Boy names are impossible
Ever since we found out we’re having a boy, I’ve been all over the the baby name books and websites like white on rice a prego on Smarties.
But I’m about to give up. It’s impossible!
Why is it that I can fill an entire page with girls’ names, but when it comes to boys’ names? I can’t find ANYTHING that fits these criteria:
- Cool yet timeless/traditional
- Different but not “trendy”
- Simple and easy to spell/pronounce
- Can be pronounced in Polish and in French also (ideally, though not a deal breaker)
- Doesn’t cause husband to make a face and exclaim, “Ugh, I knew a [insert potential name here] and he was such a douchebag.”
Admittedly, it’s the last item that’s causing me the most hair-tearing-out moments.
For now, we’re bouncing between two names. Well, more like two with very, very VERY distant third, if Mr Fink’s eyeball rolling is any indication of how ridiculous he thinks I am for suggesting this name. But the thing is, I’m not quite 100% sure about any of them.
Aren’t I supposed to get some sort of telling little thrill that lets me know this is the one? This is the perfect name for our oh-so-special little boy. A name he will be proud of. A name that will take him anywhere he wants to go in life.
Or am I just delusional?
How on earth do you know you’ve found the right name(s)? I say name(s) plural because I really like the idea of finding two or three excellent candidates and choosing from those once the baby makes his grand appearance. (Or am I delusional about that too?)
These are some of the baby name resources I’ve been perusing:
Cool Names for Babies – Mostly a little too ‘out there’ for me
The Baby Name Bible – Amazing resource with fantastic (and sometimes funny!) descriptions but I went through every boy’s name in an hour and a half so can there really be 25,000 of them in there?
Nymbler.com – Neat filter which works based on what you think you might like
Nameberry.com – List of what was in/out for 2009 (and also the main site)
Babynamewizard.com/voyager – Really funky graph showing how names go up and down in popularity through the decades
What A Lovely Name.com – Pretty website and unique way of picking names, but not many of them on there
United States SSA Top Names for 2008
United States SSA Top Names Through the Decades
Baby name thread on the Weddingbee Babies forum – Definitely an interesting way to see what 2010 trends are going to be like
Baby’s Named A Bad, Bad Thing – Ok, not the greatest resource but sort of entertaining if you can get past the snarky tone
Know of any others that are worth a look?
When you picked a name for your baby, did you know instantly it was perfect or were you able to warm up to it?
My name is Kasia Fink and nothing makes me happier than finding goodness. This is a collection of my findings... I mean, finkings.
Oooooooooooo tell me about it. Seriously.. we had the perfect girl name (we chose it 5 years ago) and the doc had to make things more complicated saying 85% it was a boy.
I’m secretly hoping he made a mistake so that I don’t have to figure out the boy name thing.
Plus, you have it good… you can have an english boy name. I on the otherhand cannot…
why cuz the frenchies ruin that shit. I have to have a bilingual name that doesnt sound different when pronounced in french and english. Why not make this Mission Impossible? Geez!!!
But we came up with 2… after days and weeks, and months and asking friends, and family and doing the pros and the cons…
But its possible baby… wont have a name until I give birth.
I’m with the other ladies who are not and have not been preggers but I love names! I’m the opposite of you, though – I can’t come up with ANY girl’s names I like, only boys’ (not that I’ll be worrying about it either way for awhile).
We have a boy’s name decided on, and have for years now – it just happened to end up being two family names, and the one from my side I didn’t even realize it until I randomly saw a family tree lying around before my grandparents’ 50th anniversary party.
Anyway, some of my faves (including our pick!):
Weston
Cole
Cooper
Mason
Good luck! Baby Fink will have the perfect name…eventually. :)
I can’t wait to hear what the two names in contention are! We’re not anywhere close to having a baby yet, but I have a ton of potential girls’ names and zero boys’ names. Plus we decided that we’d name our first child after my husband’s maternal grandmother, who passed away last year, and let’s just say she does not have an easy name to work with!
With my youngest child I had a this exact issue – nothing struck me, nothing stood out, nothing seemed perfect. But when I held him for the first time his name was just there – I knew exactly who he was once I met him! I totally get wanting to have a name picked out (my first two were named before they were born) but with some babies you may have to meet them first. Don’t stress yourself about it – you’ll find (or find out) his name soon!
You should email swistle!
http://swistlebabynames.blogspot.com/
I’m so intrigued by this blog. People with way more complications than you have gotten her help. She has such good ideas!
I’m not ready for babies yet… but I have 4 boy names I LOVE and no girl names! Jude, Collin, Penn, and Ezra. :)
My vote is for having a couple in mind. You will KNOW the second you see his beautiful face.