Neither. But if you really must, Julian.

I prefer Joseph or Javon for a J name.

I like Julian better than Rowan.

How about Elliott, Gideon, Ronan or Jotham?

Or you could wait to meet him and give him a name based on his hair.

Rowan means red head.
Crispin means curly hair.
Kieran means little dark one.
Bowie means blonde.

Julian.

I find Rowan hard to say -- it doesn't roll off the tongue. The
"ow" part of the name is sticky or something.

Julian

Also, fun fact: the actress Jordana Brewster named both her boys Julian and Rowan.

I don't know what OP eventually settled on, but I have two boys. My 17 year old is Julian and my 2.5 year old is Rowan. Both are uncommon enough around here that you won't find them on a keychain, but they aren't unheard of names. We don't have any male or female Rowans' at his preschool...and my Julian never met another Julian in his school. Julian turned out to be very academic and cerebral, whereas my Rowan is currently a free spirited little guy. Their names suit them. My name is Ashley and I've actually met a few very masculine men that wear the name proudly. All three names are traditionally male, Rowan and Julian more common in Great Britain.

Anonymous wrote:I think Julian not ringing super masculine is exactly what I like about it. Not everyone wants a super masculine sounding name for their son. Those are the names that usually make me cringe and I associate with toxic masculinity. Ill pass.

+1

I think Julian not ringing super masculine is exactly what I like about it. Not everyone wants a super masculine sounding name for their son. Those are the names that usually make me cringe and I associate with toxic masculinity. Ill pass.

Anonymous wrote:Julian.

My cousin has a child named Rowan and it sounds like everyone struggles to say the name.

Yeah, I could see how this would be. The "w" sound makes it a little bit cumbersome.

I like both, but prefer Rowan.

That being said Rowan is very popular right now in some cities.

I have a Leo so that name is of course my favorite. Of your other names, I'd rank them:

James
Julian
Rowan

All of which are nice, and none of which I hate. I also considered Julian and James. Since it seems we share the same taste, here are other names we considered:

Owen
Dylan
Theo/Theodore
Sebastian

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And did you miss my reference to Roman history and more specifically Julius Caesar who lemme fill you in was a general, conquered Gaul, shagged Cleopatra and became Dictator for Life of a huge empire. Is that not "manly" enough for you?

In a website full of try-hard nonsense, this might be the try-hardiest. Cringe.

Listen. I was just defending my son's name from being called not "masculine." I didn't choose it b.c Caesar was "manly" I just love Roman history.

Tell me your kid's name then if it's so perfect

Pick a lane. Is masculinity as a concept so toxic that people who mention a name rings feminine to their ear are automatically inferior feminists or is your kid the mostest masculinist because Julius Caesar "shagged" (cringe each time) Cleopatra? If you picked it because you love history why do you care that people think it doesn't sound masculine?

Sweetie I was pointing out the absurdity of the comment. Like when people get upset if their boy wears pink when 150 years ago the colors were swapped. It is all just ridiculous. Do try to keep up, dear.

It's a little alarming that the mention of two consenting adults having sex upsets you so much.

I don't care for either.

My BFF's name is Julian so that gets my vote.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And did you miss my reference to Roman history and more specifically Julius Caesar who lemme fill you in was a general, conquered Gaul, shagged Cleopatra and became Dictator for Life of a huge empire. Is that not "manly" enough for you?

In a website full of try-hard nonsense, this might be the try-hardiest. Cringe.

Listen. I was just defending my son's name from being called not "masculine." I didn't choose it b.c Caesar was "manly" I just love Roman history.

Tell me your kid's name then if it's so perfect

Pick a lane. Is masculinity as a concept so toxic that people who mention a name rings feminine to their ear are automatically inferior feminists or is your kid the mostest masculinist because Julius Caesar "shagged" (cringe each time) Cleopatra? If you picked it because you love history why do you care that people think it doesn't sound masculine?