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Baby names

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

Original poster

Second guessing short list for our boy

33 replies

Buffyanne · 04/07/2020 15:48

I'm having a boy and not due until December but after narrowing down the list with my husband, I'm second guessing now.

I'm worried our choices dont sound "sophisticated" enough. We kind of like "cowboy" style type names but I'm hoping to balance a masculine, rough and tumble type name with sophistication/maybe a bit if nerdiness as well. I want a handsome name. I worry about popularity but I also want something that fits in with today's style. I'm American by the way but looking for well-rounded perspectives. I posted before but before my husband weighed in so now we have a more narrow list.

I'd really like to know the perceptions on the following options and the ones with two middle name options, which one and why!

Marshall Breccan
Marshall Elliott

Elliott Reese

Wyatt Asher

Brantley Austin
Brantley Noah

Rhett Callahan - ideal but sounds clunky with surname

Rhett Landon

Thank you for your help!

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Original poster
Buffyanne · 05/07/2020 23:51

I think I've eliminated Brantley and Rhett from the list. I got Brantley from a singer with the name so it's not a name I made up. I kinda liked it but maybe i just like the singer! It hasn't received very good feedback from Americans or anyone else though! It was never in the top 3 anyway so I'm glad we are eliminating!

I also eliminated Rhett. I think it's very handsome but apparently it's only association is Gone with the Wind which is controversial due to its racist time period. While I dont think a name can be racist and have newer associations with Rhett, I just dont want the stress of any misperception. I like Rhett more as a middle name anyway yet nothing I have really flows with it.

So now just trying to choose between:

Marshall - need a middle name! (I like Marshall Austin btw! I like Marshall Elliot but initials would be MEH so second guessing)

Wyatt Asher

Elliot Reece/Rhys (spelling TBD)

OP posts:
IVflytrap · 05/07/2020 23:06

Elliott and Rhett are nice. Marshall and Wyatt are both OK. My favourite first and middle from your options is Elliott Reese, followed by Wyatt Asher.
Brantley is honestly awful. As is Brant. It's like a combination of brag and rant. It's an unpleasant sound.

Nickname for Elliott - Lio? Eli could also work.

Marshall Austin as another possible combination.

Whatsyourflava · 05/07/2020 22:23

I know it's not traditionally a shortening but Elliot could have the nickname Ellis

(Ellis is one of my very favourite names as is Elliot!)

TARSCOUT · 05/07/2020 22:18

Elliott Reese is the only one I like.

Happenchance · 05/07/2020 22:16

I just wish there was a nickname for Elliot I've heard Elliot shortened to El, Lee, Lio and T.

bridgetreilly · 05/07/2020 22:05

I like Elliot, Asher and Noah. Otherwise, those names are not to my taste at all. But if you're American and in the US, I'm sure they're fine.

bluemoon2468 · 05/07/2020 21:41

Rhett and Elliot are my favourite.

I really can't stand Brantley - it sounds very 'made up American'. I say that because every baby name video I see made by an American seems to feature so many names like this - random sounds followed by -ley, -don, -son etc. I don't really understand the trend when there are so many nice real names out there!

Original poster
Buffyanne · 05/07/2020 21:35

I thought about Marshall Wyatt but if I have another son in the future I feel like its throwing all my eggs on one basket!

Marshall Bryce is interesting.

While Marshall and Wyatt are my top two, theres still something about Elliot Rhys that sticks with me. I just wish there was.a nickname for Elliot.

OP posts:
ellenpartridge · 05/07/2020 20:23

I like Elliot Rhys

Happenchance · 05/07/2020 19:44

@Buffyanne

I do like Wyatt Asher a lot! And I also love Marshall. Does anyone have middle name suggestions for Marshall?
Could you use a middle name from your original list, e.g. Marshall Hudson or Marshall Wyatt?

Otherwise, how about Marshall Bryant or Marshall Zachery?

Tatum1234 · 05/07/2020 18:27

Wyatt is by far the nicest. I don’t really like Elliott as it’s quite popular in my area.

flooredbored · 05/07/2020 18:19

I defintely prefer Elliot from your first names. I’m not so keen on Elliot Reece. I like Elliot Breccan.

Original poster
Buffyanne · 05/07/2020 14:54

I do like Wyatt Asher a lot! And I also love Marshall. Does anyone have middle name suggestions for Marshall?

OP posts:
Melrose86 · 04/07/2020 22:53

I like Wyatt Asher but I also think Asher Wyatt sounds good too.

villamariavintrapp · 04/07/2020 21:34

Elliot is the most sophisticated I think. What about emmett? (If you're looking for other suggestions?)

Millicent10 · 04/07/2020 20:44

If you’re worried about American/cowboy sounding then go for Elliott, this has zero cowboy vibe.

Original poster
Buffyanne · 04/07/2020 20:35

Trent is my friend's son's name. Have not ever heard of Howell. Our surname starts with an H and has an l in it so I think it might be hard to say/have sounds that get jumbled together but I appreciate the suggestions!!! Thank you!

OP posts:
Happenchance · 04/07/2020 20:07

Wyatt and Elliot are OK.

Have you considered Trent and Hywel/Howell? (Both names came to mind when I saw your list).

Original poster
Buffyanne · 04/07/2020 20:06

I feel like in the US, we dont drop t's at the end of names or words as much but I'll think about diction! It is odd that many of the names end with t - I guess I like that sound!

OP posts:
TimeWastingButFun · 04/07/2020 19:35

Just seen Asher, that's nice and Ash is lovely for short, too.

TimeWastingButFun · 04/07/2020 19:33

I've never heard Brantley. I really like Elliott but it would drive me mad if people didn't pronounce the 't' at the end - most likely most kids at school will use the glottal stop and Elliott, Wyatt and Rhett will get lost in diction, especially Rhett, which looks nice on paper but will just sound 'Reh'.

Original poster
Buffyanne · 04/07/2020 19:04

Thank you! There are different spellings for Reece but good to know Reece is more masculine than Reese. Fun fact, it's not Reese Witherspoon's real given name and she got it from a family surname! But I'm sure she has made that spelling popular with girls.

I'm warming up to the Rhys spelling as well.

Thanks to those who like Marshall and Wyatt!

I didnt know Marshall was a character on Paw Patrol. Maybe that's worth looking into. I'm not an Eminem fan but I dont think he will stay relevant and since he goes by Eminem also I think it's not huge dealbreaker.

I do love Wyatt but it's just gotten very popular.

I agree Elliott (I like the symmetry of adding the extra t but at the same time reducing amount of letters is not the worst idea so could just do Elliot) is my most bookish name. That's not a bad thing to me but at the same time I feel like i waver on it a bit. I do really like Wyatt and Marshall.

Brantley doesn't seem well-liked although consider the nickname Brant.

Rhett - I like it but I almost wish I could use it for a middle name instead. Apparently its controversial because of Gone with the Wind but honestly that's a very dated association.

OP posts:
Cherrysummerfruits · 04/07/2020 18:52

Wyatt Asher sounds good although not generally my style.

Marshall fits more of the boxes of what I think you want in a name (long standing, sophisticated)

Marshal Elliot
Marshall Asher

user1493494961 · 04/07/2020 18:43

Elliott.

17caterpillars1mouse · 04/07/2020 18:38

Marshall just makes me think of Eminem so not a fan and I find Brantley a bit down market. I'm also not a fan of Rhett, I just think it's an ugly sound.

On the other hand I live Wyatt Asher - gorgeous. I also really love Elliott but would prefer Elliott Rhys and I see Reese as the girl spelling