Junior... First or Middle Name?

[TokenGinger]

I'm not sure if it makes a difference to mention, but my DP is of Nigerian heritage and the custom is that you usually have a Nigerian first name, English middle name. Then often, the child or person chooses to use their English name for school, day to day use etc. (Or at least this in the case in his family and circle of friends.)

However, it's not essential and we've been wavering between an English or Nigerian name, mainly because we're struggling to find a Nigerian name we both like.

We both like Junior, however, his thoughts are that we can't call him Junior unless baby's first name is the same as dad's, whereas I feel it's okay to call him Junior AnyNigerianName Surname. DP doesn't feel this way because of the tradition of his heritage, but that he feels the name Junior is in tribute to one's father and therefore the father's name should be used.

I don't have any strong feelings on whether I'm right or wrong, I'm just more interested on what is the general consensus of using the name Junior? Can it be as a first name without a link to the father's name or is it more traditional to have it linked to the father's name?

If there's anybody of Nigerian heritage that can comment from that perspective, too, I'd welcome it :)

Grrr- *name is!

I personally think calling a boy Junior is diminishing. You might as well call him Boy or Son. I do not think he would be taken seriously in the world, but that is my opinion.

If you must, I would use Junior as a middle name.

I do like a lot of African names. Blessing, Dziko, Rukiya and Joseph is beautiful.

Good luck on whatever you decide, and congratulations!

For you,

I'm not Nigerian, but I think Junior is fine as a first name. That might depend where you live, but it wouldn't raise any eyebrows at all here in London. If you like it, go for it.
Using it as a middle name is also an option. What about calling him "PartnersNigerianName Junior" then he is both literally the junior, and also to be known as Junior in everyday life.
I think your partner is overthinking it.
And for anyone who says it's not dignified for an adult, it's no different than Sonny - I know a few of those.

Junior as a first name is a bit ‘Katie Price’ and had a bit of a chav resurgence!
My cousin’s class had a lot of Nigerian pupils and the other pupils as well as teachers struggle to pronounce the names so unless your child goes to a predominately Nigerian school or you do not remain in the UK, I’d go for something easy to pronounce.
There is a boy my cousin is friends with called Olajide but teachers and his friends nickname him Ola so something like that may work too?
Junior also sounds like a nickname a man gives his willy so that is an instant turn off when it comes to it for a name!

@AlanaMay, I would not be calling my son the rather, belittling name Sonny either. My opinion still stands.

I actually know of several juniors. They would all be of my dads generation so around seventy. Junior would have been their nickname and it stuck. I am in Ireland if that makes a difference.

My cousin’s class had a lot of Nigerian pupils and the other pupils as well as teachers struggle to pronounce the names

well they can learn. If there are lots of children with Nigerian names in the school, there's no excuse at all. I went to school with a lot of kids with Sri Lankan names, and it would have taken a particular effort not to get used to it. It's just common courtesy.

I have also met several Juniors in my lifetime. I dated someone whose brother was called that. Although I was respectful when I met him, in my head I kept thinking, "His name sounds so childish" I am in the U.S. though, so perhaps things are different in Ireland.

Completely, off topic though, I'd love to visit Ireland one day, and I adore accents there, I always thought it was so lyrical.

^ My post was a reply to you, SparklyBlue

Junior isn't a name

There’s a child we call Junior in my sons’ year but his birth certificate shows the same as his dad.
At school he is ‘official first name’, with friends and family and his football team he’s Junior. They’re from Ghana if that makes a difference.
To me personally/traditionally Junior is not a name by itself but that’s clearly not the case as people do have Junior on their birth certificate. Up to you!

I think I've definitely decided against Junior since I put up this thread. I still do really like it, but I don't like all of the responses he may get to his name.

Name choosing is so hard!

It is hard, but is shows how thoughtful you are. Thoughtfulness, shows to me, that you are going to be a great mother.

@MissLanesAmericanCousin Bless you, thank you so much x

@TokenGinger, You are very welcome. x