help prove me right to my wife.

[jersey_gray]

Stonewall is also very evocative of a major event in gay history, the Stonewall riots. It's one thing if it's a family name or something but if it's not, it might seem like you're honoring that event. Which is totally cool if you are. Just know that's one thing that might come to mind.

I have no idea what your talking about. I hear Stonewall I think of Stonewall Jackson of the American Civil War.

[rollo]

I am weighing into this late so I hope Dad that you are still reading the posts. Firstly, I am an Aussie and when I hear Stonewall I think of the Deep South - Civil War.

I can see that you want a distinguished name for your son, a name that distinguishes him from the crowd.

The best way to do this is with a name that has flair and class. I would not want any historic connections unless you were using something like Ellis if you were an immigrant who came to America via Ellis Island and feel that this subtle reference pays homage to your ancestors history, but I would only make a subtle hint not a full in your face name like Stonewall.

Frankly, it leaves me wondering what was the purpose of using the name Stonewall and I think there would be many others who would wonder the same and that is not the same as giving a good strong name to a child to distinguish him from the crowd.

Some suggestions
Sterling Oliver or Oliver Sterling
Preston Oliver
Beau Montgomery
George Patrick Thomas
Marcus Hadrian
Oliver Lancelot
Charlton Magnus
Josiah Forrest
Charles Edwin
Alexander James
Oliver Abraham
Lucas Oliver
James Atticus
Jamison Oliver
Orlando Francis
Quentin Miles
Louis Oliver
Preston Joseph
William Charles

These kind of names will hold a child in good stead all their lives. Of course, they may find that they acquire a nn from the colour of their hair, in Australia if you have red hair don't be surprised if your nickname is "Blue or Bluey", which is good as a name among friends but I would definitely not try to make too much of a statement in the name like Tyson or Cash or Chance or Buddy, keep it simple, keep it classic and you can't go wrong.

rollo

[flick]

Stonewall over McKane, for sure. McKane reminds me of McCain and I really, really disliked that man.

[phosphorescence]

I'm from London. For the sound, you could try Stanley, meaning, Peter. It wasn't me that brought up riots, but I came about the charity via typing "Stonewall" into "I'm feeling Lucky" on Google so I would hazard that it's not an uncommon association by any means.
Other names I'll throw in:
Oliver Kieran
Oliver Aidan
Oliver Linus
Oliver Simon
Oliver Blaise
Oliver Craig
Oliver August
Oliver Sebastian
Oliver Karsten
Oliver Tristan
Oliver Winston
Oliver Wesley

[water buffalo]

It is not like I'm making the name up. It has been used in the past, I will give it to you it was the distant past, like right after the civil war. According to the social security site, it topped out at #679 in the top 1000 in 1880. It has been in the top 1000 3 other times 854 in 1881, 926 in 1885, and 994 in 1907.

[catloverd]

It is not like I'm making the name up. It has been used in the past, I will give it to you it was the distant past, like right after the civil war. According to the social security site, it topped out at #679 in the top 1000 in 1880. It has been in the top 1000 3 other times 854 in 1881, 926 in 1885, and 994 in 1907.

I think it's one of those names then that should stay in the past, does it say how common it is now? Even so, that doesn't mean it's a good name. Ultimately it's your guys decision, but if you use such a strong name like Stonewall, you will likely have people mention to you Stonewall Jackson, or maybe the riots, it's just a fair warning that people are pointing out now....

There are much better names as people have posted.

[pansy]

I think I'd have to know the reasons behind the middle names before making a decision. If you're a big Civil War buff and fan of Stonewall Jackson, than I can see why you'd use Stonewall in the middle. If McKane is a family name then I can see how that would hold more signficance for you. Randomly using either name seems kind of strange to me, but since most people aren't going to know your child's middle name anyway and just refer to him as Oliver, in the end it's not that big a deal.

For sound/flow purposes alone, I prefer Oliver Stonewall.

[phosphorescence]

I don't doubt that the name bears some legitimacy but the connotations in the minds of others, as you've witnessed here, are so negative that I truly would hesitate to use it.

[kala_way]

I don't like either.

Oliver Stone Erwin or Oliver Kane Erwin would both get my vote

[greyer]

Oliver Stonewall gets my vote. I also had never heard of the Stonewall riots and yes, there is a gay bar in my area called the Stonewall, but that wouldn't bother me. I'd probably be more offended if someone said they WEREN'T using a name specifically because of a connection to the LGBT community. I prefer the flow of Oliver Stonewall to Oliver McKane even though I know McKane honors you, and I think since you strongly prefer Stonewall you should use it despite some pp's feelings about it.

Not only that, but it's a middle name. How many times are you really going to introduce him to a stranger as "Oliver Stonewall Ervin"? 9 times out of 10 when I ask a parent what their child's name is, they just give me the first name. His middle will really only be seen on the birth certificate and maybe his wedding invitations, so I wouldn't worry about the reactions too much. If I met someone whose middle name was Stonewall I'd think what a cool middle name it was, and then maybe Stonewall Jackson later.