Harley for a boy, would you use it? --EDITED!!!

renafaith

DH is determined he wants Harley for a boy after his granddad or great-granddad or something.

At first I was ok with it, but with it being so popular as a girl's name, I don't know that I can agree anymore.

What would the baby name board do?

EDIT: Ok, forget the name Harley, because my question is not getting answered. The real question here is "Would you use a traditionally boy's name if it made a sudden popular trend towards a girl's name"?

Sherriberry

It's a girl name now? Yuck!

Yuck to it being a boy name too. I can only envision an old man Harley, not a little boy.

MomsABoo

I don't like it for either.

Have him play the resume game!  Or have him make believe that his buddy Mike wanted to introdcue him to his new friend Harley.  What would he think?!

BelleBaby

The only Harley I know is a girl, spelled Harleigh.

Could you compromise and hide it as a middle name?  I know several guys with middle names like Lynn after an older relative.  No biggie if it's not their first name.

MelodyKate

nms- regarless of gender

renafaith

BelleBaby:

The only Harley I know is a girl, spelled Harleigh.

Could you compromise and hide it as a middle name?  I know several guys with middle names like Lynn after an older relative.  No biggie if it's not their first name.

Nope. Middle name is after his father who passed when he was young.

lovemytwoboys

MelodyKate:

nms- regarless of gender

I agree with this.

Harley was our dog's name.

wittyschaffy

  to both

lilmgirl

I don't like the name Harley for a girl or a boy.  I always associate it with Davidson and naming children after something that is so heavily branded, I have a hard time getting over.

mr&mrswelch

to answer your eta question. I would use the name if it had family significance.

I don't think of Harley as a girl's name. 

RyansWifey5

I personally like the name Harley. I know a boy named Harley and he is as tough, rough and rowdy as a boy can get! IMO he carries the name well. I say go for it!

ttmccoot

i think it all has to do with how YOU think of the name, although the BN board is a good indicator of what gender people will associate with the name that you've chosen. KWIM?

that said, i don't associate the name harley with either gender. it's unisex to me, like robin or quinn.

good luck!

mcmann05

renafaith:

DH is determined he wants Harley for a boy after his granddad or great-granddad or something.

At first I was ok with it, but with it being so popular as a girl's name, I don't know that I can agree anymore.

What would the baby name board do?

EDIT: Ok, forget the name Harley, because my question is not getting answered. The real question here is "Would you use a traditionally boy's name if it made a sudden popular trend towards a girl's name"?

I would not name my son something that is even remotely girly. To me, Harley use to be an awesome boy (old man) name. However, I only know girl Harley's (Harlee, Harleigh) now. I'm not really sure why the name became girly though. So, I'm not really answering your question....I think I would still use it for a boy bc I think it's one of those names that REALLY can go either. I would beef it up with a super masculine mn if it were me though.

julieanna21

I think it's sweet that DH wants to honor the men in his family.  When my niece was a baby she was bald, but always dressed in cute pink dresses with matching headbands AND had her ears pierced.  People came up and asked if she was a boy all the time.  It was weird.  I wouldn't worry what other people think because you just never know what they will come up with.  If you like it, and it's special to DH...go for it!

Camok87

mr&mrswelch:

to answer your eta question. I would use the name if it had family significance.

I don't think of Harley as a girl's name. 

Dawson56

if you like it then go for it.  My husbands name is BAILEY which has become a popular girl;s name.  I will still name my son Bailey, III if i have a boy in the future.  who cares, Bailey was originally a boy's name and still is in my opinion.  but i'm also one who doesnt really let other people's opinions determine my actions.

strangebird

In the case of this particular name which is decidedly masculine (albeit not my style and possibly detrimental to your child's social life) yes, you should feel free to go ahead and use it for your baby boy, despite it's questionably popularity as a girl's name. Honestly, it might be gaining popularity as a girl's name, but I don't think it will ever be so popular most people will perceive it as exclusively feminine.

However, if you want to convince your husband not to use the name Harley, show him this. Harley is #13 on the List of 100 Most Popular US Dog Names (for males, too).

 

happynluv2012

Usually, when a boy's name starts getting used as a girls name, it doesn't go back. best example: Lindsay.

I will probably stick to gender specific names to make it easier for my children.

pitbull708

Yes I would use it, if you like it. We are using Jordan if this LO is a boy. To me, it is a boy's name, although it seems to be used a lot as a girl's name.The name won't make your boy "girly" or less "manly" when he grows up. I say go for it!