Caroline writes:
I’m pregnant with a boy and my husband and I would love to call him Huck, but we’re not sure how to use the name. We’re deciding between Huck William MN LN and Henry (nn Huck) MN LN. The middle name would be my maiden name (one syllable) and our last name (two syllables, starts with H).
My husband thinks that if we want to call him Huck, we should make that the first name, otherwise it won’t “stick.” He prefers “Huck William MN LN”, with the idea that if our son feels uncomfortable using Huck in formal situations, he can use H. William, or just Will/William. I prefer Henry (nn Huck) since I’m much more comfortable giving my son an unusual name as a nickname rather than as a first name, and because I prefer 3 names (Henry MN LN) to 4 names (Huck William MN LN). Also, I think that since Henry and Huck sound similar, it would be easier to move back and forth between them than it would be to move between Huck and Will.
We’ve also ruled out some alternatives like Huxton/Huxley/Hudson MN LN (which fit better with Huck than Henry does, but we don’t like the names) and William Huck MN LN.
What do you think? Or is Huck too weird altogether?
My personal preference would be your idea of using Huck as a nickname for Henry. Or maybe as a nickname for the name Hugo? The name Huck isn’t a traditional nickname for either Henry or Hugo, but I think you could get away with it.
A bigger potential problem, I think, is using an H first name with an H last name. Does Henry H____ sound okay? How about Huck H____?
Let’s put a poll over to the right and see what everyone else thinks. [Poll closed; see below.] There are four options:
- Name the baby Huck William Middlename Lastname, call him Huck (or H. William if he doesn’t like Huck)
- Name the baby Henry Middlename Lastname, call him Huck
- Name the baby Hugo Middlename Lastname, call him Huck
- And your final option, which was when you asked if Huck was too weird altogether.
Poll results (288 votes total):
Option 1: 34 votes, roughly 12%
Option 2: 187 votes, roughly 65%
Option 3: 9 votes, roughly 3%
Option 4: 58 votes, roughly 20%
First of all, I love the idea of Huck! So cute for a little boy and so cute for a grown-up boy, too.
I voted for using it as a nickname for Henry, though, because I like the idea of having Henry as an option if he doesn’t want to go by Huck later on. It is easier, I think, to go between Henry/Huck than Will/Huck.
As a sidenote, I just love that Henry can have so many great possible nicknames: Hank, Harry, Huck, etc. It’s definitely on my “list,” for whenever I need such a list. :)
Hmm. I don’t necessarily think Huck would be bad as a given name, and he would have William to fall back on if he prefers it. Honestly, I don’t see why he would! :)
p.s. This is coming from a mama of a Henry. So, of course I think it’s a great name but Huck is pretty darn cool, too!
I think it is a cute name, but think really really hard before you do it. Because you know it’s just a matter of time before his nickname at school drops the “H” and adds the “F”.
You could just go all the way and name him Huckleberry
Huck isn’t any stranger nickname for Henry than Hank. I never understood how people got from Henry to Hank.
It does seem unusual for a given name, though. He would get asked about it. I think if he has some great story about how his parents chose it, it would be easier than if they just thought it was really cute.
I love the name Huck. It’s great. I chose it as nn for Henry in the poll. I think it works! I also see no problem with the 2 “H” names either. Bear Grylls from Man vs. Wild just named his son Huckleberry!
I LOVE the name Huck, but I like the idea of using Henry and calling him Huck, thus giving him the option down the road to go by either. ALSO, three names is WAY better to me than four.
GL !!!
I agree with the first Anonymous above and would not give a boy the name “Huck” as a given name or official nickname. I think a boy called Huck would always be on the alert for the offending rhyming “F-word” coming his way. I also don’t see Huck as a strong name for an adult male, as the main association with the name is the fictional boy Huck (Huckleberry) Finn.
A friend of mine from childhood had an adult brother named Huck, who sported blue hair. Needless to say, I think it’s fantastically cool and would just go with Huck myself. Huck is a much more normal name than some that he’ll be in kindergarten with, I’m sure.
Kimberly Williams Paisley and Brad Paisley also have a son named William Huckleberry and they call him Huck.
I like the name Huck! I am all about some unusual and different names and it is hard to think of creative boy names. As an English major, Huckleberry Finn is one of, if not the best, American novels ever written. I say Huck William Last-Name, call him HUCK.
I like the sound of Huck… and I almost said, just go for it as a first name, it sounds similar to the name Finn for a first name…
Until I had an “Oh. Duh.” moment and realized I thought it went with Finn because of Huckleberry Finn! LOL. OOPS!
I like it as a nickname for Henry, best. I don’t think it’s a stretch; in my mind I see it as comparable to the nickname Chuck for Charlie (Henry/Huck… Charlie/Chuck…therefore not a stretch!).
I love Huck, but am unsure about it as a given name. I’m one of those who likes to think of the future resume. That’s one reason why I abhor creative spellings – they look awful on a resume. Oh sure he could always put H. William on the resume I guess, but I think life is easier when you have a formal first name for professional situations. Of course there are worse given names on a resume then Huck, such as Aydyn, which I seriously would change as an adult if I was so unfortunate.
Sorry about the rambling – where was I? Oh yes, I would use Henry, nickname Huck.
if you’re using William, why does it need to be
Huck William MN LN?
rather than just
Huck William LN?
I think Huck is adorable, but I am not a fan of nicknames as names. I vote for Henry “Huck” William MN LN. Congratulations – the idea of a little baby boy named Huck is beyond cute to me.
I’m adding to voice to those who think Henry “Huck” William LN is the best option. I love Huck, but think it works best as a nickname. I don’t think Huck from Henry is a stretch, and if the nickname is established from the beginning, I don’t think you’ll have a problem making it stick.
Best of luck!
I thought about this a long time. The name Huck appeals to me, so my inclination was thumbs up. One concern is the association with Huck Finn. It’s a GOOD association, but it’s such a STRONG association — almost nobody will have ever heard the name Huck except from the book and will immediately think “Huck Finn.” Maybe that’s okay — I KNOW I would find myself calling my baby “Huckleberry” if his name were Huck, and that seems cute for a baby — though maybe not if it stuck? Another thought — if just a few celebrities use it, that seems like a liability.
I hadn’t thought about the rhyming problem. Maybe it’s not really a problem? When I taught elementary school, there was little if any name teasing. However, in my classes, mocking someone’s name was always a punishable offense, so the kids didn’t do it … THAT year. Whether they did outside of school or other years, I don’t know. If it DOES happen routinely, then I think I’d avoid a name that was easy to tease. Though I’d sure hate to give up my favorite name just because some future kids might tease it!
You know, I had a hard time getting on board with Huck because of the F rhyming thing. But after reading Swistle’s teasing post, I realize kids are going to get teased no matter what. No matter how defensively we try to name them! There’s just no predicting it.
I vote for Henry William LN, with the nn Huck. Or Henry William MN LN, with the nn Huck. The nn Huck is cute, and he’ll have the option of a more formal first name if he chooses to go that route later.
All I can think about is that scene in West Wing, when Toby is talking to his babies for the first time, and telling them what their names mean. *sniff* I recall him disclaiming any and all responsibility for Huckleberry, but I think it’s great.
as someone with a last name that could be READ as rhyming with the F-word (well, %*cker), though when correctly pronounced there’s no rhyme, i would like to point out that he may not get teased in elementary school, but by the time he gets to middle school, he WILL be mocked for it. i’m not saying this should be a deal-breaker, but you should at least consider how important it is to you.
i was a shy kid, and it was devastating to me. if i’d been a bit more socially outgoing, maybe it wouldn’t have mattered so much… but you don’t know what his personality would be like.
given that, i’d use it as a nickname. give the kid an out if he needs one.
I love the name Huck! If I am so blessed at 34 to start a family i would def consider Huck for my son or Mamie for my daughter. Do not worry what rhymes other children will make. Being teased is a healthy part of growing up for everyone. It is the essence of peer pressure. It is a healthy part of becoming oneself and offers the chance to grow ones self esteem. Children will pick each other apart no matter how perfect. Huck is a terrific name. A name from history. A good Southern name.