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HelpMiddle Names
Ok, so my husband hasn't had time/motivation to go through any lists yet, but last night we did discuss our middle name predicament. He really wants to stick to a family name, rather than considering ones we like with nice meanings in the event of not coming up with a family name we like/can use.
Alexander Philip - This feels the most right to me and we seemed to be in agreement that it will be a back up in case nothing is right all the way up until he's born and suddenly we need something. BUT is it too Alexander the Great?! I don't think that's really a problem, but it's my only qualm with it.
Alexander Garth - Neither of us like Garth, as much as I wish I did, but I do like the way it looks and don't want to kick it out completely yet (husband seems more like he does).
Alexander Idris - We didn't discuss this one actually, but I know he seemed not terribly against it when I first mentioned it awhile ago.
Thoughts on the likability of these three combos?
This is so much harder this time around! Our other kids were easy to name, their names felt right and fell into place without issue. This time I'm nervous that nothing is going to seem right ever at all! Which is why I want to work at it with plenty of time left to go. Did anyone else have this problem while naming a child and how did it end up working out for you in the end?
Alexander Philip - This feels the most right to me and we seemed to be in agreement that it will be a back up in case nothing is right all the way up until he's born and suddenly we need something. BUT is it too Alexander the Great?! I don't think that's really a problem, but it's my only qualm with it.
Alexander Garth - Neither of us like Garth, as much as I wish I did, but I do like the way it looks and don't want to kick it out completely yet (husband seems more like he does).
Alexander Idris - We didn't discuss this one actually, but I know he seemed not terribly against it when I first mentioned it awhile ago.
Thoughts on the likability of these three combos?
This is so much harder this time around! Our other kids were easy to name, their names felt right and fell into place without issue. This time I'm nervous that nothing is going to seem right ever at all! Which is why I want to work at it with plenty of time left to go. Did anyone else have this problem while naming a child and how did it end up working out for you in the end?
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Replies
I love Alexander!
Alexander Philip - I like it. I didn't get the Alexander the Great connection (until I read a post below) but even if people do, it's not a bad thing, so I wouldn't worry about that. This is probably my favourite suggestion of the three.
Alexander Garth - Not keen on Garth (like everyone) though I do see the positive of naming him after your dad. I wouldn't be swayed by your mum's opinion though. Like Anneza I wondered about Gareth, it being a Welsh name and I know you have Welsh ancestry. ETA just saw your response to Bear that you don't like Gareth. Forget that then!
Alexander Idris - I like it but not convinced by it. Also I just think of Idris Elba (not that that's a bad thing!) so it seems a bit celeb-honouring to me, even though I know there are other associations.
I didn't read all the other responses but I like Basilisk's suggestion of Gabriel. Same initial as your dad too.
Alexander Philip - I like it. I didn't get the Alexander the Great connection (until I read a post below) but even if people do, it's not a bad thing, so I wouldn't worry about that. This is probably my favourite suggestion of the three.
Alexander Garth - Not keen on Garth (like everyone) though I do see the positive of naming him after your dad. I wouldn't be swayed by your mum's opinion though. Like Anneza I wondered about Gareth, it being a Welsh name and I know you have Welsh ancestry. ETA just saw your response to Bear that you don't like Gareth. Forget that then!
Alexander Idris - I like it but not convinced by it. Also I just think of Idris Elba (not that that's a bad thing!) so it seems a bit celeb-honouring to me, even though I know there are other associations.
I didn't read all the other responses but I like Basilisk's suggestion of Gabriel. Same initial as your dad too.
This message was edited 6/25/2016, 7:30 AM
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Alexander Philip is magnificently Alexander the Great! Who wouldn't be delighted to have two such namesakes in one euphonious package?
I actively dislike Garth. Alexander Gareth is a huge improvement, and might well swing it, unless Garth has profound significance.
Idris is amazing. I always think of it as a Welsh mountain (Cader Idris) but of course it's also Arabic - wonderfully multicultural and definitely worth running past his father, just in case!
I suppose Meg is a little bit little to have a meaningful opinion, but what about Ben? Old enough for a casting vote, perhaps?
I actively dislike Garth. Alexander Gareth is a huge improvement, and might well swing it, unless Garth has profound significance.
Idris is amazing. I always think of it as a Welsh mountain (Cader Idris) but of course it's also Arabic - wonderfully multicultural and definitely worth running past his father, just in case!
I suppose Meg is a little bit little to have a meaningful opinion, but what about Ben? Old enough for a casting vote, perhaps?
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Love your description of Alexander Philip, thanks. :)
Yeah, about Garth. As my husband said during our discussion, "I only know of 3 Garths in the world: your dad, Garth Brooks, and Garth from Wayne's World." :P
I should ask Ben his opinion, it would at least be interesting! He already had two great ideas for a first name, they just happened to be names we couldn't actually use!
Yeah, about Garth. As my husband said during our discussion, "I only know of 3 Garths in the world: your dad, Garth Brooks, and Garth from Wayne's World." :P
I should ask Ben his opinion, it would at least be interesting! He already had two great ideas for a first name, they just happened to be names we couldn't actually use!
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First time around, super easy! I always wanted to use Jasper for a DS, since I was about 15 / 16 years old! Once we decided we wanted a mn that started with E, that narrowed down our options and DH decided he really loved Emmanuel and so did I, so it was set.
Second time around, sooooo difficult! Once we found out we were having a second DS, I suppose that cut out half of the options, but I just couldn't seem to stick to any combo! I would say yes to one and then it didn't seem "perfect", so I would get all confused again. DH reminded me that nothing would seem as perfect as Jasper, simply because that was the name I had set my heart on for so long. Once I understood that I looked at names differently, we figured out what we wanted from the name (for us it was Biblical, strong and with meanings that mean something) and then we went into the hospital with two options, with Jethro Zion being #1 on the list. Thankfully when Jethro was born, DH and I both just knew he was Jethro.
As for your combos, I think Alexander Philip sounds and looks the best. Other combos I like are Alexander Louis, Alexander Felix, Alexander Finley, Alexander Leo, Alexander Ethan, Alexander Quinn, Alexander Isaac, Alexander Joseph, Alexander Evan, Alexander Elliott, Alexander Charlie, Alexander Miles, Alexander Milo and Alexander Max / Maxim / Maxwell.
Second time around, sooooo difficult! Once we found out we were having a second DS, I suppose that cut out half of the options, but I just couldn't seem to stick to any combo! I would say yes to one and then it didn't seem "perfect", so I would get all confused again. DH reminded me that nothing would seem as perfect as Jasper, simply because that was the name I had set my heart on for so long. Once I understood that I looked at names differently, we figured out what we wanted from the name (for us it was Biblical, strong and with meanings that mean something) and then we went into the hospital with two options, with Jethro Zion being #1 on the list. Thankfully when Jethro was born, DH and I both just knew he was Jethro.
As for your combos, I think Alexander Philip sounds and looks the best. Other combos I like are Alexander Louis, Alexander Felix, Alexander Finley, Alexander Leo, Alexander Ethan, Alexander Quinn, Alexander Isaac, Alexander Joseph, Alexander Evan, Alexander Elliott, Alexander Charlie, Alexander Miles, Alexander Milo and Alexander Max / Maxim / Maxwell.
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Thank you, your experience is very helpful! I think your DH is certainly on to something with a name not feeling perfect because you haven't been thinking about it for years. Although... our son Benjamin was named on a feeling of what was right and it wasn't a name I'd ever considered for a son until we were coming up with a list for him. Margaret was a name like your Jasper. I at least feel that Alexander is the right first name. DH is more in the camp of it's not really his name until it's on the birth certificate. True, but I like to think of him by that name up until that point as well!
Darn middle names, though...
Alexander Max, hehe. I almost suggested that, knowing DH likes Max, but he'd already joked we should make his middle name Mac... as in Alex Mac, the TV show. Max is too close!
Darn middle names, though...
Alexander Max, hehe. I almost suggested that, knowing DH likes Max, but he'd already joked we should make his middle name Mac... as in Alex Mac, the TV show. Max is too close!
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So definitely set on Alexander now? :)
Alexander Idris is my favorite. It's super cool and I like that it's a name from Nick's side of the family.
Alexander Philip is nice although I dislike the name Philip. I personally would use Alexander Garth. I think having your grandfather's name as a mm is such a nice thing for the kid. It's why I'll likely use Trevor as a mn one day despite hating the actual name.
Alexander Idris is my favorite. It's super cool and I like that it's a name from Nick's side of the family.
Alexander Philip is nice although I dislike the name Philip. I personally would use Alexander Garth. I think having your grandfather's name as a mm is such a nice thing for the kid. It's why I'll likely use Trevor as a mn one day despite hating the actual name.
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That's a good way to look at it, being nice to have your grandfather's name as a mn. Helps me see it more objectively. Thanks!
(Idris is from my family, maternal grandpa's side.) :)
(Idris is from my family, maternal grandpa's side.) :)
This message was edited 6/24/2016, 6:47 PM
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Sorry, I misread that one!
But yeah, as a kid who got stuck with a mn that's not my Nana's name because my mother "didn't like it", I'm always really sad I don't share a name with the most amazing woman I know :( It's just a middle name- as name needs we obsess over combos but IRL, how often do we give thought to our own middle names? I would much rather have one that makes me smile instead of one that just "sounded nice".
But yeah, as a kid who got stuck with a mn that's not my Nana's name because my mother "didn't like it", I'm always really sad I don't share a name with the most amazing woman I know :( It's just a middle name- as name needs we obsess over combos but IRL, how often do we give thought to our own middle names? I would much rather have one that makes me smile instead of one that just "sounded nice".
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Exactly why I gave my kids honoring middles, based on the person I was honoring and not at all based on sound or flow. I was given a name "because it sounded nice" and I always wished there was more to it.
This message was edited 6/26/2016, 12:38 AM
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Alexander Sean :-P
I'm joking, that's the name of my husband. He actually doesn't spell his middle name like that, but it's pronounced that way. (It's his mother's maiden name)
As you know I honor whether or not I like the name - it's why the next child (should there be one) will have the middle name of Cecilia.
I love Alexander Frederick. It has such a cool sound to it, it's too bad you're not into the name. Garth isn't really for me, at all. Alexander Garth is a bit much. But Alexander Your Maiden Name is a neat idea. I know it runs together a bit, but I like it.
Otherwise I'd go with Alexander Philip. It's a great name, it's not too Alexander the Great and it fits with your other kids.
I'm joking, that's the name of my husband. He actually doesn't spell his middle name like that, but it's pronounced that way. (It's his mother's maiden name)
As you know I honor whether or not I like the name - it's why the next child (should there be one) will have the middle name of Cecilia.
I love Alexander Frederick. It has such a cool sound to it, it's too bad you're not into the name. Garth isn't really for me, at all. Alexander Garth is a bit much. But Alexander Your Maiden Name is a neat idea. I know it runs together a bit, but I like it.
Otherwise I'd go with Alexander Philip. It's a great name, it's not too Alexander the Great and it fits with your other kids.
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I dislike my maiden name too, and Nick is anti-surname-as-a-middle-name. My mom even suggested her maiden name to him, which she wished she would've given my brother or I, and he was like nope.
I just make basically every decision based on my gut feeling, and the lack of gut feeling over a name is throwing me for a loop! I'm praying one will develop in the next 4 months.
I just make basically every decision based on my gut feeling, and the lack of gut feeling over a name is throwing me for a loop! I'm praying one will develop in the next 4 months.
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I'd probably go crazy, too.
Miriam was named less than a month after I found out I was pregnant. To this day I still don't know how we settled on Miriam or why - it was a name I liked, but Alexander had always been wishy-washy on it. As you know, we had always planned on using Margaret. But Miriam came up, it stayed and it fit (although I did try to sneak Nora in). I hope you find the right name, and soon.
Miriam was named less than a month after I found out I was pregnant. To this day I still don't know how we settled on Miriam or why - it was a name I liked, but Alexander had always been wishy-washy on it. As you know, we had always planned on using Margaret. But Miriam came up, it stayed and it fit (although I did try to sneak Nora in). I hope you find the right name, and soon.
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Alexander is a popular name,so it's not too much Alexander the Great. Margaret Thatcher didn't stop you from using the name, and neither did Benjamin Franklin, so why would Alexander? It's a good enough combo
Don't like Garth at all, and the combo is "okay" at it's best.
Idris is okay, more interesting than Alexander and Philip. Soundwise, this is my favorite como.
Don't like Garth at all, and the combo is "okay" at it's best.
Idris is okay, more interesting than Alexander and Philip. Soundwise, this is my favorite como.
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But that's it.
Only history nerds will get it. I only got it because I read Alexander the Great mysteries a few years ago.
Only history nerds will get it. I only got it because I read Alexander the Great mysteries a few years ago.
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I guess I have no concept of what the general population knows or not. :P
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(Answered below)
This message was edited 6/24/2016, 11:19 AM
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Out of the three I think Alexander Philip sounds the strongest.
My significant other and I have 1 son. When it came to names our styles were very different. He wanted an old fashioned family name. His favorite was my grandfather's name Erwin Alvin. I quickly vetoed that! I wanted something a little more updated. Conor and Declan led my list. I was 2 months away from delivery with no names in sight and Dad was just done with discussing it. I was thinking hard about family honoring names and I thought who is more important than Mom and Dad. And the light bulb went on Max Lee......our middle names. Dad quickly agreed and our son was named! Hang in there and good luck!
My significant other and I have 1 son. When it came to names our styles were very different. He wanted an old fashioned family name. His favorite was my grandfather's name Erwin Alvin. I quickly vetoed that! I wanted something a little more updated. Conor and Declan led my list. I was 2 months away from delivery with no names in sight and Dad was just done with discussing it. I was thinking hard about family honoring names and I thought who is more important than Mom and Dad. And the light bulb went on Max Lee......our middle names. Dad quickly agreed and our son was named! Hang in there and good luck!
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Thanks! Being into names and having been naming kids for 8+ years I just feel like I've seen ALL the names and seriously thought about all possibilities! What I have is what we can pick from. Ha!
I'm hoping we can get a middle name down to one or two we're ok with and then sit on it for the remaining few months and feel much better by the time he's born.
I'm hoping we can get a middle name down to one or two we're ok with and then sit on it for the remaining few months and feel much better by the time he's born.
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Alexander Idris is absolutely wonderful! I love it, everything about it. Alexander is a great name with great history. Idris is unexpected but not too unfamiliar, and I quite like the meaning. And there's Idris Elba, of course.
Alexander Philip is a decent combo, but Philip isn't my cup of tea. I think it looks and sounds rather unpleasant.
Alexander Garth is alright. I've got nothing against Garth, but I don't like it either.
Alexander Philip is a decent combo, but Philip isn't my cup of tea. I think it looks and sounds rather unpleasant.
Alexander Garth is alright. I've got nothing against Garth, but I don't like it either.
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Alexander Philip is wonderful. Yes, the conqueror thing is there, but only to nerds. I doubt most would pick up on it. This one is my favorite of the three.
Alexander Garth doesn't work for me at all. Are variants of family names OK? Alexander Gareth flows better to my ear. Huh? I just looked up Garth and see that Gareth isn't a variant. Wonders and Brexit votes will never cease. Still, Alexander Gareth could honor Garth. The name is contained in Gareth. Food for thought.
Alexander Idris is magical. Love it. :0)
Alexander Garth doesn't work for me at all. Are variants of family names OK? Alexander Gareth flows better to my ear. Huh? I just looked up Garth and see that Gareth isn't a variant. Wonders and Brexit votes will never cease. Still, Alexander Gareth could honor Garth. The name is contained in Gareth. Food for thought.
Alexander Idris is magical. Love it. :0)
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Fair enough. Undaunted:
Alexander Garrick
Alexander Garrett
Alexander Garvan / Garbhan
Alexander Garnet
Alexander Berengar -- not the best flow though
Alexander Edgar -- ditto
Alexander Oscar / Osgar
Alexander Hrodgar -- kitchen sink time
Alexander Beauregard
Notice Gary (~~shudder~~) not included on the list. :0P
Alexander Garrick
Alexander Garrett
Alexander Garvan / Garbhan
Alexander Garnet
Alexander Berengar -- not the best flow though
Alexander Edgar -- ditto
Alexander Oscar / Osgar
Alexander Hrodgar -- kitchen sink time
Alexander Beauregard
Notice Gary (~~shudder~~) not included on the list. :0P
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Oh man, Alexander Idris.
Alexander's hard to pair, it's really stand-alone. I like it with vowel names. Idris is good and expresses your style.
Alexander Gabriel - Gabriel is a pretty name and what an awesome archangel.
Alexander Arthur - love the precise awkwardness of this. Bam.
Alexander Isaac - "he laughs"... right? Why not?
Alexander I. Yourlastname gives initials "AIR." That's pretty cool.
Alexander Abel
Alexander Absalom BAM
Alexander Ansel
Alexander Drake love it!
Alexander Oliver
Alexander Tempest
Alexander Peter
Oh Alexander Philip is not too A. T. Great.
Alexander's hard to pair, it's really stand-alone. I like it with vowel names. Idris is good and expresses your style.
Alexander Gabriel - Gabriel is a pretty name and what an awesome archangel.
Alexander Arthur - love the precise awkwardness of this. Bam.
Alexander Isaac - "he laughs"... right? Why not?
Alexander I. Yourlastname gives initials "AIR." That's pretty cool.
Alexander Abel
Alexander Absalom BAM
Alexander Ansel
Alexander Drake love it!
Alexander Oliver
Alexander Tempest
Alexander Peter
Oh Alexander Philip is not too A. T. Great.
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I have Gabriel on the possible middle name list, even though I've always thought it seemed annoying. He is an awesome archangel, though! Funny you mention Arthur and Isaac, both are also family names in the same branch as Idris.
I love Alexander Abel, also on the list. I wish he'd look at the list... !!
I love Alexander Abel, also on the list. I wish he'd look at the list... !!
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So are all three honoring, and you're trying to decide which sounds best? If they are all honoring, does the person whom you're honoring play a factor at all?
I think Alexander Philip sounds best, even though I'm not a huge fan of Philip as a first name, and I don't think it's too Alexander the Great.
I think Alexander Philip sounds best, even though I'm not a huge fan of Philip as a first name, and I don't think it's too Alexander the Great.
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Yes, Philip is my (maternal) grandfather and Idris is a family name on his side that he's expressed the wish of someone using, and Garth is my father. Initially I wanted to avoid Philip because our daughter is named after my maternal grandmother and we wanted to pick a different family branch. My mom really wants me to use Garth after my dad. I would say honoring-wise I ought to go for my dad over my grandpa, but actually liking the name trumps that for us!
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Agreed, on all counts.
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Does your dad have any middle names you could use?
Or would it perhaps be appropriate to have a conversation with your dad where he actually picks a name? Or maybe you give him a list of names you and your other half are agreed on let your dad pick from there? Still a way of honouring, I think, and definitely a cute story to tell your son.
Garth has meaning linked with garden, perhaps you could go with botanical or nature name?
Or would it perhaps be appropriate to have a conversation with your dad where he actually picks a name? Or maybe you give him a list of names you and your other half are agreed on let your dad pick from there? Still a way of honouring, I think, and definitely a cute story to tell your son.
Garth has meaning linked with garden, perhaps you could go with botanical or nature name?
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