Naming DS: name him after my dad or use a name I love?

[PiledUpPenguins]

My dad's name was Arthur. He recently died. Up until then I was going to call DS Theo(dore) which I have always loved. Now I want to honour my dad and I am drawn to carrying on his name in the next generation. Objectively I do not love the name Arthur but I love the idea of using my dad's name.

What do people think about using significant names vs "liked" names?

I think that for children who have second names, then being chosen for a particular reason, becomes part of their "story", so I don't think you should worry that you aren't honouring your father enough.

I would go so far as to say that I really like the idea of middle names as tributes to people you love pr admire. I often wonder why people chose middle names just because they "go" with the first name.

BTW. I do think Arthur is a great name.

If you did to then I'd say go for it. But not choosing it doesn't mean you are rejecting your dad

Sorry for your loss

sorry, that should have read "if you did too"

But you and your family will know his middle name and how honorable that is there is 5 girls including 1 of mine in my family who have the same middle name 3 boys have a family middle name 1 as a first so imo you dont have to go all out to remember and honour somebody. If you are not keen on Arthur would you consider Artie ?

Arthur non Art or Artie is a fabulous name. Less common than Theo which is v popular round here at the moment!

I'd go for Theodore Arthur

I just wanted to add my view and say that Arthur is a brilliant name - I have met a couple of wonderful men called Arthur and both true individuals (young men not old btw). You will find a Theo in every class these days. But you shouldn't let it put you off if you love it.

Thank you all. I am still not sure which name to go for, I think I'm just too emotional at the moment as the idea of naming him after dad makes me cry and the idea of not naming him after dad makes me cry. Hopefully I will be saner when he arrives.

Arthur is a lovely name , whether as a middle name or a first name with Theodore in the middle
Whichever you choose on the day
Though I prefer Arthur ! But hey , it's not up to me

When is your baby due? You'll have up to 6 weeks after the birth to make a final decision. And even then, if you change your mind after registering the birth, it would be reasonably easy to change his name before his first birthday.

Hope you're getting lots of support from your partner and friends. Maybe you could contact Cruse if you're struggling?

Firstly I am sorry for your loss lI like Theodore Arthur I have three DS's and each of there middle names is a family name and a memory and people do ask why what its significance is ds3 was nameless for a week I wanted to name him after my grandad and use his grandpas name as a middle name (both of them have passed) but my dh didn't approve of the combination and I understand why he likes both just not together, but still loved it so now he has our second choice first name and my fil's name is his middle name and he will know why as does anyone who asks if we have dc4 I shall use my granddad's name it is unisex so would work for a boy or a girl
Why not wait and decide when he's here he may not look like a Theo or an Arthur he may be a William or a Simon! Please try to enjoy the rest of your pregnancy without this worry I know someone who was nameless for six weeks as his parents couldn't decide it's not unheard of waiting the six weeks