Classic, simple names for the Midwest?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2007
Classic, simple names for the Midwest?
15
Sun, 03-25-2007 - 12:32pm

I really appreciate all the feedback I've gotten on here, it's been a huge help! This is my revised and narrowed list of names that I'm considering. In case you didn't read my earlier post, I'm looking for names that are classic, strong, and yet easygoing (not stuffy or pretentious sounding). I don't like trendy names (Emerson, Braedyn, Maxim, Asher, and similar) or archaic names (Elvira, Eustace, Leopold, Wilhelmina, Beatrix, etc.). I also would prefer that they not be ridiculously popular (but top 50 is okay, especially if it's dropping). I'm especially interested in hearing the opinions of anyone who lives in the midwestern United States (but don't let that deter you from commenting if you don't).

So, what do you all think of these? Do you have any suggestions?

James (mn Alan)
Alan (mn James)
Henry (mn James)- and maybe he'll turn out to be an author ;)
Peter (mn Alan)
Edward (mn James)
Charles (mn Alan)

Alice (mn Virginia, Margaret?)
Dorothy (mn Anne)
Margaret (mn Eleanor or Anne)
Mary (mn Eleanor)
Virginia (mn Alice, Margaret, Anne?)- Is this too closely associated with the state? Would it be seen as being part of the place name trend? Do you think that it has real spiteful teasing potential?

The middle names are tentative; comments and suggestions about them would be appreciated as well.

I've removed Anne from the list and changed a couple of the middle names




Edited 3/26/2007 4:36 am ET by betsychocolate

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2005
Sun, 03-25-2007 - 12:38pm

I'm from the mid-atlantic region....

Love love love the name Edward. Very classic and strong. I think this is far and away the #1 name on your boys list. I also like Charles and Henry, but Edward strikes me as stronger and more handsome.

Love the name Anne from your girls list. A classic name that you cannot go wrong with. Simply, yet lovely and it's rare to meet someone named Anne. Love it!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2005
Sun, 03-25-2007 - 12:58pm

Boys:

Let me start off by saying that every one of your boy names seems to fit your criteria well. ;) The only one I might avoid is James. It may be more popular than you want (especially in the midwest ... we have family there and hear it pretty frequently).

James (mn Alan) - see above
Alan (mn James) - that's better, though James is a bit of a filler as a mn (just so you're aware).
Henry (mn James)- love it. Getting more popular, but not quite in the top 100, so I think you'd be comfortable with it.
Peter (mn James) - not my favorite here, but I do like Peter. Not sure I'd pair Peter and James because of the teasing potential, if you KWIM.
Edward (mn James) - that's very distinguished. ;) You might also like another form like Edwin or Edmund.
Charles (mn Alan) - a bit popular (in the 50s), but I do love it and think it works for you.

George, Nolan, Neil, Martin, Harvey, Simon and Oliver might also appeal. ;)

Girls:

Alice (mn Virginia) - love it!
Dorothy (mn Mae) - love Dorothy. Mae is not generally my style, though I do like Faye, but this combo is still sweet.
Margaret (mn Eleanor) - Margaret is great ... love all the nn possibilities. I slightly prefer a shorter mn with it, but this works too.
Mary (mn Eleanor) - love Mary and Eleanor, but be warned that this combo sounds a bit like Mary Ellen (not a bad thing, just something to be aware of in case you hadn't noticed).
Anne (mn Margaret) - Ann-Margret is the name of an actress. ;) Also, this might seem the most popular on your list (despite Anne itself not being overly popular, Anna is in the 20s and there are plenty of "ann" names seeing more action lately).
Virginia (mn Mae)- I think it's fine. ;)

You might also like Georgia, Eloise, Vivian, Rose and Violet. I'd also strongly consider Eleanor as a fn (is there a reason you only have it as a middle?). ;)

HTH


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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-13-2005
Sun, 03-25-2007 - 1:09pm

Here goes...


James (mn Alan) - nice,
Alan (mn James) - I think I like James Alan a little better
Henry (mn James)- Like, also like Henry Joseph, Henry Oliver
Peter (mn James) - ok, Peter Scott, Peter Drake might also work for you
Edward (mn James) - nice, Edward Louis, Edward Pierce
Charles (mn Alan) - Not much of a Charles fan, but it is ok, I might use James or Joseph for mn also


Alice (mn Virginia) - ok, Also like Alice Vivian, Alice Victoria
Dorothy (mn Mae) -ok, Dorothy Margaret I like a little better
Margaret (mn Eleanor) - nice
Mary (mn Eleanor) - ok - I like Mary Amelia, Mary Rosalie
Anne (mn Margaret) - nice,
Virginia (mn Mae)-

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2007
Sun, 03-25-2007 - 1:17pm

No, I don't actually. I've gathered in my time spent on baby name forums that Peter is slang for something, but I haven't been able to figure out what. It could be that people around here don't use it.

Thanks, I didn't know that.

I love the name, but I really don't like the nns Elle and Ellie, and I'm not crazy about Nora either.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2005
Sun, 03-25-2007 - 1:36pm

Peter is used as a slang term for a boy's penis (I say boy, because I like to assume by the time they're men they've outgrown this LOL). Jimmy is as well. So while either is fine on its own, I probably wouldn't use both together. That's just asking for it. ;)

As to Eleanor/Nora ... LOVE it, though I agree about the Elle/ie type nns. Overused.

HTH


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-06-2006
Sun, 03-25-2007 - 1:39pm

Truthfully, I don't think you can go wrong with any of your names. :)

James (mn Alan): The most popular choice, so you might want to avoid it for that reason.
Alan (mn James): I love Alan! I consider it an under used mid-century classic..but obviously it's not as classic as your other choices.
Henry (mn James)- I like Henry, but prefer Harry. I'd avoid the Henry James combo--that cuteness wears off in a hurry.
Peter (mn James)-- Peter is a beautiful, classic, and comparitively uncommon. Plus, there's the bonus of one of the best All-American nicknames, Pete. I love it. (To answer your pp, Peter/Petey can be a slang term for penis. Not as frequently used as Dick or John Thomas, but still in the vernacular. It may be less of an issue than you think, though. Peter is my brother's mn, and he says it's been commented on once or twice, but it's not considered teaseworthy. Peter James makes me think of PJs, like pajamas.)
Edward (mn James): Lovely
Charles (mn Alan): Very nice.

Alice (mn Virginia): Beautiful! My favorite from your list.
Dorothy (mn Mae): Cute, but I'd look for something more classic than Mae for a mn. Perhaps Mary?
Margaret (mn Eleanor): Pretty
Mary (mn Eleanor): okay. I also hear "Mary Ellen or" when I say this combo.
Virginia (mn Mae)- I posted my opinions on Virginia below, so you know I love it. :) Again, I'd avoid Mae. Virginia Mae sounds more Southern than Midwestern. Love Virginia Margaret, Virginia Alice, and Virginia Catherine.

My faves are Peter, Edward, and Charles for boys and Alice, Virginia, and Margaret for girls.

Edited to add that I had no idea Jimmy was slang for penis! Slang is so bizarre...or maybe it's just men. ;) After all, we women haven't started a tradition of nicknaming our genitals "Katie" or "Jill" LOL




Edited 3/25/2007 1:44 pm ET by allietx529

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-09-2004
Sun, 03-25-2007 - 1:43pm

OK, I'm not even going to read anyone else's reply :)


All your boys' names are good..I'm not a huge fan of Charles, Edward, or Alan but I do like the NNs Charlie & Teddy. Of course Alan in the MN slot is okay, so....my favorites from your list are:
James Alan & Peter James
Do you like nicknames? P.J. for Peter James is really tickling my fancy :)


Girls' names are wonderful, I like them all. I have to say my two favorites, without much thought are:
Mary Eleanor & Margaret Eleanor
Mary and Margaret are on my top 5 list (Mary is actually #1 :) and I love the nicknames Nora (for Eleanor) and Meggie (for Margaret) as long as you can avoid the dreaded (IMO lol) Maggie.


Well, FWIW, you've got a fantastic list anyway! :D Good luck!









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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-23-2007
Sun, 03-25-2007 - 3:28pm

Oh. Well then. I've also never heard of John Thomas (or Jimmy for that matter), btw, so maybe it is used here and I'm just not up on that particular kind of slang. I can't imagine that it's that big of a deal though, since the name hasn't died out completely like Dick (I've always thought that was a shame, because I'm quite fond of the name having grown up knowing a nice old man named Dick who sang funny old songs to the children on his school bus).

Well, Dorothy Mary is a little awkward since they end with the same sound. You're right though, Dorothy Mae does sound a little cutesy now that I think about it. Any other ideas?

LOL! This is really a complete shot in the dark, but I bet it started when men referred to their 'parts' as "little ." It might have evolved into using certain names that were common and generic.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Sun, 03-25-2007 - 6:48pm

I live in Iowa, about as midwest as you can get.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2005
Sun, 03-25-2007 - 7:05pm

<<>>

That's ok ... I've never heard "John Thomas!" LOL And I cracked up when I read your female versions. Such a man thing! ;)


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