Conference oass::babynames

Christina,

Well, I really like the sound/look of Gregory Edward Phelan for a boy, and it
fits nicely with Eric and has lots of family significance. What more could you
ask for? ;-)

For girls, I really like Heather, with Michelle as a middle name.  A few other
ideas also follow...

	Heather Michelle Phelan
	Shelby Christa
	Melissa Jayne
	Lyndsay Rose
	Tara Michelle
	Monica Shirley

	and for fun, a few E.J. names:

	Eliza Jayne Phelan
	Emily Jeanne
	Elaine Jenna


I would hesitate to use the spelling "Ley" for a girl's middle name, since
upon first reading it (without knowing the history), it is phoenetically LAY
and not LEE.  Why not use the whole thing? It even works with Heather...

I know, it's not an easy task, but it's challenging at least - good luck!

-Cori

    
    I agree with Cori and would advise you to use Shirley or something
    else but not LEY.  Kids look for ways to tease other kids and with
    a middle name of Ley, it would make a girl a very easy target of 
    some very hurtful remarks.
    
    Just my opinion, of course.
    
    Chris

    Thanks All!  I really like Heather Michelle and Gregory Edward.  
    I've also thought of Greta Phelan, but hubi doesn't like it to much. I 
    like Gretchen also, but it doesn't sound so good with Phelan and Hubi
    again doesn't care for it.  Heather Shirley is nice to (for my mom). 
    Thanks for the advise on LEY, I think I will follow it.
    
    keep the suggestions coming!  This is fun!
    
    Christina 

    Hi,
    
    What do you think of Elise for a baby girl, its an european spelling.
    You could also spell it as Elize.
    You can use it as first name or as second name.
    
    Kindly regards,
    Perry.                                    

    Elise Phelan is pretty.  I thought it had an "old" sound to it though,
    no?  I'm considering Jillian May Phelan again for a girl.  I still like 
    Heather Michelle, or Michelle...  Any thoughts on Cassandra Phelan? Or 
    ANY other girls name?  I really feel stuck, even though I realize Im
    not due until February 27!!   
    
    For a son, we like, Matthew Edward, Gregory Edward and still thinking !
    I like Tate Edward also, but we're still open for many other ideas. 
    
    ANyone out there with some thoughts? 
    
    - Christina

Christina,

Well, I think of Elise more as a "classic" name, more than "old-fashioned".
It's kind of like the difference between "Helen" and "Heloise", if you catch
my drift.  But, no amount of convincing can (or should) make you change your
personal impression of a name's connotations...

As for the names you listed, I still like Heather Michelle the best - then
Elise Michelle (or Michelle Elise?), then Cassandra (long but pretty), and then
Jillian (pretty name but ends with the same AN sound as PhelAN, which isn't a
big deal, just noticeable that it rhymes).

For boys, I think Gregory or Matthew "fits" better with your son Eric's name
than Tyler, but again, that's just one opinion. I also think Tyler is one of
those becoming-common trendy names, so I'm sure that biases my opinion a bit...

As for other options, I do like Heidi (Michelle?) Phelan from your original
list and Lindsay Phelan from another reply.  Can't think of any boys' names
that I like better than your current choices.

Have fun narrowing the field!
-Cori

    
    
    How about Heather Elise, Cassandra Elise or Elise Cassandra?  
    
    I really like Elise, have a niece I picked the name for called Elise.
    It is unique enough to be different but not strange.
    
    Chris
    

    Cori:  Thanks for the imput.  I did think of Tyler as a trendy name
    also.  My husband favored that, but I've noticed SOO many Tyler's born. 
    I also didn't think it went so well with Eric.  I do like Matthew, but 
    that again was sooo popular a few years ago. but, it is still in the 
    running with Gregory and Michael.  (popular Michael too!) I liked Kyle,
    but am getting some negative feedback from it.  I think certain folks
    I've asked know a Kyle they don't care for.  Kyle Edward.  i'd like a 
    4 letter - 2 sylabol boys name that was more in the running with Eric,
    but am having no luck.  (Don't want anything toooo Irishy, though I
    believe Kyle is. (?)  
    
    I thought the same of Jillian with the AN at the end, but I still DO 
    like it.  It isn't that bad is it?  Heather Michelle is up there, but am 
    getting some "flighty" responses on Heather.  well ---  I like Sage Phelan
    for a girl too.  Kate Phelan is another that has been popping into my head,
    I guess I like traditional as well as "slightly" different names which 
    certainly doesn't HELP in making up ones mind! 
    
    
    Thanks for the imput!  Keep the ideas coming!!   
    
    Christina
    
    p.s.  is there a way to print or read the messages we are replying to?
    I notice you respond to each noter in the same message.  I am trying
    that, but can't see note .7 to reply properly to Chris.  I will have to 
    start another reply note to .7 tomorrow. 
    
    

    Chris:  I like Elise more and more.  and I do like Cassandra.  Once in
    awhile you could call her Cassi which I think is nice!  
    
    Decisions Decisions!   Heather is still in the running, but it's
    getting dragged down a bit.  I still have a was to go before baby #2, 
    February 27, so I guess I should try not to burn out with names before 
    then.  It's just how I am.  I love names, and it takes me about TEN
    months to figure out which ones we like, don't like and why!
    
    Thanks a bunch!!
    
    Christina

Christina,

Well, 4 letters and *2* syllables for a boy's name is not easy... All I could
think of were these (like any? I kind of like Gary or Kurt...):

	Gary			Adam
	Joel			Cody
	Andy (ok, I cheated)	Evan
	Ryan

Then there are some with 1 syllable or 5 letters:

	Paul			David
	Dean			Henry/Hank
	Dirk			Peter
	Drew			Larry
	Kurt			Brian
	Kent
	Phil
	Sean
	Brad
	Reed

I *do* like Kyle Edward Phelan - and it goes well with Eric (but so does
Gregory or Matthew or Michael, IMO). As for Heather - I guess it depends on if
you knew anyone with that name or not. I only knew one Heather in H.S. and she
was very atheletic, friendly, and smart (not "flightly") so I like the name.
Funny, but that was my parents' second choice for a girl name for me! I just
think it flows nice with Phelan...  No, I don't think Jillian Phelan is
"that bad"! Not too keen on Sage Phelan, but it's just because I think of the
spice and have never heard of that for a person (much less a girl...). How
about Shea (or Shay)?  Is Phelan Irish or German or what? 

I can definitely relate to all the "analysis" that goes on in this process -
kind of like figuring out a puzzle, huh?  One thing I've done so as not to
"burn out" on the hunt is to send myself a mail message with the current list
of favorites, ranked by my preference and my husband's, and then revisit the
list about once a month to see if any names have lost their favor or if new
ones should be added, etc.  It's interesting to see the changes in the rankings
and the names I *really* like keep their staying power. Just a thought...

-Cori

p.s. Seeing all the replies is easy with DECwindows Notes ($NOTES/DECW) since
you have a separate window for your reply and can cycle through replies as
needed while editing...

    Phelan is Irish.  My husband is Irish and I am Russian/Scottish.  I
    don't mind Irish names, just don't want to overdo it.  
    
    For girls my husband is now suggesting Tara Christina .... (?)  I also 
    like Tara May (after my Mom Shirley May Gailey)  or Tara Gailey Phelan? 
    what about Tara Shirley Phelan  (don't really like Shirley so we might
    use her middle name Mae.
    
    I do like both Kyle and Matthew Phelan.  Shayna and Shauna are also
    nice for girls.  
    
    Well, I am going to get a list going in my Decwrite as you suggested!
    
    Thanks and keep 'em coming!
    
    - Christina

    I *DO* also like Gary Edward Phelan !!
    

    Tara Gailey Phelan sounds great! (gets some family history
    in there too!)
    
    Monica

    Hi, 
    
    I do like Tara Gailey Phelan more and more.  I haven't run it by my 
    husband yet, but will do so. 
    
    Will keep you posted!
    
    

    yep, my husband does like Tara Gailey and also Heather "something" 
    We're still narrowing down.  Our list looks alittle like this now: 
    
    Heather Phelan 			Michael Edward Phelan 
    Tara Phelan                         Gregory " "    Phelan
    Lindsay Phelan                      Gary    " "    Phelan 
    Cara Phelan                         Matthew " "    Phelan
    Jillian Phelan                      Kyle    " "    Phelan 
    Kate Phelan 
    Cassandra Phelan 
    Samantha Phelan  
    Laura Phelan 
    
    Well,  I guess I still could go on and on.  Middle Names for the girls 
    are still pending.  Choices are May, Gailey (my mom Shirley's middle and 
    maiden name) or Mary - is my hubi's Mom's name.  Gannon is her maiden name
    and Virginia is her middle name.  His sister is Mary Katherine.  I have 
    thought of Cathryn for a first name, but not sure - Cathryn Shirley
    Phelan?  (we could call her Caty or Cate somtimes) though I like the 
    Kate spelling better than Cate (looks like CAT-)  But the C.S. Phelan 
    would be the same as my initials.  
    
    Just some more thoughts...
    
    Christina 

    I like the C spelling for the name Cathryn, but the K spelling for
    nickname Kate.  Is that o.k. to do?  Cate  (Catey) just looks odd to
    me.  I like Caity but don't like Caithryn.....
    
    
    

    Just so you don't think this note is "dead", here is some more input
    on your list a couple replies back.  Some combinations I like are:
    
    Tara Gailey Phelan			All your boys choices are good -
    Tara Cathryn Phelan                 but I like Gregory Edward Phelan
    Lindsay May Phelan                  and Gary Edward Phelan the best
    Heather Mary Phelan                 (good "ring" and less common...)
    Heather Cassandra Phelan
    Heather Shirley Phelan
    Samantha Kate Phelan
    Hillary May Phelan
    
    I agree that Cate looks odd for a nickname... I think Hillary is pretty
    but I agree with Monica that *other* people who may not have previously
    had any desire to use it will now consider it due to Mrs. HRC. I also 
    have loved the name Chelsea for years, but since it got more popular
    AND is now the first daughter's name, I refuse to consider it. Oh well.
    
    Best of luck - keep searching and hopefully something will strike you.
    Or, you may be one of those people who must wait to see the baby in
    person before an appropriate name pops into mind!
    
    -Cori (who has 4 weeks to go and has 2 names of each to choose from -
          plus a short list of middle name contenders...fun fun fun)

    Thanks Cori, 
    
    I think you are right about having to "see" the little baby 1st.  My 
    husband and I decided that we wouldn't try so hard to figure out our 
    names so intensley and will wait abit.
    
    THANKS much for the input!
    
    -Christina

    Well, It's December now and I've only got 2 months or so to go before
    my due date of February 27th, arrives!  My husband and I are pretty
    well set on a boys name:  We like:
    
    				James Edward Phelan   (FIRST choice) or 
    				Patrick Edward Phelan 
    
    Our son, Eric Joseph will be 18 months old when the baby arrives.  
    
    We still haven't narrowed down a name for a daughter yet though.  A few 
    that we have spoken of are: 
    
    				Laura Phelan 
    				Tara Phelan 
    				Amanda Phelan 
    				Rachel Phelan 
    				Kimberly Phelan 
    				Lindsay Phelan 
    				Chelsey Phelan 
    				Jillian Phelan 
    				Cathryn Phelan 
    				Elise Phelan 
    				Nicole Phelan
    				Gretta Phelan ...   ...
    
    But honestly, nothing is really jumping out at us!  My husband says we 
    will know the perfect name, once we see our baby's beautiful face.  I
    HOPE so!!!  ANy ideas!!!!!???????
    
    Thanks, 
    
    Christina

    I agree with your husband - you'll see that wonderful child
    and you know he or she will be a ______.
    
    I've had several friends who did not name their second child (ironic
    how it's always the second!) until she or he was over 2 weeks old.
    
    I'm expecting in June, and we haven't settled on a girls name
    either!
    
    Good luck and happy new year!
    
    Monica

    I really like some of the girls names on your list.  Instead of
    deciding on one, however, why not team up two as first and second
    names.  For example:
    
    	Amanda Rachel Phelan
    	Elise Nicole Phelan
        Cathryn Tara Phelan
    
    Chris
    	

    
    	I like the sound of Laura Phelan.