Opinions please!

[ala824]

I'm due with our first baby (gender is a surprise) in a couple of months. Girl name will definitely be Felicity.

But, of course I feel like this baby will be a boy. Every time we've agreed on a name, it seems to lose its luster with me and I start questioning it. Please tell me what you think (Our last name is similar to Sandstrom):

Holden- I like it a lot, but it doesn't necessarily feel special. No great nicknames either. Husband likes it okay.

Desmond- husband's favorite. I love the Lost association and Des as a nickname, but the "mond" ending sounds clunky to me and I wonder if it is more of an African-American name (we are caucasian). Also with our last name, I don't think it flows too well (I think it's the double "nd"s in both names, combined with both being 2 syllables).

Augustus- I like the nicknames of Auggie and Gus, but it's a lot of name to give to a kid. I don't like the association of Augustus Gloop. Husband likes this name, but will not go for just August.

Hawthorne- our current favorite, but I worry that it sounds too stuffy or it's just too unusual. Nickname would probably be Hawk. Husband is waffling on this and really so am I. We go from loving it to thinking we can't use this. We both love the literary/nature associations.

Emmett- we both like this one, but husband thinks it's too close to his cousin's name of Emily (with both having nickname of Em). I don't think either of us love it though.

Other names we have discussed, but discarded:

Theodore- I liked, he didn't.

Titus- He liked, I didn't.

Logan- I liked, he didn't.

Alexander- we both love, but it clashes with our last name, especially because we'd want to use the nn Xander.

I'm open to other suggestions, but feel like I've looked at everything...

[dantea]

My top 3 from your list are:

1. Hawthorne -- love love love this so much! I love the literary connection and I love the nn Thorn, and Hawk isn't so bad. I don't think it's too unusual. Flower and nature names are on trend right now so I think it would kind of fit in
2. Augustus -- love this one a lot too. I think of Roman emperors and royalty and I love it. He could always go by Auggie or Gus (or even August as a nn) when he's a kid so it's not too big for a kid, and he'll be a grown up for 90% of his life and then it won't be too much
3. Desmond -- I only sort of like this one, but Des or Dessy are really great. I don't think there's really such a thing as an African-American name (except the ones that are use predominantly in the community like Teshawn and whatnot (which is what's used here, so not trying to be racist or anything)) I think it's a strong, cool name.

[lauren-kay]

I really like Hawthorne! Thorne is a cool nn. I wonder if you might also like Heathcliffe? Also has the literary connection and Heath is an awesome nn

[sunshine.10]

Do you like Everett? It seems similar in style the other names you mentioned and could be a great alternative to Emmett.

[ala824]

I do like Everett, however I dated a guy with that last name, and I just couldn't name my child that!

[gblondie]

What about Augustin? I think it makes Augustus lose the roman empire feeling

[rachel_lessard]

In order, I like:

1. Hawthorne - I like the literary/nature associations. It might seem like a bit much, but kids do grow into their names!
2. Augustus - Strong, classical name. Auggie is adorable! Any negative associations with a name do disappear as people begin to associate the name with your child.
3. Desmond - I see this as a strictly Irish name (although there is Desmond Tutu).
4. Emmett - A nice, strong name.
5. Holden - There is nothing wrong with it, but it feels a little "meh" in comparison with your other names.

Good luck!

[indianruby]

Emmett and Theodore are my favourites. They're both handsome, gorgeous names. The others I don't particularly care for the others except for Alexander, though too common for my own personal use. If Augustus was just August I would love that as well.

[lulu jane]

I really really like Hawthorne. I don't think it's too out there at all! Especially with the nn Hawk, which is super cool. I think since surname names are popular these days, and Hawthorne isn't hard to pronounce, that no one would bat an eyelash. Definitely usable, go for it!