Cian[/name_m], and [name_u]Beau[/name_u]. He isn’t keen on any of my names. I don’t know if he really has any personal favorites.
Anyways, today he e-mailed me and asked me if I liked the name “[name_m]Fox[/name_m]”. I thought about it a little bit and decided that I think it’s really cute and after reading posts on other websites, it seems like it’s worked well for other mothers who have named their DS [name_m]Fox[/name_m]. Our last name is really long (Ballesteros) so I want to stick to a short first name. Another issue is I think both our families would hate it…
What are your opinions on [name_m]Fox[/name_m]? Please don’t be mean. [name_m]Just[/name_m] honest thoughts are appreciated…
PS- I know that there is a character on XFiles with the name [name_m]Fox[/name_m].
Here’s something that stood out to me: You think [name_m]Fox[/name_m] is “really cute.” That’s great for a little boy, but what about a grown man? Can you imagine your eighteen-year-old son named [name_m]Fox[/name_m]? What about your son at thirty? Fifty? Eighty? [name_f]Do[/name_f] you think [name_m]Fox[/name_m] works for a man at every stage of his life? My only issue with [name_m]Fox[/name_m] is that I don’t think it’s very versatile. It works for [name_m]Fox[/name_m] Mulder, but he’s a quirky FBI agent that hunts monsters and aliens. I think it takes a certain level of eccentricity to pull off.
Yeah, I agree - it’s just too cutesy and precious. There’s also the fact that “fox” is slang for “sexy dude,” as in “silver fox.” In general I think it’s not a good idea to give a name that the kid will have to “pull off,” that requires him being cool or good-looking or some particular kind of guy for it to work, because what if he’s not? Then the name can end up being a weight or a target for teasing. [name_m]Fox[/name_m] is that kind of name.
My suggestion would be to use [name_m]Fox[/name_m] as a middle, but him give a more versatile name as a first.
I second what @southern.maple said, which was well-put. [name_m]Fox[/name_m] is a member of the latest trend of quirky word names, like [name_u]Winter[/name_u] and [name_u]Fable[/name_u]. They are intriguing for characters, but not quite that wearable for people in real life (and yes, I know that some people report how many compliments the names get, but that doesn’t mean squat if you look at what kind of names are being talked about). Babies are babies for such a short while. Then comes childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and beyond. [name_m]Fox[/name_m] doesn’t scream “I can work in all of these stages.” To me, it evokes images of [name_m]Christopher[/name_m] [name_u]Robin[/name_u] and [name_m]Peter[/name_m] [name_m]Pan[/name_m]…great characters, but stuck forever as little boys. I think that it works pretty well in the middle spot, though! The middle name spot is perfect for these sorts of names… you can even call him it as a nickname, while giving him an actual, wearable name for his first name. Good luck! It can be hard to find names that both partners like, but don’t lose heart! Maybe try slipping him a baby name book
I have friends with a young son named [name_m]Fox[/name_m]. I think it will age fine — certainly as well as [name_u]Beau[/name_u]. It reminds me of other trendy “x” names like [name_m]Felix[/name_m] and [name_u]Max[/name_u] enough that I don’t think it sounds weird or childish. Some people are always going to get hung up on the animal aspect, but it’s better than a lot of other noun names. I’d much rather meet a [name_m]Fox[/name_m] than another [name_u]Hunter[/name_u] or [name_m]Archer[/name_m].
Names age because people age. I know grown men and woman of varying ages that have nickname names, only go by nicknames or pet names, or nature/word names. The names all seem to fit them because that is the name that is attached to them. They have careers, families, and friends. They have no issues functioning in this world.
Personally [name_m]Fox[/name_m] has special meaning for us. I am unsure if I would be daring enough myself to use it as a first name but I would love to meet a [name_m]Fox[/name_m] (of any age).
I [name_u]LOVE[/name_u] [name_m]Fox[/name_m]! It’s a family name for me, was my great grandmothers maiden name and she gave it to her son (my grandpa) as a middle. So it’s always seemed like a totally usable name to me. I see it more as a Surname instead of the animal I guess, so it feels strong and sophisticated, rather than cutesy to me. I am planning on using it either as a first or as a middle if I ever have a boy. Honestly if you both love it, don’t worry about what other people will think. When I told people what I was naming my daughter I got strange looks and some not so nice comments but after she arrived and everyone met her she just became her name and I get compliments on it all the time. Choose the name you love!
I can see someone pulling off [name_m]Fox[/name_m]. I can also see your hesitation. I’ve known [name_m]Fox[/name_m] as a last name so if I met one I might assume it was a family name. As others have pointed out, names are getting more and more unusual so if you name your son [name_m]Fox[/name_m] it probably won’t seem that strange to his generation. But that won’t help your family’s reaction much!
I love the previous poster’s suggestion of [name_m]Fox[/name_m] [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] - very handsome! If you decide not to use it in the first name spot you can always slide it to the middle. Or you could consider the similar sounding, more name-like [name_u]Rex[/name_u].
I can see why a lot of “non-namers” would not care for [name_m]Fox[/name_m]. It’s a bit out there. On the other hand, it’s becoming quite popular in the naming community. I personally wouldn’t use it, but I do quite like it. It’s catchy and would fit beautifully with your lengthy last name! If you both like it, I’d go for it! And it’s extra sweet that your husband picked it out. Most names my DH picks, I just roll my eyes haha!
I feel your pain. I get a headache listening to my husband’s suggestions. [name_m]Trust[/name_m] me, [name_m]Fox[/name_m] is a HUGE improvement over Batman, Hahn Solo, etc
Like someone else said, if [name_m]Wolf[/name_m] Blitzer can pull it off, so can your son pull off [name_m]Fox[/name_m].
Plus, I’d never worry about a child “pulling off a name”…if you’re named [name_m]Fox[/name_m], I’m guessing your personality will naturally fit.
I think [name_m]Fox[/name_m] is darling on a little boy, dashing on a young man, and dignified on a grown man.
[name_f]Do[/name_f] it! And either don’t tell your family until the birth certificate is signed or resign yourself to scrutiny and don’t let it sway your opinion.
I don’t mean any of this to be mean, but I think there are some realities you need to be aware of.
There are a lot of names I see on this site that work here (on nameberry; in hypothetical baby land), but not in real life. All of the people giving you opinions aren’t naming THEIR son [name_m]Fox[/name_m], they’re telling you to and not assuming any responsibility for his life. I don’t mean that in a bad way, but there’s simply nothing at stake for any of us when we give you approval. You are naming a human being who will grow up and introduce himself to his colleagues and superiors who will form a lot, if not all, of their opinions of him based on a tiny amount of time at the first introduction. Honestly, if I saw [name_m]Fox[/name_m] Lastname on a resume or in an interview, it would be really difficult for me to take the candidate seriously. I’m not sure why people are saying it’s a popular name considering it isn’t anywhere in the top 1000 baby names for any year. It’s not popular in real life, for a reason. [name_f]Remember[/name_f] what’s at stake for people giving you opinions on this site vs. what’s at stake for you and your son. Maybe family knows best on this one? Good luck.
Then there are those employers that are looking for someone special, someone different. If YOU would take issue over someone for their name, I surely hope you are not in a position of hiring. Having a name that sets someone apart can be a good thing sometimes. A traditional name doesn’t always guarantee a job/career. The world we live in is very different from the world our parents and grandparents grew-up in. People live all over the world these days. [name_m]Just[/name_m] read a board in the lobby of a doctors office. You will see a wide range of styles of names.
Yes, it is true that we are giving our opinion on this, that is what was asked for (same with forums in general), and we are not necessarily considering [name_m]Fox[/name_m] for our own children, that doesn’t mean that we do not care for an unborn child/child. I personally gave my life and career to children. She isn’t asking about naming the child Superman, [name_m]Pluto[/name_m], [name_u]Scrappy[/name_u] Doo…she is asking about [name_m]Fox[/name_m]. [name_m]Fox[/name_m] fits in with several of the popular names these days. I have seen [name_m]Fox[/name_m] on birth announcements. Later in years if a [name_m]Fox[/name_m] didn’t want to go by [name_m]Fox[/name_m] he could use his middle name.
I could not agree more! I love the name [name_m]Fox[/name_m], how it looks, how it sounds, the length but… I personally would never use it. It’s your child and naming your child is your choice, so if you’re in love with [name_m]Fox[/name_m] I say go for it. I remember when my cousin named his daughter [name_f]Nadia[/name_f], my family is full of traditional names defined by decade, so [name_f]Nadia[/name_f] was a bit of an uproar in the family. [name_f]Nadia[/name_f] is now 4 and works her name, she really made it her own.
I’m not saying a traditional guarantees employment; I’m just saying a name like [name_m]Fox[/name_m] will definitely be polarizing, some employers will embrace it and others will rule him out without even taking the time to interview him. A shame? Absolutely. The reality? Yep. I am also someone who dedicated my life to children and I see informing OP about all angles of a name like [name_m]Fox[/name_m] as giving a voice to someone who doesn’t have one.
I think he deserves the opportunity to use a formal, non-polarizing first name, if HE so chooses. I understand the world is different than it used to be in some ways, but in a lot of ways, it’s not. People still want to their employees to represent their company well, whether they work in a hospital, in sales, in a department store or at McDonalds and unfortunately, a polarizing name puts him at risk of discrimination. Not just in employment, but in all aspects of life; at school, within social groups, in a courtroom, college etc. There’s evidence to support this- many studies have been done.
OP, If you love [name_m]Fox[/name_m], put it in the middle spot and call him [name_m]Fox[/name_m], but give him an option if he decides it isn’t for him. Again, good luck and congratulations on your pregnancy.
This is a hard one, especially considering you have not agreed on any other name! I actually really like the name [name_m]Fox[/name_m] for a boy along with [name_u]Aspen[/name_u] for a girl and some other word nature names, but they have never felt right as first names for me because I would be worried such names would not age well or my child would not like it. But those are my own personal concerns! If you and your husband don’t have those same worries, you should go with your gut. I knew a basil in school and he pulled it off and I hardly ever thought of basil the herb in association with him. I also had a doctor named [name_f]Meadow[/name_f] [name_f]Lark[/name_f]! I like the idea of a more traditional middle name - [name_m]Fox[/name_m] [name_m]Thomas[/name_m] is adorable. Another idea is to put [name_m]Fox[/name_m] in the middle but call him by his middle name. It is a daring choice and giving him a more traditional option is a good idea. I would also keep an open mind and keep looking. I find that my feelings change quite a bit, some names have staying power and others I only like for a little while. If you both continue to love [name_m]Fox[/name_m] as time goes by, that is a reassuring sign that it is a good choice for you!
I agree. But the company wants qualified employees. Colleges want dedicated students. A person can visit any company, big or small, and any school and there will be people with a wide range of names. Including made-up names. My brother works all over the world, he hires people based on their abilities not their names. He knows others in high ranking jobs that do the same.
