We are expecting our 2nd boy in December. We gave our first son a middle name from my side of the family and would like to give our 2nd a middle name from my husband's side.
However, there are not really any males on his side of the family! He was estranged from his father's side, and on his mother's side there are some "out there" names (LeRoy, Arlo). His uncle has a fine name, but it is AWFUL with our last name.
Can I live with this? Is it poor form to pick two names from my side of the family?
2007-10-23 08:37:07 · 13 answers · asked by eli_star 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Baby Names
We thought about using my husband's name, but he was named for his absent father.
2007-10-23 08:45:24 · update #1
Sorry, I didn't mean to, but I think I misled people. Arlo and LeRoy aren't their actual names; I just didn't want to use "real" names. The real ones are actually worse, but very unique and identifiable.
2007-10-23 09:01:05 · update #2
Pick a name that makes you and your husband happy. Are there any last names on your husband's side that could be used as a middle name? How about a women's names that have a masculine form? What about going back a few generations to find a name you can both live with? You could always go those routes if you absolutely want to pick a name from your husband's side, but I don't think it will be the end of the world if you end up picking two names from your side of the family. You have his family's last name don't you?
2007-10-23 08:43:10 · answer #1 · answered by Ann W 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
don't give kid a name you hate. Not bad form to pick names from your side. However, can you take a name from other side & doctor it up some? Maybe use the male form of a female name in the family? Or like, use Roy and say it's after Uncle LeRoy.
2007-10-23 08:45:37 · answer #2 · answered by suzanne g 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You *can* certainly live with a dreadful middle name. While I have opinions about them, and we all obsess a bit about them, the truth is that they're fairly rarely used.
It might be possible to twist a name, though. Arlo is interesting; you might go with Arlen. I'm not sure if you can do much with LeRoy, but it means the king, right? (Le roi, in French.) So you might go with King or Kingston. It's a stretch, but not a leap. :)
That said, if you're not close to someone, I don't think you should feel obligated to name your child in their honor. But it does keep the peace to alternate sides of the family, so ... if you can make it work, I would.
2007-10-23 08:54:05 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I actually like Arlo as a middle name. I would think about using a masculine form of a woman on his side of the family you're close to, like Patrick for Auntie Patricia, or Daniel for Grandma Danielle. You can even go with the same initial, like Michael for Cousin Maisie, or Peter for his sister Paloma, or whatever.
2007-10-23 08:51:34 · answer #4 · answered by coolteamblt 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only you can say if your husbands family would have hurt feelings if you didn't pick a name from their side. It might be best to just not pick a family name for the second child. What about last names? Maybe his mom or grandmother had a good maiden name like Conner or Parker or something like that.
2007-10-23 09:07:46 · answer #5 · answered by kat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look beyond the immediate family names, see what the paternal great grandfamily names are! While you are at it (showing interest in his side of your families), learn what they did for work, play, religious allegiences, etc...also in primary school, children are often asked about their grandparents as an assignment in Science study of genetics. They may need to know their hair, eye, and skin coloration. If your children develop political interests later, they may be interested in where their ancestors are buried or held.
How beautiful of you to be considerate of his (your husband's) feelings. My grandfather deserted my grandmother; however, she raised a fine family of two boys during a time when single parent homes were unheard of...or not told. On the other side of my grandparental tree, my grandfather was committed and passed away while institutionalized. Mental health was in it's experimental stages and shock therapy was the usual prescription... Anyway, grandmother raised seven children to adulthood despite his absence.
We cannot change our histories, we may select our futures.
2007-10-23 08:59:24 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that Arlo could work...it would depend on what first name you want. Do you have any first names picked out?
If it doesn't work out, I don't think that anyone will be offended. Maybe you could take a look back at your husband's geneology. Did his great-grandpa have a "usuable" name? It could be something to consider...if you haven't already.
2007-10-23 08:50:27 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you don't like it chances are he won't either when he gets older. You could take one of his names from his family and one from yours and combine them.
EX: Leroy - roy= Le
EX: Arlo - lo= Lo
[not together but you get the idea]
2007-10-23 08:54:09 · answer #8 · answered by CATFALLINGS 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, Leroy isn't bad. Just take our the capitol R. I think you should just go with Leroy. If you hate it that much, then just pick another one from your side. It's good to love your baby's name.
2007-10-23 08:46:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'd skip the 'from this side or that side' & just go with what flows.
Also, you could just use the Lee from LeRoy - or hypenate a name with one you don't really like.
2007-10-23 08:41:36 · answer #10 · answered by ang_phx 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋