Middle name for Nehemiah

[Teamustbefromateapot]

We are fairly set on Nehemiah for baby boy (nn Neo) and are looking for a middle name. Open to any and all suggestions please!

Neo (which is the Ancient Greek word for new and completely unrelated to Nehemiah) is a very odd shortening to choose for a Hebrew name.

Would you say the same about Jerry (word meaning a can for carrying petrol) for Jeremiah?

Shortenings are just sounds.

Yes, they are just sounds, but Neo just sounds so Greek to me that it stood out. Jerry/Gerry can be short for lots of names - Jeremy, Jeremiah, Gerard, Gerald, Jerome.

I’m possibly missing something historical/political about why a Greek-sounding shortening can’t go with a Hebrew name? For most people they are just two non-English ancient languages.

I'm with @Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g , Neo short for Nehemiah seems too different.
I don't say Nehemiah as Nee-um-eye-ah so it doesn't seem logical.

It looks like you chose a name and looked for a longer name for it. Neo seems a bit downmarket, and Nehemiah is a bit too Old Testament.

Jude
james
luke
thomas
jacob
daniel
joseph

I mean, you don’t get Nehemiah without Ezra!

John

I love Nehemiah. I used to know one who was known as "Knee-high" for short (probably not that spelling), which was fun for a small child but I don't imagine it stayed with him into adulthood! Definitely agree you need a short middle name, and possibly Joel if you wanted to stick to the OT prophets, or John otherwise. People so rarely use their middle names I honestly don't think it makes too much difference though, so long as the initials don't give them a problem.

As others have said, please choose a relatively short name. If you want to keep with the theme then maybe something like Thomas, John or Samuel.

Or pick the first name of a favourite uncle or grandfather.

I would assume it is pronounced Ne-KHEM-yah, as in Hebrew. Very surprised to discover the English pronunciation! I would also assume that you are Jewish/Israeli.

My first thought was Levi, and I also like the previous suggestion of Joel.

Should add, I think it's a top name. Neo is a disappointing nn for such a great name!

I would also say one syllable and I think James works nicely.

I'd go for a single syllable biblical name too: Mark, Luke, John, Saul, Seth.

That's really interesting. Do you mean "kh" as in something like the pronunciation of "ch" in the Scottish word loch or perhaps in chutzpah? Or the Russian letter X?

English people (well, except for Scousers) really don't use that "kh" sort of sound.

Yes, me too. Or Ne-Hem-iyah, since most non Hebrew speakers can't say the kh sound.

@Another2Cats yes like in chutzpa

But I don't actually know many or any Jewish people called Nechemiya altough if you google there are a few.

@Another2Cats , it's not really like the ch in scottish loch. I'd say it's more like 'kh'. If you've heard Mischal Hussein say 'Imran Khan', that's the sort of sound.

Dingle

Perfect, @JaneJeffer .

??????????

I'm sorry, but what?

Joseph

Is it like the kh in Arabic?

for the op, honestly not the best name, I automatically say it neh-muh-myah, which I realise is not how you’re meant to say it. It’s a wee bit of a mouthful. I hope you have a more simple last name. Definitely a short middle name.

Wayne

Kevin
Bob
Stewart