Brandon or Connor?

[EmFlat]

Help!

Hubby's top-two names would be Connor or Ciaran (yep, Irish family history), but mine would be Brandon or Connor... you'd think we should pick Connor because at least we both like it.

But...

I've an Uncle Connor on my Mum's side of the family, and I can't help but link that name with him. And my late Grandad, who was actually Cornelius but always called Con.

Neither hubby nor I want to name our DS (due mid-March, by the way) for any family member, living or deceased... we'd prefer DS to have a name unique to him, so that no-one gets 'misty-eyed' every time they speak to him.

So...

How to solve this? Hubby is so lovely that - of course - he'd say 'Let's choose Brandon if you prefer it', but then I'll have perma-guilt that I got my way (as you know it'll feel like that no matter how nice hubby is) and we didn't pick a name he'd put in his top two. Should we come up with another name altogether? Oh lord, I'm sounding so stupid about this...

[UriGeller]

Yes, good idea, come up with another name altogether!

[bridgetsmum]

I don't really like either of those sorry, Connor is v popular and Brandon is just a bit American or something!!
If you want an Irish name, how about Declan?

[BunnyLebowski]

Conor is lovely but not with the two n's.

With your associations it sounds like it definitely wouldn't be a blank canvas name for you.

Game of Thrones has made me like Brandon. Especially Bran as a nn.

If you like Irish names that begin with C:

Conal
Conan
Cillian
Cian
Cormac

[EmFlat]

Don't apologise, bridgetsmum! I also think Connor's being used a LOT these days, and do worry about people's association of Brandon with a USA-type name...

BunnyLebowski me too! GoT is a firm fave with both hubby & I, but I also think of Colonel Brandon from Sense & Sensibility... mmm, Alan Rickman. Hubby likes Cillian and Cian, but I'm concerned about English peeps pronouncing it with a soft 'C'... like Cilla Black.

Yep, can't help but make associations with every name I hear. Dammit, the poor child is going to be called 'Hurricane' at this rate that's his current nickname, anyway

[bridgetsmum]

Yes Cillian, that's a good name took
My ds has a pal called Cillian and he's lovely

[bridgetsmum]

We live in Ireland so trying to think of more of my kids friends names:
Brendan
Oisin
Ciaran
Patrick
Ryan
Seamus
Sean
Diarmid
Donnacha

[PennySillin]

I like Connor, not keen on Brandon prefer Brendan, doesn't sound so american. I like Declan & Cian.

[bridgetsmum]

Eamonn

[EmFlat]

I LOVE Patrick! But it's already vetoed because of our surname and potential nicknames... 'Paddy Flaherty' oh yes.

[Theonlyoneiknow]

What about Callan, or Coll ?

I know à sibset called Cooper and Brandon

[MrsMaryCooper]

Connor

[KenDoddsDadsDog]

Conor with one n or Brendan instead of Brandon. Both fab with your surname!

[squoosh]

Conor with one N, it gets a lot of grief on here and I feel a bit defensive for the poor name.

Brandon is a bit Irish-American but it's also the name of a lovely Irish speaking village in Kerry.

I do laugh a bit when people suggest Declan, I always think it's the Irish Gary or Wayne. SO 80's!

[soontobeslendergirl]

I prefer Connor to Brandon but prefer Ciaran to them both :) Ciaran was my OH's pick for our younger son, I wanted Keir. Ciaran means little dark one, the -an bit meaning little. We didn't thnk he would be little, so we compromised on Ciar :o

I also like Cormac, Colm, Callum and I also have a Craig.

[NoComet]

Ciaran
Sorry the others are Chevy to me

Brendan is better and their are some nice Irish suggestions above

I love Callum and Caleb (but that's Welsh I think?

[squoosh]

Caleb is Hebrew in origin.

[Nataleejah]

Connor or Conner

[notadoctor]

I love Connor but can see where you are coming from with your concerns about associations...

I like Bran for Brandon too.

How about Conrad? Has a similar feel, I think.

[Skrifa]

I love Connor (I have one!)-

Callum?
Finnian?

[EmFlat]

Oh, bless you all for such fab advice and feedback! Gotta love MNers

Had a chat with hubby about Conor, and he understands it's a bit risky as my family's bound to link the name to Grandad... too much potential for a weepy-eyed Grandma! My Mum, that is . Took UriGeller's advice and have put some new names on the list of potentials, though I do still like some of your suggestions! Ciaran keeps popping up :)

Although, the way DS keeps kicking me at the moment, he risks being called very rude names instead...

[soontobeslendergirl]

Ciaran is lovely still prefer Ciar though obviously :o

[Biscuitsneeded]

Cormac?

[Biscuitsneeded]

Finbar?

[Biscuitsneeded]

Eamon?

[MaeveBehave]

Too many conors. It is like jack.
Go for Brendan instead of Brandon
Brandon sounds like u r a big 90210 fan. Brendan is more solid and classic. Like dominic. I like cornelius too. Brandon is dreadful.
Prefer just Bran ( after fin mccool's dog! Not all bran. Englush people will obviously think "like all bran?", so brendan the safer choice.