American seeking to honor child's British side.

[Kendall1]

Hi ladies I was just wondering if you would be able to help me. I'm an American living in America pregnant with a half British baby. My ex boyfriend was born and raised in Bradford.

I would love to honor that British side. My ex passed away at the end of August. Back when he was alive we talked about giving our child a name to honor that side. I found out today I'm expecting a little boy and I'm a bit lost. I don't remember many common names in England except for a few that wouldn't be perceived well where I live. If it was a girl she would of been Amelia Ruby/Ruby Amelia.

I was wondering if anyone could help me??

Thank you!
-Kendall

[TheOldestCat]

So sorry about your ex. Very sad. How are you doing?

In terms of names, will this help? baby names in blighty

[lilolilmanchester]

so sorry to hear that your baby's dad passed away. Why not go with a name you love yourself, and maybe have dad's name or something similar as a middle name? Did he mention any names he liked? Not sure that British and American names will be that different - but have much older children so a bit out of touch. Hopefully this will bump for other people too. Hope you're ok x

[TrucksAndDinosaurs]

Have you been in contact with exes family? They might be able to share some family name ideas?

Very sorry for your grief and loss.
Good luck with being a mommy/mummy.

[TrucksAndDinosaurs]

Royal names like Charles, William, George, Henry, John, Edward, Alexander, James are a safe bet :),

[Rosencrantz]

Could you use your ex's name as the middle name? Would be lovely to honour his memory this way.

[Kendall1]

Thanks for the responses and concerns. I'm holding up well as long as I can focus in the baby. Using the dad's name doesn't work as it's my cousins names exactly.
Thank you ladies for the suggestions and the link! I'll definitely look. I don't remember many of what he recommended but I do know Alfie, Riley and Billy were suggested. None go over well. Riley would be fine if the baby was a girl but it's hardly used on boys here. Americans have this trend of giving boy names (Dylan, Logan, Riley, Emerson, ect) to girls. I love the name Spencer which I don't think is considered "British" but I get told how it's girly. It's really a southern trend I think and I do live in Dallas, Texas.

Thanks again! I do appreciate the responses! :)

[Poppyinafield]

How about Bradford As middle name and something more regular american for a first name. I do like Alfie though as in the Michael Caine film of the same name.

[ScornedWoman]

I, too, would use Bradford.

[ImThinkingBoutMyDoorbell]

Use Bradford, then you get Brad for short and there's nothing sissy about Brad. That ought to keep all sides happy?

[lljkk]

yank in Britain here.
Comes to mind...
Bradley (as suggested)
Kieron, Henry, Ben, George, Oliver, Alfie, Charlie, William, Theo, Joshua, Harrison, Tyler, Bailey, Cameron

[ErrolTheDragon]

Naming children after British place-names is more of an American habit TBH - Bradford would work as a name better than most though (a lot of the ones on SittingBull's list would look quite odd this side of the pond

George might be the obvious boy's name this year, whether it goes down well in Texas presumably depends on your politics.

[MimiSunshine]

I second Bradford either as a middle or first name.
Although it's not a picture postcard English village
Or go with a name you love and use his last name as a middle name. That way you keep his family name going

[senua]

I agree with trucksand dinosaurs. They are established names that transcend fashion. Ditto old bible names (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Joshua, David, Joseph, etc)

Bradford's most famous living son is a David (Hockney). Or you could have Fred (Delius) or John (J.B.Pristley) - all solid British names.

Best wishes.

[Bowlersarm]

OP suggest names you like, and we could give you our British opinion?

I know one man of about 40 who is called Spencer. No one else at all.

[SoupDragon]

Dad's surname as a middle name?

With the new prince, you can't get more British than George :)

[squoosh]

I'm so sorry for your loss, it must be so tough.

I would definitely give your ex's surname as a middle name rather than looking for a quintessentially 'English' name, I think that's the strongest way of honouring his memory. Or give the baby the same first name?

[allyfe]

What about George? Since it is the name of a certain recently born prince. Or Henry, Harry, William.

Using the family name as a middle name is a Scottish tradition, so whilst not English, it does fall under British traditions?

I will also say that I tend to think of Riley as an American name, not an English one.

[Thants]

Percy
Guy
Hugh
Alfred
Frank
Adrian
Alan
Albert
Benedict
Arthur

[Artandco]

Can you somehow use dads name or surname changed a little?

Ie if his name was Benjamin jones you could look at benedict/ jonas etc

[SweetCarolinePomPomPom]

Riley is not English at all, it would be Irish if anything. Plus it's a modern/recent name so it hardly represents quintessential Britishness.

[PedantMarina]

If we hadn't named DS after his dad, I would have loved to have named either a boy or a girl Pelham Granville (the P.G. in P.G.Wodehouse). A quintissential English writer (and one who spent rather a lot of time in America, incidentally).

[BikeRunSki]

George Alexander after the new Prince ?

[Modestandatinybitsexy]

Albion - it's the ancient name for Britain and I think it's a pretty badass guys name. Albie for short :)

[Biscuitsneeded]

Is there a British writer, or painter, or musician that you admire, whose name you could use? (David Hockney is from Bradford - David??)