[conman50]

We were recently matched with a birthmom and she is having a boy. They have already selected names that we really don't care for: Devon Andrew and Ian Bryant. We have not spoken with them about this subject but we were hoping to come up with some names that we like that they may like as well.

Problem: We want the name to be uncommon and not used by every other person in the neighborhood. Due to our last name beginning with the letter "N" we don't want to use a first name that ends in the letter "N". It would be a pronunciation problem. Also we do not want a name that would be shortened like Matthew-Matt, James-Jim, Andrew-Andy and so forth. We already have a son named Conley so we want to find one that will work with that as well - so Connor is out.

The ones that we have already thought of are:

Davis
Bryce (but finding out it's becoming popular)
Cooper
Cole
Casey
Dorsey
Daly
Grant

Would love to get some opinions or suggestions.

[ddhuab]

I can see your own reasoning here, and why their choices don't fit in with your ideas, but have you asked them for their reasoning? If you have a conversation with them, you may work together to find names that you like. It looks like mainly you are concerned with the first name (understandable), so maybe you can give in to make one of their choices be a middle name (a lot of babies have two middle names, nowadays).

Their choices seem sort of "Irish" to me - what about a name like Seamus (shame-us), Angus, or Reilly?

Of your list, I like Bryce and Cole the best. I don't like Casey because it sounds more feminine to me.

Some of the "old fashioned" names are good names, but not used alot nowadays (actually, I think these sound more unique nowadays than the "soap opera"-ish, 'unique' names a-la Savannah or Regan). Older names such as Oscar, George, Frank.

it is really hard (for me) to think of names without the "n" sound at the end AND that can't be shortened, unless you stick to those last-name sounding names: Smyth, Parker, Carter, Kennedy, etc.

For the record, as long as YOU don't shorten the name, I don't think most other people will -- I have had several friends, acquantances named Jonathan, for instance, who don't like being called Jon.

Good luck, and foremost, congratulations! What a great problem to be having!

D.

[qs mom]

I know that you are looking for unusual names and I have to say that Cole is becoming popular in this area.

I have a friend who's son is Colton and they call him Colt. That is the only one I know, but know several Coles.

I totally understand the shortening thing. But you also need to be careful about it becoming lengthened.

My boss had 2 sons, Andrew and Scott. They were adament that Andrew was Andrew and not Andy. But they always called Scott, Scotty. I asked why and he said it was probably the 1 sylablle thing.

My son is Quinn. And he's been Quinny since I brought him home in July. Completely unintentional, just worked out that way. He calls himself "Kinny".

[willowhawk]

I have a Bryce, and found that's it's not common at all. My Bryce is 8 and last year at a soccer game there was a Bryce on the opposing team. My Bryce was so excited to hear of someone else with "his" name. It is an awesome name as far as I'm concerned...thank you b-Mom, good choice...

[SuzieQ8907]

What about Eli Asher? I love both names, especially Eli because it is a short first name yet a solid one!

[niece]

zachary tyler is one that I have chosen and probally won't ever use. Matthew Paul is another one. I like both of these names. Skler is a different name. McKenzie is different.