Saturday, March 27, 2010

choosing a name

Tom and I have been talking about baby names recently and we have decided that we need some input. When I was pregnant with Harper, we didn't really talk much about what we were going to name her because we weren't really sure and because we didn't want any negative comments about the names we were considering. We love her name and think it is perfect for her.

But we are having a difficult time deciding on a boy's name. I am interested to see if hearing that people don't like one of the names makes me like it more, or if it doesn't affect my opinion at all.

We are pretty sure that his middle name is going to be Thomas. All of our options were on my "boy" list when I was pregnant with Harper. We have the first name narrowed down to three options:

Asher - We really like this one, but I am having trouble with how Asher and Harper sound together. I'm not sure how much the similar sound bothers me.

Ezra - I like this one more than Tom.

Noah - We like this one but it is the most popular of the three names by quite a bit.

We would love some input, positive or negative. Please help us decide!

18 comments:

Carlsens said...

OK - from your sister who did not go against the flow with her boys. The only one I hate is Ezra - only because I know of a ton of girls with names really close to that so it doesn't make me think manly man. Wierd, I know. I like Asher - never heard it, but adorable - and I really liked a boy named Noah in my earlier "dating years" so connotations are good - plus I love short and simple. :0)

Jan said...

So,how does Ash Jackman sound? Not sure about that -- or Ezra. I like the name, but he's probably going to have to defend it. Kind of like a boy named Sue? Noah I like.

Atticus is still my favorite, though I know you don't care for it....

What about William? or Andrew? Randall's not a bad name either. ;)

I'm sure that you'll come up with a really great name to go with Thomas!

betsey said...

I actually love Ezra and Asher. They were both on our short list for Calvin. I do agree with Jan that maybe Asher Jackman doesn't sound that great...but I love both of those names. Noah isn't bad, just not my favorite.

We also had Elliot, Conrad, Langston, and Garrison on our list.

Good luck!!!

Judy said...

Asher immediately brings to mind the Chaim Potok book "My Name Is Asher Lev," which is about a boy who rejects his Jewish heritage to become an artist. Not necessarily good connotations for me.

I was REALLY hoping for Lee--after Thomas Levi of course--and think how cool Harper and Lee sound together. :)

Doris said...

Are you open ot other names besides the ones you listed?

Tom said...

We haven't decided anything yet.

kay.tee. said...

I love the name Noah, but I can't imagine YOU having a child with a top 10 name. Asher is my favorite of the 3, and really I don't think Asher Jackman sounds awkward. I still like Felix too.

April Celeste Garff said...

I really like all the names and they all go well with Jackman. I think I prefer Asher, but Noah Thomas Jackman sounds the best.

Anonymous said...

I love Asher! My girl's names sound similar, and I haven't had any trouble with it. We're actually thinking of a name for #3 that sounds like the others too!

Aubrie West said...

LOVE Asher!

Judy said...

You ARE considering Jude, aren't you? After your favorite aunt? And after Jude Law? Jude Jackman. It sounds so . . . Jay-ee!

RT said...

I think Ezra rocks! Noah comes in second. I love Harper but I'm glad you're not considering "Harpo" this time!

Melody said...

I vote for Asher. A couple of other Hebrew names to consider would be Levi or Seth?

Doris said...

I like names people can spell easily. Ezra sounds a bit like the male equivalent of Ethyl. If you want Asher, you will have to prepare for people calling him Ash...actually a secretary at work has a boy named Ash...Noah is nice if you like Bible names (I know, Thomas Levi is such a name, but Thomas and Levi are family names.) Are you sure there isn't a family name somewhere on one of the family trees that calls to you?
(You asked for an opinion...)

Tom said...

As much as we love family (and we did look to our trees to mine for names) our number one priority is liking the name. Nothing really fit the bill from the family tree so we went elsewhere.

Doris said...

Consider when you choose not only a baby name, but a name for a kid in school, a teenager, a man at work. Gotta sound good, represent him well. (no pressure)

Brent said...

Asher reminds me of my college english class and reading "My Name Is Asher Lev". Hey! Judy and I think alike.

Ezra...? hmmm. That might take a while to grow on me.

Noah would work.

Samantha said...

See this is why we don't tell people our name choices. Everyone has something to say about every name so you gotta go with what YOU like! We liked Asher a while back, and then I started seeing a lot of boys (especially Mormon ones) being named Asher, so it kind of lost some charm. I used to love it though. But like I said, it's all about you guys. If a name being common doesn't bother you, I mean- everyone has their own preferences. Good luck!