How to Make a Final Decision on a Name

Updated on May 12, 2011
E.W. asks from Jackson, NJ
21 answers

So my husband and I like 2 names. Hudson and Parker. We just can't decide which to name our son. We've asked a ton of people (including on this site) and we get about a 50/50 split. The middle name is decided and I don't want to change it - William, which is my dad's name. I am a little more partial to Parker, my husband is to Hudson. Sooooo, how do we come to a final decision. I want to before he comes, because I am making the letters for his wall and want to have them up and really doubt I am going to have the time- nor feel like it when he arrives. Plus, I really just want to decide already. So has anyone else had this problem and if so, how did you finally decide a name to go with.

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M.M.

answers from Milwaukee on

If it's really hard to decide I would definitely wait until you get to see him.. one of the names will just be the right one.. Or maybe a completely different name will be right.. Wait, even if it means his name will not be up on the wall when he gets home.. It will get there eventually.. Getting his name right is more important..

2 moms found this helpful

T.K.

answers from Dallas on

I narrowed it down to a few but waited to meet my babies to decide the final name. Once you meet him, you will just know.

2 moms found this helpful

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C.M.

answers from Dallas on

Why not wait until you both see his face? Your sweet boy will name himself at that point I'm sure.

(:

5 moms found this helpful
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A.K.

answers from Dallas on

open the door, shout at the top of your lungs HUDSON, or, PARKER come on in for dinner, and decide which one comes out of your mouth better lol

2 moms found this helpful
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L.S.

answers from Spokane on

I know you want to organize things ahead of time, but I REALLY think you should wait and see whether your son *looks* like a Parker or a Hudson.

We'd picked out the name Lucy for our first daughter - both of us were 100% in LOVE with the name. Then she was born and was so NOT a Lucy! haha Poor little thing had no name for a couple of days.

Plus, wouldn't it be nice to 'suprise' people with his name when you're letting everyone know he's been born? It'll be a lot more fun to say 'our baby boy is here and his name is ---', rather than 'so, Parker/Hudson was born today'. Just a few things to think about.

2 moms found this helpful
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J.G.

answers from New York on

Maybe since the middle name is from your side of the family, the first name can be your hubby's favorite -- Hudson.

2 moms found this helpful
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K.P.

answers from New York on

I vote for Parker- less of a mouth full when you say them together!

Both really nice options though. If you guys like them equally, flip a coin or pick one out of a hat! Not only will it be a "non-biased" decider, but a cute story to tell him when he's older and asks "How did you pick my name?"... Well, Parker we picked it out of a hat!

1 mom found this helpful

E.B.

answers from Seattle on

Wait until he is here. I dont want to sound like a broken record but that is the best way to make your final choice...He may come out looking like a Jack instead of Hudson or Parker(not saying you will change your minds that drastically the day he is born, just making a point :))

My vote between the two is Parker...Parker William sounds nice...

1 mom found this helpful
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C.L.

answers from Minneapolis on

We had a similar problem with our oldest. Although it's not what you want to do we waited until the baby was born. He didn't have a name for the first 24 hours after he was born, but it all worked out. Maybe someone else can help you with the letters for his wall after he is born. Other considerations--how do each sound with your last name? How are the initials?

1 mom found this helpful

R.D.

answers from Richmond on

Hudsons cool! Parkers more common. I agree with CM, wait until you see his face, and think 'wow, he LOOKS like a 'xxx'!!' :)

1 mom found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Chicago on

My sister had the same problem with my nephew. They new Peter was going to be the middle name, but they had debated between George and Michael as teh first. The second my nephew came out, with his dark skin and big greek nose, they knew he was meant to be George Peter! I can't imagine him anything other than Georgie:)

My friend just had her second and his name is Parker, but Hudson is really cute too.

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S.K.

answers from Dallas on

We flipped a coin an hour before our son was born. :). We liked both names but just couldn't decide. I would have been happy either way but my favorite of the two won and it fits him perfectly!

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C.N.

answers from Baton Rouge on

Use one for his first name and give him two middle names

H.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

I decided based on what name I saw myself saying/yelling, over and over. Say it out loud! Say HUDSON! and PARKER as if you're yelling for them to come here. What sounds natural for you to say? You will say it 1 million + times!

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J.L.

answers from Chicago on

Parker William is great....My preference but not my choice to make :)

K.I.

answers from Los Angeles on

My sister couldn't decide either...so my nephew has 2 middle names! Ha!

How about:
Hudson Parker William

Or you could just wait til you see him, like all the other people suggested?

I also agree with the poster who said since William is from your side and your choice why not let dad get his name?

~I see why you are having trouble deciding...they are both great strong male names, I like them both too...although if it were up to me I would go with Hudson b/c Parker is way more common...but i do like the sound of 'Park' for short :)

*Coming up with a name WAS THE HARDEST PART for me!!

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M.T.

answers from Memphis on

My husband and I each had a name that we liked. We had discussed the order for a while before the little guy came. We did not tell a single person the name until he arrived. That way if we wanted to change the order of the two names we could. Granted we went with the order we agreed upon during the pregnancy but it allowed us freedom to change without anyone asking how "Parker" was when we actually went with a game-time decision of "Hudson". Say the names see what flows the best. Drop it for a while and see if you think of the baby as a Parker or as a Hudson. See if you have any nicknames that you start using (other than the baby or little guy :) ).

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R.L.

answers from Roanoke on

Why not wait until he is born and see if he LOOKS like a Hudson or a Parker? I once knew someone who named their baby as soon as they found out that it was a boy, and a few months after he was born they decided he didn't "look" like his name and wanted to change it. I'd wait to see him first.

M.B.

answers from Phoenix on

Parker is easier on the tongue to say..and it goes along with William. .. but kids might make fun of him saying Will Pee.. get it ?

Why not put both names ? if you are planning on having another baby sometime, then agree that one of you gets to name the baby next..

How about HP William.. sounds so dignified, doesn't it ? or how about a legal name, and a nickname ..

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D.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Well, we went to the hospital, had the baby. The next morning the lady with the birth certificate paperwork came in and asked the baby's name and we picked. Just like that. And if you don't have the letters up in his room, don't worry too much - he won't be able to read them just yet. Congratulations on the pregnancy :)

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D.S.

answers from Houston on

we were stuck between Brandon Rayne and Storm. So we agreed we would decide on the name when he was born. The agreement was if it wasn't raining at the time we would go with Brandon Rayne. If it was raining at the time he would get the name storm. Well needless to say it was not raining at the time he was born. But I was in labor for 20 hrs and he come out suddenly like a storm so My sil who was in the delivery room and my so agreed with out me it had to be Storm. I agreed. So he got named Storm. Wait til you have him to decide.

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