Bit random

[Shadow1986]

But what do people think of the name Hartley? For a boy.

It's not completely random, it has a meaning which relates to a family member but I'd rather not say incase we do go for it and then it outs me. Brother name is Henry.

[Jux]

The names will go together for the simple reason that they are brothers and their names will often be linked. Even if someone thought "ooh strange combination" the first few times they heard or used them, they'd soon be so used to it that it would be perfectly right.

Whatever names you like will be great.

[Sparklingbrook]

In fact when I did join MN I was amazed there was an actual Baby Name topic.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

You can have whatever you want. People are just telling you the things that come to their minds when thinking about these names. It's entirely up to you whether you choose to let other people's thoughts shape your opinions or not.

Henry and James much nicer than Henry and Hartley though, imvho (which of course you are entirely at liberty to ignore!).

[Sparklingbrook]

Just choose a name, any name, it will be fine and don't worry about whether it 'goes' with anything.

I did that pre MN in 2002 and it was all fine.

[Shadow1986]

19th century Henry James? Umm this is going to be very hard to find a name at this rate. Can't have James and Henry together because over a hundred years ago there was a writer called Henry James, and over 40 years ago there was some frizzy hare called hartley! Haha.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Well, it's the absolute first thing I thought. Accept that I am not 'people' though.

[Sparklingbrook]

I don't think people will think that Remus TBH.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Henry James - novelist. They 'go' fine together, but to me, it smacks of being a bit unimaginative to recreate a famous person's name in sibling form.

[Sparklingbrook]

Well you see you can never rule out a Pipkins revival Shadow.

I don't know why Henry & James don't 'go' (will probably feel thick when we find out) but as i said upthread I don't understand the sibling name matching anyway.

[Shadow1986]

Sorry what's the obvious reason Henry and James aren't good sibling names?

Not sure the hartley hare thing would worry me as before my time and will be well before the time of son...unless hartley hare is making a come back!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Hare not Hair!

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I think it's bad, sorry. Hartley Hair was terrifying, and I also dislike alliterative sibling names. James is nice but Henry & James not great together, for obvious reasons.

[WildRunner]

Hartley Hare used to scare the bejesus out of me. All rabid and flea-bitten with that creepy grandad-in-the-attic voice. That said, if it wasn't for Pipkins, I think I'd quite like it and it definitely works as a middle name.

[Mutteroo]

Also thought of Hartley hare who was my hero when I was about five years old.
Hartley is a sound human name too, but I don't think it goes with Henry as its too similar in structure yet opposing in style. Does that make sense?

[Shadow1986]

Thanks all, appreciate comments. Agree it might be better suited as a middle name. Now it's just finding a first name! James hartley perhaps?

[Sparklingbrook]

[MamaLazarou]

How dare you call Hartley Hare a rabbit?

[pinktrufflechoc]

I don't think sibling names have to go in the sense that they should match (explained that badly) but I know one of my friends adopted and the child's name is very different to that of their birth child's in genre, if you like.

I also know parents who named their DD a very unusual name and their DS a very popular one and a few people remarked on it.

[scatterthenuns]

Jam here too!

[Sparklingbrook]

I just don't think it's necessary. I didn't even know it was a rule til MN, so have no idea if my two DSs names 'go'.

[Shadow1986]

I don't really see the harm in trying to find names that compliment sibling names...certainly don't find it repellent or deeply weird! But each to their own.

[Fishwives]

Thank heavens, other people who find the 'matching names for siblings' thing deeply weird. I think it's a repellent idea, and suggests the parents are more invested in the idea of some kind of weird 'naming for lifestyle' notion than in giving individual children names...

It's a surname used as a woman's name in Iris Murdoch's The Sea, the Sea - Mary Hartley Smith, known as Hartley. A rather dopey, passive character, mind you.

[Sparklingbrook]

I have always boggled at that Jux match matchy names for siblings. I had no idea back in 2002 when DS2 arrived. Also what if they marry and their names don't 'go'.

[Jux]

I don't see why your children have to have names that 'go together' or are not of 'different style'. The children are two different people, and don't have to 'go together' or anything. Will you dress them in matching outfits?

Hartley is a good name, and if you like it and it has meaning for you, use it.

[sweetpeame]

It sounds like a surname (and probably is?) so I don't like it. But then I don't like any surnames as first names. I do like the idea of honouring a family member/using a family name but would probably use it as a middle name.