Raylan

groovygirl858 · February 2012

My husband and I both love the name Raylan for a boy (we both love the TV show Justified and Raylan is the name of the main character on the show) and it is currently our top choice if we have a boy, however, based on the results of a few polls I have created on this site, it is not a well-liked choice. What I am wondering is, what is it about the name that others do not like? I understand that everyone has their own opinion and I'm okay with others not liking the name, I'm just curious as to why. Is it the sound of it? The potential nicknames? Think it sounds more like a girl's name?

Thanks in advance for the input.

Pictures29 · February 2012

I figured you were doing an "interesting" spelling for the name Raelynn (which is TOTALLY NMS anyways) so I figured it was a girl. Or a ridiculous spin off of the name Reagan.

I guess for a boy the NN would be Ray... which again, is NMS for a NN, there isn't much cute about a boy with the NN Ray (maybe that's just personal experience talking though)

Keri Marie · February 2012

I've heard of Rylan (RYE-lan) but Raylan looks like a made up/sci-fi name. There are worse names out there, but there are better ones too.

groovygirl858 · February 2012

One thing my husband and I both dislike about the name is the potential NN of Ray. I do not like Ray at all and told my husband we would have to make sure people do not shorten the name to Ray. I agree that the name sounds made up.

Aleja0918 · February 2012

To me, it looks made up. If I heard it before seeing it and/or knowing it was from a TV show, I'd assume the parents were unsuccessfully attempting to be unique.

taintedblue · February 2012

I've seen a ton of little girls in the birth announcement section of the paper with various spellings for Raylynn/Raelynn/Ralynne etc.I would assume if I heard the name it was a girl.

DawnJM25 · February 2012

It looks and sounds made up/trendy/parents are trying to be youneek.

groovygirl858 · February 2012

Thanks for the opinions everyone. I know Raylan is unique, but my husband and I seem to agree on the more unique names. Our other top option is Kobe, which I also realize is not very popular.

Our other top names are Carter, Silas, Mason, Dean, Parker, Chase and Eli. The problem with these names is that, while we agree on them, we both don't love each of these names. I absolutely love Chase and thought it was the one when I thought of it, but my husband thinks it is just okay. Raylan and Kobe are the only two so far that we both love.

ljtvirkus · February 2012

I wouldn't have asked if you were seriously considering this name.

krissyh21 · February 2012

Sounds feminine - a name close to the -Lyn trend. (Kaelyn, Jaelyn etc...)

BlueRidge8 · February 2012

It sounds like a small town name to me.

mommybrynn · February 2012

It sounds girly, like a spin off of Raelynn... sorry, can't get on board with that one.

laurakaz13 · February 2012

Not good.

scoutkate · February 2012

I love the show and the character, but I really dislike the name.

Fink · February 2012

groovygirl858:

Thanks for the opinions everyone. I know Raylan is unique, but my husband and I seem to agree on the more unique names. Our other top option is Kobe, which I also realize is not very popular.

Our other top names are Carter, Silas, Mason, Dean, Parker, Chase and Eli. The problem with these names is that, while we agree on them, we both don't love each of these names. I absolutely love Chase and thought it was the one when I thought of it, but my husband thinks it is just okay. Raylan and Kobe are the only two so far that we both love.

The only thing I don't like about the name is the nn Ray. Other than that, we really liked the name and considered it too. But we are HUGE fans of 'Justified' and if you watch the show, no one would ever think of Raylan as being femine.

Other than Eli and Dean, your other top choices are definitely our style and would be great too - (although, Mason is a bit too popular where I live for my taste.) Good luck!

salt78 · February 2012

It makes me think of Mortal Kombat.

And if you don't like Ray, you would probably have quite a hard time stopping people from calling him that.

LuckyMissus · February 2012

OP, I totally respect you for getting people's input without being all defensive/offended. GL with choosing a name!! Here are my thoughts on your suggestions:

Raylan: Agree entirely with PPs, it's really bad. Rylan is still bad, but better. What about Ryan? Same sound, but a much better choice.

Kobe: I prefer it to Raylan, but still not my fave. What about Colby? It seems to combine some of the sounds you like.

Carter: Like it

Silas: LOOOVE!!! What a great choice.

Mason: Like it

Dean: Like it

Parker: Like it

Chase: I have a huge soft spot for Chase, I just love this name.

Eli: I have always disliked this one, but it's much better than Raylan or Kobe.

sugarpumpkin716 · February 2012

hate it. sorry. made up and trendy.

LollipopsAndCrisps · February 2012

Raylan is awful. That's all there is to it.

elainej · February 2012

mj.reilly:
It sounds made up.
Looks made up.
Doesn't sound like a grown up ? I don't think it would age well. Heck, I don't think it even sounds suitable for a kid.
Looks like Rayon, the fabric.
Looks like you are trying to be creative with Rylan (which I cannot stand either ? sounds childish). Raylan is worse.
RAY-lan just does not sound ... appealing. At all. It doesn't sound like a name to me.
It makes me cringe, honestly.

Totally agree.

bwralc · February 2012

Most people are going to think your DS is a girl. Think Resume.... Also most people do not have the association yiu do. I have never heard of the show and some day it will be cancelled. Your son will have his name for life. I love Chase...

brookelynpaisley · February 2012

1. It looks made up

2. It looks wicked feminine

3. It sounds feminine

I really just can't imagine a grown man with this name. You have to consider that he'll be an adult for the vast majority of his life, and I just can't picture it on a grown man

becca773 · February 2012

I feel like I'm in the same boat as you. Although I'm pregnant with twin girls, and the name my husband loves is Raelynn. I believe we plan on pronouncing the name the same way you would pronounce Raylan. I respect people opinions, and in fact I was looking at this board because I too wanted to post to get people's opinion of Raelynn, and our other name choice(s). We are still not sure on names. I appreciate everyone's honesty but after reading your responses I'm a bit put off by the idea of this board. I think its a little harsh to just say "I hate it, too trendy", etc. Especially when someone loves a name, it can be a bit heart breaking to see so many people dismiss it so quickly. I encourage you to go for it! If you love the name, then who cares what others think. Its your child. Personally I like it, and I like the spelling. All the negativitly makes me want to use the name even more! ha, but that's just my personality.

Good luck to you and whatever name you chose will be great!

aubreyan · February 2012

mj.reilly:
It sounds made up.
Looks made up.
Doesn't sound like a grown up ? I don't think it would age well. Heck, I don't think it even sounds suitable for a kid.
Looks like Rayon, the fabric.
Looks like you are trying to be creative with Rylan (which I cannot stand either ? sounds childish). Raylan is worse.
RAY-lan just does not sound ... appealing. At all. It doesn't sound like a name to me.
It makes me cringe, honestly.

This is exactly how I feel about the name.

magsugar13 · February 2012

it sounds like a girls name

i think some people use it for a girls name...

and it is horrible for either sex imo

PotomacSt · February 2012

Sounds like a synthetic fabric.

FrecklesInside · February 2012

Sorry but it sounds made up. Sounds like a smoosh of many names, none of which are attractive. It's just an ugly name IMO and sounds kind of trashy. Also sounds like the girl name Raelynn which is also awful IMO. Sounds like railing.

It's just not a nice name.

Sorry if I sound harsh, just letting you know my honest opinion.

g8trkim · February 2012

Looks made up and sounds like a girl. I like the name Rylan though.

ButternutSquash · February 2012

It conjures up trashiness for me.

jenwet · February 2012

LuckyMissus:
OP, I totally respect you for getting people's input without being all defensive/offended. GL with choosing a name!! Here are my thoughts on your suggestions:

Raylan: Agree entirely with PPs, it's really bad. Rylan is still bad, but better. What about Ryan? Same sound, but a much better choice.

Kobe: I prefer it to Raylan, but still not my fave. What about Colby? It seems to combine some of the sounds you like.

Carter: Like it

Silas: LOOOVE!!! What a great choice.

Mason: Like it

Dean: Like it

Parker: Like it

Chase: I have a huge soft spot for Chase, I just love this name.

Eli: I have always disliked this one, but it's much better than Raylan or Kobe.

Agree with all of this, times a million. OP, obviously you should pick whatever name you want. FWIW, while Raylan looks made up and/or feminine, your other options are really great, solid names. GL!

groovygirl858 · February 2012

Thanks everyone for your input! It has been very helpful. I appreciate everyone's honesty and suggestions. We are now leaning toward Raylan as a middle name or dropping it as a contender, mostly because of the potential NN of Ray.

mfrosty86 · March 2012

My youngest son is 7 months old; we named him Raylan Jacob. We too enjoy watching Justified and that where we first heard the name. We didn't want a common name and we were having a hard time finding a name that we liked. I completely disagree with the person that seems to think the name sounds made up.....the name is NOT made up, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the name Raylan....so "whatever". We have not ran across one person that has disliked the name Raylan and if they did that is their problem not mine; the way I see it is my older boys, my husband and I like the name and he is my son not the son of whoever it is that might not like the name. At least he's not going to be one of millions of Mike's, Johns, and every other often over used names. The only issue I see is if I want to find something already with his name on it, like a cup, or a little sign for his room. The closest I'll get is "Ray". Good luck on finding a name for your son.

mfrosty86 · March 2012

Whatever......

Oh by the way your screen name sounds smooshed together, is not attractive, is ugly, trashy and something a fat person would use......IMO Big Smile

Remember these names are being picked for little innocent babies and there isn't any reason to be that harsh

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