Informal name poll, one day away from due date

JKM416

Still having no idea what we'll name this child, and I'm worried we're going to end up picking something just because we have to and aren't 100% sure it's the right one.  I'd be interested in any insight anyone has...your DH or DS have one of the names, or you do, or there's a fabulous combination we haven't considered, or there's some burning reason not use one.  We've had no luck working on this for nine months on our own, so I'm turning to The Bump for some sort of epiphany.  I had an official poll a few months ago, but due to negotiations, compromises, and just plain being stubborn about some names, we're semi-back to the drawing board.  FYI, we have a three-syllable Irish last name that starts with Mc_____.

 

BOYS

Patrick James

Patrick Adam

Adam James

Adam Patrick

Thomas (middle only)

David (middle only)

 

GIRLS (our general list, with no first/middle combinations made yet)

Elizabeth

Cecelia

Colleen

Caroline

Catherine

Rebecca

Alexandra

Leigh (middle only)

Renee (middle only)

Olivia (middle only)

RomeRomance06

If we ever have a son, he will be named Patrick after my husband's late father. His name was Patrick Joseph. Our son will be Patrick Leo, after my grandfather. I love the name Patrick, so I am partial to that for a first name. I like all your girl names and Katherine was an early favorite for DD but ended up being her middle name. I LOVED Caroline and probably would've gone with that if it was solely my choice but DH wasn't a huge fan. We didn't have DD's name picked out before I delivered. But we knew she was a girl and did have three names all picked out and decided after we saw her. Good luck!

WinesNot Whines

I like all of your names. None of them are unusual or have odd spellings. I don't think you will scar your child for life by choosing any of the names on your list.

Here are some more specific thoughts:

1. Do you care if the name sounds very Irish? That might sway you towards/against Patrick.

2. Are any of these names family names, and if so, how strongly do you feel about using a family name?

3. Do you care how popular the name is? Have you looked at their popularity on the social security website?

4. Do you have strong feelings about any of the natural nicknames that may come from these names? Even if your family only uses the full name, your child may come back from elementary school with a new nickname (i.e. Pat for Patrick, Catie/Katie for Catherine, Becky for Rebecca). If you absolutely loathe one of those nicknames, that may help you eliminate the name.

Sofka

I like Adam

I don't like Cecelia or Colleen (seem sort of old fashioned to me).

I like Alexandra a lot but would she go by Alex? Are you OK with that?

I think all your names are normal and as WnW said, none will scar your kid for life.

good luck, any day now!!

 

JKM416

WinesNot Whines:

1. Do you care if the name sounds very Irish? That might sway you towards/against Patrick. I thought of this but don't really mind, so Patrick would be OK.  Neither DD's nor DS's names are very Irish-sounding, so it won't look like we're trying to raise the next cast of "Riverdance."

2. Are any of these names family names, and if so, how strongly do you feel about using a family name? Patrick is BIL's middle name, but it wouldn't really be for him.  Besides, he's my favorite family member on DH's side, so if anyone was going to be subtley honored, it would be him.  There were some girl names I wanted to use from my side, but I couldn't get DH on board.  So Patrick is the only one that has anything to do with either family.

3. Do you care how popular the name is? Have you looked at their popularity on the social security website? I guess top 100 would be our goal.  I remember looking up some of these a while ago, but thanks for the suggestion...I'll go back and check.  I don't want top 10, at least.  DD's name has moved up in popularity a lot in the last few years, which I didn't anticipate.

4. Do you have strong feelings about any of the natural nicknames that may come from these names? Even if your family only uses the full name, your child may come back from elementary school with a new nickname (i.e. Pat for Patrick, Catie/Katie for Catherine, Becky for Rebecca). If you absolutely loathe one of those nicknames, that may help you eliminate the name.This is one of my biggest sticking points.  DD's name doesn't have a natural nickname, but DS's does (very common).  Luckily we've avoided him being called it so far...people seem to get that we use the full name for him, but I'm sure once he enters school he'll deal with it.  But there are some nicknames for some of these (Pat, Becky/Becca, Ally, and Liz/Lizzie come to mind) that I would prefer not to use for various reasons.  Some of the girl names, especially, are a mouthful and could easily get defaulted to nicknames.  So it IS a big concern for me, but I'm desperate at this point!

earlysun

I like Patrick James the best for a boy, and all the girls' names except Colleen and Cecelia.  I think of Olivia as a first name, though.

Hey Jellisy

I love Patrick Thomas.  That's the name of two different cousins and both are sweethearts.  All of the names are nice btw.  I think your LO will be happily named whichever way you go. 

membrn

I really like Patrick James and Thomas especially if you want to keep the Irish names with your last name.  My only warning is Patrick Adam and your last name would spell "PAM."

Our Bambino's name is Irish (even though my husband's last name is Scottish and mine is Scottish/French).  I'm really into name meanings...like his middle name is Conor which is the original first name spelling in Irish heritage and the name means "lover of dogs." His first name is Devin which means poet/bard and is also DH's middle name.

For the girls, I'm all about the name Catherine (yes, I'm a huge fan of the Duchess).  Alexandra and Elizabeth are also great contenders.  Elizabeth Leigh or Catherine Renee are very pretty combinations.

NewlywedInNewYork

My name is Colleen and I absolutely hate it!! Not sure if that is helpful, but I thought I'd put my two cents in