Want to commemorate loved ones, but don't like their names...?

Question

Here is a list of would-be great-granddads and when/if we have a boy, we'd like to commemorate them by using their first names as middle names. Problem, I don't like either of their names! Help? Maybe suggest alternate or English versions of them?

Helmut
Nelson

Answer 1

It is a Jewish custom to name babies after deceased relatives.
You take the first letter of the name and make a new name or even use that name.

Try using just the first letter to create a new name.

Answer 2

Helmut's a hard one to work with. ;) If you don't like the name itself, there's little you can do there ... at least for a boy. You could, however, consider an Hel- name for a girl. Heloise (form of Eloise), Helen, Helene or Helena, for instance, could be used as a nod to grandpa Helmut. ;)

Nelson's a bit easier, since it's related to Neil (literally meaning "son of Neil," to be exact). Therefore, you might use Neil/Neal, Niall, Niles or Nigel for a boy, or Neila/Neala, Neilina, Nigelia or Nigella for a girl. Even a name that might use Nell, Nella or Nellie as a nickname might work for you -- Eleanor, Eloise, Ellen, Penelope, etc. And given the obvious crossovers there, you could even use Heloise or Helen(a), nicknamed Nell, as a bit of a nod to BOTH Helmut and Nelson. ;)

Just some thoughts. Hope it helps!

Answer 3

Nelson isn't so bad as a middle name. It could go nicely with a specific first name. But Helmut....lol. Don't do that to your kid. Lol As long as granddad lives on in your heart, that's all that matters=)

Answer 4

Hm, you could try some alternatives..
Something like:
For Helmut:
Mitchel
Sheldon
Emmut
Marshell

Or, you could try a name with a similar meaning to Helmut- which is "Spirited Helmet"
The following names all mean "will, desire and helmet, protection"
Liam
Billy/ Bill
Will
Willem
Wilhelm
Willemsen
Willet
William
Williamson
Willian
Wilmot

And for Nelson..
Cornelius
Donell
Lionel
Or, you could try one of the many "-son" names.
Something like:
Dawson
Harrison
Jackson
Tyson

Or, Nelson means "son of Neal", so you could use Neal.

Hope that helps! :)

Answer 5

Try a grandparents name as a middle name.
Or try a grandparents middle name.
Or even just incorporate a part of the name with a name you like. Mixing names is quite common lately.

Answer 6

Instead of Nelson, try Nolen, or Noel. They're both nice names - but I think Nelson as a middle name is great too!
As for Helmut, perhaps Hellen for a girl?
Or, you coul dmake it Henry, or Helson (combine them!)

Haha, well good luck - sorry I'm not much help :]

Answer 7

Nelson isn't too bad -- maybe just use it as a middle name.

I'd go with Henry in place of Helmut.

Answer 8

Nelson is not a bad name, Helmut wouldn't be so bad if pronounced like helmet.

Answer 9

Maybe go with great grandad's middle names? Or if their last names are different from yours you might be able to use them!

Answer 10

What about just the intial? That way when someone asks he can say it's after his great great grandpa...

Such as:
William H Macy
Craig T Nelson

etc...