Although Jacob (especially with mn Alexander) is way too popular for my tastes, I do prefer it over Talon, which just doesn't appeal to me at all. I think you should try to find a compromise between these 2- something less common than Jacob, but still recognizable (ie. Eric, Simon, Oliver, Davis, Elliott, Graham, Quinn, Micah, Nolan, Jonah, Tucker, Kyle, Luke, etc.)
As for girls, Gabriella nn Ella is nice, if not too common, but the mn's Nicole and Marie are filler. Unless they have meaning to you (ie. family name) I would drop them as it seems like you didn't put much thought into it. OF course I have no idea what made you choose those names, but when I hear filler names such as these,that is what I think (I also consider Alexander a filler for boys.)
For a boy, I would go with Jacob. I like it a lot, regardless of its popularity. Talon is a name I have trouble taking seriously because, when I see "Talon," I think "claw," like a bird's foot, which is its meaning. To me, it's almost like many soap-opera names or romance-novel names: the idea of masculine, rather than actually sounding masculine. If I were looking for something on the spectrum between Talon and Jacob, I might consider Callan, Tavish, Tavio, Holden, Phoenix, River, Easton, Viggo, or Grant.
Gabriella is pretty. I would use whichever middle name had family meaning. If neither does, then I would probably look at my family's first and middle names and choose from among those.
Wow, that's a good way of putting it! The idea of masculine, rather than actually BEING masculine! That really hits the nail on the head! I feel the same way. :)
Although Jacob (especially with mn Alexander) is way too popular for my tastes, I do prefer it over Talon, which just doesn't appeal to me at all. I think you should try to find a compromise between these 2- something less common than Jacob, but still recognizable (ie. Eric, Simon, Oliver, Davis, Elliott, Graham, Quinn, Micah, Nolan, Jonah, Tucker, Kyle, Luke, etc.)
As for girls, Gabriella nn Ella is nice, if not too common, but the mn's Nicole and Marie are filler. Unless they have meaning to you (ie. family name) I would drop them as it seems like you didn't put much thought into it. OF course I have no idea what made you choose those names, but when I hear filler names such as these,that is what I think (I also consider Alexander a filler for boys.)
How about...
Gabriella Celeste
Gabriella Faye
Gabriella Bridget
Gabriella Rhoslyn
Gabriella Sophie
Gabriella Rachel
Gabriella Claire
Gabriella Danielle
if a boy
For a boy, I would go with Jacob. I like it a lot, regardless of its popularity. Talon is a name I have trouble taking seriously because, when I see "Talon," I think "claw," like a bird's foot, which is its meaning. To me, it's almost like many soap-opera names or romance-novel names: the idea of masculine, rather than actually sounding masculine. If I were looking for something on the spectrum between Talon and Jacob, I might consider Callan, Tavish, Tavio, Holden, Phoenix, River, Easton, Viggo, or Grant.
Gabriella is pretty. I would use whichever middle name had family meaning. If neither does, then I would probably look at my family's first and middle names and choose from among those.