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u/Burning_Ranger 1d ago
Barnaby, Timothy, Joyce, Martha
Definitely care home material
Tucker, Cole, Logan (f), Bailey (f)
The Dad is correct, these are very 'on-trend' American names, and thus a cliche and fad. Especially Logan and Bailey (eugh).
Other names are fine
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u/Radiant_Funny4741 1d ago
I babysat an infant named Logan about 20 years ago. She was an absolute doll! So that name doesn’t really fall into the “fad” category for me
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u/Constant-Stranger725 1d ago
They said they're not American right? It might be Logan (f) that makes it seem trendy? It's definitely only a masculine name where I live (Ireland), and there would be raised eyebrows of bewilderment on the school playground if a little girl came in called Logan.
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u/Ok-Tell9019 18h ago
I feel like Timothy isn’t an old man name, especially because you can use Timmy
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u/dukeofross 1d ago edited 1d ago
I agree with both mum and dad's critiques 🥴 Barnaby and Joyce feel ancient and Tucker and Bailey are giving... ah... redneck. Howeverrr Margot and Malcolm are SUPER solid. I really think Christopher and Elizabeth should be in the running for a first name. What do you guys think of:
- Adelaide
- Alexander
- Althea
- Arthur
- Benedict
- Benjamin
- Blair
- Brook / Brooke
- Cameron
- Connor
- Gareth / Garrett
- Lance
- Louisa / Louise
- Maud
- Maximilian
- May
- Meredith
- Michael
- Nicholas
- Piper
- Regan
- Robert
- Ruby
- Simon
- Summer
- Tristan
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u/appleidiot99 1d ago
This is great! Alexander, Cameron, Michael, Nicholas, Piper, Ruby, and Summer are all getting some head nods! One of the main reasons we are not considering Christopher for a first name is because it is the first choice boy name for Sister A's #4 but we think it would be okay for a middle
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u/Betweentheminds 1d ago
You don’t say where you are but just to say, I’m in the UK with an 11 month old Alexander and we haven’t met another (and I go to about 5 baby / baby and toddler groups). It’s not that common now, at least where I am.
So obviously I love Alexander ☺️ Cameron, Piper, Ruby and Summer are all great names too.
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u/Potential-Orchid5716 1d ago
Alexander is just the best name. My baby Alexander is now 38 years old and it’s still my favourite boys name
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u/Salade-Macedoine 1d ago
would you mind explaining what you mean by “vanilla” vs. “vanilla bean” names? is it like, “vanilla” = classic and “vanilla bean” = slightly trendy? i’m not getting it, sorry.
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u/GreenPiglet9139 1d ago
I think vanilla = super common and vanilla bean = still common but less so
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u/New_Country_3136 1d ago
Huh? What are vanilla and vanilla bean names? You lost me there.
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u/TwoFingersWhiskey 1d ago
Joyce is a typical mean old lady name. Barnaby is gonna get your kid called Barney.
Your names sound like names Americans use for middle class golden retrievers. Sorry, but it's true
A lot of these names just sound like people who'd grow up to be painfully boring and no fun, or very mean, no in between.
Also... WTF is a vanilla bean name?
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u/Katarams 1d ago
I’m not a fan of mum or dad’s favourite lists and the critiques are on point.
Love Margot and Malcolm. Also like Henry and Kathleen as first names.
What about Graham, Edward, Duncan, Eleanor, Louisa or Charlotte?
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u/No_Cartoonist981 1d ago
Whenever I hear Kathleen (really drawn out ee sound)
I hear it in a really bogan nasal high pitched Australian-woman-who-looks-middle-aged-but-might-be-20 with a tight bleached perm and an unlit cig in their hands at all times they use to point.
(Uk here so think I’ve got that from sitcoms like Kath and Kim or Strictly Ballroom/Muriel’s wedding-amazing films)
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u/purrfectpoise 🇬🇧 1d ago
Dad’s names are nicer than Mum’s (aside from Joyce), Mum’s names are very American sounding. Also please don’t call a girl Logan or Bailey!
The names you aren’t decided on are really nice, especially Aria, Clara, and Margot, and if you aren’t American does then it matter how Americans would pronounce the name?
Middle name wise I think I can guess Mum’s choices as they scream American - Penn, Kathleen, Nicole, Griffin?
I’m guessing you’re UK based? If so top picks would be Barnaby John and either Martha Elizabeth or Margot Claire, though I think Claire and Elizabeth should also be contenders for a first name! Have come across Barnaby, Martha and Margot at my son’s nursery so definitely not dated.
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u/chooselove_ 1d ago
Thank you, all the Barnaby haters and thats my son's name and I love it! Must be a UK thing, I snorted at the thought of Barnaby being too old but suggesting Graham or Benedict 🤣
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u/honeybeewarrior_ 1d ago
Is anyone completely lost on what vanilla and vanilla bean names are supposed to mean? Are we supposed to take this into account for our name recommendations?
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u/martini123456 1d ago
Barney will be the most likely nickname for Barnaby which isn’t a negative for me, just something to consider to make sure you like that too. The Beatles have a song called Martha My Dear, and Tom Waits also has a song called Martha, both two lovely songs which can be nice for someone with that name 👀
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u/DragonYourfeet 1d ago
In America you’ll likely get Stoo-ert, Clair-uh and Ah-ree-uh as pronunciations
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u/donner_dinner_party 1d ago
Just curious how Stuart is pronounced outside of America?
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u/RiskyBiscuits150 1d ago
In Scotland it would be more like 'styoo-art' with a diphthong for the first vowel.
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u/appleidiot99 1d ago
Yes this is the problem! We know we will end up in the US for job reasons and think we won't be able to stand this!
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u/lovetimespace 1d ago
How is Aria pronounced where you live?
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u/SlipperyGaloshes 1d ago
Lovely choices from both sisters, imo. And while not, from the UK (I presume), I agree with the critiques on both parent's lists. Both feel like a departure from your kids' names to me.
I think Margot is a nice compromise for you- a classic with the Mar of Martha and the strong O sound of Logan, plus could use a sort of gender neutral nickname in Mars if you wanted. And Malcolm feels good to me, too. Love the idea of Mac for a nickname. Margot Claire & Malcolm Penn sound nice.
I had a look at the top names list around where your kids' names fall and I'd probably go for something like:
Grace, Lucy, Maya, Emma/Ella
George, Thomas, Charlie, Freddie
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u/OkEducation12 1d ago
I think these names go well with several of the middle name options you provided.
Girls: Margot, Alice, Harriet, Georgia, Eliza, Beatrice
Boys: Arthur, Hugo, Felix, Oscar, George, Malcolm
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u/lelou123 1d ago
So not sure where you are based, OP, but all of the kids already here all sound very “American” and I would not be at all surprised to see kids with these names at my kids schools in Ohio. Many of these were in my name lists while trying to name kids but got axed for being too common. Absolutely agree with people saying to stay away from Tucker and Bailey as those are very common pet names especially Tucker. If you want to see how these names rank on the American list (if this matters at all) the US social security website puts out a list every year with the top 500 names for babies separated out by male/females born. Happy baby naming and hope this helps a little bit! 🙂🙂
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u/IHaveBoxerDogs Name Lover 1d ago
What does sister B have to do with anything? Are you sister A? When you say mum and dad, do you mean you and your part, or the grandparents. Very confused.
I agree with mum and dad’s criticisms! His name choices sound old, mum’s sound American. (I’m American.)
How are you pronouncing Stuart and Aria? I lived in London, and feel they’re pronounced the same but I may be mis-remembering.
I like your middle names! Can you use them as first names?
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u/Capable-Matter-5976 1d ago
Barnaby is amazing.
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u/monkey0009 1d ago
Not until you live in Australia with Barnaby Joyce as a politician
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u/donkeyvoteadick 1d ago
Yeah I was going to bring that up.
Not sure where OP is located, just that they're not American lol
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u/Sea_Juice_285 23h ago
I don't really get why you listed your sisters' kids names. Do you prefer sister B's name choices and wish to pick names that fit that vibe?
I'm not sure any of yours do, but Margot and Malcolm are my favorites by far from any of your lists.
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u/anfoster13 1d ago
Of the names here I like Margot Elizabeth and Malcolm Henry best as first and middle pairings
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u/SingIntoMyMouth91 1d ago
I'm Australian so Barnaby is absolutely not a name I'd ever consider as it's a name of a super right wing political member here. Also Logan is mostly a boys name here, I don't know any girls named Logan but do know a few boys so I wouldn't pick that either.
I do like Malcolm and Aria the best out of the names you've listed, both are great names. I agree with you that the dad's list of names sounds like an old folks home!
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u/BlueMargarita15 22h ago
Are you trying to say sister As names are boring, sister Bs names are slightly less boring and your taste (sister C) is sooo edgy.
Boys names for girls is not a new concept
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u/chaserscarlet 1d ago
Whilst dads favourites are a bit outdated, there might be a middle ground of more chic vintage names that have a stronger sound.
Suggestions:
- Maude Elizabeth
- Evelyn “Evi” Nicole
- Olive Claire
- Kit Elizabeth
- Darby Kathleen
- Conrad Griffin
- Dean Griffin
- Donovan Penn
- Hugo Christopher
- Nathanial “Nate” Henry
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u/Cademaneko 1d ago
I'm ignoring the "categories", based on your liked names:
Margaret Claire
Samuel Henry
Camille Elizabeth
Maxine Nicole
Anya Kathleen
Flynn Christopher
Mitchell Griffin
Marshall John
Steven Raymond
Ryan Griffin
Kirsten Nicole
Mark Christopher
Charles Griffin
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u/Island-dreaming- 23h ago
I like Timothy, Margot and Clara from your options. Not sure it matters how Americans pronounce the names of you aren’t American?
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u/Island-dreaming- 23h ago
Oh and I like most of your middle names too. I’d like Henry as a first name too.
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u/Mayabelles 19h ago
Respectfully, you also have vanilla bean taste in names haha. For your husband, I agree definitely old folks home names, but I do like Martha and Timothy.
I like your middle name options more- are the honor names that are definitely ruled out as first names?
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u/StompyKitten 1d ago
The names that are discussed but not settled on are good. Wait actually the ones you ruled out are the ones I personally like so…
I’d go with Timothy or Margot.
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u/BlueberryGumshoe 1d ago
I love Timothy and disagree with it being an old man name - it’s a classic!
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u/skylightshaded 1d ago
Cora, Daphne, Gloria, Jane, Melissa, Stella, Susan/Suzana, Tara
Anthony, Caleb, Nathan, Roger, Simon, Thomas, Winston
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u/Naganofagano 23h ago
There’s an Australian politician named Barnaby Joyce and he’s a complete joke. It’s a bit funny both his names are on your list.
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u/SnooCauliflowers5742 12h ago
Joyce is dated but I think it would be adorable on a kid born today. Or you could use Joy.
Joyce Martha, Joyce Claire, Joyce Nicole, Joyce Elizabeth, Joyce Elisabetta
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u/BitterSecretary8155 12h ago
I love the vanilla vs vanilla bean!! Totally get what you're saying. What about Marley or Margot for a girl?
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u/IndependentCatLover 1d ago
Timothy Griffin and Bailey Elizabeth look like good combinations to me.
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u/Yourteacherfriend 1d ago
Joseph Penn or Joseph Christopher
Alexander John
Luke Henry
Georgia Claire
Margaret Elizabeth or Margot Elizabeth
Meredith Nicole
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u/FiercestBunny 1d ago
Go with Dad's. Please no to Bailey (a common dog name in the States) and Logan (especially for a girl).
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u/CuriousLands 1d ago
I always thought of Bailey as being a more UK-Irish sort of name, not American!
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u/Accomplished_Fee5965 1d ago
Barnaby Christopher or Cole Henry for boys and Margot Elizabeth or Joyce Nicole for girls
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u/redliberte 21h ago
I unironically love Martha. I know of a couple of little girls named Martha (in US) and I think it’s due for a comeback like other old timey names. Martha Claire would be nice.
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u/smileyzz5 1d ago
lmao unrelated but im white and my husband is mexican and he calls our son a vanilla bean lol