Baby boy name thoughts - Brody vs Henry

CardsFan4E · May 2015

I am having a hard time deciding between these two names. Originally we were going to go with Henry (Hank) but it has gotten so popular I was brainstorming other names. I like Brody, but am afraid it's too trendy/dated? What do you all think? Is Brody trendy/dated and is Henry too popular? I grew up with the name Emily in the 90s and hated having such a popular name, but my DH had an unpopular name and wasn't so happy with that either. I just need help!

aresee · May 2015

I prefer Henry, because even though it's a little trendy right now, it's also classic and traditional. I don't know if this helps or not, but we're trying to decide between Henry and Benjamin.

SnarkasaurusRex · May 2015

IMO, Brody is very trendy. (Also, every Brody I've ever met or heard of was a colossal douche canoe, so I have terrible connotations with the name, but that's just me).

Henry ranked #33 in births for 2014, but popularity isn't quite the same today as it was before because there are many different names to chose from. Even though Henry was #33, it was only given to 0.46% of all the baby boys born last year. Comparing that to the 90's, Emily was, on average, given to 1% of all of the girls born pretty much every year, so that adds up to a lot all really close in age. I would think that, yes, there would be a few times where he wouldn't be the only Henry, but it's not to the level of popularity that Emily hit in the 90's, and name popularity seems to even out as you get older. For some perspective, I'm an 80's Ashley. My birth year, more than 3% (!!!) of all girls were named Ashley. In elementary school I usually had at least one other Ashley in class with me (on my soccer team there were 5 of us, haha), but as I got into middle and high school, there were fewer and fewer conflicts. Now, as a professional, I am the only Ashley in my workplace (of about 200 people). Even the obscenely popular names tend to balance out over time.

Also, Henry is a timeless classic, but since Brody is trendy, it will likely be time stamped. I'm a big fan of classic names though, so that shadows my opinion a little bit.

gotdiesel2007 · May 2015

I only know one Brody and he is 18 lol. I personally don't know anyone who has recently used the name Henry or Brody. I like either but personally wouldn't use Henry as I'm not a big fan of classic names.

shannonota · May 2015

Henry is adorable. Classic and charming

babymorgan72015 · May 2015

I like Brody better

afm27 · May 2015

Henry isn't awful, but IMHO a Hank is terrrrrrrrible! I prefer Brody. It's strong without being too "old man-ish", but Brody also will grow with age.

carlyyo · May 2015

Henry! So cute and classic

Knottie99627423 · May 2015

My nephew is Brady and it has served him well. Okay...he's five...so I guess we will see. Both are cute. Good luck!

ourlittledarling · May 2015

In my opinion, Henry is classic and will be a good name for any boy to have as a grown up. Brody is trendy and certainly not a classic or an overly mature name for an adult.

hankhunter · May 2015

Brody is awesome!!!

Lynz1889 · May 2015

Do you have alternatives other than those two names?

It does seem like the "older or classic" names are becoming more popular right now. But if you love the name then you should go with it. You don't want to regret not choosing the name based on current popularity.

I'm not a fan of names that can be rhymed with anything hurtful and we all know how cruel children can be. "Grody Brody"
It might seem silly, but I've been selecting names for my baby that I love and then I do the rhyme test just to see and go from there.
Like my SO last name is Finklea and I'm worried that kids would call our child stinky Finky. I'm probably being paranoid for nothing.

qtjo5 · May 2015

I like both names :-)

KAR8706 · May 2015

Hahaha colossal douche canoe...... love it!

eunyw22 · May 2015

Love both names! I've thought about Brody myself. But Henry will be our sons middle name which is my father in laws name. It is a classic name for sure! We are naming our baby boy Asher Henry