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Baby names

Find baby name inspiration and advice on the Mumsnet Baby Names forum.

Original poster

Does this sound silly?

42 replies

Lunapixie · 10/12/2019 17:46

Hi Mums,

We like the name rowan for a boy. But surname is hoban.

Does Rowan hoban sound stupid and too rhymey?

Thanks x

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FizzyGreenWater · 19/12/2019 13:14

Not nature in itself I know, but Rory has the same feel as Rowan to me. I imagine a rufty-tufty type in fleeces studying birds on remote islands etc. Grin

Rory Hoban is great.

Greenandcabbagelooking · 17/12/2019 19:53

Some more nature boy names that might work:
Linden
Oak(ley)
Dean
Robin
Basil
Sage
Ajax (Greek for Eagle)
Jonah (means Dove)

VenusClapTrap · 16/12/2019 09:23

Flint
Acer

ElvenMoonwings · 15/12/2019 22:01

Yes, it doesn't flow, it sounds really awkward and echoey.

joystir59 · 11/12/2019 11:39

Romeo w

PlantPotting · 11/12/2019 11:34

When there’s so many lovely names to choose from I wouldn’t deliberately pick the one name that you may then spend time worrying about because it sounds rather silly.
I think maybe you’re drawn back to Roman/Rowan because as humans we always want what we can’t have (I know I do anyway 🤣 )!
There’s so many lovely name though OP. Hope you find one soon xxx come and update us

Flymetothestars · 11/12/2019 11:26

With Eli (or another name) in the middle it sounds better but most of the time at school and at work it’s your first name and surname you use unfortunately. I’m really childish, so, sorry to admit but I would snigger a bit at a Rowan Hoban or Roman Hoban email work email address. But then I don’t like the name Rowan/Roman anyway, nor the inevitable nickname Row (row row) your boat which sounds unfinished.
But your child your choice of course ❤️ I hope you find something you love as much and then it’ll be problem sorted for you. Boys names are hard!! xx

ForkHandlesplease · 11/12/2019 10:35

I would call him Rowan Eli Hoban
think rowan Hoban sounds ok, I've heard worse

Flymetothestars · 11/12/2019 10:23

Huxley also means Meadow. Have always loved that name @Lunapixie

Rayne and Robin are also favourites

Original poster
Lunapixie · 11/12/2019 09:29

Thank you all for your suggestions x

OP posts:
Atalune · 10/12/2019 21:53

Lorcan
Torrin
Cairn
Casper
Rain
Salem
Acer
Hamish

PlantPotting · 10/12/2019 20:56

Ok nature names. Got my thinking cap on.

How about:
“Heath”
“Fox”
“Callum” (meaning Dove)
“Fraser” (strawberry flower)
“Brynn”
“Reef”
“Griffin” (one of my favourites - has Harry Potter connection too so quite mythical)
“Asher”
“Hunter”
Or “Huxley” which means outdoorsman

Hope some of these are helpful @Lunapixie

PlantPotting · 10/12/2019 20:37

Ooh I love Robin by the way. Always been a favourite of mine 😍

PlantPotting · 10/12/2019 20:36

Sorry @Lunapixie , I like unusual name combinations and alliteration usually but that name made me laugh, so probably the last reaction a child would want. He may dread people asking his name. You could use Rowan as a middle name.... but then the purpose of a middle name for me is to give the child another option for a potential first name, and I think it’s highly unlikely he would want to swap to using it given your surname. At my children’s school they use first name and surname quite regularly I’m afraid, especially with trendy common names like Roman.

How about “Jasper” it’s a gem stone so quite nature-y and mythical-y sounding to me. Or how about “Casper” the name of one of the three wise men, so also has a mythical feel to my ears. Also “Caleb” I like. Will keep thinking.

Original poster
Lunapixie · 10/12/2019 20:19

@Winterdaysarehere good point, only in high school i suppose x

Robin is quite nice too x

OP posts:
AlexaAmbidextra · 10/12/2019 19:13

Herb/ Herbie?

Herbie Hoban. 😂

Winterdaysarehere · 10/12/2019 19:13

Stick a mn in. 1 of my dc has a rhyming name but how often do you say the full name?
He has survived to 20 's with no mocking!

Toadsrevisited · 10/12/2019 19:07

You can't call a child Eros!

LittleMissNaice · 10/12/2019 19:01

How about Robin? Similar but sounds better with the surname to my ear.

Leopardprintboots · 10/12/2019 18:58

If you like mythological names @Lunapixie how about looking at Greek mythology names like Eros and Hector. A lot of mythological history behind those names (and many others)

JesusMaryAndJosepheen · 10/12/2019 18:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Leopardprintboots · 10/12/2019 18:49

Will have a think and get back to you @Lunapixie xx

I really like Bodhi too by the way. I know a little boy with this name and it really suits his free spirited nature ❤️
Let us know what DH says about the names

Original poster
Lunapixie · 10/12/2019 18:45

@JesusMaryAndJosepheen
Haha yes i love pixies and fairies and anything mythological x

@leopardprintboots thank you for all the suggestions. I think bodhi is rather cute..
Also like river and forrest and will run them past the husband.

Or Maybe names that have a nature meaning but are not so obvious if that makes sense?!

Thank you xx

OP posts:
Leopardprintboots · 10/12/2019 18:25

Sorry but that combo is really really silly, makes me chuckle 🤣 No I wouldn’t use it either 👍 agree with you @Lunapixie

I prefer it as a girls name (probably as I’m closer to Scotland where it is predominately a girls name), I also think the similarity with the ubiquitous Roman (being the fastest rising boys name), just makes the name too awkward anyway.

Love some of the suggestions above. Bodhi has quite a nice nature-y feel to it but I know it’s not for everyone. Other names I like (not necessarily nature inspired, but a couple are):

Eli
Ellis
Miles / Milo
Seth
Cole
Wilf(red)
Otis
Otto
Eric
Barnaby
Sidney
Casper
Rudy/Rudi
Dexter
Nathan/Nathaniel - Nate
Blake
Bodhi
River
Angus
Dominic
Rafferty / Raffy

JesusMaryAndJosepheen · 10/12/2019 18:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.