Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Middle name help/advice

5 replies

Maero · 13/07/2025 11:54

Hi all,

So, we have decided to name our little boy Rowan. However, I am not settled on his middle name. I think James flows really nicely with it and its strong. Rowan James just sounds so strong and handsome. My hubby isn’t keen on it as it reminds him of a family member he’s not keen on (lol). Next, I always loved the name Shay/Shea so my husband thinks why not give him that as his middle name - our previous kids (girls) have meaning in both their first names and middle names, 1 after a very loved grandmother and the other when she was born (her first name holds a lot of meaning in relation to having conceived her via fertility treatment after heartache. So, basically I love names that hold meaning….so, for the same reason I would love a middle name with the same significance. (This little one, was a little blessing after having to conceive the previous via treatment and then having a miscarriage before him, then conceived him completely naturally with absolutely no problems throughout). I also during pregnancy out of no where had a ton of childhood trauma come back and hunt me and while it’s been very difficult, I believe this child has saved me in a way, he (and my others) have been my reason to get up, keep going and try and overcome this.

I have established that Shai means gift, however seems to be pronounced as Shy as opposed to Shay and a part of me is reluctant to use it incase I have another boy (which I also may never) as it’s a name I like and would use as a first name.

So, basically what I am asking, is for suggestions for middle names - that flow really well as I can’t think of any. I’ve searched and searched and don’t feel any flow very well.

I must add that we don’t want to use any relatives names. We have considered his daddys name, however it doesn’t particularly flow well.

Thanks in advance 💙

OP posts:
MatildaTheCat · 13/07/2025 11:59

James is lovely but your DH’s reaction is real. You must have names that have bad connotations and wouldn’t use?

I don’t especially like Shay and I doubt many people would understand the meaning but the thing is that he is your child and you and your DH get to choose. Nobody else. I wouldn’t advise Tree but otherwise just do you.

I have only ever used my middle name when filling in forms so don’t overthink it.

Toomanyweedsoutthere · 13/07/2025 12:01

Oliver/Olivia mean peace, because of the bible story of a dove bringing back an olive branch after Noah's Ark.

Rowan Oliver sounds good to me x

NoSoapJustUseShowerGel · 13/07/2025 12:14

Personally I don’t see the point in middle names unless they’re there for a good reason. My kids have middle names after much-loved family members. Other than that, we wouldn’t have bothered as it’s only ever relevant for paperwork/documents.

MyCyanReader · 13/07/2025 12:31

Shay means "thing" or "problem/issue" in Arabic.

Everyone has names they don't like. I am not keen on the name Shai/Shay. If your DH doesn't like the name James, then fair enough.

John? George? Alexander? Nicholas? Ernest? Leonard? Charles? Max? Frederick? Claude? Edward?

The above all sound strong with Rowan, and are also the names of very successful scientists or classical musicians.

Member984815 · 13/07/2025 12:33

Seamus is irish for James, you get James and shay then

New posts on this thread. Refresh page