Please knock some sense into me

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I’ve posted before about a name for DS but nothing seems right. Anyway DH suggested Alan as a joke, and I actually like it!. I’m a big fan of names that everyone knows but just aren’t used anymore, is Alan acceptable? And if it isn’t are there any similar names that are acceptable?

I’ll go with Alan then. Think we’ll wait until after he’s born to announce to family, don’t think it will go down too well. But I think when you really think about the name it sounds lovely!, every Alan I’ve met is lovely as well so that helps.

OP, I thought you'd already decided on Alan spelled that way when I commented last night, otherwise I'd have added that my dad Allen is always having to correct the spelling. Even long-standing colleagues and some family members get no closer than Allan! It's quite annoying for me, let alone him.

If you're set on the name (and you should be, because it's great!), I concede that Alan probably is the best way to do it.

I actually think that Alan fits in quite well with current baby names. It starts with a vowel and has 2 syllables. I could see a class list of Evie, Oscar, Ava, Isla, Ethan, Edward, Aoife and Alan.

I would try and pair it with something a bit more "modern" though - by which I mean something currently enjoying some popularity. I really like Douglas but just feel that Alan Douglas as a combo would be better suited to an older gentlemen (and I know that babies become adults, but still). James as a middle name sadly bores me as I'm sure it is THE most popular boys middle name. How about (using Smith as an example one-syllable surname):

Alan Elijah Smith
Alan Dashiell Smith
Alan Ellis Smith
Alan Zachary Smith (my personal favourite)

Alan to me is like Colin, Barry, Jeff and Craig.

Well I quite like Colin and Craig, a bit of a soft spot for Jeff as well!.

Has anyone posted this yet?

I do agree that objectively, Alan fits better with modern popular names than Colin and Barry. It's the vowely-ness and shortness I guess.

I do kind of like it, OP!!

It instantly makes me think of Alan the bear from the delightful "I Need a Wee!!!" story! Alan the bear is so cute, so that would certainly put me in a positive frame of mind towards the name!

However, thinking of Alan Partridge does somewhat swing the pendulum back again quite considerably....

I knew a very intelligent, very kind, gentle man with strong opinions who was called Alan. I like it.

Alan is fine. Your son will bring the name back in vogue. Al sounds good.

We know a 2 year old Alan.
Happy little chap. Always does the school run on his scooter.

Actually, know a 4 year old Alan too.
I think he goes by AJ .
Not sure what the J is for. Possibly Jacob.
Alan Jacob.

In the last few years have taught an Allen, Alyn, Alun and am Alan John known as AJ.

Dennis
John
David
Jeff
Paul
Terry

DD is 6 and there's an Alan in her class. I love it