Active discussions

Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Baby names

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

Original poster

Rhyming first and last name... can it ever work?

30 replies

thunderandsunshine01 · 28/07/2020 10:45

Not sure what we are having yet but we have always had 2 boy names shortlisted from the get go.

Nolan
Tobias (Toby for short)

Whilst I think I prefer Nolan slightly, Tobias has always been the front runner due to our last name which rhymes and has the same number of syllables as ‘BODEN’ - also ends with the letters DEN. Can we ever make Nolan work or is it a no go? These are some middle names we like so combo suggestions are welcome! (Would two middle names work better to make it less rhymey?!)

-Stanley
-Grayson
-Elliot
-John (family name)
-Cameron
-Otis

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Set a reminder
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Original poster
thunderandsunshine01 · 29/07/2020 23:25

Thanks everyone for your input! Kind of what I suspected, although shocked to hear how many actually dislike the name Nolan in any circumstance! Looks like Tobias is the way to go Smile

OP posts:
JacquelineLadyBugg · 29/07/2020 21:53

Tobias 'Boden' is lovely.

I do think rhyming names can work, but I don't like Nolan as a first name and think it would not sound all that nice with 'Boden'.

Tobias is lovely.

BlackberrySky · 29/07/2020 19:30

Rhyming names are always comical. Do not foist this onto your child.

user1493494961 · 29/07/2020 19:26

Tobias is lovely, Nolan is awful.

Ohffs66 · 29/07/2020 17:14

Not helpful but I have known a Patricia Fisher and a Verna Turner in a professional context. Used to have to try very hard not to giggle in a childish fashion when I saw them. Probably best not to rhyme if you can avoid it!

RedCatBlueCat · 29/07/2020 17:04

You could make it work would as the first of two middle names.
So Tobais Nolan John Boden, for example.

Deadringer · 29/07/2020 16:58

Is your name Holden? Nolan Holden is awful, but Tobias works very well.

Ellmau · 29/07/2020 12:16

Nolan Boden doesn't actually rhyme, technically, but it does sound very awkward, and I don't think it works awfully well with the possible middle names.

Tobias is lovely. Tobias John is perfect.

Svalberg · 28/07/2020 22:45

The husband of mine was the last group to do National Service, so that makes him about 18 in 1960 (ish) I think, and she'd be a similar age I guess, so around 80 now

bridgetreilly · 28/07/2020 18:38

At a guess, the one I knew would be older than that! She was a friend of my parents. With a husband in the RAF, if I remember rightly.

Svalberg · 28/07/2020 17:30

@bridgetreilly She'd be in her 80s now I think!

BatleyTownswomensGuild · 28/07/2020 17:14

Really dislike Nolan and definitely doesn't work with your surname.

Stanley - I love it!
Grayson- sounds like a butler for a superhero
Elliot- lovely
John - a classic
Cameron - Like it
Otis - sounds like a dog's name

bridgetreilly · 28/07/2020 17:08

@Svalberg I knew a Mavis Davis too! Wonder if it was the same one.

I also knew an Alan Allen. His mother remarried and he took his stepfather's surname.

SleepingStandingUp · 28/07/2020 14:16

Tobias Jareth Woden works

Svalberg · 28/07/2020 13:38

I worked (a very long time ago) with Mavis Davis. Everyone found it hilarious, especially as it wasn't her birth name & she'd married into it.

bridgetreilly · 28/07/2020 12:59

Tobias. It's a lovely name and it'll be fine with your surname.

2tired2bewitty · 28/07/2020 12:37

Jason Statham seems to have survived, but in general probably not a great idea.

I have a Tobias/Toby and love his name.

SleepingStandingUp · 28/07/2020 12:32

Well tobias is much nicer but Nolan Woden doesn't acceptability rhyme

Deadringer · 28/07/2020 12:31

It works for Roland McDonald

HunterHearstHelmsley · 28/07/2020 12:29

Grayson Tobias could work

HunterHearstHelmsley · 28/07/2020 12:27

I work with someone with a rhyming name, every time I speak to him I'm thinking why did your parents do that to you?!

-Stanley - don't like this at all
-Grayson - like! Good strong name
-Elliot - eh
-John - boring
-Cameron - i like this
-Otis - no but I don't know why

MikeUniformMike · 28/07/2020 11:53

How about Roland?

MikeUniformMike · 28/07/2020 11:52

Something like Nolan Roden? It's a bit sing-songy.

I still don't like Nolan as a first name. It's too surnamey.

Original poster
thunderandsunshine01 · 28/07/2020 11:45

@MikeUniformMike just the first letter changes from the word BODEN

OP posts:
MikeUniformMike · 28/07/2020 11:39

None of the middle name suggestions will make a scrap of difference in day-to-day life. Without knowing what the surname is, I can't tell if it rhymes or not.