Baby coming soon - no name - ahhhh!

[vbjodi05]

I have posted several times and I think I might be one of the pickiest namers out there. Baby is due in 2-3 weeks and we have yet to find a name we love. For those that haven't seen my posts in the past, last name is Reilly and the middle name is a long Hawaiian name (that is K and L heavy). While we like some of these better than others, it seems we keep coming back to:

August
Crew/Cru
Dallas
Dean
Dex/Dexter
Drake
Drew
Griffin
Jett
Kane
Lane
Nash
Rex
Ridge
Shane
Tanner
Trey
Zander/Xander

A couple issues...

If your last name was also used as a common first name, would you avoid surname names? That would take several of these off the table (Dean, Drake, Griffin, Nash, Lane). I just don't know how big an issue this is (people getting first name/last name mixed up, like Riley Griffin)?

With the middle name being so K and L heavy, I think I would like to avoid names that have a hard C/K or an L in the middle/end (so that would nix Crew, Drake, Kane...possibly Rex and Dex too). But some of these are our favorites.

We also don't want too popular, too trendy, or too out there (Tanner and Xander are ranked in the top 100 in our state, so maybe should nix those, Griffin and Crew seem fairly trendy to me, and Ridge is pretty out there).

And DH would like to avoid names that are too vanilla or boring, since our last name is somewhat common (so that could eliminate some too).

After all of these issues, I think we've wiped out our entire list. Am I overthinking all of this? We are still open, but I think I have seen every name out there and none seem to be doing it for me. Also, prior to finding out the middle name, I was drawn to hard masculine names. Now it seems I am liking the softer names better (that are still somewhat masculine).

Ahhhhh, what to do!? I think I need a Berry intervention. Please help!

[jesba]

Hi!

Don't worry! It's good you're so thoughtful. You can find one that works. I think the considerations you raise are valid but more applicable to some names than others. And some of them, while concerns, aren't reasons to rule the name out. Here is my input.


August - A handsome name. NMS, but I noticed none of the concerns you're worried about really apply to it. A good option.
Crew/Cru - I like Crew for you! I think that spelling is best. I don't think a C first name and a K middle is a big deal. Your last name starts with a different letter, middles aren't used that often, and it sounds like the middle name is going to be very different from Crew for other reasons. Crew is a little surname-ish, and there might be some confusion occasionally, but the reality is when people know him they'll get it right, and it's not overwhelming.

Dallas - I like this name and like it a lot with your surname! And I think none of your concerns apply.
Dean - I like this name more with your surname than on its own! I feel like it's well known enough as a first name that the surname confusion won't be too much.
Dex/Dexter - I like these names, but I do feel like Dexter is heavily trendy / of the moment with the TV show. I'd go with Dex if I were you, with Dexter the r at the end is going to run into the R at the start of your surname. You might also like Dax.

Drake - this just makes me think of the rapper. I have a hard time taking it seriously. I think people will hear Jake. It will bump into the middle, and I don't think it has enough other redeeming qualities to rule it in. If it's your true favorite of the list, well then, never mind and that solves some of your problems : D.

Drew - this works very well. I prefer full names so I'd like Andrew more, but it's af fine name and the concerns you're having don't apply.
Griffin - I like this name, however I do think it's one of the trendier ones on the list and it's so Irish with your surname, I think this is the one people would be most likely to flip.
Jett - this is a really cool name, and the concerns you have don't apply. I kind of find it too cool to use, but less so than Drake, and having fewer of the concerns than Drake.
Kane - I have to admit it just makes me think of Cain and sugar cane and so I don't love it. However I recently met someone with the name and it's growing on me knowing him. It does sound good with your surname. I wouldn't worry at all about the alliteration with the middle for the reasons I outlined with Crew. I guess if the initials KK getting closed to KKK bothers you, you could reconsider, but, your surname doesn't start with K.
Lane - this name is all girl for me, I'd advise against it.
Nash - This makes me think of noshing, like, snacking, or gnashing teeth. However, none of your concerns apply and if I ever met a Nash I'd probably get over that concern.
Rex - A cool name. I wouldn't worry about the x-K thing. It's fine. It is a lot of alliteration with your surname. Mostly I think it makes the name memorable and pleasing. But I know some find alliteration displeasing.
Ridge - I see this forever being heard as Rich and to me it's trying a little too hard. Drake and Ridge - trying too hard. Jett and Rex - cool, but not too cool. Though obviously people can draw those lines in different places.
Shane - really like Shane! Doesn't have any of your concerns I don't think (it doesn't seem surnameish to me) and sounds great with your surname.
Tanner - Yes, this one is trendy and maybe even trendy from 10 years ago? And the r's will bump. And it's surnameish. I'd let it go unless you find you love it more than all others.
Trey - Similar issue to Tanner - it had it's moment a little earlier, and I just think of it as a nickname for boys who are thirds. I guess the sound works enough and it's not surnameish, but I have a hard time endorsing it. I just think of cafeteria trays too.
Zander/Xander - I feel like this name is trendy and the r will bump with your surname, but it's a pleasing name nonetheless. Zane would be my recommendation.

So I'd have no real concerns for you about:
August
Crew
Dallas
Dean
Dex
Drew
Rex
Shane

And I have mild reservations about the following but think they're basically fine:
Dexter
Griffin
Kane
Xander/Zander

And I think you might like:
Dax
Zane

Shane is my top pick, with Dean, Dallas, and Rex following next.

Good luck!

[vbjodi05]

jesba - thanks for the thorough and insightful feedback. I think you have some really good points! I too like Dax, but DH has a bad association with it. And Zane is pretty cool, but for some reason I hear the word Zany which might bother me. But I have to agree with most of your comments. I'll have to show DH tonight and talk some of this over with him. Thanks!

[vbjodi05]

Also, it might help to know that the middle name has a total of 3 Ks and 3 Ls and is 18 characters long. I wanted to be a little more specific about it since that might change what people think regarding first name options.

[jesba]

You are welcome! That is quite the middle name : D. I guess it tips me mildly more against Crew and Kane, but I still don't think it really matters. It sounds like it's pretty obviously Hawaiian and anyone who has any familiarity with the Hawaiian language will get that it's K heavy. It just seems like if you go with Kane or Crew that it will be clear you liked those names and then you had this Hawaiian name that I'm guessing has a lot of family meaning. I don't think the middle puts me of L's in names at all (a la Dallas), and really none of these names is too long with an 18 letter middle name. Maybe Alexander or Nathaniel or Christopher could be, but not thee. Good luck : D!

[uselesskitty]

Of your list I like Griffin, Drake and August.

[mamarachof6]

I definitely think you've overthinking just a bit. You've got some great names on your list!

I really like August, Crew, and Tanner!

[leonielee]

You haven't eliminated my favorite on your list, Dexter! I say go with that!

[sweetpea2peanut]

Of the names on your list August and Shane strike me as the most classic while avoiding the "l" "k" heaviness that seemed a concern. Many of the last name first names sound too trendy imo. However, if there is one you love, please don't mind my comment.

[rollo]

Tanner is really nice. I know the cutest 3yo named Tanner.