Selecting a name for your child is more than just picking a favourite; it’s about considering all the implications.
When choosing a baby name, there are numerous factors to take into account. For instance, does the desired name inadvertently spell out any unfortunate acronyms when combined with a middle name and surname initial? Or could the beloved name have a potential nickname that might be used mockingly by peers?
One expectant mother is facing this dilemma after realising the name she had in mind for her son would be a terrible match with the surname he will inherit. She has been diligently searching for an alternative that won’t leave her son vulnerable to teasing at school, but finding the right fit is proving challenging.
In a Reddit post, the mum shared that she initially wanted to name her son either Harrison or Holden. However, the issue lies with her “unfortunate” family name – Cox. She feels Holden is completely off the table, and Harrison might invite jokes involving the word “Hairy” in conjunction with their last name.
She expressed her concern: “So my husband and I are having a little boy, and he unfortunately doesn’t love my top boy name. This was totally fine with me as I had other names on my list, but unfortunately, I’m worried that little bub will get made fun of if we use the other two names we like.
“For context, our last name is Cox, and the two names that we like are Harrison and Holden. My husband brought to my attention that when he gets older, other kids may tease him and call him Harry Cox or Holding Cox, and my heart can’t handle the thought of him getting made fun of because we decided to stick him with a name.”
The mum revealed her husband has put forward names like Weston or Waylon, while she’s leaning towards Emmett or Elliott. Yet, neither of them can agree on the other’s preferences. She confessed they are now “struggling to find names” that they both approve of, feeling their “brains are all named out”. The post quickly attracted comments reassuring the mum there are plenty of names that complement the surname well.
Nonetheless, some pointed out that children can be mean, and finding something to tease about a name isn’t difficult, hinting her son might face mockery either way.
One commenter mentioned: “I used to have a classmate with the same surname as yours, and his first name is James. No one seems to have said anything about his name, and he’s well-liked, although that’s not because of his name, of course!”
Another chimed in: “Oddly enough, I do know a Cox family, and one of the boys I grew up with is Harrison Cox. He always went by Harrison, and it suited him so well. I’m sure there will always be the jerks in school who make immature and annoying comments, but really, it all dies down. What I’m trying to say is that if you love the name, go for it.”
Meanwhile, another individual suggested: “I thought of Jameson, it’s kind of similar to Harrison but without the unfortunate nickname. You could shorten it to James or Jamie, and I don’t think Jameson Cox sounds inappropriate or silly.”