View Message

Please help!!! Considering using the middle name(s) for our twins. Is it a bad idea?
Please help a sleep-deprived, overly-obsessed mom!!! I've never posted on this board, but I'm hoping for some advice/opinions, particularly from people who have experience with being called by their middle name. Would you do this to your child, or do you think it's not worth the aggravation, even if it solves other naming issues? That's my short question. If you care to give some advice or comment on our potential name choices, read on (warning: LONG).My situation is this: my identical twin girls are 5 weeks old but STILL don't have names. My husband and I have gone around and around in circles. We have 3 older children: a son Connor, and two daughters named Shannon and Kiara. Our last name is one syllable and begins with Z.The four names at the top of our list are: Alana, Sienna, Fallon and Chloe. Each of these names has some drawbacks, and some initial combinations seem undesirable. ALANA - I would not use as a middle name, since it's essentially the same name as Alaina, which I used as a middle name for my daughter Kiara. At the time, I thought I might never have another girl, and so used one of my favorite names for a middle name. I never dreamed that I would have TWO more girls. While I wouldn't be comfortable using the identical name for one of our twins, I am OK with the idea of using a variation (Alana) as a first name. I like that it would give a unique first initial, isn't trendy, has potential nicknames (Allie or Lana), and shares a similar background to the names of my older children. (My grandparents were all Scottish, but I prefer the sound of Irish and Welsh names - heck, at least it's the same part of the world). I don't particularly like the fact that it would be a second name with the "ah" ending, but most of my favorite names have that sound on the end... I am aware of how it looks spelled backwards.Sienna - I LOVE the sound of this name, and I have favorable memories of the beautiful Italian city Siena. I'm not crazy about the fact that it's trendy and most people will associate the name with the color, the minivan or the actress, before the city. It also starts with the same letter as Shannon, ends with the same letter/sound as Kiara and doesn't have any obvious shortforms/nicknames (all negatives, in my opinion). But, as I said before, I LOVE the sound, and my husband prefers it to Alana.Fallon - both my husband and I like the sound of this name - perhaps because of its similarity to Shannon, or maybe because the "lon" syllable sounds like the "lan" in the middle of Alana. I actually think Alana and Fallon make a nice set because of this connection. It also would give a unique initial. On the other hand, Fallon is a rare name that hasn't been popular since the '80s. and was apparently only popular then because of a character on Dynasty (a show I never watched). And some people seem to think of phallic or phallus, when they hear it??? My husband prefers this name to Alana.Chloe - my husband's favorite name, but one that I have grown to dislike. I don't like the "cl" sound, the "w" sound (repeated in our last name), and the "ee" sound on the end. I don't mind the "ee" ending in a nickname, I just don't like it in a formal name. I also don't like that there are NO shortforms/nicknames for it (except negative ones like cloaca), and that it is VERY popular right now. I do not want to CALL either of my daughters by this name, but it would be nice for my husband if it was either a middle name, or a first name where the child was called by the middle name.Whew... I know, WAY too much detail!!! Here is what we are trying to decide between:Alana Chloe and Sienna Fallon - called Alana and Fallon, a middle nameAlana Chloe and Fallon Sienna - called Alana and Fallon (avoids middle name but doesn't flow as well)Alana Chloe and Sienna Fallon - called Alana and Sienna (a little similar for my taste, since I don't favor obvious twin names. Also, this would give THREE names ending with the "ah" sound, which seems over-the-top. Does avoid the middle name problem, though, and uses my two favorite individual names out of the four)Alana Fallon and Chloe Sienna - called Fallon and Sienna (both middle names)Alana Fallon and Sienna Chloe (gives the initials SCZ) - called Fallon and SiennaAlana Fallon and Sienna Skye - called Fallon and SiennaFallon Taye and Sienna Skye - called Fallon and Sienna, and avoids the middle name problem, but doesn't incorporate either Alana or ChloeIf you're still with me, any comments, opinions? Since we can't seem to decide, and the days are ticking along, I would appreciate any help!!!
Archived Thread - replies disabled
vote up1

Messages

Please help!!! Considering using the middle name(s) for our twins. Is it a bad idea?  ·  Mom2five  ·  9/14/2006, 6:00 PM