Husband and I do not like the same names. Help!?

Question

My husband wanted to name our baby after his Father if it is a boy and I flat out said no because I do NOT like it. He already has a brother named after him. So finally, we both agreed on the name Cole. So now we're to girls names. I like names that are different and my husband does not like ANY of the names on my list. Here's the list:
Amberlyn
Lillian
Paige
Gracelyn
Faithann
Ava
Cadence
Kay
Christian
Jocelyn
Rosalyn
Madison
Addison

So far...my favorites are Paige and Gracelyn. I'm leaning more towards Paige and my husband says it is a terrible name. Any ideas on how I can get him accustomed to the idea of naming our possible daughter Paige???

Or...any other name ideas?

I didn't want to name our son the same as his Dad because his half brother that is named after him is a terrible, worthless person. I know that sounds mean...but it's true. And I just can't get that bad taste out of my mouth. It's kind of like knowing someone named Jessica or something in high school and she was really mean to you. Because of that, I would never be able to name my child Jessica. I've poured through baby books and websites to find names...and I guess I am just really picky...

Answer 1

I like about half your list lol. My favorite names from there are Lillian, Ava, Cadence, Christian, Madison and Addison. To be honest, I kind of agree with your husband - I really really don't like the name Paige. You're right though, it's more a personal thing than anything else. And I don't think I would go with Gracelyn either - Grace and all its variations are much too popular right now.

I think the names like Ava and Cadence would be much easier to convince your husband over, and they're much more elegant I think than a put-together name like Amberlyn (though I remember reading how the guy in Anberlin was going to name his daughter Anberlin, which kind of sounds like Amberlyn - slightly cool, slightly not lol).

Some of your names I actually only like the nicknames of - like Faith would be a cute name for a girl. Joss or Josey would be great for Jocelyn, though I don't like the spelling of the name itself - I much prefer Jocelin (y's in the middle of a name bother me for some reason - once again, just a personal preference). Rosalyn is a cute name though - Rosie or Rosa are sweet nicknames. My favorite Rose-variation is Rosalie actually - it's either that, Rosette, or Rosamund (her nickname could be Roz) for me.

Lillian of course would use Lily - which is a beautiful name itself. Cadence or my favorite variation Cadenza could use Cady, which is super cute. My favorite combinations from your list are Cadenza Lily, Rosalie Ava, Jocelin Ava, Faith Madison, and Lily Rosamund.

To compromise with your husband, why don't each of you pick a name? You pick the first name first (with his permission, of course - your daughter is half of him after all lol), and then he'll pick a middle name to match it. You get first pick because, of course, you're the one actually giving birth!

PS If you guys are still looking for name ideas, try www.nymbler.com - type in names you guys already like and up will come more suggestions of names in the same style (maybe you'll find a new one that you both like). Good luck and congrats!

Answer 2

You're in a tough situation. It's important to realize that you and your husband feel the same way about this. You don't like that your husband is pushing you to use his father's name, a name that you don't like, and he is not going to like that you are pushing him to use Paige, or another name that he doesn't like. Compromise is in order here. Ask him to make a list of his favorite names, and make one of yours. Tell him that he needs at least 10 names, first and middle. Then sit down and compare the lists and try to come up with one that you can both agree on. Your baby needs to have a name that both the parents love. Neither you, nor your husband should have to "settle" on a name for your child. There are so many names out there that their has to be one that you both would like to use. Make a pot of coffee, light a fire in the fireplace, and start pouring over those baby books. Good luck!


P.S. My nephew's parents agreed that his father would choose the name. He picked Jacob, and his mother didn't like it. After a few weeks of trying it out, she decided that it wasn't so bad, then she decided that she really liked it. So there is still hope for Paige, but let your husband come around to the name on his own.

Answer 3

Out of your list my favorites for a girl would have to be Cadence, Ava, Lillian, and Paige is ok. Another similar name to Paige is Peyton or Payton, however you prefer to spell it. I love the name and it has that same "N" sound at the end that you seem to favor, but unfortunatley my fiance gave that one a bad association w/ me. I also love the name Fionna or Sophia or Abigail and Madeline. We have Genevieve Amelia picked if its a girl, but we are completely hung up on a boy name. But back to you, lol. Gracelyn reminds me of graceland and i'm afraid everyone would think you chose it bc of elvis. I'm sure you'll find the perfect name and once you see that baby you'll just know its right. Congrats and Good Luck

Answer 4

If he truly hates it, I'm sorry, it's off the list. It's the same as the way you feel about his dad's name or Jessica - you don't want him to associate bad things with the baby's name.

Ask him to make a list of names that he likes, and compare your two lists. Maybe you can see some similarities there and come up with some compromises.

Are there any family members or friends you could name the baby for? Sort of the opposite of not naming the baby for people you hated. If you like old-fashioned names like Ava and Lillian, maybe there's a great-grandma somewhere whose name you could agree on.

Answer 5

If he actively dislikes Paige, I think you probably need to move on. I think he made a pretty big concession on the boy's name, and it's your turn to give a little. (Which is a shame, because Paige is a lovely name.)

That said, Ava is nice, and Cadence has a very fresh, modern feel. But these - and most on your list - are actually gaining in popularity, so you might be surprised to see how common some of these names become in future years.

The most unusual name on your list is, I think, Rosalyn. What you might consider is the old-fashioned Rosemary, with the fabulous nickname Romy. It has that throwback feel that you seem to like, but it's not as hot as Ava. And Romy has a strong, less feminine vibe without being as popular as Madison/Addison.

Good luck!

Answer 6

Well, Grace is a traditional name. Maybe your husband will like it better if he calls her Grace.
Paige...that's a tough one. Maybe find someone of virtue or beauty who is named Paige. Maybe it makes him think of the old time boy/teen "intern". Figure out what he thinks of when he hears "paige" and try to incorporate new ideas/images.

or, here's an idea: let him pick the middle name; that way, he'll have a nickname that he'll like to call her

Answer 7

i like Cadence Paige.

Here are a few names you might like pick 3 that you like then take the list to him and see what ones he likes out of the 3 you liked. Or name her Paige and let him pick middle name.

Hannah Grace

Isabella Faith

Kayla lynn

Caitlin Paige

Answer 8

The only advice I have is to tell you to keep going over names. Eventually you'll find one you can agree on. I wouldn't name a child something you cant agree on. Maybe use Paige as a middle name if you like it so much but if he hates it there isn't much you can do.

Answer 9

Go over lists of names...i've attached a link to a website that claims to list 25000 names and breaks them down by category. Look at them together or seperately. Lots of nice names on there and I think they would go well with a monosyllabic last name, but I have to say (to me) Christian is definitely a boy's name (I've known a few men with that name and never heard a woman called that) and Addison is a disease (JFK had it).

Good luck and remember it only takes one name you're both happy with!

Answer 10

From your list I like Gracelyn and Jocelyn!!! and Madison
Maybe you should have your husband go thru and make a list of the names he would go for and you could compromise from there!!
As for the name paige! its pretty..but i wouldnt use it..just bc 9it reminds me of a pager...ya know
*here are some name suggestions
Oliva
Alaina
Ella
Elle
Cora
Lydia
Hayden
Hannah
Adeline
Koryn
Coryn
Corrinne
Calista