So mixed up

[ms.bethie]

Please help me choose a name. My husband really likes the name HEATH. I was starting to accept it. Then I read a post on Nameberry that Heath reminds someone of Sheath (which they described as part of a male horse's penis). Another person said Heath sounds like a strange sound a mad cat would growl.

My sister says Heath looks like Health misspelled.

Heath could also look like Heathen. Not something I want my son to be.

Heath also means a land with scrubby bushes. Our last name is Moss. I wonder if Heath Moss is "too plant like" of a name.

Should I forget Heath and go with another name on the list? I also like the name Truman. My husband thinks Truman is a bit nerdy or too presidential.

HELP Please!!!! Our other two children are BLAKE and GRANT.

[frustratedauthor]

I think Heath is a perfectly good name. Yes, Heath Moss is a bit botanical, but it's still a lovely name. I'm not fond of Truman--I generally don't like that style of name. Other possibilities:

Arlo
Boone
Bram
Clark
Finn
Milo
Rhett
Wyatt
Zeke

[krismichelle]

If you're feeling that badly about Heath, then I think you should look for something else. Perhaps another one syllable name?

Reese/Rhys
Cade
Cole
Miles
Jack
Dane
Dean
Finn
Vaughn
Keith
Zane
Seth
Shane
James

[kyemsma]

How about Reid? So handsome, and goes perfectly with Blake and Grant.

[mischa]

Heath Moss would be a little too much of a nature name. Truman is ok. Here are some suggestions for Blake and Grant's brother.

One-syllable

Rhys
Craig
Lorne
Keith/Keefe
Laird
Boone
Carl
Chad
Dean
Hugh
Jude
Joel
Lance
Kyle
Noel
Tate
Shane
Vaughan
Seth
Lane
Hale
Booth
Troy
Pierce
Clive


Two-syllables

Porter
Archer
Calder
Cooper
Sawyer
Jesse
Aaron
Spencer
Dexter
Nolan

[boyandgirl]

I absolutely love Heath. I have never heard it in relation to Health or Sheath. It is one of my favs.

[kasie]

I think Heath is a great name... and I would never think of a horse penis when hearing it. I'm not a fan of Truman at all.

[teacherma]

I really like the sound of Heath Moss. For me, it sounds like someone who could be the sweet boy next door or someone who's a little rebellious. I like it a lot.

[ellenelle]

You shouldn't feel like you have to settle on a name or make yourself like it, even if it is a perfectly acceptable one like Heath (I wouldn't worry about any of those concerns, though I did notice the double botanticals). I slightly prefer the sound of Truman Moss to Heath Moss, but I also think there are a lot of great suggestions here, esp. Reid, Rhys, Dean, Vaughn, Spencer, Nolan...

[amberdaydream]

Heath sounds great with Blake and Grant! I like mischa's list of 1-syllable names above, too.

Sheath is slang for condom in my country. It's also the word for the casing of a sword or dagger (when someone draws a sword, they're drawing it out of a sheath. And yes, that is probably where the slang comes from.) I've never heard it used to refer to a horse's penis before. Regardless, Heath doesn't remind me of sheath.

It doesn't sound like "heathen" to me, but if you think it does, I'd be concerned about "heathen" being a highly offensive slur than its actual meaning.

If you're really on edge about Heath, I'd suggest using it as a middle name. Truman Heath Moss sounds good to me.