Struggling with names for baby boy

[Anonymous]

I'm pregnant with my first child and it's a boy. I have a million and one girl names that I love, but I'm having a hard time coming up with boy names that excite me. I tend to like traditional names, though now that I'm considering giving one to an actual child, I'm wondering whether they're a bit of a cop out and I should try harder.

Names I like include:
Henry, Oliver, William, Samuel (all too popular), Thomas (dull?), Alfred (I think it's cool but my family hates it), Edwin (after my dad), Edward, Peter (won't work with last name).

Despite years of staunch opposition to surnames as first names, I find myself liking Gardner and Rivers (and other comparable names), though I can't commit because they feel pretentious. These types of names are a part of the naming culture I grew up in (from Charleston, SC) but I am not Southern old money or anything like that, so they feel a little... aspirational? almost ridiculous for the child of a lesbian, Jewish, left-wing academic and her partner.

So anyway, do you have any suggestions? Opinions? I'm definitely overthinking everything, but this feels important.

[Anonymous]

Edmund?

[Anonymous]

Feels like you like real names with some traditional heft but don't want to have the 83rd Noah on the block. What about:

Solomon
Gabriel
Zachary
Adam (I think this one in particular is crazy underused)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Feels like you like real names with some traditional heft but don't want to have the 83rd Noah on the block. What about:

Solomon
Gabriel
Zachary
Adam (I think this one in particular is crazy underused)

I do like Adam, though unfortunately we lost my first cousin, Adam, to suicide last year and I just can't bring myself to use it. Plus, I think it should be reserved for his sister should she want to use it.

I do like Gabriel, which makes me think of Gideon, which I hadn't considered. Hmm.. Gideon.

Thanks for your response!

[Anonymous]

Asher
Augustus (Gus)
Samson
McCarthy
Jamison

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Feels like you like real names with some traditional heft but don't want to have the 83rd Noah on the block. What about:

Solomon
Gabriel
Zachary
Adam (I think this one in particular is crazy underused)

I do like Adam, though unfortunately we lost my first cousin, Adam, to suicide last year and I just can't bring myself to use it. Plus, I think it should be reserved for his sister should she want to use it.

I do like Gabriel, which makes me think of Gideon, which I hadn't considered. Hmm.. Gideon.

Thanks for your response!

Yes, Gideon! As a teenager, I devoured the John Jakes series, Kent Family Chronicles. I loved those books and had a HUGE crush on the character, Gideon. I think he shows up around the Civil War era, so several books into the series. If I recall, he wore a dashing eye patch! Swoon!

[Anonymous]

I'd do Edwin if you have a good relationship with your dad. It's offbeat but traditional and in line with your other choices. I like Alfred too, FWIW.

The only name on your list I don't like is Rivers.

[Anonymous]

What about Gilbert?

[Anonymous]

Thomas in not dull. Timeless classic, which is not currently over used.

I also like Isaac and Joel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm pregnant with my first child and it's a boy. I have a million and one girl names that I love, but I'm having a hard time coming up with boy names that excite me. I tend to like traditional names, though now that I'm considering giving one to an actual child, I'm wondering whether they're a bit of a cop out and I should try harder.

Names I like include:
Henry, Oliver, William, Samuel (all too popular), Thomas (dull?), Alfred (I think it's cool but my family hates it), Edwin (after my dad), Edward, Peter (won't work with last name).

Despite years of staunch opposition to surnames as first names, I find myself liking Gardner and Rivers (and other comparable names), though I can't commit because they feel pretentious. These types of names are a part of the naming culture I grew up in (from Charleston, SC) but I am not Southern old money or anything like that, so they feel a little... aspirational? almost ridiculous for the child of a lesbian, Jewish, left-wing academic and her partner.

So anyway, do you have any suggestions? Opinions? I'm definitely overthinking everything, but this feels important.

Ha! We are a straight, Christian right-wing academic couple and are pretty much deciding on the same names!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Asher
Augustus (Gus)
Samson
McCarthy
Jamison

Like August better than Augustus. Alfieri is cute nn for Alfred

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd do Edwin if you have a good relationship with your dad. It's offbeat but traditional and in line with your other choices. I like Alfred too, FWIW.

The only name on your list I don't like is Rivers.

I like Edwin too. Names should be meaningful too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What about Gilbert?

I wish! My sister named her dog Gilbert. Otherwise, I would totally use it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm pregnant with my first child and it's a boy. I have a million and one girl names that I love, but I'm having a hard time coming up with boy names that excite me. I tend to like traditional names, though now that I'm considering giving one to an actual child, I'm wondering whether they're a bit of a cop out and I should try harder.

Names I like include:
Henry, Oliver, William, Samuel (all too popular), Thomas (dull?), Alfred (I think it's cool but my family hates it), Edwin (after my dad), Edward, Peter (won't work with last name).

Despite years of staunch opposition to surnames as first names, I find myself liking Gardner and Rivers (and other comparable names), though I can't commit because they feel pretentious. These types of names are a part of the naming culture I grew up in (from Charleston, SC) but I am not Southern old money or anything like that, so they feel a little... aspirational? almost ridiculous for the child of a lesbian, Jewish, left-wing academic and her partner.

So anyway, do you have any suggestions? Opinions? I'm definitely overthinking everything, but this feels important.

Ha! We are a straight, Christian right-wing academic couple and are pretty much deciding on the same names!

Ha! well, they are good names. Are there any others you're considering?

[Anonymous]

Reed
Lucas
Paul
Benjamin
Caleb
Richard
Charles
Frederick
Robert
Hugh
Phillip