Help with middle names

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-19-2004
Help with middle names
4
Thu, 08-05-2004 - 8:13pm
Hi there! My name is Kelley (Kelleen Ann) and my husband is Chris (Christian Perry). We have 2 girls, Haley Marissa(10) and Laken Alissa(5). We did not try to rhyme the girls middle names it just worked out that way. We are not expecting yet but hope to be soon. I love looking at different names. We have had the name Hayden picked out since the very beginning but as you can see we haven't had the oppertunity to use it. Do you think it would blend too much with the other names? -Ha- from Haley and the -en- from Laken. Does it sound okay or is it too close? I love Gracie for a girl. Any suggestions on middle names for either boy or girl names we like (nothing rhyming with the other middle names above). My husband likes Hayden Mitchell but I really dislike the name Mitchell. Last name starts with a B. Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks, Kelley

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-29-2003
Fri, 08-06-2004 - 11:57am
I think that, although it's not ideal that Hayden sort of combines the sounds of Haley and Laken, if you love the name and it doesn't bother you, then you should use it. I mean, if it DOES bother you, you could always look at some of the other "aden" names that have become trendy for boys to at least eliminate the similarity to Haley's name. For instance, you could name your son Aidan, Braden, Caden, etc. My name is Christine and my sister was Kathleen and the "een" endings on both are names were never really an issue. I've also known a family with a Michelle and a Danielle, and I think the similarities are a LOT more obvious there, then with Haley, Laken, and Hayden.

As far as the middle name, if you don't like Mitchell, maybe Hayden Michael or Hayden Matthew? I also like Hayden Christopher, Hayden Timothy, and Hayden William.

Other boys' names you may consider b/c they have a similar sound/style to Hayden: Brekin, Colin, Dawson, Donovan, Holden, Ian, Jackson, Justin, Keegan, Kenton, Kieran, Mason, Nolan, Owen, Parker, Rowan (though, very unisex now), Tristan.

For girls, Gracie is cute, but I think it's sounds a lot more old-fashioned than your other girls' names, which are more modern and less traditional. How about Macy as an alternative?

Other suggestions that I think would fit well with your other girls' names: Aubrey, Avery, Brinley, Courtney, Delaney, Devyn, Ellery, Sydney, Taylor, Taryn, Whitney.

Good luck!

Hope this helps!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-15-2004
Fri, 08-06-2004 - 1:52pm
I don't have much to add to the previous poster's very helpful words, except that I feel that Hayden IS too similar to Haley within a family. The other trendy "aden" names might be a better choice. Just my opinion. Best of luck to you!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 08-08-2004 - 12:35am
I think Hayden is too similar to your girls' names. When you tell people your kids names they will all blend together: Haley, Laken and Hayden. Sounds like a tongue twister.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-22-2004
Sun, 08-08-2004 - 9:04am
Kelley,

I think that perhaps your answer has been in front of you all of the time. I have noticed the Y which set Hayden in a class of his own although he may share similiar sounds and letters with his sisters. HTH IMHO Hayden is a very nice name and I can see how it fits so well. As for the mn of Mitchell it is rather odd with Hayden which means a hedged valley. Use your special feminine wiles to redirect ydh decision. Although Mitchell means the same thing as Michael. It's that strong ch sound that had me and it don't seem to float well with Hayden.