Howe, for a boy?

[aletterfromseneca]

Yes, I know it is much more common as a surname. It's the only one we like the sound of in both family's languages (English and Chinese). We've fallen in love with it, but have got cold feet and worry that it is blinding us.

I would opt for Howie, rather than How due to it being too regularly used as an everyday word.

Howie is unfortunately really ugly in Chinese imo. This is a minefield and I might have to give up on my hope of them just having one name tbh. Just hate listening to my in-laws debate which of the three mispronunciations of my name is correct (its none of them). Don't even get me started on the butchering my partner has to go through with their Chinese name here.

I think it would be better if you could spell it in a more Chinese way (Hao?) - then the association with the word how wouldn’t be as strong.

As PP mentioned regarding the novel Cloud Howe. It's also a Scots word for a hollow or valley.

Why not just go for a two syllable Chinese name and shorten it to something English? I work in China and know quite a few Chinese adults who do this instead of having two names. Or go with something like Zhou which sounds exactly like Joe, Chinese relatives could definitely pronounce that one!
Although I must say it sounds like your ILs are being deliberately awkward. I work with a lot of Chinese students and teachers, and native Chinese speakers can absolutely pronounce the English names!

I'd think of Geoffrey Howe the Tory politician but then I'm very old. Anyway, I think he will constantly have his leg pulled with "how, what where" sort of jokes. There must be another suitable Chinese that's easy to pronounce in English.

Your kid will spend his life having everyone thinking they're being incredibly funny and banging on about "How Now, Brown Cow?", How, How - How are you?, How do you do, How, etc. Don't do it to him.

I teach a Hao so would go for that spelling

Will isn’t much different.

Will Will

Kai - triumph - works in both English and Mandarin.

One of my sons best mates is a Howe, I think it’s a lovely name

I must be ancient. It reminds me of the kids’ programme ‘How’ ✋

What about Wai?

I think it’s fine, and assuming he looks of Asian heritage, people will assume there’s some sort of cultural link.

You could give him a longer made up name so Howe is what the family call him - I wouldn’t think twice of being introduced to a Howen or Howan for example. Howell might work but sounds like howl…

I don't think I have ever heard Howe as a first name.
It doesn't sound very nice though and I'd think again. If you like the sound of Howe how about Hugh which is an established name or Hugo , even Howard? Calling him Howe is just setting him up for lots of jokes and confusion eg
What's your name?
Howe
What do you mean How, I asked you what your name is
Howe is my name
I don't know how your name is as you haven't told me what it is etc.....

In my area - there is West Howe which is a very large estate where historically there has been lots of crime & ASB from dodgy types although plenty of nice ordinary people live there too. Currently the police are investigating a local woman’s murder.
Sorry OP but that would be my immediate first thought of the name - that he was conceived on / local to West Howe? I have never heard the name in any context except the place name. Oh yes I think there’s also High Howe which is nearby.

I think Hao (郝) is a Chinese surname and pronounced How. Could you use that?

I know someone popular and pleasant with the surname and we did joke 'Nihao, [name] Hao' but he/shee was OK with that (I hope).

This!
I think it needs to be Howard or something like else!

she not shee. I know the sex and gender of the person, but don't want to 'out' anyone.

The 'how' is only an approximation of the sound in chinese.

It is a very common name thou, and "what is your name" "will" makes sense. Howe causes confusion due to our language

I have know a 6 year old called "Surrender" which is horrifying but apparently nice in a native language and a slightly different meaning. But they live here and it makes playground games not so great for her.

Don’t do it

Name him Howard and call him Howe (or Howie).

Could you not spell it Hao? Then it's more obviously Chinese at least written down? Or adding a character so something like Haoran, Haoyu, so it's not like a question word in English?

This. It's not a name but a question.

Its not a name I would pick. However having been in the situation of needing names that worked in both languages I think it is a good choice. Due to that I say go for it.

(We needed Danish English names and it is SO hard)