Can't decide on a boy name

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2004
Can't decide on a boy name
8
Mon, 01-10-2005 - 10:15am

My husband and I were positive we would name a boy Carter Michael when we first found out we were pregnant, but now I'm due in 2.5 months and we're totally confused. My father's name is Michael, his father's name is John and my brother-in-law (who we adore) is named Charles. I am suddenly concerned with using the name Carter b/c 1. It's not a family name, 2. I'm worried it might be a little trendy. When we first fell in love with the name Carter, we had never heard of it before, except for a 60+ year old man. Now, I'm suddenly hearing it everywhere.

Here is the list of names we're considering. I'd really appreciate your feedback!

Carter Michael
John Michael
Charles (Charlie) Michael
Michael John

Thanks so much!
Holly

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-25-2004
Mon, 01-10-2005 - 10:25am
I like Carter best
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-03-2004
Mon, 01-10-2005 - 11:04am
I really like the name Carter. I don't think that it is too popular. I really like Carson too!

 
 

 


 


iVillage Member
Registered: 08-01-2003
Mon, 01-10-2005 - 12:26pm

I find that people on this board are far too consumed with using family names. They are fine for middle names, but no one should feel forced to use a family name for a child's first name. The first name should be something you really really love.

Carter, while slightly trendy, is not nearly as overused as you think. I don't know any. Where I am Carson is the more popular one.

it's impossible to please ever member of both sides of a family with one child's name.

I would pick between your dad and his dad - Michael or John for Carter's middle name. While you may "adore" Charles, brothers-in-law should not trump grandparents for that honor.

if you have siblings who could in the future use Michael as a mn and your husband does not, then defer to John -and vice versa - does he have siblings who could use his father's name in the future. of has either of their names already been used for one of their own children or grandchildren.

you have to go with what you like, can't please three people with one baby.

good luck. PS - personally I like the flow of Carter Michael the most.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-03-2004
Mon, 01-10-2005 - 12:31pm
i would definately do carter. carter michael or carter john both sound very nice. i personally (and my dh too) didn't want to use family names cuz' if you use for 1 person others will feel bad you didn't use them...like you love the other person more or something. i don't think carter is trendy at all. i really like it and there won't bee 101 people in his school with the same name, but it isn't too weird either. i think it would be great! good luck! leah

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-10-2005
Mon, 01-10-2005 - 4:40pm

My husband's name is Carter. It was a family name for him. Here is what I think...Family names have to start somewhere so why not start Carter. It isn't too trendy...I am running into a problem with Emma (I have wanted to use it for years b/c it is my great grandma's name and not it is #2 most popular.

Michelle
EDD 9/16/05

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-03-2005
Fri, 01-14-2005 - 9:35am

I find that John Michael flows the best, on your list. Carter is not my style, I think that it is a totally trendy name. However, I like it loads better than some of the other totally trendy names out there.

Also, I have a friend whose daughter's name is Carter, so I associate it with a girl's name (not that everyone would, that's just me).

However, based on your list, I think that Carter Michael flows pretty well.

tiffsig0320.jpg picture by tiffany98va


Avatar for alsatia23
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Sat, 01-15-2005 - 12:31pm
I equally love both Charles Michael & Carter Michael.






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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-17-2004
Sat, 01-15-2005 - 1:12pm

okay, so i really like honoring a family member w/ a name of a child, but i do agree that you dont have to use everyone at once. if you have another you could use another name for that child and not overkill one child w/ both. kwim. have you considered using another variation of either of the names? thats an idea too.

JOHN ~ Jackson, Ian, Shane, Jonah, Jack, Sean,

CHARLES ~ means "man" Adam does too (if you ever had a girl Charlotte would be adorable nn Charlie)

MICHAEL ~ Micah, Cale, Mitchell, Milo (if you ever had a girl Michelle would be cute too)

if those arent options then i think CARTER JOHN is quite nice for a little guy and it would grow w/ him very well

~amber michele~ momma to seth andrew 8-12-04

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