It's a boy - looking for early opinions

[Buffyanne]

I'm 16 weeks pregnant and through genetic testing already know I'm having a boy. Was really wanting a girl but I'm settling into the idea of a boy except names are a huge question mark. Husband wants to wait a few more weeks to start discussing names (completion of genetic test results) but I'd like to have ideas to bring to the table.

I really loved Callahan but rhymes with husband's name and our dogs name too actually, so was maybe open to considering Callister instead.

Callister Blaine or Callister Dean (or open to other middle names. We arent doing family names. Last name is kinda a mouthful though so trying to keep middle name simple).

I also like:

Marshall Breccan
Rhett Callahan (was thinking if I did Callahan as a middle it's not as bad with the rhyming issue)
Elias Grant
Brantley Austin
Archer Lachlan
Colin Elias
Leonardo Everett (Leo)
Wyatt Austin or Wyatt Asher
Hudson Graham
Elliott Reese
Heston Grant
Sullivan (? - dont have mn yet)
Fintan James
Liev Archer

Opinions or suggestions welcome. I'm not super married to anything yet. I want something not overly common (I had Noah on the list but its much too popular) but simple and handsome. I want something original I guess but not out there, which I'm sure is what everyone wants but with boys it's tough!! Appreciate all and any advice!

I love Rhett, Hudson and wyatt are great too

"Was really wanting a girl, but I'm settling into the idea of having a boy."

Well, It's a case of having to 'settle'' into the idea, I guess.

Out your list I love
Fintan James and Elliot Reese.

Are you American, OP? These are very WASPish names - not that there's anything wrong with that.

I have a 6 year old Sullivan, his middle names are John and Timothy after his granddads.

But Sullivan Jack is a good name!

It is a case of having to settle into the idea, yes. I just mean like I'm getting more excited about planning the nursery/room, the baby shower, some birthday themes, etc. Altering my mind away from girl fantasies to boy realities if that makes sense.

Yeah I'm American! I guess it's that obvious!! Open to suggestions that dont sound as WASP-y... although maybe I do have a certain taste, I guess I'm discovering that! Thank you for the feedback so far!!

Oohh Sullivan Jack - thank you, I really like that!

I'm British but live in the Caribbean, both my boys have surnames for firstnames.

My Sullivan has an older brother called Carter so you could always go with Sullivan Carter!

OP, nothing wrong with being American My DH is American and I've lived in the US for almost twenty years. I would imagine your names to be quite popular in the northeast. Good luck with the naming!

Thank you!! Yeah I guess there are naming cultural differences I didnt think about. I like this forum because its active and most the names on here I see are popular in the US also so I really didnt think about it. I think certain names are always in style or some trends are universal! Maybe the last name as first name thing is more popular in the US, which I dont always love btw! A few work for me but not all! I do like Hudson. It's an iconic river in the US so that's more of my association. And Callahan and Callister - I just really love the nickname Cal but I'm not a fan of Calvin - I have an association with an ex's dad with that name who didnt take very good care of himself. I guess Heston also, it goes well with our last name but it doesn't seem like the most legitimate name. I also know someone who named her son Keston, which really dont like and I dont like that they rhyme! So anyway- just brainstorming and looking for suggestions and opinions! Again much appreciated!!

Sorry I did look and think they were very American but just read you're American so that makes sense!
You said you like Cal as a nick name so why not try Calum? Caleb?

DS is called Milo and he's very much handsome

I think Elliot and Leo are trending too much - your going to end up with tones of them.....I like Levi Archer and Archer Lachlan personally.

Altering my mind away from girl fantasies to boy realities if that makes sense.

Yeah, because having a child is ALL about the decor and the baby shower themes

Wow, I never said it was. I just always pictured a girl is all. Definitely had more names in mind for girls. To get back to the actual point...

I love Elliott and Leo but they are rather popular, I agree. I've tried to like Callum - maybe it will grow on me. Thank you for the suggestion.

Callister sounds too feminine.
Love Archer and Liev.

Castiel if you like the sounds in Callister?

My husband's name is Alan - which is why I think Callahan sounds too similar. And I think I'm having the same problem with Callum. It also kinda sounds like Golam or column. I want to like it and the combo Callum Ezra is quite lovely - but I just have too many reservations.

Yeah I'm trying to like Callister. I know it comes from McCallister. Somehow Mc/Mac names became feminine (like Mackenzie). I'm not a fan of the Mc/Mac part.

I think my top runners may be Marshall and Rhett.

Thoughts on Rhett Callahan or Marshall Breccan?

I love the name Leo, I also love Curtis, Carter. Lucas, Dexter. Have fun choosing.

Hmmm I think Castiel sounds too much like Castle but Cassiel I actually find intriguing! Not sure it flows with our last name but I kinda like Cassiel. Definitely on my mind now!

Thank you! I like Leo too - it's one if those few names for me that even if its really popular it's still a contender!

Eh, I thought I'd have a girl, found out at 18 weeks I was having a boy. So I get where you're coming from. Once he's here you'll forget all about it. I love my wee guy. We toyed with Greyson but I thought it was a bit american. We went with Reuben in the end. From your list I think my favourite is Rhett. But that could be country music clouding my judgement.

I read the list and was taken beck to my youth when I used to enjoy watching (and reading) Western films (and novels)
Strange how very different names can be in 2 Countries that, on the surface, speak the same language (I'm in the UK).

My taste may be a little "cowboy" haha, I get it! I don't mind it personally. Rhett Akins and son Thomas Rhett are country singers but I actually think about Gone with the Wind, which is more sophisticated I think!

Marshall means "love of horses" or "one who looks after horses," which I actually really love.

To me Wyatt is the ultimate "cowboy" type name buy in the US it's also used for girls now which I think has softened it some. I still prefer it for a boy personally.

Thank you for understanding what I was trying to say @mylittlesandwich. Exactly!

Greyson is a cool name but trending in the US so you were correct. Reuben is a solid name- we have two friends named Reuben!

Cowboy is good!

OP, if your last name is a bit of a mouthful then a 'simple' middle name isn't the answer - that makes no difference to anyone. Callister Mouthful-Surname is all 95% of his acquaintances will ever know.

If you need to offset the surname, have Callister as the middle and a simple first name. If you really want a Cal, Callum would be perfect, but if you're into the American WASP-meet cowboy vibe, you could even be creative?

Calson
Calney
Calton.

Cass names are great. Cassiel, Cassius, Casey would be good?

From your list I like Rhett, Wyatt and Fintan, and would suggest:

Erland
Heath
Thurston

Thank you for the suggestions! I just thought about Lachlan, which I am adding to the list! I really love it!

How about Cailean? It's a Scottish name (Gaelic for Colin) pronounced Callan. It's one of my favourite names. Can use Cal or Caley as nicknames.