Auburn: boy name or girl name?

[Jaimee]

We are having a seriously hard time coming up with a boy name and since we don't know the gender, we need one of each!  If it's a girl, we're naming her Autumn.  We are desperately trying to find a boy name that is similar in meaning and spelling.  Auburn is the only one I can come up with.  While it is considered a unisex name, I feel it leans more toward the feminine side.  What do you think?

[jeninejessica]

I was DDC crashing from December, and I see that most people seem to be saying boy, but that shocks me honestly. I've only even known girls with the name. That said, I think it's a gorgeous girl name :)  I think you could find variations that would be more boyish- Auden I've heard before offhand, though I know there are others. 

[MrsSlocombe]

In this case, I would actually say boy, a rarity for me with new/invented/unisex names.  Maybe it's the masculinity inherent in the Auburn football team.

[Jaimee]

Yes, the Auburn football team... not the first time that has been mentioned!    Don't forget to actually vote in the poll!  Thanks!

[Brisen]

I voted either.  The Au beginning feels feminine to me, and the fact that it's a colour name, but the "burn" part feels masculine.  Probably because I know a guy who goes by Bern (sounds like burn), short for Bernard.  

[SilaMarila]

Would you consider August to be similar in meaning and spelling/sound? 

[MrsSlocombe]

Originally Posted by SilaMarila 

Would you consider August to be similar in meaning and spelling/sound? 

I would like to second this suggestion!  Sounds great.

[Jaimee]

Originally Posted by SilaMarila 

Would you consider August to be similar in meaning and spelling/sound? 

Yes... thanks for the suggestion!

[philomom]

Arden

Auburn is a hair color.. sorry.

[Jaimee]

Originally Posted by philomom 

Auburn is a hair color.. sorry.

Yes, a hair color, a color associated with the season of Autumn, etc.  I like that the spelling, sound, and meaning is very similar to Autumn, but I think I have to face the fact that it's largely considered a girl's name.
 

[Mom31]

I like arden to but I could see him being called ardie or denny//// not sure if you like those names.

[jeninejessica]

I like August! And to me that one says boy.

[KayPea]

Aurelius, meaning golden. Alliver, as an A variation of Oliver. Not super evocative of autumn-time, but it is tree-y. I do quite like August too, and while not autumn the season, definitely harvest! And I love the nickname Gus! Good luck!

[doularebekah]

I really like Auburn! I voted either way, even though it does have a bit of a feminine feel because I personally would be ok with that for a son. We're thinking of using Hazel for either boy or girl, despite the fact that it used the be a male name it's pretty exclusively used for females now but I like the old timey-ness of it. I feel the same about Auburn, and I also second the August vote!

[Jaimee]

Yeah, the nick names going along with some of the suggestion would not be my preference, that's for sure.  August... it feels some how very Roman Emperor to me and KayPea, you're right it is a harvest time, but not like fall.  August is very summery to me and it ain't summer anymore around here, that's for sure!   I feel so stumped!  This poor kid is going to be nameless if it's a boy.

[birdhappy85]

So are you 100% adamant that a son be named something fall-themed? I just came across the name Adler and thought I'd mention it since it at least starts with an A and sounds good with your other kids' names! Another one that came to mind is Aubrey. My sister had a male friend named Aubrey, so ever since then I kind of think of it as a unisex name... It actually originated as a boy's name too but became used as a girl's name more frequently over the years. But that one puts you in the same boat as Auburn with questioning how masculine it might sound.

What about if you use two names for your son? And by that I mean actually use his middle name when saying his first? You could give Auburn a more masculine middle name to even things out. I've found that middle names can really add a lot to a first name, or they can take away. In the case of Auburn, a monosyllabic middle name could complement it really well!

[birdhappy85]

I just have to add that the more I say Auburn out loud, it really does make me think of a boy more than a girl. Autumn just seems so girly, and Auburn does not. Maybe you just need to get used to using it? Especially with my prior suggestion, when you say it with a multitude of boy middle names, it really doesn't seem female AT ALL.

[Jaimee]

Thanks Joanie!  I'm not adamant on a fall-themed name, mostly adamant on an "A" name that has some meaning to it.  And by meaning it either has to have personal meaning (which obviously no one else can help us with) or it has to be associated with something related to this baby in particular and since it will be born in the fall season, that was what I latched onto when we chose Autumn.  So then I tried to go from there to find a boy name... to no avail.

Auburn, Auburn, Auburn...  I can kind of see it, but I'm not convinced and dh is definitely not convinced.  Ugh... I'm on Nymbler now searching and searching.

[birdhappy85]

I bet you're going to pop out a girl and you'll be hanging your head in frustration for a split second thinking of how much work went into choosing a boy name. We had such a hard time with boy names too, we were glad to find out ours is a girl so we could drop that subject until the next pregnancy. lol.

You'll find a good name soon, I'm sure of it!

[birdhappy85]

I'm totally into these A names now. I came across one more that seems like it would fit in your family.  Ames?  It means "friend."

I won't bombard you with any more suggestions. Good luck