We are trying to think of a good name for our first child - a boy.  We
have come up with the below shortlist.  Which name is the best and
why?  In addition, what name not listed below would work well? 
Thanks.
  
Finn     Wolff
Finnbar 
Finnian
Enzo
Caiden
Boaz
Hugo
Callum
Beckett
Elliot
Emmett

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Request for Question Clarification by politicalguru-ga on 26 Dec 2005 02:47 PST

It might help if you've told us what you mean by "work well": 
- A name that is connected to your cultural heritage, or an idea that
you might want to pass in the name of the child (i.e., the virtues of
a saint, who shares the same name)?
- A name that would be easy for all to pronounce? 
- A name that will draw taunting from other children? Not too "weird"?

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Clarification of Question by cosmo22-ga on 26 Dec 2005 14:56 PST

Clarification on our question has been requested.  Thank you to those
who have responded so far.  By "work well" we mean foremost the sense
the name would convey alone and in combination with Wolff.  Even
though a few of these names may suggest one cultural background or
another, we picked them solely on the basis of liking them.  If the
origin of the name or its meaning had further positive connotations,
that would be icing on the cake, topped off by a cherry of not
provking taunting in the future from other children.

Also, i noticed a typo in the list below - Finnian should be "finnigan"

Many thanks.

Bigbad

Well,im not sure too what you mean,but as a religious jew,I can tell
you that according to the Kabalah,names can tell evrything about a
person,
for example,my grandmother which was dying like 40 years ago,well my
father adviced with this Rabi,and he told him to add another
name,while the original would be the middle name.
I mean ,her name was Rivka,so he told him to add to her name ,the name
- Chaya,which means in hebrew "alive",so it might help her to be
cured,or at least die more comfirtly...

so if you mean naming your boy a "well name",if you mean by that what
ive just wrote ,then I warmly suggest you go to a rabi,but not just a
regular rabi,but a rabi who specialized on Kabalah,its not that simple
to find so be aware of it...
by the way, the Kabalah is not what Madona and othe actors learn,its
more intensive...

plus it depens on you own names of you and your spouse,so...

good luck,and by the way - Mazel tov for your boy :)

I agree with Politicalguru's request for clarification.
If your short list is already your pared down selection of choices, I
would still follow Politicalguru's suggesting to choose a name related
to your cultural heritage  - which you may have done.  You might also
view the name in connection with your surname.  Some combinations of
first name and surname could seem a little incongruous or be not
immediately understandable when spoken.
(I know a couple who named their son Alexander to lend a little more
volume to their one-syllable surname.)
Caiden will require spelling every time it needs to be written.
Boaz is very "Old Testament"  (the husband of Ruth) and suggests a
Jewish background, fine if intended, but if not, something to be
considered  - still a fine name, just that you should know what others
may read into a name.

You could also give him a second name, leaving a choice of which name
is later used  - also a choice for him, if at some point he prefers to
use it.

Bryan!  Are you back??

My favorites are Beckett, Elliot and Emmett.  Elliot is probably my
favorite because of the three syllables combined with your single
syllable last name.  It just works.  :o)  Caiden is cute, but Caiden
and variations of it are becoming very popular.  Judging by your list,
I'm guessing you don't want a common name.

My least favorites are Hugo and Boaz.  While Boaz was a great Biblical
figure with a romantic story, I can't imagine shouting "Go, Boaz" at
his T-ball games.  <grin>

Good luck!

I think you'll find that Elliot sounds best, if you take a poll.

I'm sure I could find a really complicated scientific way to explain it,
but phonetically, it just fits.

Good luck and best wishes for your child.

-Alphonse.

The following will ensure your kid gets beaten up in the schoolyard. 
Why would a parent inflict this on their offspring?

Finn (that's a fish part)
Finnbar (huh?)
Finnian (really now!)
Caiden (almost girly)
Boaz (whatyousmokin?)
Callum (nope)
Beckett (as a first name?; sheesh!)

I will join that poll for Elliot  (or Eliot).

My advice: don't give your child a stupid name because you think it's
whimsical or witty.  This will affect him negatively for his entire
life.  Maybe Michael Wolff or Andrew Wolff is too bland for your
tastes, but I can guarantee you it's better than Hypotenuse Wolff or
Kotex Wolff. If you must satisfy your urges to differentiate your
child in such a stupid and negative way, consider a stupid but
ostensibly cool middle name instead.  Perhaps Elliot Shaft Wolff? Or
Elliot Jagrmeister Wolff?

Before choosing a name for a child, it's usually wise to anticipate
the mocking variations of it that other kids may create. Little boys
who have names which can easily be abbreviated into girls' names often
encounter snarky remarks from other children. While I like the names
"Elliot" and "Emmett," I can't help thinking that it's inevitable that
boys who bear these names will be called "Ellie" or "Emmy."