Help with top 3 boys names

[MakeAWhish]

Top 3 - thoughts on these boys names?

Lennon (nn Lenny)
Elwood (nn Woody)
Ronnie (don't like Ronald/Ronson so no 'long' name, just Ronnie)

Thank you!

I think the try hard comment is harsh, but there is such a difference between Michael (common first name) and Lennon / Hendrix / Bowie etc, which are definitely making a statement about the parents. I don't necessarily think that's such a bad thing, but comparing Michael and Lennon is silly.

If the op's OH wanted to honour John Lennon but didn't want it to be obvious, he / she probably would opt for John.

@Fatkins she likened it too the beetles? That was her reason for "try hard"

Tbh I've only heard the phrase "too try hard" on here. There's no such thing.. it's a name 🙄

Elwood NN Woody!! Definitely.

Yes, I know why she mentioned the Beatles and I know why you compared it to Michael. I am pointing out that the two names are not at all equal. Lennon to anyone hearing or seeing it for the first time, is obviously a nod to John Lennon or possibly Vladimir Lenin 😬. I imagine this is the exact reason the OH likes it. If he or she wanted to honour John Lennon without making it obvious, he or she would possibly go with John.

"Try hard" is harsh, as we all choose names for our children based on our own tastes. But it is disengenuous to pretend that names like Michael or even Jackson and less common, obviously rock star / celebrity first names, like Bowie, Hendrix or Elton are the same.

I said try hard as it's a term i picked up on MN. I hardly hear harsh in real life either.
What I mean is it's too associated with John Lennon. It's what thingy from Oasis called one of his sons. Then again Cindy Crawford has a son called Presley.
Nobody queries Harrison any more but you wouldn't immediately think of George.
Ellwood - so many Ellies. Maybe use it as a middle namne.
Ronnie. Quite cute.

YY Mike, I think Harrison, Jackson and Hudson etc are all less noticeable too, even though there are famous people with those names. Probably because they are more common surnames to begin with, and are also accepted as first names now anyway. Elton is a noticeable celebrity name, but John (Elton John) obviously isn't that noticeable as a 'celebrity' first name, because it's already a common first name, even though it's Elton John's stage surname. Similarly with Beyonce Knowles. You'd notice the celebrity connection if you met a little Beyonce but probably not if you met a little Knowles, because Beyonce is the more instantly recognisable part of her name.

I really like Lennon (I would assume you were a beetles fan- nothing wrong with that) Lenny is great too.
Elwood is a new one on me but I like it a lot, really love woody as a nickname
Ronny is no way as cool as the other two.

Elwood has the likelihood of being nick named Ellie in school, even if you call him Woody at home (Woody is Toy Story!)

Woody is erection !

Elwood is no more likely to get Ellie at school than the eleventy million little Elliots, Elis, Eliases and Elijahs there are these days. I actually far prefer Elwood to any of those names.

Love Ronnie and Lenny (less keen on Lennon but still ok)

Really don't like Elwood at all

I'm loving the interesting debates on these names. Keep it coming. Definitely giving me food for thought.
As for try hard - I am trying hard! To find a less common boys name without setting him up for a lifetime of ridicule 😂