One minute, you think naming your son Shane is going to give him a chaps-wearing leg up in life by bestowing him with all the quiet coolness of a 1950’s movie cowboy. The next, you’re sure naming him Shane will make him the poopy-pants, wheezy outcast who sits out gym class because he forgot his inhaler.
It’s a big job, naming a human being.
I ran my current short list of baby names by a name expert, Pamela Redmond Satran (developer of addictive site Nameberry.com and coauthor of the new book, “Beyond Ava & Aiden.”) As far as I can tell, she is the baby name maven. And man, she despises one of my beloved names.
I’ve also included some of your comments and suggestions, which I must say I have loved receiving, especially after discussing the topic with Adam Carolla and Bald Bryan on a recent podcast. Thank you so much for your feedback. Me and Baby No Name adore hearing from you.
Here’s what I got so far:
James
Prototypical "Jim"
Me: You know the trouble with this one: the nickname Jim. Jims seem like nice guys, I just don’t want one. I am told by many who have written to me that Jim is an old school nickname, and that James can remain James. Can this be true? Also, how common is James? And have girls overtaken the name James? Those greedy little girl parents are taking everything.
The Name Expert: For me, James is really good. And doesn’t have to be Jim (though I actually like Jim). I have a Joe who has never, ever been called Joey, at least by anyone who lived to tell about it. There are lots of Jameses – but not in your neighborhood. Unless they’re girls. I really don’t think the girls are taking it over, though, not en masse outside the hipster ghetto.
What you say: I counted 18 pro-James comments.
Jaime says: “My best friend is named Jim, and has 99% of the time successfully avoided being called Jim.”
Michela says: “If you like James, what about Jay? There is literally no nicknaming possible!”
Catherine says: “The Jim fear shows the generational gap. I don’t know any Jims younger than 40, every other James I’ve ever met has gone by “James” or “Jamie” so I think you should put James back on the table. I think Jim and Jimmy came from families back in the day when everyone was named after an older family member, so you’d end up with seven men named James and you had to differentiate.
To sum up, my vote: JAMES”
James says: “I was always fascinated by strangers that no sooner did I introduce myself as James, they jump right into calling me Jimbo. Really? Jimbo is where you started? Know a lot of Jimbos do you? But I didn’t get annoyed by it too much because it was often a good way to weed out the douche bags.
I just had a son on Saturday but opted for Jack. I am the third James in the family (and the only one actually called James) but the name will end on three. I wish you all the luck in choosing your son’s name.”
Mickey
Mickey Goldmill. Definitely a Jew.
Me: One word: Rocky. You know, “Cut me, Mick.” Burgess Meredith, who played Rocky’s grizzled old trainer, was iconic as Mickey. I also love Denis Leary’s sponsor/cousin, Mickey, from “Rescue Me.” Mickey loans you money. Mickey will drive your sister home when she’s drunk and not even consider feeling her up. Mickey plays pool but won’t shark you. However, does it sound too much like Nicky? And does one have to start with the name Michael to get to Mickey?
The Name Expert: You want to know what I really think? You can’t name a kid Mickey. Yes, there’s the mouse, Mickey Rourke, and I dunno, do you really want a son who’s the movie sidekick, too good for his own good? Plus, what if he wants to be a bond trader (you’re a writer, this could be a good thing), except they won’t let him into business school because he’s got such an infantile name? I repeat: You can’t name a kid Mickey.
You say: Mickey was suggested by one person. Oddly enough, Micah was the king of the “M” names from you guys, which also included favorites Max, Miles, Milo and Mitchell.
Finnegan
Me: This is the only really quirky name on my short list. I like juxtaposing ethnicities, an in-your-face Irish first name with a crazy Polish last name. And the book “Finnegan’s Wake” took, like, 17 years to write, and I like the idea of someone slaving over a book most people can neither read nor understand. And I love the nickname Finn. Is this getting too Aiden/Jaden/Caden? Is Finn trying too hard? Are girls co-opting this one, too?
Finn McCool. Definitely not a Jew.
The Name Expert: I actually think Finn is really the better name. Finn McCool is the greatest hero of Irish mythology. Why does everyone think they have to pick Finnegan or Finnian or Finlay and then call their kid Finn? It’s not like Jim. That rant over: Yes, it is getting too common. It is very easy to like, and that’s its problem. Ah, alternatives to Finnegan: You mean Irish surname’y names? Are you Irish? Do you have any in your family? I do kind of like the Maguire/O’Brien thing, but I think the name’s got to be real to pull it off. Here’s an Irish name that’s totally undiscovered: Piran. Patron saint of miners.
You say: Finn was suggested, as were Finbar, Felix and Fred. As far as unusual names go, you guys were not at a loss. Some of my favorites include: Hoagy, Balthazar, Cabot, Miller, Lazare, Kyd, Spider, Stosh, Zeno, Jaspar and Taytum.
You sent some great Irish-sounding names, too, including Declan, Gavin, Ian, Liam, Colm, Caleb (very popular), Logan, Dylan, Lachlan, Rowan, Rylan and Seamus.
Shane
Shane: Nameberry hates you.
Me: My husband has all but closed the swinging saloon door on this one, but I still like it because Shanes are always hot. And the Polish cowboy thing still calls to me. The Mr. thinks it’s too cute and maybe too precious and trying too hard. He has started giving me the stink eye every time I mention it.
The Name Expert: Absolutely no. You’re birthing him, not dating him.
You say: Lots of love for the name Shane, but some disdain, too.
Dignan says: “Teresa, I love you, and I hate to crap on your waffle, but my parents named me Shane and I hated it. I remember being two years old and hating my name. I’ve never stopped hating it. Also, I’m sad to report that not all boys named Shane are attractive.”
Shanesmommy says: “My husband hates trendy names and also loved Shane because it was different without being trendy or as TACS says, “F’ed Out”.”
Edward
Me: This is racing toward the top for me. Eddie and Ed are cute nicknames. Edward was my grandfather. Sure, he was manic-depressive, but he always had a freezer full of rocky road ice cream and he once made me feel like a genius for getting the word “mauve” in a game of Boggle when I was eight.
Is Edward too boring? Will there be too many Edwards in his world? Sometimes my husband test drives this one by saying “Edward” very sternly to my belly. It feels right.
The Name Expert: This is what we wanted to name our second son (now 16). We were going to call him Ned. We loved it, and I still do. But our older kids, aged 10 and 4, said it was a nerd name and they would hate him if we called him Ned, so we didn’t do it. And now he thanks us. But I still have regrets and think the “Twilight” Edward has substantially increased the hotness factor. I love this name and definitely think it’s the best on your list.
You Say: Several of you wrote in to suggest Edward. Other “E” names you sent my way include Eamon, Eli, Elijah (very popular), Elliot, Enzo, Eric, Ethan, Evan, Ewan and Ezra.
The baby is already sucking my blood, right?
My grandpa, Edward
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Tags: baby names, Pregnancy
First off, I love your blog! You are an amazing writer and I think we could be friends! I am always very touched and saddened when you write about your mom
Second, Mickey – NO WAY!
Third, I went to that nameberry website and it is ADDICTIVE and OVERWHELMING! I don’t have kids, but plan to some day and I am already stressed about the responsibility of choosing what to name a person. Good luck. I am sure you will choose something smart, fun and not too overused!
Sam
p.s. I know plenty of Jameses that aren’t Jim, but I think James is boring…
I’m commenting as a third grade teacher and a parent. Please try to be either traditional or original. Right now the kids I’m seeing are all Cody, Evan, Caleb, Logan, Eli, blah, blah, blah. Kids also tend to get stereotyped by name. Tylers and Dakotas are always naughty, guaranteed.
I would also like you to know that names aren’t really as important as some people make them out to be. My husband and I are white and adopted three black kids – Christopher, Brian, and … Jarvis. I would not have not chosen any of these names and Jarvis just seemed too tripped out. People assumed we were going to change it after the adoption was finalized but I ended up loving it and other people do too. Our little Jarv is one dope kid.
P.S. I have a nephew in his late twenties named Shane and I LOVE THAT NAME!
I’m totally biased, but I like Edward. That’s my little brother’s name. I’m 26 and he’s 20, to give you a better idea of where we stand generation-wise. He was named after his paternal grandfather (yeah, we’re half-siblings.) I never for one nanosecond second thought Edward/Eddie/Ed was an uncool name.
James is pretty solid. Mickey will garner far too many mouse jokes at your son’s expense. I should know–my name is Maria, and I’ve endured a lifetime of “Maria, I’ve just met a girl named Maria…” and “How do you solve a problem like Mariaaaaa?” (That one makes me homicidal.) And your son would get “Oh Mickey you’re so fine!” and “M-I-C-K-E-Y” every other day.
I loathe and abhor the name Max.
Anyway, I vote Edward.
Great blog. Of the names on your list I like Finnegan. Since I have a rare name I prefer other names that are not as common. I feel that my name has given me more individuality. I can’t be lumped together with the other james or edwards. I feel that the names of my children are rare as well. I have 2 boys, Augustus and Maximus.
My favorite of your names is James. A friend of mine named her son that and says she’s not afraid of him being called Jim because it won’t happen.
I’m three months preggers with twins right now. I think boys’ names are much easier to come up with than girls’ names just because there’s so much variety with girls’ names.
My personal top choices for a boy are:
William (Will)
Benjamin (Ben)
Alexander (Alex)
And two middle names:
Drew
Jude (which we also like because it sounds like “Jewed.” My husband noted that as a positive and he’s one of the chosen people.)
HA! My brother’s name is Benjamin Jude, no lie! St. Jude is the patron saint of lost causes, my Catholic mother’s fave.
T, I like Edward or James, no nonsense names. Besides, my friend’s DOG’s name is Finnegan. And Shanes I know are fat and/or obnoxious. Always think of how the kid’s name goes with the last name!
Funny how so many people have an opinion about what to name him, isn’t it? And I must give you kudos for even asking the public’s opinion since that has to be really overwhelming!
So onto my take: I like James and know several who only go by James – Jim is definitely not a given. I personally dislike Edward but it is a respectable name, a different nickname would be Ward. I’m not crazy about Shane and would like to suggest Vaughn which has a similar feel for me. Finnegan is nice enough. It kind of screams “I was born in 2009!” to me. Its very now. And I’m sorry but Mickey is terrible. Just terrible. I love that your list is so versatile. Good luck to you in making a decision. We’re in the same boat so I know the wavering that you’re feeling now!
Why don’t you just name himJesus?
I like James and Edward. Classic is always good.
Flint. No one messes with a Flint.
Evan. Definitely Evan.
Edward is now officially the sexiest name ever, not that eventual sexiness is at the top of your list of considerations for your baby’s name. I just finished all those damn Twilight books and will never be the same again. I forgot to ask you if you had read them when I ran into you on Larchmont….I digress…
Basically, it’s a classic, strong masculine choice. Can’t argue with it. Edward James. Done.
Finn – doesn’t Julia Roberts have one of those? Its one of those retro hip names. Cheesy. Shane, I like it but it feels a little soap opera.
Edward James Done and Done
Hey, I’m quoted, how insanely cool!
Okay, my opinion (again.) I love James, and no, I don’t think he’ll be called Jim. It would never occur to me to nickname a James I met as Jim. I do think it’s an older generation nickname. In fact, I can’t think of any Jims of my age that I know. (I’m 28.)
I like Finn, different but normal enough so nobody goes, “What crack was your mom smoking?” That said, I don’t like Finnegan …
Hate Mickey. Nuff said.
HATE Shane. The image I have of Shanes are total douchenozzles, not intelligent, and basically directionless drop kicks. In my opinion, it also doesn’t suit you. I have this image of you being a more classy and classic beauty type of person, who wouldn’t name her son Shane. Keep the Shane, Tiffany, Brittany, etc, for the 16-year-old’s in Kentucky who name their babies. No offense to anyone named Shane …
Edward is okay too, but I like James and Finn better.
Good luck with your decision! Maybe pick your top two and then see “who” comes out when you see him.
Jackson
A strong adult name and a cute nickname (Jack) as a child.
T,
You are the best!! I love all of these but Mickey. I just can’t condone that one. My nephew is Finnegan and people call him both Finnegan and Finn. It’s adorable. Also, I have three male friends in their thirties named James and not one of them has ever gone by Jim so don’t be discouraged by nicknames. As the parents, you and your hubby will just have to be very adamant and firm about people calling the little guy James, and not Jim. Good luck!
MM
Teresa you have neglected to do one very important thing while deciding what to name your boy. Walk all over you house, stop in each room, pretend he is knocking over a lamp in a room where you are not, and yell the name, first loudly, then louder, then with the screaming mania of a mother at her wit’s end. Also be sure to do it at least a few different times ( one of them must be a Sunday morning) when you are lying in bed. Have you husband do it too. The sound of your husband yelling at your kid will be oddly difficult for your mommy ears to bear. It will help if you still love the name he is yelling. We did this before deciding on each of my boy’s names. If you can stand the sound of yourself yelling the name over and over from the time he is 3 until he stops listening to you ( ages will vary) you will be happy with the name you have chosen.
[...] POSSIBLE BABY NAMES! – Teressa Has Settled on 5 Baby Names, But Do We Approve? [...]
I have to say, as a Canadian, that Finnegan brings “Mr. Dress-up” to mine. He was the boy puppet. I like Finn though.
Shane is my ex-husband’s middle name, but he went by Shane instead of his first name. When we named our son Wyatt, I never clued in to the significance of the 2 Western names, but my son get’s the “Wyatt Earp” thing all the time from my parents’ generation. Something my 9 yr old has never heard of.
I hate the name Edward and am not a fan of giving a kid a formal name, but referrring to a nickname for everday use. My husband has even vetoed shortening any names.
I think James is my favorite on the list. I have an uncle James (born in the 50’s) who went by Jim. He named his son (born in the 70’s) James and he goes by Jamie.
T-
LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog! I don’t really like to weigh in with baby names because people are going to choose whatever fits anyway but I thought with you being a writer and open to some interesting names (Micky, really?…please cut that from the short list) I would through out my favorite boy name…..SAWYER…..what do you think?
Teresa-
I previously chimed in on this topic as a James that goes by Jamie.
Anyway, my wife and I are expecting our second boy, and have Edward at the top of our list as well. We’re leaning toward Ted/Teddy as the nickname, though. Any thoughts?
-Jamie
I like the Finns just fine. They’re quite current, but not overexposed. And I love the cross-cultural vibe you’ve got with this one, though Finn might work better than Finnegan (or Finbar or Finley) with a wild surname.
Love Pam’s read on Shane – I think she’s right on this one.
You can’t go wrong with James. Or Edward.
Mickey? Hmmm … no. Great nickname. Lousy full name for a birth certificate, even if he isn’t destined for a buttoned-up profession. (I do know a surgeon who answers to Mackey – but only because he’s Michael Something Something IV. Or possibly V.)
BTW, the Commodore Pet pic in your banner? Rocks!
Teresa. I have to say that I have been reading this blog for a while now, and though I have been tempted, I haven’t commented. But I now feel that I have to step in haha. Please please please, for your own sake and that of the unborn baby, do not name him Edward! Everyone (minus those that are smart and read your blog) will think you named him after this whole Twilight phenom. Don’t name him after shit!!!!!! Shane is my favourite, I know several, and surprisingly enough they are all very good looking. And it’s a name that works from baby to adult. Finn is also up there. But Edward. Please don’t do it. Or Mickey. That will conjure up badddd memories of Mickey Rourke’s face…
I LOVE Finn and wanted to do it but my husband hates every name but like 4 and Finn lost out.I like Thomas/Tommy like you like Edward its classic but has a cute nickname. When we had our first son we went in with a name or two and then my favorite won out as it just sorta fit we now have two Ben and Sam. I love reading about your name picking it was in my top 3 favorite things about being pregnant or one of the only three things!
Love James and Edward -classic, strong, not overly popular right now. I considered both when naming my son, but my husband didn’t like them as much as I did. Used to always drive by a sign that said “James Run,” the name of a little river in Virginia. I loved that. We settled on Matthew, which is very popular, but we don’t mind.
You are writing my current favorite blog. Thank you!
T-
Boys names are so hard! Before we found out we were having a boy I already had like 4 girls names picked out, sooooo much easier. You dare to be different but you don’t want to embarrass the poor boy later. I was in the same boat but go with your gut and what you invinsion this baby to be. I had my name picked out since week 12 (now 30 weeks along) and I can’t imagine him being anyother name. My husband had to make “peace” with the name but it has grown on people. So my vote for you is Finn (i like different names) or the classic Edward. James is very popular, but still great. Good luck T!!!
I also loved the name Finn , hubby not so much. I wasn’t crazy about Finnegan , but was okay with Griffin. I’m having a girl so I didn’t have to chose. So it worked out.
Hi. Just wanted to add my suggestion…. My brother’s name is Blake and I think it’s a great name.
Love the blog. We are about 2 wks apart in our pregancies so it’s been fun to follow you. I miss TACS every morning.
Thanks!
I love Finn! My dad is James but has always been Jim. I really like James but hate Jim with a passion (for reasons totally unrelated to my dad). Maybe a good middle name?
Declan’s also cool. He could be Dex for short.
If you want an Irish name I knew a guy in junior high named Kieran. He was dark haired, blue eyed, and sooooooo hot!
If you want a cowboy how about Jett? It’s cute for a kid and sexy for a man. James Dean played a cowboy named Jett in “Giant”. How hot is that?
I say James or Finn, I also really love Alexander! Your so interesting Teresa, I could read/listen to you forever! I love when the old gang is back together on the Podcast! Good Luck
I respectfully suggest Gavin.
What I want to know is how one becomes a “name expert”. I want that job!
Seriously, Teresa, just go with your gut. You have awesome taste, any of these names would be great.
Add me to the list of people who know a James who has never been Jim.
Hi there,
When we had our kids I definitely wanted something NOT trendy, but not weird. We named our 13 yo Veronica, which @ the time was not too weird, defintiely not trendy (Rachel was the big name then). Kinda liked bringing something old fashioned back into play.
I like James (cause it’s my middle name). Your picture above made me think of the name Rocky. That would be cool! Except it makes me think of Rocky Dennis.
Whatever you do, make sure theres a macho nick name to correspond. (IE… Nick-Nicholas, Joe-Joseph, Tom-Thomas-my fav!).
Hey Teresa:
OK. Gonna go out on a limb here and give my two cents.
Those are a bunch of lousy names you are considering.
The only one I like is Shane, really. The others are weird or boring.
First off, I like one syllable names. It works well for men. I am a Mark and have always liked my name. The funny thing is, some people want to personalize it so they call me Marko. No problem there. I do think that your Edward will become Ed and James will become Jim. So something to think about.
You impress the hell out of me. You (and I am sure your husband as well) are really smart. So keep at it.
Just to throw it into the mix, how about Chad or Jay?
Just a thought.
Best,
Mark
Edward still conjures up a dad name for me. I love Shane, Finn, and James. I am a pediatrician and dont see toooo many of these names for little guys. Just throwing out my favorite boys name one more time. Silas, strong and unique.
Hi Teresa,
There is a lot that goes into naming your child. For me I could not decide it was too much to put on me I couldn’t come up with the ultimate breakthrough, yes that’s the one, the end all be all name of names. After going through the books and the Internet full of Greek mythology and and traditional ethnic, biblical, movie star names, it just made me fell like more of a failure that out of all these names there was nothing I felt sure of. I liked Elijah for some reason and my wife liked Dante, at least those were the front runners I can remember. It wasn’t until after the birth that I saw my son and looked at my wife and what she just went through and I told her you can call him whatever you want. He just turned four and I couldn’t be happier with his name, whatever you decide on you won’t regret it. There will be plenty more things to worry about than what you named him or her. As for the vote I can’t say anything bad about Jim or James. And I would also have to agree with the person you mentioned earlier in the blog anyone one that comes up with Jimbo is usually an indicator of douchebaggery. I’ve never in my life thought to say just call me Jimbo.
P.S. I read your previous blog about inner child. You will be a great mom, I’ve been a fan for a couple years now listening to AC show. Now I follow you three (BB, AC, and you) on Twitter and podcast. Congratulations and all the best.
Hahahaha, great piece, though you didn’t count correctly: I hated TWO of your favorite names. And McWifey and Daniel the Buddhist: I’m nixing Ethan and Daniel too. Waaaaay too common for the mom who lusts for Laszlo. Very funny, Teresa, even some of the parts that I didn’t write.
I agree James can just be James, especially if you never nickname him. Our son is William, nicknamed Will but not Willie, Bill or Billy (my MIL tried Willie once and only once). I don’t like any nickname for William other than Will, which suits him very well.
I don’t love Mickey. I instantly thought, “Oh Mickey, your so fine, your so fine you blow my mind. . .” then Mickey Rourke, then Mickey Mouse. Sorry.
I do like Finn, but I’ve seen at least one TV show baby named Finn (Sam’s baby on Without a Trace). It probably won’t have the same impact as Rachel naming Ross’s baby Emma, though. Man, if there aren’t a TON of Emma’s out there.
Shane’s a cool name, but you don’t want your husband giving your baby the stink eye all the time.
Edward is cool. Classic without being antiquated, and it’s not over-used.
Here’s some names I also like:
Deacon, Cole, and Miles
Or you could just call him Blanket his whole life, like MJ’s unfortunate 3rd child.
P.S. I love your blog. Your writing always makes me smile. Thanks.
I like James and I think you can keep him from being called Jim. My aunt named her son Michael and he is now 18 and still referred to as Michael. He has never been called Mike or Mikey.
Edward is good too.
Teresa, I enjoy your writing very much. You’ve got style and wit, and you reach right into the smart jar and pull out words and references that I wish I’d use more often. And you’re great on Adam Carolla’s podcasts.
As far as names, I’d cast my vote for Edward. “Edward” will look good on a resume or a business card. “Ed” is someone that the rest of the guys will want to have a beer with. “Eddie” – well, what young woman could resist that much cuteness with a touch of deviltry? Also, with Edward, no one can really contest your taste in names. If they do, you’re just one “It was my grandfather’s name, jackass!” away from silencing them.
James is solid, although it will almost certainly become “Jim”, except for when his pre-school teacher gets pissed at him. Finnegan strikes me as too affected – if you want to go Irish, maybe Brendan or Conor. (Or Conan, but insist to all that he’s named after the Barbarian.) Isn’t Finn the name of Ice-T’s character on Law & Order: SVU?
Shane makes me think of mullets.
Mickey? Oh good god no. However, someday your son will read this blog and be grateful that you named him anything else — that is if he gets past that recent post regarding the immunologic benefits of ingesting precious bodily fluids.
Hey Teresa
Why not Daniel? I’ve never had a problem with it, I know Christians tend to go a little overboard with it but who cares. Plus Strasser is a very German name for a Jewish girl, so Daniel will be a very christian name for a Jewish boy. So when your son marries a tall dark sista they can carry the tradition and name him McDougal so something crazy to keep the tradition alive.
Don’t fret Teresa most kids hate there name, just don’t go crazy and give him something too ethnic or too hard to pronounce.
Love Daniel
The Mexican Buddhist
Ethan is nice if you are looking for an E name. My dad is Edward. Not bad but not great either. I love J names for boys. Jack, Jake, Justin. Not loving the name James. Sounds old. Robert is a nice name if they go by Rob… not Bob.
Good luck to you! You are going to get alot of opinions about this. Can’t wait to find out what you decide to go with.
My Dad was a Michael who went by Micky (note the absence of the “e” – he would have pointed it out being raised with the mouse) and I’m a biased fan. That being said, I read Twilight and Edward is now a sexy name. Plus, you could claim all highbrow and say you named him after a Jane Austen character or something. This does however prohibit you from having a girl named Bella.
I’d give James a thumbs up (girls named James? Really? Is that necessary?). I feel like Finn is trying to hard and I would stay away from Eamon. I’ve met two d-bags with that name and they both said they had to explain it all the time.
I know you’ll pick the perfect name for him though. No matter what anyone else says.
I love “Edward”! That’s my grandfather’s name and he was a loving, boisterous, funny man. This name is Old Timey Hot.
I’m in my mid 20s, and out of people I grew up with who are named James, roughly half of them go by James and half of them go by Jim. Maybe I was born in the transitional period for the name. Now that I think about it, the Jims I know are a few years old than me too.
I hate to crap on a name a mom is considering, but you did sort of ask for opinions, I think. To that end, consider this an official vote against Mickey. I went to school with a Mickey from junior high through high school and, to this day, whenever I think of him, my first thought is, “UGH! Who named him!?!”. But I also think that (unless we’re talking about a totally crazy name, which we’re not here), nobody’s opinion really matters but the parents. If you want a Mickey, go for it.
T!
James and Finnegan = thumbs up…the rest not so much.
My son’s Dad and I couldn’t agree on anything for our son’s name until we found “Ashton” which we spelled Ashden – a cross between Ash from Army of Darkness (his choice) and Hayden (my choice)…All this, of course, was before Ashton Kutcher came on the scene.
Love ya, glad things are been going well!!!
Out of your list, I like Shane, James, and Finn. Not Finnegan, Finn. The name Finnegan conjures up an image of a freckled red-haired little boy wearing glasses on the playground. Not exactly the idea of “cool”. I like Finn, though. It’s short, one syllable, and not too common. I like one syllable names for boys because it just seems a little tougher. Jack compared to Jackson. Nick compared to Nicholas. You get the idea.
I think you can definitely raise your boy as James and not worry about him being called Jim. Whoever said that Jim is a generational thing was right. I’m in my early 20’s and I know several guys named James who have never gone by anything else. I don’t know any Jim’s my age.
And Shane is a hot guy’s name. Period. It’s my favorite of your picks, but I’m guessing that it’s out of the running after what Miss Nameberry said. But it’s pretty much guaranteed that your kid will be popular with the name Shane. I’ve never met a dork named Shane.
I like Wojo Wojohowiecz.
So I immediately thought of the Jim thing too when you mentioned James. But as I read the comments I realized I also know two James’ (late 20-somethings) who we’ve never even considered calling Jim. I don’t even know a Jim. I think it’s definitely an older generation thing and if he wants to go by James he won’t have a problem.
Edward is a great name, may be a popular one with kids his age considering the number of Twilight maniacs who are also having kids right now.
Love Finnegan, and I’ve always wanted to name a son Liam if my husband lets me. After we name our first Noah of course, his choice and I’m okay with it.
I love reading your blog, T. You are so entertaining and bring such great insight about a variety of topics.
I like the name Shane but it seems like that is a no-go for you. I also like Finn but don’t like Edward or Eddie or Ed. Plus, the guy from Twilight just doesn’t do it for me. I don’t understand what is so hot about him.
Anyways, I can’t wait to read what the final name decision is. I have a feeling when I get pregnant, our baby name struggle will last way beyond 9 months, which is why we have already started the conversation now.