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HelpOpinions on names
Not sure how many men post here, but I'm a bit nerdy (read: wife's opinion) when it comes to choosing the right name. We have a little girl now, two years old, and have a boy on the way. I've been killing myself trying to find the right name. I prefer more classic names (Samuel, Jack, Henry) but the wife isn't too fond. Long story short the birth isn't too far away and she (disliking every boy name ever and generally only being fond of girl names) has given me the reigns fully. So I propose to you 3 names, from least to most favorite, please let me know which you'd prefer.
3. Mason James Lester
2. Samuel Laurens Lester
1. Lucas Ulysses Lester
The reason I like the first name is because the pacing the emphasis in certain spots. It would also match nicely with his sister, Leah Elizabeth Lester. I've never been fond of my last name and am very picky with what first name goes with it. My nick name is Will and I really disklike the way the L's from the end of wiLL blend into the L at the start of Lester, sounding like one ugly jumble willlester (My wife things I'm just being silly :))
I love Leah Elizabeth becase the LE at the start of LEah and LEster are given a break when juxtaposed with the EL at the start of ELizabeth. As well as the le-AH sound no rolling into LE at the start of LEster.
I feel LUcas ULysses LEster has the same structure that I meantion for Leah.
Am I being too crazy? Is Ulysses to weird of a middle name? Is it bad that I don't want to include my father or grand fathers name in any of this? (I dislike their names)
3. Mason James Lester
2. Samuel Laurens Lester
1. Lucas Ulysses Lester
The reason I like the first name is because the pacing the emphasis in certain spots. It would also match nicely with his sister, Leah Elizabeth Lester. I've never been fond of my last name and am very picky with what first name goes with it. My nick name is Will and I really disklike the way the L's from the end of wiLL blend into the L at the start of Lester, sounding like one ugly jumble willlester (My wife things I'm just being silly :))
I love Leah Elizabeth becase the LE at the start of LEah and LEster are given a break when juxtaposed with the EL at the start of ELizabeth. As well as the le-AH sound no rolling into LE at the start of LEster.
I feel LUcas ULysses LEster has the same structure that I meantion for Leah.
Am I being too crazy? Is Ulysses to weird of a middle name? Is it bad that I don't want to include my father or grand fathers name in any of this? (I dislike their names)
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Update
After reading all the responses, thank you all so much by the way, I've pulled away from the first name Lucas a little bit for various reason. Mason James is also a bit too trendy, like every has said. I don't even really like the Mason to be honest. So I seem to be down to two names now (thanks everyone so much for the suggestions though!)
I like:
James Ulysses Lester
Samuel Laurens Lester
I like James after seeing a post from a Callidus asking if Jack cane be short for James. After doesn't some research I found that it isn't uncommon for a James to be a Jack. So that choice would have Jack as a nickname, as I don't think Jack flows that well as a given name.
The other I just like and I can't help it :).
After reading all the responses, thank you all so much by the way, I've pulled away from the first name Lucas a little bit for various reason. Mason James is also a bit too trendy, like every has said. I don't even really like the Mason to be honest. So I seem to be down to two names now (thanks everyone so much for the suggestions though!)
I like:
James Ulysses Lester
Samuel Laurens Lester
I like James after seeing a post from a Callidus asking if Jack cane be short for James. After doesn't some research I found that it isn't uncommon for a James to be a Jack. So that choice would have Jack as a nickname, as I don't think Jack flows that well as a given name.
The other I just like and I can't help it :).
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Considering that Callidus posted from the same IP address (likely the same computer) you did, it's hardly surprising that you were interested in that thread. FYI, the rules for this board say to post under only one name.
Personally I think James can be nicknamed Jack, in fact any guy can be nicknamed Jack if it suits. You can hardly go wrong with either Sam or Jack and honestly, I'm sort of amused that you consider this to be something that needs so much consideration. Good names are good. =)
Personally I think James can be nicknamed Jack, in fact any guy can be nicknamed Jack if it suits. You can hardly go wrong with either Sam or Jack and honestly, I'm sort of amused that you consider this to be something that needs so much consideration. Good names are good. =)
This message was edited 4/25/2012, 10:05 AM
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My you're a fancy one.
I understand Jack can be synonymous with any man, but I was mainly curious if it was a typically diminutive for James. Perhaps it is amusing, but I can't imagine my extended consideration of these names is anymore silly (read: obsessive) than my posting on a name-focused message board in the first place :). My wife and I don't plan on having any more kids, so this being my one shot to name my son I'd like to put as much thought into it as possible. It is important to me, but like I said before, if it wasn't, I wouldn't be posting here in the first place.
I understand Jack can be synonymous with any man, but I was mainly curious if it was a typically diminutive for James. Perhaps it is amusing, but I can't imagine my extended consideration of these names is anymore silly (read: obsessive) than my posting on a name-focused message board in the first place :). My wife and I don't plan on having any more kids, so this being my one shot to name my son I'd like to put as much thought into it as possible. It is important to me, but like I said before, if it wasn't, I wouldn't be posting here in the first place.
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Fancy? Thanks! What a fine compliment. =D
Really ... I always look at these things, I'm supposed to be a board moderator so I feel responsible for pointing out that there are rules people might not know about. People do stuff all the freaking time and it doesn't matter. I don't care if you're for real or what - it's just about the names.
Yeah, I shouldn't ping you for being obsessive about names. Just meant that I think with the names you're talking about, you can't go far wrong, they're good. Jack is the total laid-back alpha-guy name, and Sam is a little less aggressive but equally friendly-dominant sounding. I'd personally avoid them, but that is because both sides of my family are uh, genetically nerdy? and Sam or Jack probably would not really seem right on a son of ours.
Really ... I always look at these things, I'm supposed to be a board moderator so I feel responsible for pointing out that there are rules people might not know about. People do stuff all the freaking time and it doesn't matter. I don't care if you're for real or what - it's just about the names.
Yeah, I shouldn't ping you for being obsessive about names. Just meant that I think with the names you're talking about, you can't go far wrong, they're good. Jack is the total laid-back alpha-guy name, and Sam is a little less aggressive but equally friendly-dominant sounding. I'd personally avoid them, but that is because both sides of my family are uh, genetically nerdy? and Sam or Jack probably would not really seem right on a son of ours.
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I'm glad we were able to help you narrow down your choices. Personally, I'm really digging James Ulysses since it seems to offer you most of what you're looking for. You get to use a classic that complements Leah, you get to use a cool nn, Jack, and you get to use Ulysses in the middle which you love. I'd say it's a win/win/win. When he's born, I feel you'll be able to take one look at him and decide if he looks more like a Jack or a Sam.
Good luck and best wishes!
Good luck and best wishes!
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Lucas Ulysses and Samuel Laurens
Name-wise, I am the opposite of your wife; male names come very easily to me and are highly loved, whereas the options for females never seem to escape a frilly daintiness, in my eyes... while I have no children, I worry that if I ever had a daughter that she would have the same distaste for her given name that I do for mine.
Moving on.
Out of your three combinations, Samuel Laurens Lester and Lucas Ulysses Lester both possess an alluring charm. Mason James is a very, very common pairing, from my experience... I believe that I have encountered three, and have read the mention of it a seemingly infinite amount of times on the Internet.
Henry and Jack are magnificent, by the way. I prefer Jack to be a nickname for John, though (which sounds splendid with the surname Lester, in my opinion.)
On a post somewhere below you spoke of a concern regarding Lucas possibly being shortened to Luke... I personally am acquainted with a Lucas (who is touching around 20-years- old) who, from my knowledge, has never been summoned by that diminutive. He has actually expressed a wish for Luke to have been his given name, and when I suggested he simply use it as a nickname, he stared at me as if I sprouted two extra heads.
Lucas is just not something that needs to be altered, and I feel that most people view it that way.
I adore creating combinations, so even though you did not request, I hope that you do not mind...
Laurent Ulysses Lester
Moving on.
Out of your three combinations, Samuel Laurens Lester and Lucas Ulysses Lester both possess an alluring charm. Mason James is a very, very common pairing, from my experience... I believe that I have encountered three, and have read the mention of it a seemingly infinite amount of times on the Internet.
Henry and Jack are magnificent, by the way. I prefer Jack to be a nickname for John, though (which sounds splendid with the surname Lester, in my opinion.)
On a post somewhere below you spoke of a concern regarding Lucas possibly being shortened to Luke... I personally am acquainted with a Lucas (who is touching around 20-years- old) who, from my knowledge, has never been summoned by that diminutive. He has actually expressed a wish for Luke to have been his given name, and when I suggested he simply use it as a nickname, he stared at me as if I sprouted two extra heads.
Lucas is just not something that needs to be altered, and I feel that most people view it that way.
I adore creating combinations, so even though you did not request, I hope that you do not mind...
Laurent Ulysses Lester
This message was edited 4/24/2012, 11:57 PM
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Mason James Lester
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I don't care for Mason, but it does sound good with Lester, and is normal enough.
Lucas Lester or Luke Lester = bad sounding enough that I wouldn't want to be named it, plus initials LUL are not so cool.
Samuel Lester doesn't sound good (I'm hearing molester in there) but Sam Lester does, and I suspect he would be called that. So that's my pick.
Ulysses isn't too weird but it does present the problem of initials _UL. Other than that I think any of your middle names works fine.
Lucas Lester or Luke Lester = bad sounding enough that I wouldn't want to be named it, plus initials LUL are not so cool.
Samuel Lester doesn't sound good (I'm hearing molester in there) but Sam Lester does, and I suspect he would be called that. So that's my pick.
Ulysses isn't too weird but it does present the problem of initials _UL. Other than that I think any of your middle names works fine.
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Well, combo number two has the l in Samuel blurring into the middle name. Number one has a terrible tangle of l's and s's. IT sounds like a snake hissing and licking a lollipop.
So I go with combo three. Mason James Lester.
So I go with combo three. Mason James Lester.
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I'd go with Samuel Laurens Lester. Because:
I just don't like Mason as a first name.
I like Lucas, but don't like Lucas with Lester. I think that alliteration is fine with some names---my last name starts with an R and if I'd had a second daughter, I might have named her Rebecca. But I like alliteration only with some letters, and L is one that I don't like it with. Ulysses, however, is not too weird of a middle name at all. It's very cool. Is there some reason that it can't be Samuel Ulysses?
Don't worry about not using your father's or grandfather's names. That's your personal choice. I'd rather see you not use the names because you dislike them, than try to come up with something else and then use some justification that you're really "honoring" them.
I just don't like Mason as a first name.
I like Lucas, but don't like Lucas with Lester. I think that alliteration is fine with some names---my last name starts with an R and if I'd had a second daughter, I might have named her Rebecca. But I like alliteration only with some letters, and L is one that I don't like it with. Ulysses, however, is not too weird of a middle name at all. It's very cool. Is there some reason that it can't be Samuel Ulysses?
Don't worry about not using your father's or grandfather's names. That's your personal choice. I'd rather see you not use the names because you dislike them, than try to come up with something else and then use some justification that you're really "honoring" them.
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Wow thanks for all the quick responses. I'll clarify a bit, I don't like Lucas BECAUSE it is another L name like my daughts. I just liked the rhythm it provided and thought the U sound set up Ulysses nicely (I'm 100 times more attached to Ulysses than Lucas). Names my children L-names has nothing to do with it :).
I'm fond of Ulysses for a few reasons. It's has history in the States, as the poster mentioned with the civil war hero/president Mr. U.S. Grant. But I love that its the anglicization of Ulixes, which is the Latin name for Odysseus. I'm very fond of the stories of Odysseus. I love how he wasn't just a brute like many of his counterparts and used his smarts, trickery, and what was given to him to accomplish his goals (which were usually getting back to his family by whatever means he could, even if it took 20 years :D).
I'm fond of Laurens because I think it sounds nice and I believe its a Dutch name (I'm part Dutch, among other things but like the netherlands the most :P). I even briefly considered Dutch itself as a name (don't you judge me :)). My only issue with it as first name would the possible teasing due to its similarities to Lauren.
I do like Lucas, for the same reason as Laurens, but me and wife both really dislike the nickname Luke, haha. I think I only went with it for fear of the Lauren teasing meantioned above.
I like Samuel because it feels classic to me, and the ones I also enjoy (Henry, and especially Jack) my wife strongly dislikes.
Of the suggested variants to the names given so far I think I like Laurens Ulysses and Samuel James the most.
Now that you have a bit more of an understanding of my reasons behind my likes perhaps that will help you make further suggestions, which I really would like. I'm also curious as to your reaction regarding Laruens possibly being teased as Laruen.
I'm fond of Ulysses for a few reasons. It's has history in the States, as the poster mentioned with the civil war hero/president Mr. U.S. Grant. But I love that its the anglicization of Ulixes, which is the Latin name for Odysseus. I'm very fond of the stories of Odysseus. I love how he wasn't just a brute like many of his counterparts and used his smarts, trickery, and what was given to him to accomplish his goals (which were usually getting back to his family by whatever means he could, even if it took 20 years :D).
I'm fond of Laurens because I think it sounds nice and I believe its a Dutch name (I'm part Dutch, among other things but like the netherlands the most :P). I even briefly considered Dutch itself as a name (don't you judge me :)). My only issue with it as first name would the possible teasing due to its similarities to Lauren.
I do like Lucas, for the same reason as Laurens, but me and wife both really dislike the nickname Luke, haha. I think I only went with it for fear of the Lauren teasing meantioned above.
I like Samuel because it feels classic to me, and the ones I also enjoy (Henry, and especially Jack) my wife strongly dislikes.
Of the suggested variants to the names given so far I think I like Laurens Ulysses and Samuel James the most.
Now that you have a bit more of an understanding of my reasons behind my likes perhaps that will help you make further suggestions, which I really would like. I'm also curious as to your reaction regarding Laruens possibly being teased as Laruen.
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I agree here re: Laurens, and also wanted to add, Will, that once you explained your fondness for Ulysses, I'd hate to see you NOT use it, you know? Samuel Ulysses does sound nice. Also, you said you liked the way the 'oo' sound of Lucas set up Ulysses so WDYT of something like Judah Ulysses or Reuben Ulysses or Louis Ulysses (pr. LOO-ee)? Just a thought ... I'm not really wild about the sound of Louis Lester, but you may love it so I thought I'd throw it out there.
BTW, I really love both Henry and Jack.
BTW, I really love both Henry and Jack.
This message was edited 4/24/2012, 5:53 AM
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"BTW, I really love both Henry and Jack."
Now convince my wife? Haha. She thinks classic names are for old men :). I tell her I don't want my son to age with a name that can't. She also doesnt like the nickname Harry for Henry, which took other name I enjoyed, Harrison, off the list too :). When I say "list" I mean a literal list that I present to her, haha. She is like my editor, looking over it when a red pen :P. Just kidding. Anyways, I do like Louis but I already know she isn't fond of it. Right now I feel like I'm deciding between Samuel Ulysses and Samuel Laurens. I'll let you all know her reaction to it when I give her a call tonight, my time (currently in Afghanistan, so its 5:25PM my time but early morning still over there, as I'm sure you all know :)).
Now convince my wife? Haha. She thinks classic names are for old men :). I tell her I don't want my son to age with a name that can't. She also doesnt like the nickname Harry for Henry, which took other name I enjoyed, Harrison, off the list too :). When I say "list" I mean a literal list that I present to her, haha. She is like my editor, looking over it when a red pen :P. Just kidding. Anyways, I do like Louis but I already know she isn't fond of it. Right now I feel like I'm deciding between Samuel Ulysses and Samuel Laurens. I'll let you all know her reaction to it when I give her a call tonight, my time (currently in Afghanistan, so its 5:25PM my time but early morning still over there, as I'm sure you all know :)).
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I guess popularity charts wouldn't convince her?
http://www.behindthename.com/top/search.php?terms=jack
Jack is sooooo modern toddler
http://www.behindthename.com/top/search.php?terms=jack
Jack is sooooo modern toddler
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Oh you are awesome. For liking classic names and for being concerned about names at all as the dad! It's like pulling teeth to get my husband to have an opinion about a name. Which I guess could also be a good thing for me... but anyway.
1. No no no Mason, I think that's awful, sorry. Plus James, while I love it, is so easy and common as a middle name. There are probably a ton of trendy little Mason Jameses out there.
2. Samuel Laurens is quite nice, sounds very Southern Gentlemanly.
3. Lucas I don't like, but it's not too bad. Ulysses I like. I'd avoid Lucas though since your daughter's name also begins with an L.
So clearly Samuel Laurens gets my vote. And I don't think it's bad to not include an honoring name if you dislike them.
1. No no no Mason, I think that's awful, sorry. Plus James, while I love it, is so easy and common as a middle name. There are probably a ton of trendy little Mason Jameses out there.
2. Samuel Laurens is quite nice, sounds very Southern Gentlemanly.
3. Lucas I don't like, but it's not too bad. Ulysses I like. I'd avoid Lucas though since your daughter's name also begins with an L.
So clearly Samuel Laurens gets my vote. And I don't think it's bad to not include an honoring name if you dislike them.
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I find Mason a bit jarring (pun intended), especially with James, which seems to indicate you're a fan of vintage movies. But James and all its nicknames would be fine. Nicely traditional too, but also up-to-the-minute, like Leah.
I've never enjoyed Sam names, and Lucas Lester is a bit too L-s for me. Lots of people on these boards are bothered because Lucas rhymes with mucus ... nothing bad has ever happened to any of the Lucases I know, but kids will tease each other anyway and it's a good enough name. But maybe not with Lester!
If you want another L name, and why not, then could you warm up to Laurens as a fn? If it was me, I'd go straight for Laurens James ... but then you'd lose the vowel-+-L echo of Elizabeth. Laurens Ulysses would be very distinctive, and not weird at all! What a namesake Ulysses would be - the ultimate loyal, intelligent man of action. And Ulysses S Grant did it credit as well.
Family names are never compulsory (thank goodness! I'm the daughter-in-law of a Bertha.) so no, no problem there. Especially since both those gentlemen have had their turn to name sons of their own - now it's your turn. Good luck, and keep us informed.
I've never enjoyed Sam names, and Lucas Lester is a bit too L-s for me. Lots of people on these boards are bothered because Lucas rhymes with mucus ... nothing bad has ever happened to any of the Lucases I know, but kids will tease each other anyway and it's a good enough name. But maybe not with Lester!
If you want another L name, and why not, then could you warm up to Laurens as a fn? If it was me, I'd go straight for Laurens James ... but then you'd lose the vowel-+-L echo of Elizabeth. Laurens Ulysses would be very distinctive, and not weird at all! What a namesake Ulysses would be - the ultimate loyal, intelligent man of action. And Ulysses S Grant did it credit as well.
Family names are never compulsory (thank goodness! I'm the daughter-in-law of a Bertha.) so no, no problem there. Especially since both those gentlemen have had their turn to name sons of their own - now it's your turn. Good luck, and keep us informed.
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No, you're not being too crazy. I feel the same somewhat. Our surname begins with the letter B and I've nixed names like Jacob, Elizabeth and even Rebecca because they run into the letter B (perhaps Rebecca doesn't roll into it yet it does run into it, imo). Point being that you're not the only one who considers these things. And while I like your style, I'm not fond of the way Lucas Lester or Lucas Ulysses Lester sounds (not wild about repeated sounds but mainly, it's too hissy for my tastes since all three names would have the s sound) or the fact that the sibset would begin with the same letter. If you were to have a third child, would you also be interested in another L name or feel you must continue with another L name? Something to consider ...
Having said that, my fave here is Samuel. Are the mns set in stone or are family names? The reason I ask is because Samuel James Lester would have an ideal flow, imo, and would be a great complement to Leah Elizabeth. Re: names that honor, what's the point of honoring if you don't like them or if the child doesn't like them? I say go with what you love and you'll never have regrets.
BTW, like your wife, I've never been crazy about boy names. In fact, with all of my pregnancies (three dds), I've never had much of an interest in them. All of the names we had picked out for boys don't even appeal to me at all now because I couldn't stay with one I liked ... until now and we're not planning to have another child so I'll never get to use it.
Whatever you decide, please let us know! Congrats!
Having said that, my fave here is Samuel. Are the mns set in stone or are family names? The reason I ask is because Samuel James Lester would have an ideal flow, imo, and would be a great complement to Leah Elizabeth. Re: names that honor, what's the point of honoring if you don't like them or if the child doesn't like them? I say go with what you love and you'll never have regrets.
BTW, like your wife, I've never been crazy about boy names. In fact, with all of my pregnancies (three dds), I've never had much of an interest in them. All of the names we had picked out for boys don't even appeal to me at all now because I couldn't stay with one I liked ... until now and we're not planning to have another child so I'll never get to use it.
Whatever you decide, please let us know! Congrats!
This message was edited 4/24/2012, 4:14 AM
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