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Baby names

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

Original poster

Elvin?

33 replies

MrsRawr · 09/07/2022 10:26

We’re expecting DC3 in September and unsure of the sex but already have a girls name picked. Our eldest boys are Ivan and Travis, we really like the name Elvin but someone said it sounded similar to Ivan. Do you think they’re too similar? If so any other suggestions.

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Original poster
MrsRawr · 10/07/2022 13:21

Merryclaire · 10/07/2022 12:19

If you like Elvin that much, then go for it! I don’t think it sounds that similar to Ivan.

Think about shortening/NN though and if that would be similar - eg - Van and Vin not great together!

Ivan does sometimes go by Van so Van and Vin are very similar. I think we will go with David, and Davy as a Nick name.

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Merryclaire · 10/07/2022 12:19

If you like Elvin that much, then go for it! I don’t think it sounds that similar to Ivan.

Think about shortening/NN though and if that would be similar - eg - Van and Vin not great together!

Cindie943811A · 10/07/2022 08:10

Like you, OP I don’t find Elvin and Ivan too similar.
Other names with a middle V
Marvin, Melvin, Kelvin, Kevin, Calvin
But I think Elvin is really nice

ChagSameachDoreen · 09/07/2022 23:15

It sounds like the name of a Hong Kong pop star.

Original poster
MrsRawr · 09/07/2022 21:00

Spoke to DH tonight and I think we’ve decided on David. I love Elvin but I think I’ll always be worried they sound too similar. I also think David goes better with the boys’ names (not that they need to match).

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Penfelyn · 09/07/2022 20:44

I tried saying Ivan and Elvin out loud and they do sound similar. I probably wouldn't. But you won't scar your kids for life if you do go ahead.

I tried to think of names with similar sounds :

Calvin
Erwin
Melvyn

DacwMamYnDwad · 09/07/2022 20:30

Going back to David. In South Wales it tends to get shortened to Dai, Dei in the North. Dei doesn't really work outside Wales as there's no exact way of writing it - it's close to but not quite Day. David tends to become Defi (pron. Devvy) in North Wales, and Davey is also Cornish, I believe.

Delvin is awful sorry, but Elvin is ok

EdgeOfACoin · 09/07/2022 19:48

What about Delvin? It's a boy's name and (apparently) means 'godly friend'.

The hard 'D' sound at the beginning puts a little more distance between it and Ivan.

Original poster
MrsRawr · 09/07/2022 17:05

midsomermurderess · 09/07/2022 16:45

What about Dirk instead of Derek? But if you’re really stuck on Elvin, don’t let a handful of strangers on the internet tell you otherwise. It’s your own circles that matter, even if they do.

Our surname is one syllable so it sounds a bit weird with that, but thank you for the suggestion!. I think we’re going to wait until they’re born before deciding but still very in love with Elvin!. But we’ve narrowed it down to Elvin, Jared and David/Davie

OP posts:
midsomermurderess · 09/07/2022 16:45

What about Dirk instead of Derek? But if you’re really stuck on Elvin, don’t let a handful of strangers on the internet tell you otherwise. It’s your own circles that matter, even if they do.

Original poster
MrsRawr · 09/07/2022 16:32

Thank you everyone! I quite like having a V in the name as Travis and Ivan both have V’s in them. I’ll talk to DH later and hopefully we can decide on a name. After all this the baby will probably end up being a girl and it will have been a waste of time😂

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Riverlee · 09/07/2022 16:01

I think it’s having two names with V in the middle which is making them similar. Ie. I - Van and El - Vin . Also I (pronounced Eye) and El (pronounced El) are quite similar sounds.

Alternatives
Emlyn
Emrys
Dewi
Dafydd
Gethin
Elliott

Original poster
MrsRawr · 09/07/2022 15:44

Thank you everyone, I like Torin but I don’t want to have the same initials. Those who are saying they’re too similar can I ask what about it is so similar?. When I say it I can’t see anything too similar.

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RuthW · 09/07/2022 15:16

Love Eric andCedric.

RuthW · 09/07/2022 15:16

Yes too similar

sixtiesbaby88 · 09/07/2022 15:04

David and Eric are nice.
What about Torin?

Squashedraddish · 09/07/2022 15:03

I don’t like Elvin but I don’t think it’s too similar to Ivan. I do like David though

pinklavenders · 09/07/2022 15:00

Love your suggestion of Cedric!

Original poster
MrsRawr · 09/07/2022 12:40

Thank you for the suggestions everyone! None have stood out yet. I can’t get past Elvin, as it just seems like ‘the’ name but now I’m doubting the similarity either Ivan.

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Original poster
MrsRawr · 09/07/2022 12:39

FridayiminlovewithRobertSmith · 09/07/2022 12:13

I don’t mind Elfyn and Ivan together actually. It’s not a name that Id have thought of but think it’s a nice name overall.

From your other names I actively dislike Derek and Eric but David or Darren could work well.

Just want to say I love your username Grin

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KirstenBlest · 09/07/2022 12:25

Elgan? Makes me think of a rugby player but that's not a bad thing

Original poster
MrsRawr · 09/07/2022 12:25

Thank you, out of the other names our favourites are David and Jared. Elvin is our favourite though.

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsRawr · 09/07/2022 12:24

We do like Alvin but prefer the slightly softer El sound of Elvin. I’ve been saying Ivan and Elvin together and I cant work out what’s too similar about them but maybe I’m pronouncing them wrong😂

OP posts:
KirstenBlest · 09/07/2022 12:24

Not Elian. People will say it as Ellie-Anne

Neverwrestlewithapig · 09/07/2022 12:20

Elian?