To not know what to name my son?

[IndecisiveIrene]

DH and I are proud FTPs. I was quite keen on our girl’s name but really impartial for the boy’s name. We looked through literally thousands of names and none quite clicked for me, though we narrowed it down to about five. Everyone said once I saw the baby I’d know what to call him, but I’m still clueless. DH has a name he likes so we’ve been using that so far but honestly Im not sure, there’s things I like about it and things I’m less keen on. But as the baby must be named and I haven’t got any other options or preferences, AIBU to name my baby something I’m a bit meh about? I love the baby to bits but just can’t get settled with the name! X

What's the name your husband chose?

What’s the name your husband likes? What name/s do you like?

I’m really interested in names, how they mark social/economic class etc so always had strong feelings about it when naming my child.

My husband and I had a kind of shortlist of names which neither of us hated - there was one I liked more and one he liked more, etc. Then when our baby was born premature and put in the neonatal unit and I was separated from him (recovering from c-section so in my own ward), I couldn't bear the thought of him being all alone with no name so I just went with my husband's first choice even though I had my reservations about it.

It didn't take long for the name to stick and for it to match to him. Now he's 2 and it's definitely his name (though I still think my choice would have worked too.)

Don't over think it; as long as you have no real issues with the name I think you'll get used to it. It's just a name, it's not "who he is" - you'll find that out much later.

It took me several weeks to name DS when he arrived 2 months early and was in the NICU. Settled on something random (for me, not on my list) and it felt odd for a while but it fits now. They grow into whatever you choose.

What's DHs choice?

Thank you
@TheChickenOfTruth, glad I’m not alone. It’s not an uncommon name (in the top 100-200 but not top 20) and nothing Yoonique or objectionable really. I also like the sound of the name and his full name, NNs, etc. I just thought once we picked it, it’d feel like more of a natural “fit” IYSWIM.

I also can’t stand the idea of him being nameless! And in fact we’ve told some friends and family his name is what DH has chosen. So I reckon this will be it, but wonder how long I’ll be feeling like this about his name. Happily feel utterly in love with the baby himself, just the name I’m stuck on

We had this too with my son. We couldn't agree on a name at all and there were none I loved. I had had an inkling it would be a girl so hadn't really given any serious thought to boys names. My husband had a strong preference, I had my reasons for not being keen but in the end my husband got his way. TBH I still don't love the name but it is his name now and it does suit him and ds loves it. One of my main concerns was that it is a common name and yes there is another in his class, however that isn't the end of the world.

I think so long as you don't dislike the name, don't worry about it. You name several positive things about the name your dh has picked.
You don't have to loooove a name instantly. That's a lot of pressure. I felt it and consequently with my children have one with a name I regret, one with a name I adore and another with a name I can't decide yet how I feel. Why I have to feel anything is entirely is probably down to the pressure broadcast to expectant mums about names. It's so over-thought that at times you really don't know what to do. Hope you can find some peace with it all!

How old is your DS? I didn't give my DC a name for 2weeks. We used different names we talked about during pregnancy but nothing felt right.

I think some of it was because I was still exhausted from the birth and infection I had afterwards. I suppose what I'm trying to say is go with your gut. You have 6 weeks to register the birth/pick a name. And when your DS is 2 you'll be saying his name a lot!

I do think you have to really like the name you give.

Calm down, OP. Him not having a name is not some major deal, when he can’t be more than a few weeks old. We didn’t finally name DS until we were on our way to register him. Take your time!

Neither of my boys had a name for about a week. We talked about it for literally months and both times went back to the first name we'd mentioned as a possibility.
Ironically, we chose dd's name as soon as we found out what we were having and I then spent a large part of the first year of her life calling her by our dearly departed cat's name 

If you’re on the fence & DH likes one, why not go with his choice?

Thank you, glad I am not the only one who's been back and forth on the name! We've got our registration appointment in two weeks, had imagined the name would fit more by now! Perhaps it's because he's not yet responding to the name so it doesn't feel like him yet?

@JellyTeapot, I've been calling him our cats and our dog's names too, reckon they've been my babies for so long it's hard to make the switch. I also suppose I thought it'd be more like naming a pet and the name just sticks after a day or so...

@Doghorsechicken, I reckon we will call him by DH's preferred name, I'm happy with it but just doesn't click for me (or hasn't yet. I have had a look down our short list and our longer list and those names seem even less like our baby now. Just thought it would be more immediate that his name would 'fit' him!