Classic, simple names for the Midwest?
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| 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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We have very similar naming styles. Of your list, I really like (in order of preference):
Peter James (no one uses Peter anymore. It's rare these days. Very strong name, classic, likeable)
Henry James
Virginia
Mary
Margaret
Alice
I am not crazy about the mn's you have listed for the girls...esp Mae (which I just despise, unless it is a deep-rooted family name that has special meaning to you.) I like the name Eleanor but not in the middle name slot with Mary (to me, the sounds are too repetitive with these names). I see you took Anne off the list but I really like it and think it works nicely as the mn with Virginia (Virginia Anne). Alice is nice with Mary or Margaret (Mary Alice or Margaret Alice). Or, if you would consider it, Eleanor Anne is very elegant.
I am a fellow midwesterner.
James: I know one James under 5, the rest are 30+. I think this is one of the best traditional male names out there, fits your wants wonderfully. I do not like the nns Jim or Jimmy at all.
Alan (mn James): Do not know any Alan's of any age. Okay name, but my least fav from your list.
Henry: I like Alan as a MN here too. This is probably the most popular name on your list, at least in my midwest cirlces. I only know two, one is ten the other 3, and I also know one Hank (given name, plus I know two moms who want to use this name. Its popularity wouldn't deter me, its classic. It also fits your wants to a tee. I'm not crazy about the nn Hank.
Peter (mn Alan): I do not know any Peters.I like Peter, and I have heard of it being the slang term others have mentioned. I wouldn't let that deter me if it ended up being my favorite, but may be something I would think about it in the decision process. I like the nn Pete.
Edward (mn James): Probably the most archaic name on your list. I like it fine and you would not have to worry about too many little Edwards running around. The appeal to this anme for me is the nn Ted, which I adore and would consider using myself, but none of the formal names appeal to me or DH.
Charles (mn Alan): I like this second or third best from your list. I know two, one whom goes by Charlie and is almost two, and the other whom goes by Chase, and is 5ish.
My favs in order: James, Henry/Charles (tied for second).
Alice: I haven't heard this one on a child yet, I probably only know one who is over 50 anyway. I like it alot. Its nice, pleasant, short and sweet.
Dorothy: Not my fav, still too connected to the Wizard of Oz, and seems frumpy. I do not hate it at all. In fact, I do not think I even dislike it, just not the best on your list.
Margaret: For some reason, I hear this one a lot around here. I know of two, who are under three. I also heard this name twice while waiting for a table at a resturant, in one night. Two little girls were trying to entertain my son, and there mothers were both saying "Margaret, don't touch the baby." The mom's starting laughing when they realized both little girls were named Margaret. That started them talking about how neither of them use nn's, but one of the mom's said she had a friend who also had a Margaret whom went by Meggie. They were both around 6. That would make 5 little Margaret's in this area at least. I do like the nns for Margaret, my fave being Greta, but I also know a Greta who is one. This must be a fluke, as the name itself is not that popular.
Mary: In our area, there are also a lot of Mary's. That has a lot to do with Catholicism being prevelant. I know about 7 Mary's, some are over 20, but two are in grade school and two are around three or four. The younger two go by double names, one is Mary Claire (which I absolutely love) and the other Mary Kate. I went to junior/high school with her parents and she was named after the head nun at our school. We also used the name Mary as a slang term in high school, such as "She is such a Mary, she never never does anything wrong!"
Virginia: I do not know any Virginias. I commented on this one in your poll below.
My favs in order: Virginia, Alice and Mary
I do not think you could go wrong with any of these names. They will age well, but some of them have a middle-aged vibe to me, which is fine, considering that you are older a lot longer than you are a baby!
I live in Texas.
James (mn Alan) - I am big fan of James and I too have considered it as a fn. James Alan has a great flow. I only know of one boy named James, he is 11 and does not go by a nn
Alan (mn James) - Same great flow, but this doesn't seem as handsome as James Alan - I can't put my finger on what I dislike. I know one boy, age six, named Alan - he is named after his father.
Henry (mn James)- Love it. I see Henry a lot on the boards, but I do not know any IRL. I am eager to meet one, because I love the name.
Peter (mn Alan) - I like Peter too. I know a guy age 25 with this name. We were friends in college and I never asked him if got teased because of his name :) Everyone called him Pete
Edward (mn James) - I really like Edward too, sounds distinguished. I think my favorite nn is Ned
Charles (mn Alan) - This is my favorite on your list. I do know one Charles, nn Charlie who is age four. He is adorable!!
A name that I immediately thought of after reading your list is Simon. Simon James/Alan has a great flow and the nn Sy is nice.
Alice (mn Virginia, Margaret?) - I like Alice Margaret. For me Alice is a family name, so I know about 5 or 7 ranging in ages 60-2. I think that this is a name that ages well.
Dorothy (mn Anne) - I have never been a huge fan of this name...maybe it is the Wizard of Oz
Margaret (mn Eleanor or Anne) - love this name too!
Mary (mn Eleanor) - ok...too bland for me
Virginia (mn Alice, Margaret, Anne?)- I know a 3 year-old named this, her brother's name is William. I think that this is a heavy name for a child, but the nn Gina and Ginny are cute.
Good luck,
Brooke
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