Substitute for Elizabeth for a boy

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2006
Substitute for Elizabeth for a boy
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Thu, 03-09-2006 - 1:48pm

A very special friend of mine is expecting her first child in four weeks. She knows that it is a boy. The thing is, her mom died during just over a month ago and she wants to honor her mom in some way. She and her mom were real close and in fact the father of the child is not in the picture now and her mom was really supportive in promising to help her cope with the baby etc. If it had been a girl she would have used the name Elizabeth in memory of her. But now it's a boy, she doesn't know how to do it.

I suggested Ellis, but she hates that name. I can't think of any other male variations of Elizabeth. Any suggestions would be welcome?

The other idea she is toying with though is using Elizabeth or a variant of it (such as Liz or Beth) as a middle name for the boy (maybe even a third name). The example she gave me was Andrew Elizabeth for example. I didn't know what to say. On the one hand, it seemed odd using a girls name for a boy, but on the other hand I know she really wants to do this and she argued that a middle name isn't really used and that in any case her son would know it was important to her to use it. I just didn't want to argue at all because I know she is upset by it. Any views on this? Would it be so bad?

I'd really like some other opinions on this.

Thanks

Stacy

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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-14-2003
Thu, 03-09-2006 - 1:57pm

Personally, I don't like the idea of using Elizabeth or Beth in a boy's name, whether it be the fn, mn, or a 2nd mn.

How about Elias, Elijah or just Eli?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-28-2005
Thu, 03-09-2006 - 2:03pm

I would strongly encourage her to NOT use Elizabeth anywhere in the boys name. I have a cousin whose middle name is Lavern (not sure how to spell it) and its still a sore spot for him, and its after his Dad's middle name! I like the suggestion of Elijah!

Theresa

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-30-2006
Thu, 03-09-2006 - 2:11pm

I agree with pp, Eli and Elijah or Elias would work well. Also Ezra or Eleazar might work, depending on her tastes. I don't know if she is Christian/religious, but Eleazar is form of Lazarus (man from Bethany, who was restored to life by Jesus). Which may be a nice way to remember/honor her mother.

~Melissa

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-19-2005
Thu, 03-09-2006 - 2:16pm
She could use Elliot. That is much better then using Elizabeth in a boys name or the name Elizabeth means "oath of God". She could find a boys name that means the same thing and use that.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 06-26-1999
Thu, 03-09-2006 - 2:21pm

Hm, this is tricky.

Yes, I think that Andrew Elizabeth would be pretty bad. What does she think of Elias?

Also, what is Elizabeth's mn? Maybe that'd be easier to turn into a boy name.

Hope this helps!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 03-09-2006 - 3:04pm

I think using Elizabeth or any variation as a MN is a really, really, really bad idea. People always think that they can stick odd names in the middle, but just think about it - when is the MN used? It's used at graduations and when you get married - times when everyone you know is in the room.

What was her mother's maiden name? Maybe that can be used.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2006
Thu, 03-09-2006 - 3:54pm

Thanks for the ideas and suggestions. Elliot sounds a nice name.

Nice idea on her mom's previous surnames, but I had wondered the same. Her mom's married name was Page and before marriage it was Grace.

I will suggest Elliot though... and good point about where the middle name is used (even though it isn't used very much).

Stacy

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-03-2006
Thu, 03-09-2006 - 4:45pm

my heart goes out to your friend.
to lose her mom at such a special time,
and then with such turmoil added to her.

of course is ultimately up to her and her convictions,
personally if i did use Elizabeth in his name, i'd go for 2nd middle name.

you said she didnt like Ellis, is Elias different enough for her to like it?
or how about Elison? of perhaps the same meaning as for Elizabeth for a boy's name?

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2005
Thu, 03-09-2006 - 6:13pm

I haven't gotten to read the replies yet, so I'm sure there are some repeats here (sorry!). ;)

Eli (the same beginning of many forms of Elizabeth/Elisabet/Elisheba, etc., so fitting AND masculine)
Elias
Elijah
Elisha
Eliott
Elison/Ellison (means "son of Ellis" so probably not her fav, but threw it in just in case)
Gilbert (meaning bright promise; similar meanings to Elizabeth - God's promise)
Aaron (husband to the Biblical Elizabeth)
John (son of the Biblical Elizabeth)
Bethel (male or female name meaning "house of God" that gets Beth in there, without being just Beth ;)
Barrett (poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning ... again, more of a stretch, but if she's a literary fan it does get the Elizabeth connection across)
Raleigh (sir Walter Raleigh was a favorite of Queen Elizabeth)
Andrew (Saint Elizabeth was a daughter of King Andrew II)

I think using a masculine Eli- name or some other related name is much better than using the very-feminine names Elizabeth, Beth, Liz, etc., even though I can appreciate the sentiment. She might also consider her mom's mn, maiden name, etc. for a similar connection. Maybe something there would be a better fit? Hopefully she'll find something she likes that makes a good connection.

HTH!

~Kelli

Edited to add: was just reading the replies and saw the reference to Grace. How about McCrea/McCray (there are other spellings ... all literally mean "son of Grace"), Grayson (I don't usually condone this, but she could alter the spelling to be closer to Grace, if she really wanted), Gray or Zayn (means Grace in Arabic)? Just a thought! ;)




Edited 3/9/2006 6:23 pm ET by mommyagain6124

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iVillage Member
Registered: 05-29-2003
Thu, 03-09-2006 - 9:12pm
Do not give the name Elizabeth to a boy, as a fn, mn or any name. It is an awful solution to an awful situation. I really feel for this woman...I lost my Dad in the Fall. But naming a boy Elizabeth will only be hard (and I mean really hard!) for him. I suggest trying to think of a boy's name that was meaningful to her mom...maybe her mom's Dad's name or using a place name (for example, if her Mom loved skiing, name him Aspen or if she lived in Texas, name him Dallas) There has to be a way to honor her without naming him Elizabeth. If she simply wants a n E name, try suggesting Elijah or Elias. Eli is a good nn. Also, consider that Elizabeth in the bible had a son named John (John the Baptist). That way, she could name him John but call him Jack. I'm trying!

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