Name advice for baby boy due in three weeks!

[classicaldad]

I'm a longtime lurker, first-time-in-several-years poster.  DW and I are expecting our second in a few weeks (official due date is 7/29.)  DD is five and a half, and child #2 will be a boy.  While we’ve never had trouble agreeing on girls’ names we like, such has not been the case for boys’ names.

For reference, DD is Simone Graciela (MN is after DW’s grandmother from Colombia.)  Our tastes run toward the uncommon but still familiar (think 400-700 in the SSN’s top 1000 list.)

We’ve narrowed our boys’ names to these:

Forrest (MN Paul or Charles, two of my uncles)

-Positives: The current frontrunner, and DW's top choice.  Pleasant and easygoing, suggesting nature, and fairly nickname-proof.

-Negatives: I can’t help but hear the quote from ‘Forrest Gump’: “Run, Forrest, Run.”

Apollo (MN Charles)

-Positives: Bold and assertive, unusual but not overly so.  Also fairly nickname-proof.

-Negatives: Hard to imagine in everyday usage.  Also, could it be seen as pretentious to name your son after a god?

Cyrus (MN Paul)

-Positives: This was our frontrunner until a few weeks ago, and still my top choice.  It’s strong but pleasant, familiar but not common.

-Negatives: What knocked it out of the top spot was the possibility of the taunt ‘Cyrus the Virus’ .  There’s also the potential nickname ‘Cy’, which we’re not fond of.

We’ve also discussed Desmond (MN Charles or Paul) and Cedric (MN Paul), but they are a notch below these top three.

So, what does the Mothering community think?  Does one of these sound especially like the brother of a Simone?  Is “Cyrus the Virus” really so horrible?  Is the movie “Forrest Gump” even in the frame of reference of today’s children?  Is Apollo just a bit too audacious?

Thanks in advance!

[stellabluz]

I like Apollo~ and Cyrus. I don't think the virus thing would come up very often. It's not a real "kid" word ya know~ And I really like Desmond, think it sounds nice with Simone.

[artekah]

My DH also voted for Apollo Charles. I think they're all good choices though (I'm not personally a fan of Cyrus but love the others) and your list is short enough that you could wait till you see the baby to decide which one suits him best.

[sosurreal09]

I love Cyrus and Desmond. I would stay far far away from Forrest Gump lol (but that is just me)

I kinda like Cyrus Charles...instead of Paul

[HidaShara]

Originally Posted by radicaleel 

My DH also voted for Apollo Charles. I think they're all good choices though (I'm not personally a fan of Cyrus but love the others) and your list is short enough that you could wait till you see the baby to decide which one suits him best.

[classicaldad]

Thanks so much for the feedback!  The positive reception to Apollo here has me feeling pretty good about it, especially since I just can't get enthusiastic about Forrest, though it's a fine name.  DW is still convinced that the Cyrus/Virus thing would be a real problem at some point, so that name might be off the board.

As far as Desmond and Cedric go - the main thing keeping them from top contender status are, respectively, the possible NN "Desi" and the possible pronunciation "SEE-drick" (we prefer "SED-rick".)  They are definitely still in the running, though.

All in all, we'll probably wait until we meet the little guy before making the final decision, and see if one of these names just "clicks".

Thank you again, and all the best!

[34me]

My first thought when I here Apollo is Apollo Ono.  perfectly respectable athlete.

[classicaldad]

Yes, we definitely enjoyed watching Apolo Ohno (I believe he spells it with one 'L') over the last few winter games.  An Olympic champion, and a local guy as well - a very positive association!

[SuburbanHippie]

I love the name Desmond Charles.    The nickname Desi wasn't even on my radar.  The name Desmond reminds me of Lost.