Braven

[JuliaMcFly]

Two days ago I gave birth to my little boy. We have no name picked out as we were told he was a girl, but I just keep coming back to the name Braven. Do you think this name is too out there?

I looked it up and it is a name, although clearly not a popular one on MN.

But I don't think it sounds bad, you should use it if you like it OP.

Just out of interest, and no criticism intended, please where did you find 'Braven' listed as a name?

Braven doesn't appear in the very comprehensive Oxford Dictionary of First Names, for example www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780198610601.001.0001/acref-9780198610601

That's not the only reliable 'authority', of course - after all, who (except some governments, by their laws) has any power to decide that a word is a name and not a random word? But it contains many thousands of names, and can be a useful guide.

Anyway, as well as being the title of a movie featuring action heroes and drug-dealers, Braven is the name of an audio equipment brand.

And, perhaps more importantly, it's also the name of a leadership training and mentoring programe for BAME young people in the USA bebraven.org/

Beren? I know a beren. its Tolkien.

I actually quite like it but it is certainly very unusual and as people say, sounds a bit like a fantasy character. Also like a weird mash up of Raven (a girl's name) and Brave (a Disney film)... but I think it could work if you are OK with those associations.

Was also going to suggest Blaise. Brayden is a name.

Hmm just checked that Oxford dictionary and my son's name is not in there... Didn't think it was that unusual!

@ParadeOfRemotes

Hmm just checked that Oxford dictionary and my son's name is not in there... Didn't think it was that unusual!

In my opinion it’s not a great point of reference to use. My mother is approaching 80 and has a common Celtic name, it’s in there but says “modern name of unknown origin” which is laughable, it’s hundreds of years old! My father’s name isn’t in there and it is a definite name. I know lots of women aged 20-40 with my friend’s popular American women’s name and it’s not in there. Popular current children’s names like Honey, Luna, Kobe not in there either. 6000 names isn’t much really.

My son's is an ancient Celtic name so perhaps that explains it. I love a name book and still like to consult the ones we got when I was pregnant

The Oxford dictionary is woeful for Welsh names - neither variant of my DS's name, which as been around since the 6th century and is uncommon but far from unheard-of (particularly since the X Factor a few years back), is in there. Harrumph.

Congratulations on your new baby, OP. If you like the sound, I'd go for just Raven, as that's what most people will hear/assume he's called. Braven is kinda cool but he won't thank you for such an out-there name. At least then he could go by Ray if he hates it, whereas Braven would end up as Bray!

Braven doesn't appear in the very comprehensive Oxford Dictionary of First Names, for example

There were 3 babies called Braven in England and Wales in 2019:

names.darkgreener.com/#braven

It’s very unusual. I’d advise doing a bit more brainstorming about names, give it a few more days or a week, and see if you still feel the same way about Braven then.

I really like unusual names, but Braven just sounds wrong to me.

This is actually a person who will grow up and hate their name. Do not call him this made up name-there are literally thousands of much better names than that. Poor kid.

Er...no, just no.

Sorry but that’s hideous. Please don’t!

@JuliaMcFly

Seems like a no to the name Braven then.

Yep!!

Congratulations on his arrival - must have been quite a shock that he's a boy. They don't often get it wrong these days!

Definitely suggest you give it a few days before you pick a name. Tell anyone hassling you to bugger off!

What name had you picked when you expect to have a girl?

@LivingDeadGirlUK

Sounds like a Dwarf Paladin to me, they would roll tank spec for sure.

🤣 too true!

We had the name Xanthe Myla picked out for a girl but know we are completely stuck.

Now*

@JuliaMcFly

We had the name Xanthe Myla picked out for a girl but know we are completely stuck.

Xander Milo?

Not surprising that you're stuck.

I think Braven is okay but for names I think are similar but might work better:
Maxen
Stellan
Caelan
Adwin
Dorian
Gratian
Kellan
Lohan
Brennus
Brett
Bram

@juliamcfly Torin/Torren - Gaelic/Irish, means chief

Xander is good.

Bruno?

Not my cup of tea. I'm not into off-the-wall names anyway.

Absolutely beyond dire.

It's ok me love but honestly consider a little boy at school being teased because he's not brave. You know what kids are like (and adults). It's a brave choice but I think perhaps something else. Solomon? Sol? Elliott? Ellis? Lee?