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HelpHoward!
I'm smitten with Howard. I really like it because it ticks off lots of my boxes in terms of things I like in names (it's retro-fresh, endearingly dorky, has a cute nickname that I don't hate) and also, Ward is a family surname. Two birds, one name!
I've thought of a few combos - I'd love some feedback! (* = family name)
Howard Laurie, Howard Laurence (Laurie would be for my mom, Lori)
Howard William*
Howard Ferdinand*
Howard Rex
Howard Horatio*
Howard Jacob
Howard Casper
Howard Xavier
Howard Christian
I'm not sure if pairing Howard with a "sexier" or more hip and modern name makes it look better or a million times more dorky. Thoughts?
I've thought of a few combos - I'd love some feedback! (* = family name)
Howard Laurie, Howard Laurence (Laurie would be for my mom, Lori)
Howard William*
Howard Ferdinand*
Howard Rex
Howard Horatio*
Howard Jacob
Howard Casper
Howard Xavier
Howard Christian
I'm not sure if pairing Howard with a "sexier" or more hip and modern name makes it look better or a million times more dorky. Thoughts?
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Replies
Yes, Howard is wonderful! There was a lady on a board I used to frequent with a little Howard (I think he was a III or IV), and I thought it was so cute.
I like Howard Laurie, Howard William, Howard Rex, and Howard Christian. I think Howard can pull off a sexy/hip/modern middle name if it's the right one. The wrong one, like Horatio, sounds goofy and cartoonish. On the flip side, traditional/safe/classic middle names, like William, risk making Howard sound sort of boring. A modern-day Howard should never be boring.
I like Howard Laurie, Howard William, Howard Rex, and Howard Christian. I think Howard can pull off a sexy/hip/modern middle name if it's the right one. The wrong one, like Horatio, sounds goofy and cartoonish. On the flip side, traditional/safe/classic middle names, like William, risk making Howard sound sort of boring. A modern-day Howard should never be boring.
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I totally agree. No boring Howards allowed!
Thanks :)
Thanks :)
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Thanks!
it really does look pitiable with older dork names. You are so right
it really does look pitiable with older dork names. You are so right
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How could you possibly resist Howard Horatio?
DH's cousin married a very pleasant Howard - huge, rugby-playing accountant. They named their only son Christopher. I've no clue what Howard's mn name is or if he's even got one, but Howard Christopher has a certain ring to it.
DH's cousin married a very pleasant Howard - huge, rugby-playing accountant. They named their only son Christopher. I've no clue what Howard's mn name is or if he's even got one, but Howard Christopher has a certain ring to it.
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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
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
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Aw, you think it's really that forgettable? I thought myself it was juuuust musty enough to be quirkily unexpected again.
I'm glad Howard Laurie is getting a good reaction - it's my favourite :)
OOH HAYWARD IS FUN. I was like, well, I don't like Edward at all, and Howie is cute. But Hayward is really different! Maybe I should go investigate some other surnames for my Ward source....
Thanks!
I'm glad Howard Laurie is getting a good reaction - it's my favourite :)
OOH HAYWARD IS FUN. I was like, well, I don't like Edward at all, and Howie is cute. But Hayward is really different! Maybe I should go investigate some other surnames for my Ward source....
Thanks!
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Omg. I'd love to meet a little Howard! My vote is for Howard Laurence.
Some more names, just on a whim...
Howard Axl
Howard Blaze
Howard Cillian
Howard Draco
Howard Ezekiel
Howard Felix
Howard Griffin
Howard Harrison
Howard Indigo
Howard Joel
Howard Keir
Howard Logan
Howard Milo
Howard Nicodemus
Howard Odin
Howard Phoenix
Howard Quill
Howard Royce
Howard Sage
Howard True
Howard Valyrian
Howard Westley
Howard Xander
Howard Zane
Some more names, just on a whim...
Howard Axl
Howard Blaze
Howard Cillian
Howard Draco
Howard Ezekiel
Howard Felix
Howard Griffin
Howard Harrison
Howard Indigo
Howard Joel
Howard Keir
Howard Logan
Howard Milo
Howard Nicodemus
Howard Odin
Howard Phoenix
Howard Quill
Howard Royce
Howard Sage
Howard True
Howard Valyrian
Howard Westley
Howard Xander
Howard Zane
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Yay! I'm so glad there are others as pleased by the idea of a little Howard as me!
I really like these:
Howard Harrison - love how it skips and jumps along like an old man plating hopscotch
Howard Milo
Howard Nicodemus
Howard Odin - really enjoying the dichotomy of nerdy-powerful
Howard True - AWW so adorably earnest, my little poet
Howard Westley
Howard Zane
Thank you!
I really like these:
Howard Harrison - love how it skips and jumps along like an old man plating hopscotch
Howard Milo
Howard Nicodemus
Howard Odin - really enjoying the dichotomy of nerdy-powerful
Howard True - AWW so adorably earnest, my little poet
Howard Westley
Howard Zane
Thank you!
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I have seen it! I didn't remember that character, I was too busy ogling Captain America.
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I know two people called Howard - one 60-plus, the other 70-plus. It's a nice name - but I can't get past the "coward" teasing potential.
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Endearingly dorky is a good description. I immediately thought of a bumbling but well-meaning father-in-law. (Not mine, mine is a Roger.) Kind and a bit awkward, rambles quite a bit.
Cool way to include Ward. Although I think Howie is sweet as a nickname.
My favourites of your list:
Howard Laurence
Howard Jacob
Also decent:
Howard William
Howard Christian
Somewhat ridiculous:
Howard Rex
Howard Horatio
:)
My personal favourites:
Howard Avery
Howard Everett
Howard Montgomery!!
Howard Roman
Howard Tennyson
Howard Sullivan
Howard Emery
Howard Mackenzie
Howard Josias
Howard Bram
Cool way to include Ward. Although I think Howie is sweet as a nickname.
My favourites of your list:
Howard Laurence
Howard Jacob
Also decent:
Howard William
Howard Christian
Somewhat ridiculous:
Howard Rex
Howard Horatio
:)
My personal favourites:
Howard Avery
Howard Everett
Howard Montgomery!!
Howard Roman
Howard Tennyson
Howard Sullivan
Howard Emery
Howard Mackenzie
Howard Josias
Howard Bram
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