Throwing around 'Dean'?

Guillerma

What do you think of Dean as a boy name? It's a pretty significant family name for our family, but as a middle name, and we've always thought of using it as a middle name. Now we're throwing it around as a first name. I like it, and think it would grow well. Any idea why it's not more popular? Bad associations?

rikkiandjulie

I think "dean of the school" not bad but I like it best as a mn.

HeyJune

I love it. I know one Dean IRL and he gave me a very good association (extremely smart, successful, good guy).

CluckyEV

I like it.

alexismcg

I like Dean. I have a little boy in my class named Deacon nn Dean.

kissthenkill

I like Dean.

NellaJ

I like it. I have an Uncle Dean who is awsome so I have positive associations with the name.

Brodyrox30

I like Dean and have good associations with it; DH has bad associations with it, however, and nixed it. I think it's one of those names that is neither traditional/classic (ie: William, Charles) or trendy. Therefore, it's kinda stuck in the middle ground. I associate it mostly with middle-aged adults, and maybe that's why it's not so popular. To me, it's similar to Wayne, Bruce, Murray, Warren, Ivan, etc. It's not "old enough"/traditional enough to be "coming back", and most people have a "middle-age" association with it, which makes it hard to use on a baby. Just my $0.02--I also live in Canada, so maybe these names have a much different popularity curve than in the US.

BethPSU

I like it a lot. We considered using it for DS #2.  DS #1 is named Reed after my dad's mn and grandmother's maiden name.  We thought about using Dean after FIL's mn, but I got worried about Reedo and Deano.  Deano makes me think of a dinosaur.  We used it as a mn.  I probably would have used it at as a fn if I didn't already have a Reed that occasionally gets called Reedo.

MrsJuicy2B

I like it. It's classic without being overused. I've met only 3 Deans in real life and I think they're all great people. Interestingly, they're all over 30. I don't know anyone younger with the name.

forensicmama

It's a great name. Very strong and classic. I think of James Dean.

honkytonk_kid

I really like it, as a first name or middle name.

It's masculine, not you-neek and I think it ages well. Good choice

BFab11

I like it. It was my dad's MN, so I'm partial.

Sari323

It's a family name for us and we love it! 

alliejo725

I love Dean. I think it's simple and cool.

Moxie27

don't prefer it, but i don't think anything's wrong with it.

mrs.guice

I love it!!!

 

For BethPSU: We have a Reid and if we have another boy he will be named Dean Matthew!! What is your other son's name?

 

LaComtesse

One of the most horrible people I've ever known was/is named "Dean" and I still don't hate the name, so that says something about the strength of it. It's nice! I like it: not my style, but it's a good strong name.

Keri Marie

Love Love Love!

BethPSU

mrs.guice:

I love it!!!

 

For BethPSU: We have a Reid and if we have another boy he will be named Dean Matthew!! What is your other son's name?

 

 

Our other son is Pierce Dean. 

LMS05

I don't like it, but I don't know why. It just isn't appealing at all to me. 

zaramarie81

Love it. It's classic and underused.

zaramarie81

LaComtesse:

One of the most horrible people I've ever known was/is named "Dean" and I still don't hate the name, so that says something about the strength of it. It's nice! I like it: not my style, but it's a good strong name.

It's funny because this is true for me too! I also think it's one of the few names where I *only* know middle-aged men with the name and yet it doesn't sound dated or old to me... just strong and classic.

Brougham7-15-06

faeriequeeneonwow

I like it for a MN more so than a FN just because if I here someone named Dean I automatically think Gilmore Girls - but that's probably just a generational thing. We've got it on our list of possible MNs.

iLikeSloths

I don't really like it.  I would only use it as a middle name.

apc1929

I really like it but DH was not on board..  he thought it was really boring    Family name for me too tho so I have a good assoc. with it