Can I make a name post, too? Come in and tell me if these are stupid.

Miles2Go

We've been having the hardest time with names. Dh wants to table the discussion, which I agreed to, but told him that if the baby exited my body without a name (or at least two solid and agreed upon options) that I would then be claiming exclusive rights.

If dd had been a boy, she was going to be Julian Ottus. This baby doesn't feel like a Julian to me, but Dh wants to leave it on the table.

I like James. Dh does too but hates Jim and Jimmy, which might be inevitable. We'd try to make Jamie happen, but Dh has a cousin named Jamie. I don't see the problem.

Dh is campaigning for Ellis. Social security assured me it was a "real" name. In 2012 it was in the 800-900 in popularity range. Height of popularity was around 1899. I don't love it. He likes it because he likes the Jason Ellis show and then he could use nicknames like Eli or Ellie (like Ellie Ellezra, the poker player).

Dh wants Alexander as a middle name (his dad's name). I want Ottus (after my grandfather and great-great grandfather). The baby will have dh's family last name so I don't see why he can't have a family name that is important to me as well.

Obviously Ellis Ottus is out. Seriously no good.

Options now include:

James Ottus
James Alexander
Ellis Alexander
Julian Ottus
Julian Alexander

Double middle name? Ottus-Alexander?

I even offered to drop my Ottus campaign and go with James Ellis.

Or something else?

I hate this. Sorry this was long. And I apologize - I'm posting here because I know you guys and I'm scared of the baby names board.

Katemr1146

I like James Alexander or James Ellis.

mirdamae03

I really like James Ellis/Alexander. I lean more towards Ellis because I see Alexander as very common in the middle name spot. I like the family tie in Alexander though.

MrsT2008

Ellis is a "real" name, yes, but it is primarily a surname and I'm not a fan of using it for a first name.

I like James Alexander.  I think if you guys are adamant enough about calling him James or Jamie only, it will be fine.

MommyP26

I like Julian ottus

bcnoelle

I like both James and Julian. I prefer Alexander for the middle name slot, but since Ottus is a family name I think you should campaign for this!

kat8805

I can't. There's no clicky to this and I can't give you an opinion with out one. WTF @Miles2Go.

Clicky or it didn't happen!

I'm leaning towards James Alexander, but nothing is offic since I can't click shit :P

spinsoffresonance

I like James Ottus the best. It sounds very distinguished. Ellis Alexander is my next favorite. James Alexander is nice too, but with both names being so common, you might end up running into other kids with the exact same name (also kinda depends how common your last name is). I don't like Julian.

AugustGlass

I like James or Julian Alexander because of how it flows, but I know where you're coming from wanting one of your families names in the mix. My husband and I had the same argument. I do like James ottus, too.

runningyogimama

I like James Alexander. And I don't see the need for a nickname--I think it is a perfectly good name on its own. A little boy I used I nanny for was James, and no one was compelled to call him Jim or Jimmy or anything.

KateBee

I'm on the James Alexander/James Ellis train.

RedInLove

Alexander Ottus?

spacepotatoes

I really like James Alexander. James Ottus is nice too, if you want to keep the family name.

likeabel

If you call him James, people won't call him Jim or Jimmy.

Empireceo

Love Julian, love Ottus!

CamrynnsMommy

Love James Alexander.

Luckyu317

James Alexander!

GoodToBeGeib

Just throwing another idea out there--- what about Elias?  It's similar to Ellis and you can still use the nickname Eli.  

Miles2Go

JmeJme said:

I like James Alexander. And I don't see the need for a nickname--I think it is a perfectly good name on its own. A little boy I used I nanny for was James, and no one was compelled to call him Jim or Jimmy or anything.

I don't want a nickname either. But Dh is afraid it's inevitable.

Miles2Go

RedInLove said:

Alexander Ottus?

I'm really anti Alexander as a first name nms and my best friend has an 8 year old named Alex.

Miles2Go

likeabel said:

If you call him James, people won't call him Jim or Jimmy.

I see you've never met my dad. Everyone in the world calls my nephew Jacob. My dad calls him Jakey because my brother mentioned that he disliked that nickname. Same happened to my brother William (bill) with the nickname willy. Basically, my dad is an asshole. I just have to decide how much I care, I guess. So torn.

pandadair

marielynnk said:

I like James Ottus & Ellis Alexander!

Ditto this. Although I like all of the James and Ellis ones. I don't even know that I'd feel compelled to use a nickname with James.

ETA: Looks like other people said the same thing about the nickname. I feel like Jim and Jimmie are the kind of nicknames you tell people to call you, as opposed to nicknames that are just shortening of the name. I think you're way less likely to have that happen than with, say, Alexander and Alex.

QOTR

I love Ellis. 

Miles2Go

@kat8805

Click this

Better?

Miles2Go

@pandadair
I hope you're right. I think James is beautiful on its own.

candrew05

James Alexander

sparklingdiamond

I like James Alexander and also James Ellis.

EmilyGolden1

I like James Ellis best-and if you really want James---dropping your vote on Ottus may help your case

dragossoul84

I love James Alexander, but I could be partial since DS1 is Alexander

kat8805

Miles2Go said:

@kat8805

Click this

Better?

Nothing happened!?

I did pee a bit though ">

awknyc

I like James Ellis, but I myself am also campaigning for my family name as the middle name so would go with James Ottus if it's something you feel strongly about.

busterbeagle

I like James with any of the middle names. We have a nephew named James and he has ALWAYS been James, never Jimmy of Jim. And he's 14 so I don't think that going to change. I also have cousins named Michael and Katherine who never went by any shortened version or nickname.

manna1212

James Alexander!

momthatlifts

Julian Alexander for me. Not a fan of Ottus myself. Good luck. Choosing a name is hard

Bootsie327

I like James Ottus!

manderdoll

My brothers name is James Alexander, he also has a second MN but he goes by Alex, always has.  I like Ellis, but I like names that are a little different without being way out there.

Boys names are hard, my husband and I have tabled our convo on it for now too, but it drives me crazy!

jfletcher3113

I love all the James and Julian options.

And just a random note on the name shortening thing. My cousin is named Michael and I distinctly remember my aunt correcting anyone who tried to shorten his name to Mike or Mikey when he was little.

It took a while but we all finally got the hint. She essentially trained all of us to call him Michael and, so, that's what everyone calls him to this day so I think you can stick with James if you wanted to. You may just have to correct people when he's younger.

MissLadyTay

marielynnk said:

I like James Ottus & Ellis Alexander!

I think you can't do wrong with any of these. All of them are good. But these two are my favorite.

ABColeslaw

pandadair said:

marielynnk said:

I like James Ottus & Ellis Alexander!

Ditto this. Although I like all of the James and Ellis ones. I don't even know that I'd feel compelled to use a nickname with James.

ETA: Looks like other people said the same thing about the nickname. I feel like Jim and Jimmie are the kind of nicknames you tell people to call you, as opposed to nicknames that are just shortening of the name. I think you're way less likely to have that happen than with, say, Alexander and Alex.

me three

gypsymystic

I like James Ellis, and Ellis Alexander.

dp1320

I like James Alexander or Ellis Alexander. I actually like the name Ellis (even though I've never heard it before). I can understand you wanting to incorporate your family name in there too... I can see why you guys are stuck!