Henry, Clark, or Luke?

[dellastreet]

Our son is due next month and we're still contemplating names. The middle name will be Ernest--a family name from both sides. Our front-runners are:

Henry Ernest
Clark Ernest
Luke Ernest

If forced to choose today, we'd probably pick Henry -- love this classic name and how it flows with Ernest; our only concern is that he will likely be one of several in our Boston neighborhood. Clark's solid citizen vibe and crisp sound intrigues us, though we've received mixed reactions from family.

What do you think? And feel free to offer other suggestions! Thanks!

[sugarfoot]

Henry Ernest Is best

[meogan]

I like Clark and Henry best, but Henry's popularity makes Clark the clear winner to me.

[lynae]

Oh I feel your pain witht he popular name delima. I am also in Boston and we named our daughter Sophia despite the popularity. We just love love love her name. It is a (not unexpected) disapointment when we continually run into more and more Sophias within her age range (4). There are 2 others on our block and a Sophie in preschool class... We named our second child something much less popular and it has been refreshing to only hear his name when it is pertaining to him and not every 10th boy we meet. Having said this, we do not regret Sophia's name. We just had the luck of falling in love with this her name before we knew better - and once you are in love what can you do?

I love the name Henry. How popular is it really?

Clark is interesting. Do you love it like you do Henry?

If you don't name your son Henry will you wish you did?

Best of luck to you!

[jwalling]

DH and I are on the fence about Clark, too, even though it is on our short list. Some days I feel like it's the perfect combo of a known name that isn't too popular, yet has great associations (Clark Kent! Clark Gable! Lewis & Clark pioneer explorers!) and other days I feel like I just don't love it as much as I wish I did. In case it helps, I've also received mixed reactions from family--my mother loves it, my (younger) sister hates it.

You've discussed Henry and Clark--what about Luke? If you're worried about popularity one thing to consider is whether it would bother you that Luke would also have Lucas and Luca to contend with. While to me they're a very different vibe, these other two names will sound similar when called out on the playground.

[agirlinred]

I would take Henry off your list if you're concerned about popularity. I truly believe Henry is about to have a shot at returning to his former top ten glory. If not the top ten then definitely the top twenty. Luke could be troublesome too with the popularity of Luke and Lucas and the rising popularity of Luca.

If you're going for the all American boy, choose Luke. If you're looking for something refreshing and retro that still manages to feel modern, choose Clark. The only downside I see to using Clark is that Clark Ernest runs the risk of sounding like someone's grandpa or great-grandpa.

[ashthedreamer]

Henry for me, too! Henry Ernest is so handsome, and I love how classic Henry is. If you love Henry, I would urge you to use it! It sounds as if you may regret not using it. Clark and Luke are very lovely, too, though.

Good luck!

[sheflieswithherownwings]

Henry Ernest sounds best.

[amenspanglish]

I love Luke, but I think he would definitely stand out more ( in a good way) with the name Clark.
I would love to meet a little Clark!
It's a hard decision!
But with your middle name, Ernest, TBH Henry fits the best. It really depends on what you are going for!

[happygolucky3]

Loving Clark! I love that it is a known name, strong, but not overly popular. I love Henry as well however in my sons play group of 10, there are 3 Henry's ( i live in the midwest and it is wildly popular here). That being said, it is a great name and if you love it, you should go with it.