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Quirky or ordinary? Naming the next generation....

14 replies

Lliexz · 16/05/2011 14:57

Our bump is due in seven weeks and after much deliberation, we have decided on Phoebe for a first name. All we need to do now is agree on a middle name and we're sorted.

We found out we were pregnant four days before we went to Las Vegas* to play in the poker tournaments, so I suggested ?Phoebe River? (the river is the name of the fifth card in a game of texas holdem poker).

My family think I'm mad, particularly my outlaws who think names shouldn't be anything more than ordinary i.e "Phoebe Rose" or "Phoebe Louise". Although I appreciate where they are coming from, I think it's nice to have a theme or some kind of reasoning behind a name other than "Just because we like it.....". Her first name fits into the "ordinary" camp, so why not have a slightly quirky middle name?

What does everyone else think? Are my outlaws right or can we have slightly quirky names for the next generation?

*Finding out you're pregnant just before going to Vegas and therefore, spending the holiday sober is not advisable. I saw Vegas in a completely different light.

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anabelish · 16/05/2011 15:07

i think giving a middle name is an ideal opportunity to go a bit lala. phoebe river is beautiful by the way and not too out there. my 3rd sons middle name is Otter, just because my other boys all agreed otters are 'brilliant' ps other suggestions were 'Darth', 'Godzilla' and 'Simon Cowell'

mopsyflopsy · 16/05/2011 15:16

I agree - middle names can be used to honour family members and/or to commemorate special places (in your case River). I think Phoebe River is lovely Smile.

MsChanandlerBong · 16/05/2011 17:34

Yep I agree too. And think that having any middle name with proper meaning behind it is far better than having a vanilla standard middle name that has been put there just because...

Although I also don't think River is too out there (it is lovely in fact!) - my DD1 will probably be given the middle name Rose, named after my sister.
ponders how much better it would have been if my parents had named my sis River

MelinaM · 16/05/2011 18:56

Absolutely love Phoebe River, and the fact that it has a special meaning for you both is simply perfect! ...I've never much cared for Louise eitherGrin

WiiUnfit · 16/05/2011 19:12

I love it! It is quirky but that's cool & it's so sweet that it has such sentimental meaning to you both. Do it! :)

[Immediately tries to think up an inventive middle name which such significance for her own bump, due in 6 weeks!]

WiiUnfit · 16/05/2011 19:13
  • with, not which!
sobloodystupid · 16/05/2011 19:16

Quirky for sure! My eldest dd has a very unusual name (but it is a name iyswim) and I know for sure of one girl (a friend of a friend) who adores it and is considering it for one of her names (but I'm not supposed to know - it is silly but I'm honoured) Blush

typsical · 16/05/2011 19:55

Quirky middle names rule! :) My DS's middle name is River. It was DH's choice, and I was a bit unsure at first, but now I love it! Few Hmm faces when we tell people, but who cares! DH chose it as he said it is a name he wishes he was called! I think that's a good way of choosing names! In fact, I might start a thread... Yes I think I will do :o

Lliexz · 17/05/2011 10:34

Thank you all so much for your replies, if I had doubts before I certainly don't anymore. Phoebe River it is (I'm sure the outlaws will come round eventually).

I love the "Godzilla" suggestion from your boys anabelish, a stroke of genius on their part for sure! Lol.

OP posts:
pootlebug · 17/05/2011 10:38

I'm generally not that into 'out there' names. But I think Phoebe River is lovely. And I think it's quite cool to have one more conventional name and one more unusual one....it means she will have a choice - if she really wants to be 'River' she can be and it's still one of her given names. If she doesn't like the fact it's a bit different, she only has to use it on forms etc

Trinaluce · 17/05/2011 15:05

I agree, I'm not usually one for quirky: but River is just the right amount of 'quirk' and has significance. If you were suggesting 'Phoebe Vegas' or 'Phoebe Royal Flush' then I'd think you were in need of therapy Wink

WiiUnfit · 19/05/2011 23:20

Grin @ 'Phoebe Royal Flush'

eurycantha · 20/05/2011 10:17

Go for it ,sounds great.My friend has given her DD a middle name that is the name of a mountain they climbed before she was born.

MrsTwinks · 20/05/2011 21:15

I say do what you like, I have a cousin with the middle name snoop, but DH has a naming tradition of one of two names that every boy has had since something liek 1600. Personally... I'd dreading having to fit to fit his naming tration in with bump, and I'd much rather unusual middle names than first names, they can be painful and annoying difficult to live with

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