It's a boy! Name choice thoughts?

[CollyWombles]

We both like Cain for a first name, Douglas for a middle name after DH dad and surname begins with M.

Cain Douglas M.

Thoughts?

[ThanksItHasPockets]

Congratulations! I love Douglas. I would strongly recommend reading about the Cain in the Bible before using it, however.

[digbymacbingley]

Congratulations! Love the name Douglas. Like TIHP think you should read up about Cain!

[DramaAlpaca]

Do you really not know the biblical story of Cain & Abel?

There's a reason that name isn't used more often.

[Disfordarkchocolate]

I knew a fabulous Douglas so that my favourite of your names. He was a wonderful man and extremely clever. I wouldn't be so worried about Cain unless you're planning church school etc.

[CollyWombles]

Of course I know the story of Cain and Abel, however I am not a Christian, nor is DH or my kids and don't care about a made up story in a made up book! Sorry Christian people, each to their own. I will not avoid a name because it might upset churchy people.

[PurpleAndTurquoise]

OP you using the name wouldn't upset me (although your lovely attitude towards my holy book does, but never mind, that says more about you than it does me). You just might like to think about the names origins before you give it to your son, as people will think you named him after a rather unsavoury character.

[TatianaLarina]

But everyone else will associate it with Cain even if you don’t, and the will assume he’s named after him.

[Disfordarkchocolate]

Despite being a Christian the first person I think of is Cain from Emmerdale.

[DramaAlpaca]

I'm not a Christian or 'churchy' person either, but I still wouldn't use the name because of its origins. You did ask for thoughts & people are just giving their opinions.

I do like Douglas though.

[CollyWombles]

As said, I am aware of the origins of a name, however if someone is going to assume I named my son specifically after a murderous made up brother, I'm going to assume they are a bit dim and if someone else assumes my son will somehow be a bad person because of the origins of his name, I'm also going to assume they are a bit dim?

I do not assume a boy called Peter is called after Peter Sutcliffe or Ted which is so popular just now is after Ted Bundy. I assume they give their children the name they do because they like the name.

[ForAMinuteThere]

Go for it OP. Yes it's famous for one reference mainly, but that doesn't matter if you like it. One of mine has a very biblical name and we are very far from religious but no-one has said a word and I wouldn't bat an eyelid if they did.

Like you say he's not going to murder someone because of his name.

[AgathaMisty]

Congratulations, OP!

If that's the name you've definitely chosen, I don't think there's any point posting on here asking for opinions because people will do just that and you may not like what you hear!

I'm not a fan of the name Douglas, for example, but who gives a fig what some stranger thinks if it's the name you want for your son? Just choose what you like.

[helpmum2003]

You asked for opinions!

[CollyWombles]

I was aware there would be at least someone who would mention the religious aspect and that's fine, I also wanted to see if there were other opinions aside from the religious aspect which is obviously the first one that came to mind when discussing the name with DH.

[CollyWombles]

I did indeed ask for opinions and was rather amazed that anyone would assume I wouldn't know the origin of Cain and need it pointed out to me. I am also entitled to give an opinion too

[Stormwhale]

I like it! Nice strong sounding name.

[CollyWombles]

Well DH and all the males in his family have one syllable four letter names so Cain fit. I will add here we also considered Adam, but this was not because of the Bible anymore than Cain!

[AgathaMisty]

Although I quite like the name Cain, it does rather strike me as a 'naughty boy name' IYSWIM. It might be because of Cain Dingle. I think I'd put it in the same category as Kai or Tyler (no offence meant )

[TatianaLarina]

It is very chavvy.

[DramaAlpaca]

Sorry OP, but I (& I think others) were just surprised you'd consider the name if you knew its history.

[kitty1013]

Yes it sounds chavvy to me too. I suppose a bit too close to "Kai". I prefer Adam or Douglas .

[CollyWombles]

That's okay Agatha, I like that it's not a goodie goodie name as such! Funny isn't it, how names can take on whole new meanings based on people you know by that name. It's a bit like horoscopes, assuming everyone that is an aries will all be the same!

[ThanksItHasPockets]

I don’t think anyone will think that you directly named your son after the Biblical Cain. Nevertheless, in the Judeo-Christian tradition the name Cain has been associated with the first murderer for over two thousand years. That won’t change over the 80+ years of your son’s lifetime. You don’t just need to consider whether it bothers you, but also whether at some point it might bother him.

I don’t usually advocate alternative spellings but if you are really sure about Cain then I’d suggest the spelling Kane. It fits your four-letter rule, too.

[CollyWombles]

I can't see that it would bother him unless he became a Christian which is not something anyone can predict and obviously adults can change their name if they wish. I really don't like the spelling Kane, though I see why you would suggest that.

I can't argue that some people think it's chavvy! That's the opinions I was more interested in as the religious one is not an issue. I already have a son called Mason and live in Scotland, I remember getting told I could never take him to Glasgow and he wouldn't be able to get a job if I called him Mason, because of it being either a protestant or Catholic name, can't remember which. He is now 10 and has had no issues with his name.

A lovely girl I went to school with had a son called Cain that sadly passed away and my kids school have a sports cup named after him. It was actually my daughter that initially suggested Cain as the name Cain to her was a lovely popular boy she used to know! We hadn't thought of it before her suggestion but it's the one name so far we both really like with the added bonus of the kids liking it too.

[AgathaMisty]

I actually prefer it with a Scottish accent!