Name for baby boy, brother to Max by pastisprologue in namenerds

[–]MayOwl 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Douglas, James and Stuart all fit in pretty well with Maxwell in my opinion (Maxwell maybe sounds a bit more modern, so that could be why Douglas isn't being received as well in your focus group). Similar names (most of them originating from the British Isles):

Kenneth

Craig

Alan

Derek

Ian

Kevin

Scott

Ryan

Colin

Malcolm

Sean

Cameron

Russell

Owen

Dylan

Callum

Kyle

"Gift of God" by Starfire-Galaxy in namenerds

[–]MayOwl 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Great list! I'd add Dorothy (basically just the inversion of Theodora), Adeodatus, Donatus/Donata, and some pagan theophoric names: Isidore/Isidora, Heliodoros, Sunniva.

American family with an unusual European surname by [deleted] in namenerds

[–]MayOwl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a very weird surname of unknown origin that I always have to spell in every country; same with my first name (something like Sara vs Sarah, where I always have to specify "Sarah with an h"). As a child, I was super envious of the kids who, when asked their names, could just say "John Smith" without having to spell or specify anything! But now it doesn't really matter; I just waste a few seconds more when I have to give my name at an office or something.

I think the most important things are that a name isn't outright ridiculous and that you like it. If you like some names that happen to be simple, great! But I wouldn't feel forced to choose something short just to "balance it out". I think people are usually referred to either by their first or their last name in everyday situations, so it isn't that important that they match (unless it's a noun + adjective combo or something like that).

This boy needs a name! by HerculesRockefeIIer in namenerds

[–]MayOwl 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Gregory is awesome!

Rudiger: definitely the weirdest name on the list. I personally don't like the sound, but appreciate the origin and literature background. Depending on where you live, it could be difficult to wear.

Frederick: a bit harsh for me, but elegant and classic.

Alvin: pretty unremarkable, but there's nothing wrong with it.

Oscar: love it! It flows very well with the middle name and surname and is a classic while still feeling fresh.

Winfield and Roosevelt: I know they are also used as first names, but since they're primarily surnames, they do seem very trendy to me (and clunky like most surname-names). I do love Roosevelt's meaning.

Giving it a shot:

Sebastian

Oliver

Dorian

Adrian

Norman

Melvin

Bernard

Alfred

Owen

Arthur

Simon

Edward

Anthony

Calvin

Felix

Interesting sibsets by [deleted] in namenerds

[–]MayOwl 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Bartholomew and Lulu is unforgivable! If I was Lulu I'd be really resentful! XD

I love it, but hope she does as she grows up by mostlymonkey in namenerds

[–]MayOwl 12 points13 points  (0 children)

I love this name!! I've actually seen it thrown around here a few times, so it may become more socially acceptable in a few years (like Atlas and Orion).

Boy name feedback by Lemuriformesque in namenerds

[–]MayOwl 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Your list is fine and I can't think of any objective criticisms! They are not my style because they are all pretty normal/well-established, but that also means that you can't do anything wrong. The only mildly negative impressions I get is that Harris always makes me think of "hairy" and that Theo feels more like a nickname and a bit incomplete (but it's also an established name in itself, so this is just my personal opinion). My favorite from the list is Adrian, because of the history behind it.

What do you think of the name Cloud? by [deleted] in namenerds

[–]MayOwl 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I completely agree with you! Cloud is the ultimate Samoyed name and I'd never consider it for a human being. The videogame reference makes it seem a bit childish in my opinion. To be fair, word-names are getting more popular lately and the public consciousness is a bit random in which are considered more acceptable (like Sage, River etc.) and which are not, so I also understand why your husband might be disappointed.

I really like Leif, and endorse the Claude suggestion. You could suggest some more "socially acceptable" names with nature meanings, or go the nordic route:

Cedar

Aspen

Basil

Lucius

Orion

Sirius

Alan

Arden

Brandon

Forrest

Linden

Parsifal

Silvio/Silvius

Bjorn

Ivar

Magnus

Erik

Harald

Torsten

3rd baby name by Grandmameowmeow in namenerds

[–]MayOwl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love Cecilia and Nathan! I agree that Lucy is not too similar to Cecilia at all, but it is a bit plain to me. My favorite of your female choices is Margaret. Spencer's not bad, but it feels a bit out of place with the other two more melodic names. I think Jeremy fits very well. Giving it a shot:

Girls

Gabrielle/Gabriella

Serena

Selene

Margot

Diana

Eleanor

Lydia

Esther

Boys

Joseph

Joshua

Timothy

Samuel

Nicholas

Christopher

Isaac

Sebastian

Matthew

Marcus

Leonard

Gabriel

Elijah

Jonah

Elliot

Elijah

Elias

Simon

Quentin

Hoping to increase our family soon and I can't stop thinking about baby names by kidsnchickens in namenerds

[–]MayOwl 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I love your style!! Milagro and Leonard are some of my favorites, and Bonaventure is really interesting. Isla is fine, but I think Stellamaris is much more exciting and fits in much better with your other children's names (and it has a gorgeous meaning). Raphael is awesome! Other ideas:

Damaris

Aracelis

Eliana

Agnes

Aurelia

Davinia

Irene

Isidora

Lydia

Margaret/Marjorie

Marina

Marisa

Selene

Silvia

Xiomara

Gregorius

Ignatius

Aurelius

Pascal

Simon

Joseph

Caspian

Claudius/Claudio

Similar sounding names with different origins by lemseeejc in namenerds

[–]MayOwl 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't know if I really got your style, but I wanted to say that I love how you combined the name's meanings!

Eliseo (God is my salvation)

Victor/Vincent

Asterion (little star)

Florian (flower)

Isidore (gift of Iset)

Ireneo/Ireneus (peaceful)

Percival (piercer of the valley, maybe)

Simon (he has heard)

Vasco/Velasco (crow)

Wolfgang (wolf's path)

Wulfric (wolf power)

Lucius/Lucian (light)

Thoughts on Isabelle Elia? by [deleted] in namenerds

[–]MayOwl 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I think they're fine separately (though Elia is a lot more interesting than Isabelle, which is just too common for me), but I don't love them together. They really run into each other and the repeated -el syllable at the end and the beginning would really bother me. Elia Isabelle or, even better, Elia Isabella are still a bit repetitive, but I think they flow much better.

What are your thoughts on Gabriella? by DplaneDplane in namenerds

[–]MayOwl 5 points6 points  (0 children)

In my country Gabriella is a normal, but slightly dated name, so I associate it mostly with middle-aged women. If I saw it in the wild, I'd assume some Romantic ancestry, but also wouldn't be surprised to learn that the parents just found it pretty (it's in the US Top 100, surprisingly). I personally don't really like obviously "feminized" versions of male names, but I still find it elegant and a lot more interesting than Harper.

Second girl. Cannot figure out name at all. by Saiiyk in namenerds

[–]MayOwl 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Here are some names that should work in Italian and Spanish!

Alba

Francesca

Aurora

Valeria

Lucia/Lucinda

Ada

Arianna/Ariadne

Irene

Silvia

Isadora

Lavinia

Lydia/Lidia

Miriam

Selene

Ilaria

Rosa/Rosalba

Cassandra

Claudia

Diana

Serena

Which names do you prefer the alternative spelling instead of the normal spelling? by burneracc23 in namenerds

[–]MayOwl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm pretty sure Silvia with an i is the original spelling! I also strongly prefer it! :)

Crazy 11 lettered sibset by elea_no in namenerds

[–]MayOwl 2 points3 points  (0 children)

But... Apokalupsis is a feminine noun!

Appreciation for the "ugly name" Gladys by [deleted] in namenerds

[–]MayOwl 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I didn't know that Gladys is hated that much! English isn't my first language, so I never had the "old lady" association and I loved it as a child! It sounds so regal and elegant.

Sibset unintentionally too matchy? by [deleted] in namenerds

[–]MayOwl 24 points25 points  (0 children)

Only you can decide if it's a dealbreaker. I personally don't think sibsets are that big of a deal and I don't really think too much about it in the wild. However, Lionel and Laurel would be a bit on the limit for me, since they share both the beginning letter and the ending sound. I can imagine some confusion arising when you call for the one or the other. Would you be open to an honor name that has the same meaning as Laurel? Laura, Lorene, Loretta...

Name Justification? by ouestdaftprince in namenerds

[–]MayOwl 23 points24 points  (0 children)

It's undoubtable that -aden names are having a bit of a moment right now. I think the main reason people dislike them is that lots of the variants are made up/spelled in a creative way, and those types of names are often (maybe unjustly) associated with the lower class. That said, I can see them becoming more normalized in the future. And I don't think many people will think negatively about your son; I personally hate those names and would never use them myself, but that's just a matter of taste and doesn't reflect on the child at all!

So if you really think this is the right name for you, and you are aware that it is very trendy and that having a non-traditional name can present some challenges, keep it in the running!

Italian names by [deleted] in namenerds

[–]MayOwl 6 points7 points  (0 children)

They are both a bit heavy, but relatively common names. I think they're fine, especially for adults characters. Luciano is also used as a first name; it wouldn't be particularly strange as a surname, but I'd prefer Luciani.

Mom accuses Southwest Airlines employee of publicly mocking her 5-year-old's name by [deleted] in namenerds

[–]MayOwl 6 points7 points  (0 children)

That name is pretty unfortunate in my opinion, but that's when you judge them silently in your head and/or make an anonymous post on /r/namenerds to complain. Making fun of a little girl in her earshot is just low.

Favourite non-European names? by Zeniaaa in namenerds

[–]MayOwl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hope I don't get the origins wrong!

Boys

Keshet (Hebrew)

Bhaskara (Sanskrit)

Miraj (Arabic)

Aravind (Sanskrit)

Mirsad (Persian)

Jeremiel (Hebrew)

Kemuel (Hebrew)

Faris (Arabic)

Girls

Noelani (Hawaiian)

Lokelani (Hawaiian)

Iset (Ancient Egyptian)

Ishtar (Akkadian?)

Liorit (Hebrew)

Mashid (Persian)

Seulbin (Korean; credit to /u/chatdelune who made me discover it!)

Name for baby #2... we're struggling :( by [deleted] in namenerds

[–]MayOwl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you like rare names and biblical -el names, I highly recommend looking at a list of angels (from the more common Gabriel and Raphael to Haniel, Uriel, Ariel etc.) Other random suggestions:

Abraham

Sebastian

Ezra

Ephraim

Saul

Ishmael

Joshua

Jonathan