What do you think about Harlan?

[crabette]

Trying to come up with baby boy names, and really struggling!

Older sibling is Lauchlan, and we also love Rory but can't use due to close friends having used it.
I'd like a known name for ease of pronounciation, but something a bit different.

For girl names we like classic names but a bit different? Nina is current favourite, also like Lucia / Lucy but again, wouldn't use due to close friends using it.

I just saw Harlan on a list of names from the twenties due a comeback, and thought it was quite strong, easy to pronounce, different, but also easy to use Harry as nn? I'd be interested to hear what you guys think! Or very open to any other suggestions...

Sounds like Harlem

I had Harlan on my baby name list but oh vetoed it as he said the poor kid would be given the nickname "hard on"

I still love the name but as we had all girls it's become a moot point.

I love it!

Harlan Coben (sp?) author where someone has their eyes gouged out in nearly every one of his books. But I'm not having a baby.

I agree, I initially read it as Harlem!

Even as someone who has never been there, I associate it with crime and a dodgy area based on films over the years. I might be completely wrong, and its likely a lovely area now, but not keen on Harlan as too similar to Harlem!

Yes I think of Harlan Coben straight away but I enjoy his books and agree it’s an easy to pronounce, more unusual name. Sounds very American/surname if that bothers you. I like Harry as nickname. How about Arlo as a similar sound?

I have a 2 year old Harlan. The only downside is that there isn’t a nickname that goes with it or it can’t be shortened! I love his name and no one else where I live has it

I love it. There’s the most gorgeous Emmylou Harris song called Going Back to Harlan (though I think she’s maybe singing about a place).

Surely it would naturally shorten to Harly more than Harry. I’m not wildly keen but it’s OK.

Love

I love it

Love it. Would have used it but it didn’t go with our surname.

Thought it said Harlem too and got the awful song in my head.

Sorry I don’t like it at all. I know it’s awful to say and please don’t pile on me but being completely honest it sounds really whispers chavvy.

I think it sounds that way to me because it sounds like Harley...

It brings up a lot of connotations, all negative.

Awful. Sorry!

I like it

Please no, it's way too similar to Harlem and also horrible, sorry x

Wolff. Sorry, I just automatically finish it and think of the giant yellow cranes.

If I try very hard to ignore the initial reaction then I feel like it's an unfinished name or insubstantial somehow!? Sounds very American, are you in the US?

Don't like I'm afraid - agree with pp very American or a bit chavvy sorry.

Like Nina

Colonel Sanders

If you like names like Rory, Nina and Lucia, I think you quite like classic but quirky names. Harlan doesn't fit that. It sounds quite American surname type name. I'd picture siblings Jensen, Colby and Luann bringing up the rear. Which is fine if that's the vibe you are going for but it doesn't sound like it!

Lachlan is a nice Scottish name and Harlan does not go with it.

@showofhands Yeah, I think you're probably right! Any ideas for other suggestions on classic but quirky names like Nina, Lucia, Rory?

I don't mind Harlan Coben connotations but can't deal with Harland & Wolff!! 🙈 Just can't find other boys names I like.