Thoughts on the name Lincoln

[sassysuspenders]

Hi all. Long time reader/lurker first time poster

I am 6 months pregnant with my first child (DS) and I am naming him Lincoln with the middle name Edward or James. There's no familial ties to the name, I just love it and it goes well with my surname. But my ex - who I was with for four years, has told me he was leaving and wanted nothing to do with me or baby. Now he's suddenly decided the name is crap and demanded I change it because it won't go with his last name

Oh I had to laugh at that. I really did. But I was just wondering, what does everyone think of the name Lincoln? I get it might be too old fashioned but my own name is very old fashioned (I'm named after my Grandma who was named after a flower)

Please forgive me for any spelling errors. I'm having a proper good giggle at my ex as I write this

Well, it doesn't matter that Lincoln doesn't go with your Ex's surname, because your son will have your surname instead now won't he? (after all, you aren't married? and having a different surname to your son could be a hassle if you take him abroad).

As for Lincoln itself, I can't really say I'm a fan (I'm not generally keen on the surname as a given name thing) but he'll fit right in with all the Finley's, Elliott's and Mason's, so I can't see a problem. I love Edward and James though and Jacob is quite nice too.

I have a friend in the US who had a Lincoln 6mo ago and It's not for me tbh... I definitely don't think it's old-fashioned, more that it's one of these new hip American boy names. Or I think of a black and white image of Abraham Lincoln.

I’m afraid I don’t like it, I associate it with the trend for American surname style names for boys - Jackson, Carter, Cooper etc. I don’t see it as old fashioned but more of a modern trend that came from the US and which I personally don’t like.

Agree. Not keen. Lincoln is a city or a car not a person!

I like it. Reminds me of the Lincoln Rhyme character in Jeffrey deaver books

It’s not old-fashioned. It’s a modern American-style name. I don’t like it personally, but it’s inoffensive.

It's awful.

I took the time to read through thread and my mind changed so many times!

At first I thought "God no".
Then "I quite like Lincoln James... it's like a F-you to the norm!"
But I ended on "ooh, actually it is a bit American surnamey, like Jackson or Jaxon" which I'm not a fan of. 🤔

I say go for it if you love it. James as a middle name and DEFINITELY use your surname. Unreliable Dads that ditch their families don't deserve the privilege of claiming names imo.

I’m not a fan, sorry. With the hard ‘k’ sound in the middle, it’s too harsh sounding. It’s not old fashioned at all, if anything it’s a bit try-hard and trendy and it might date badly. But definitely, whatever first name you pick, do it for you, don’t listen to your ex and give the baby your surname!

I really like it and I’m normally not keen on any name that isn’t Uber traditional.

Use it.

I don't see how it's "old fashioned". It feels quite the opposite to me - agree with the poster who said it fits with the American surname trend. But as surname-names go, I'd say it is one of the better ones. I can't see any problems with it.

Funny about the ex's surname business though; good for you

I don’t generally like place names (have pretty classic er boring taste in names) or surnames but I like Lincoln. It feels kind of Elizabethan to me and more a proper name than many similar.
I wouldn’t choose it myself but so what !
Congrats op.

It’s an absolutely fine name. Reminds me a bit of Prison Break but probably most people will think of the place. Your ex sounds like he’s just trying to upset you and be controlling if he previously liked the name.

I think Lincoln James is much nicer than Lincoln Edward for some reason.

State capital of Nebraska - if you have links to the us you’ll know some of the nebraska jokes - as always mix of truth and stereotype and lies.
Luckily if he ends up with us links most will think Abraham before nebraska which may be a joke in itself.

Afraid I’m not keen. First there’s the northern town meaning - would you call him Doncaster or Scunthorpe? Then there’s the surname as first name trend. (Not old fashioned.) Lastly what if it’s shortened to Lin instead of Linc?
I much prefer Jacob, Edward or James. Also if your ex hates it I would take that into account a little bit. Don’t give DS his surname of course but if he’s likely to be in DS’s life it would be a shame to choose a name he really hates.

This was my top boys name for ages until a teacher friend of mine said that there was a Lincoln in her class who got nicknamed stinkon Lincoln which put my husband off, I still love it tho

I normally hate names which are surnames or places, but I really like Lincoln.

I teach a Lincoln and I think it's a lovely name.
And nobody shortens it to 'Linc' ... :/

I love the name Lincoln. It was on my shortlist for DS.

I love Lincoln James. Lincoln Edward sounds like Lincoln Nedward if you say it quickly, so on that note, I love Lincoln James.

I've only heard of the character in Prison Break and also a friend of a friend has a 3-4yo DS named Lincoln. I think it would be unusual. Not old fashioned though. Nothing wrong with it at all.

Do not give him your ex's surname!

Id prefer the double-barrelled middle name of six-echo.

Call him whatever you want. But definitely your surname. I teach in a multi cultural school and nobody bats an eyelid at children’s names. Even the ones who are colours. Unless it is a normal name with a unique spelling, of course.

I love it, it was on my final boys name list!

I don't mind it but love the nn Link.

I like it a lot.

It's not to my taste but if you love it go for it and definitely use your surname!

I think Lincoln James flows better than Lincoln Edward.

Lincoln is a nice city too with a lot of history and a lovely castle and cathedral. So it's not like you've used a place name where the place is awful.

I have a friend with a son called Lincoln, I think it's a nice name - also falls into the 'not wacky but not everywhere' category, which is a bonus.