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Baby names

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Original poster

Long sorry - struggling with boys name and cultural references

67 replies

ilovetosleep · 24/01/2014 14:11

Hi, I have namechanged for this as I am convinced I will out myself.

Just found out we are having a second boy which I am struggling with as we had one, perfect girls name and it seems to be impossible to feel the same about any boys names!

We have some criteria...

DS1 is named a popular, relatively common Arabic name S--I. He is 1/4 Middle eastern, Arab (christian) and is baptised. (Also that side of the family is fairly present in our lives) I love his name but I am beginning to regret having chosen an arabic, family name as a) people expect another to follow suit and b) I feel we can't choose a name from another culture/religion as it would seem so irrelevant next to DS1. But I can't find another Arabic name I love.
The only one that really grabs me is Isa, but that would be ridiculous given that it means Jesus in Islam and our child will be christened.

Here are the names I love (and reasons why I feel uncomfortable using them). I really don't want to offend anyone but I have to be honest:

Otis - I love it, but not sure DH loves it enough. It doesn't seem to suit a tiny baby. DH wants something that can be shortened, could Otto be a nn here? I think Otto in itself is a little germanic although they stem from the same origin.

Asa - I LOVE this - but we think it might be too Hebrew? I know this sounds weird given that so many common names are OT but with our family expectations/opinions there are names that can be considered 'too jewish', awful as that sounds. I don't really know if this name does fit into that bracket, I kind of assume it is only widely used among Orthodox but I might be v wrong.

Rafa/Rafael - Too Spanish! (or Italian with other spelling). I really like it despite it becoming pretty popular, but like I explained before it seems odd to introduce another nationality into the mix which we have no link to.

Pablo - As above! Although this is current fave.

Diego - No idea why I am so drawn to spanish names! as above...
Rudy - I think two boys ending in 'ee' is a bit much.

Ted/Theodore - too popular. Was forerunner til last week when an aquaintance named their baby Ted.

Argh. Am stumped. I really love Asa. Ace would be so cool. Please help! I have been through every name book and website, i really don't think I can find anymore names.

Oh and also, my girls name is Etta FYI. I am hoping for a girl in the future so I can use this name, so anything I pick must go with this and obv DS1 name.

Thanks in advance

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Original poster
ilovetosleep · 27/01/2014 12:17

Just a thought - does te fact that so many people on here love Asa and Otis mean that they are due a massive rise in popularity? I want a name that's going to stay out of the top 500 and from memory they are both around 600-700 mark at the moment...

OP posts:
bouncingbelle · 25/01/2014 22:05

Tho I love Otis and Asa from your list!

bouncingbelle · 25/01/2014 22:04

Dekel?

Hobbes8 · 25/01/2014 20:46

No, never shortened, although he's only two so I don't know what will happen when he goes to school.

Original poster
ilovetosleep · 25/01/2014 19:53

So do I jillycar, my cousin!

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jillycar · 25/01/2014 19:51

we have an Arabic Christian relative called kareem

Original poster
ilovetosleep · 25/01/2014 19:44

Does your Otis ever get shortened?

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Original poster
ilovetosleep · 25/01/2014 19:43

Hobbes I am very jealous. What a perfect match. And very jazz.

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Original poster
ilovetosleep · 25/01/2014 19:42

No not Arabic - just a name we've both always loved even before DC1.

I'm not necessarily just looking for arabic names, just ones that don't come at odds with our existing DS's name. So we'd be happy with a name used commonly here but it just seems weird to add another nationality into the mix when we already have an Arabic name.

I know that seems silly as so, so many common names are of Hebrew origin and more and more so French/Italian names are being used - like I mentioned Luca, Amelie etc. I wouldn't feel strongly about it at all if DS's name didn't have any family relevance. It just seems to make other names seem irrelevant and faddy in comparison. Like saying 'yeah we did care about heritage then, but we can't be bothered any more. It's proving too hard...' Does that make any sense at all? I really hope I don't sound twatty.

Actually re Etta, I have a feeling its a bit of a made up name, I think it should probably be short for Henrietta or something.

OP posts:
Hobbes8 · 25/01/2014 19:28

I have an Otis and an Etta. I have nothing to add other than kudos on the super name choices.

DetentionExtension · 25/01/2014 19:21

What's the history behind etta? Is it Arabic? It's a lovely name but have only ever heard of etta James and never thought about its meaning etc.

Original poster
ilovetosleep · 25/01/2014 19:02

Thanks everyone... Pablo clearly not a winner although I do still love it for some reason. Not keen on Paulo or the other Italian names. I know waaaay too many Lucas and have a bad association with both Marco and Matteo!

Rafe is ok, I do prefer Rafa though. But yes those three names do sound good together. I think too many kids with the same ending sound doesn't seem right, so maybe Asa and Etta don't go too well together. Although I may never have my Etta! I may end up with an Otis and and Asa one day!

I hate these decisions...I really feel the need to consult some family but I vowed never to do that again after last time... We were put off so many lovely names by peoples reactions!

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Oriunda · 25/01/2014 18:22

Don't like Pablo but what about Paulo? I know you don't like Paul. Other Italian disciples .... Luca, Marco and Matteo (Matt) would work well.

BellsaRinging · 24/01/2014 22:46

asa and otis are fab. adam however was our solution in a similar situation.

GampyWabbit · 24/01/2014 22:43

Love Asa too.

Would Asher work?

Frikadellen · 24/01/2014 22:40

I just love Otis its one of my favourite boys names.

FrogsLegs14 · 24/01/2014 22:37

How about Rafe? Works in Arabic and English.

Sami (just guessing), Rafe and Etta sound great.

Original poster
ilovetosleep · 24/01/2014 22:35

Yes asa Briggs was pretty amazing.

Hmm. I am so sold on both asa and Otis I almost wish I was having two of them :)

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Bluestocking · 24/01/2014 22:04

I didn't know that Asa was a Hebrew name. I think it's a really good name, and Asa Briggs is a thoroughly admirable man. If you love it, you should use if!

BettyMacdonald · 24/01/2014 21:56

Love Asa, fab name. Alternatively, what about Zaki?

Original poster
ilovetosleep · 24/01/2014 21:25

More love for Asa, good to see.

Ariel to me means Ariel Sharon - a big no - and avi does sound v cute, I've never heard it before, but just googled and it is basically Abraham which I wouldn't use.

DH keeps saying 'lets see what he looks like' but this time around I'd really like a fixed name in advance to avoid days of nameless baby like we did last time! He likes both Asa and Otis but thinks Asa just reminds him if his Acer computer. hmm.

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ProfondoRosso · 24/01/2014 21:15

Asa is nice, but Otis is my pick from your list. I think it would be adorable on a wee baby. And it makes me think of Otis Redding. Smile

I love Ariel, nn Ari and Avram, nn Avi.

MsRinky · 24/01/2014 21:10

I love Asa! I know (only) one whose mother works at the same place as me, so I think she must have got the idea from this chap (who has a connection to our workplace) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asa_Briggs,_Baron_Briggs

He sounds a rather splendid chap all round. It would never have occurred to be that it was a particularly Hebrew name. I'm going to start lobbying my friend who is expecting a boy to use it.

Original poster
ilovetosleep · 24/01/2014 21:07

ooh no really don't like Paul! knew too many at school...

OP posts:
drspouse · 24/01/2014 20:30

What about the French versions of some of your ideas (Paul for example!)

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