View Message

I had a classmate named Howard in school (mid 1980s). He was a really good skateboarder. He went by Howie.

---

The name was unusual, and memorable to me, maybe because of that. But, the name did not sound good, or interesting. It sort of was just barely there. It was bizarre that a kid his age would be named Howard. It never seemed to become cool for its unusualness or retroness ... no matter how cool Howie himself was, he could not make the name cool. His coolness only prevented it from being dorky.

---

Then there was Howard Jones, who also managed to be a Howard when he should not have been, without anyone noticing his name was Howard. It's almost like the name just hides in plain sight, like it's ... invisible. It seems even more invisible than John or Michael, but it's still less forgettable.

---

I wouldn't worry about it rhyming with coward.
I personally prefer Harold and Hayward.
I like the combo with Laurie. Spiffy!
I think it clashes with some sexier names, but gets along with others.
Howard Rex, Howard Casper = clashes
Howard Xavier = not bad. miles better than, say, Howard William or Howard James
Howard Horatio = hmmm. It's bad like that, but as a full name, with a surname, it's not too bad.
Howard Jacob, Howard William = I just about forgot them before I got finished typing them. blah.
Howard Ferdinand = good
Howard Christian = good

---

- mirfak