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We did a few tests on our potential names:
- Can you say it correctly on the first try?
- Is it somewhat easy to spell?
- Can kids make fun of it?
- Is it relevant to my native culture (I’m a second generation American)?
You would be surprised how many names are knocked out with that criteria. Made our decisions way easier for both my son and daughter.
First kid we found a name months in advance we fell in love with. Second kid it took use 3 days after his birth to agree to a name. It’ll come in due time!
I had almost this exact experience except that we also settled on a couple of bad ideas in advance for #2 before realizing they were bad ideas and changing our minds.
Personally, I’ve always enjoyed having my kids named. Helps keep things organized. We went for names from. a few generations back. I was into names that were easy enough to spell so the kids wouldn’t have to continually explain themselves / correct.
I feel like this is the trend. Go after the most popular names from the social security registry from the 1920s and 1930s and you will probably find your winner.
A-A-Ron?
Where’s A-A-Ron?
Is A-A-Ron here today?
Here’s one KMNOP ... guess what it is... Noelle!
Just assign her a number
Make sure you are OK with the short form of the name. Seen so many parents who are like “We don’t like Nick, but we love Nicholas so we’ll just call him Nicholas all the time and that will work out”...umm, nope, it’s called school peeps... If you don’t like Jim then don’t go with James.
Put an emoji in the name just to mess with back end systems
We set up a spreadsheet of all family names (as complete as we could get them) for the past couple generations on both sides. That helped with a list of names we could narrow down, even if we may end up going off-list. We could discuss what we liked and didn't about each name.
Like AP mentioned above, I live between two cultures so wanted names that would work in both. We ended up settling in my grandmother's middle name for our daughter (was top of list for both of us) and a name on my mom's side for our son (for some reason, male names were harder to agree on). Both are very traditional with traditional spelling.
One thing to consider is that certain names are class markers (famously, the name Kevin in Germany is working class). It's not something to overthink, but I'd argue that unique spellings, for example, aren't exactly markers of social confidence on the part of the parents. Right now I like names that are in the top 1000 but haven't climbed high on the top 100 for a while. Less likely to be one of 10 with the same name in their class, but also not so unusual that it will be noted.
I’m concerned about the longevity in the working world. Interested in other fathers take on this.
I wouldn’t overthink it. Think of all the current absurd names given by this generation. Whatever you select will be tame and traditional in comparison.
Angus / Alfred / Alistair ... keep them at the top of the yellow pages
My kids are named after specific relatives and friends who we love and are also common names. Helps to make meaning out of an otherwise boring name.
My son has a non-traditional name, I think they grow into it. My one recommendation but not necessarily a requirement is have it rooted in something, non-traditional family name or traditional Gaelic names, etc
I feel you OP! We’re looking for very short, and recognizable, while still unique names that will be identical in two languages (Russian & English)! Thus far I have a girl named Eva and a little man named Elias (Eli). Looking for a second boy name now.