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Help[Opinions] Gabriel and John
I can't entirely pin down what sort of personality I think these two names have, possibly because I feel they're pretty similar. So I am wondering what other people feel. What sort of impression or vibe do they each give to you?
(eta: I'd prefer to only hear neutral or positive things. If you really dislike either name it won't be very helpful in this case.)
These seem to be the two middle name options for New Kid and I lean towards one and my husband leans towards the other, and I'm basically just hoping once baby is here the right one will be obvious. But probably not, it will probably be terrible having to make a decision. Blehhhhhhh
(eta: I'd prefer to only hear neutral or positive things. If you really dislike either name it won't be very helpful in this case.)
These seem to be the two middle name options for New Kid and I lean towards one and my husband leans towards the other, and I'm basically just hoping once baby is here the right one will be obvious. But probably not, it will probably be terrible having to make a decision. Blehhhhhhh
This message was edited 10/2/2016, 11:44 AM
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Replies
Thanks everyone!
I guess you'll all be just as surprised as I will as to what baby's middle name will end up being!
I guess you'll all be just as surprised as I will as to what baby's middle name will end up being!
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The thing with these two names is that they are both overly handsome.
I mean John is just the epitome of a name, right? At least in my culture. It's the everyman name, the handsome prince, the devilish playboy, the boy next door, the unexpected hero, or the toddling toddler.
It just works for everyone.
Gabriel on the other hand is very specific handsome. It's the romantic chic type of handsome. It adds a smooth finish to any combo.
So... Normally I would choose one dependent on the other names in the combination. Gabriel to liven up the set and John to ground it.
In this case though, I think John is just a bit too straightforward when Gabriel is an option for you.
I mean John is just the epitome of a name, right? At least in my culture. It's the everyman name, the handsome prince, the devilish playboy, the boy next door, the unexpected hero, or the toddling toddler.
It just works for everyone.
Gabriel on the other hand is very specific handsome. It's the romantic chic type of handsome. It adds a smooth finish to any combo.
So... Normally I would choose one dependent on the other names in the combination. Gabriel to liven up the set and John to ground it.
In this case though, I think John is just a bit too straightforward when Gabriel is an option for you.
This message was edited 10/3/2016, 12:12 PM
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Gabriel seems much younger than John. John is such an old classic, and my image of it is a bland, middle aged man in a business suit. Gabriel invokes an image of a clean cut teen in a boy band. They are both "nice" & safe names. Both flow well with Alexander. Personally i would totally use Garth. How often do you say the mn anyway?
This message was edited 10/3/2016, 11:01 AM
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John - I like it a lot. John is reliable and sweet. A gentleman. I get a warm feeling from John.
Gabriel - I'm neutral. Gabriel is more youthful than John but also less reliable. Gabriel is the person who won't stop talking but he is also funny and kind.
I much prefer Garth over Gabriel though. Garth is unexpected and I love the meaning.
Both names go really well with Alexander (and so does Garth!). As a combo I prefer the flow and sound of Alexander John. Lookwise Alexander Gabriel is more pleasing.
Gabriel - I'm neutral. Gabriel is more youthful than John but also less reliable. Gabriel is the person who won't stop talking but he is also funny and kind.
I much prefer Garth over Gabriel though. Garth is unexpected and I love the meaning.
Both names go really well with Alexander (and so does Garth!). As a combo I prefer the flow and sound of Alexander John. Lookwise Alexander Gabriel is more pleasing.
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Really?! I wonder if knowing this will help sway husband to Gabriel's side. He wanted to be a broadcaster as a kid, his dad went to broadcasting school but doesn't do it, and I also swear Ben could be a broadcaster the way he narrates everything all the time... hahaha.
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Our son slogged through a year of engineering, to please his father(and did well),and then took a 2-year course in broadcasting.
He'd done radio since high school, as the school had a little radio station;also, he did the audio for Saturday evening Mass.
He loves it. He got transferred to tv recently, which is fine too, but radio is his first love.
You know, I bet Ben could do it! There's always a place for a good narrator. :-)
He'd done radio since high school, as the school had a little radio station;also, he did the audio for Saturday evening Mass.
He loves it. He got transferred to tv recently, which is fine too, but radio is his first love.
You know, I bet Ben could do it! There's always a place for a good narrator. :-)
This message was edited 10/3/2016, 6:37 PM
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Gabriel
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=279/
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=279/
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Gabriel is a bit more... aloof? Like more uppity but not in a bad way, I can't think of quite the word to describe it. John is very solid, kind of plain, but more approachable. John is a warmer name. I like both, however!
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How about two mns? Then you both win!
John, paradoxically, seems more established than Gabriel, even though Gabriel is more fashionable at the moment and John is in decline. Or maybe it's achieved a bounce? I'd use John over Gabriel any time, for family reasons and also, though I'm as partial to archangels as the next person, a name that shortens naturally to Gay seems unwise. And Gabe just is unattractive! However, I'm well aware that this is meaningless for a mn, so either would do and I continue to favour John in loving memory of my Great-Uncle Jack!
John, paradoxically, seems more established than Gabriel, even though Gabriel is more fashionable at the moment and John is in decline. Or maybe it's achieved a bounce? I'd use John over Gabriel any time, for family reasons and also, though I'm as partial to archangels as the next person, a name that shortens naturally to Gay seems unwise. And Gabe just is unattractive! However, I'm well aware that this is meaningless for a mn, so either would do and I continue to favour John in loving memory of my Great-Uncle Jack!
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I think Gabriel is warm and sensitive sounding. John is sturdier and serious. I like both but prefer Gabriel.
I think the G commonality would sway me to use Gabriel. I kind of wish you guys would just use Garth though! I don't like the name either but the flow is good and I wouldn't like being the only kid without a family name as a mn but that's just me.
I think the G commonality would sway me to use Gabriel. I kind of wish you guys would just use Garth though! I don't like the name either but the flow is good and I wouldn't like being the only kid without a family name as a mn but that's just me.
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I would be ok to use it anyway. Unfortunately, I am not the only one who can make the decision! :D
I keep telling Nick that's also why I lean towards Gabriel and he keeps saying, "I don't know..." COME ON MAN.
I keep telling Nick that's also why I lean towards Gabriel and he keeps saying, "I don't know..." COME ON MAN.
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I prefer Alexander Garth, in context, to both of the other options. It's striking and handsome & far more unusual, & has great flow.
*sends waves of persuasion Nick-wards*
*sends waves of persuasion Nick-wards*
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I also think they have a similar feel, and I like both of them a lot, so I'm not much help :)
Is one of them a family name? Because if I remember rightly, his sibs' middles are both family names? So I'd choose the one with the family connection.
Is one of them a family name? Because if I remember rightly, his sibs' middles are both family names? So I'd choose the one with the family connection.
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Kinda. I'd most like to use a middle name after my dad, but we have decided we just don't like any part of his name enough to use, but Gabriel is the same initial. John is the name of my husband's grandfather, but they were never close and it wouldn't be after him, so I don't feel like it really counts. But yes, other kids have family names in the middle. Which is why this has been such a pain, why can't our family have names we like more?! ha
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I don't really know about the personality of names. Gabriel is perhaps more arty and flamboyant than good old down-to-earth John. I like both of them but would use Gabriel. I think it's more interesting. I remember when it came up in a discussion before.
John is obviously plainer and perhaps a bit bland. I'd consider using it personally as it's my dad's name but beyond that, there's nothing that grabs me about it. Saying that, it does flow well with Alexander. I can see your dilemma!
John is obviously plainer and perhaps a bit bland. I'd consider using it personally as it's my dad's name but beyond that, there's nothing that grabs me about it. Saying that, it does flow well with Alexander. I can see your dilemma!
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Gabriel: softer, more complex, has more personality. Sounds more intelligent than John.
John: strong but simple, unassuming, blank slate name. Good mn for long first names.
edit--
So with Alexander, I'd probably say John.
Alexander Gabriel is a lot of syllables and those names don't go together quite as well. Gabriel is a little more soft/nerdy/smart/introverted than Alexander and John. Alexander is a lot more active, class-clown, outgoing and John can fit with that.
I don't know how you feel about diminutive names, but Gabe is a happy medium. One syllable, more interesting than John, and is closer to the personality of Alexander.
John: strong but simple, unassuming, blank slate name. Good mn for long first names.
edit--
So with Alexander, I'd probably say John.
Alexander Gabriel is a lot of syllables and those names don't go together quite as well. Gabriel is a little more soft/nerdy/smart/introverted than Alexander and John. Alexander is a lot more active, class-clown, outgoing and John can fit with that.
I don't know how you feel about diminutive names, but Gabe is a happy medium. One syllable, more interesting than John, and is closer to the personality of Alexander.
This message was edited 10/2/2016, 2:03 PM
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I can't really say what personality the names have (not good at that), however, my brother was named John, it's a name that could fit almost any boy.
Gabriel is a name in my husband's family. His brother-in-law was named Gabriel (this man was a sort of substitute father to my husband, after husband's father died. )A very nice man.
Also, one of my husband's relatives had twins just after Christmas, boy and girl, the boy is Gabriel.(Girl is Maria.)
So, both good names.
Gabriel is a name in my husband's family. His brother-in-law was named Gabriel (this man was a sort of substitute father to my husband, after husband's father died. )A very nice man.
Also, one of my husband's relatives had twins just after Christmas, boy and girl, the boy is Gabriel.(Girl is Maria.)
So, both good names.
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I prefer Gabriel. I think it has a warm and friendly feeling - the same feeling I get from names like Daniel, Thomas and yeah - Benjamin. John is pretty bland and boring and a bit more..harsh, probably?
Have you settled on a FN? I know you were thinking about Alexander earlier and I'm rooting for that one. It's one of my favorites. :)
Have you settled on a FN? I know you were thinking about Alexander earlier and I'm rooting for that one. It's one of my favorites. :)
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First name is Alexander, yes. It's funny because I see John as more warm and in line with things like Benjamin, while Gabriel seems more... independent? It's not unfriendly, but I've never thought of as very warm and cuddly, and thus never thought much about it at all. But it's been standing out to me this whole time and its big advantage is being a G name (same initial as my dad, since we won't be using his actual name).
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