Second guessing my name choice

[mod19]

So we have a little girl due in April and I've had the name Laken (Lay-kin) picked out for at least 10 years.
Dh says he's fine with that as long as her middle name is Ray/Rae after his late uncle, and I'm fine with that. The issue I'm having now is...I REALLY like the name Rae as well!

How did you guys pick one name?!?!

Laken Rae
-or-
Rae (middle name TBD if this is chosen)

What do I do? I like Rae but keep going back to Laken as I may never get the chance to use it ever again. What do I do? Dh says it's my decision, but it's such a HUGE decision and I don't know what to do! How did you guys ultimately decide?

 

[staralfur]

I think if you've loved the name that long you should use it. Rae sounds a bit plain as a first name to me so I definitely think it's better as a middle name.

 

[Lauren25]

I really like Laken Rae it's really nice.
I've always found that when I have a name I'm set on from the start then I always start to doubt it but then I always go back to it!

 

[ellahopesky]

I like Laken Rae. Rae is best as a middle name i think or as a joint name ie. Laken-Rae. xx

 

[emyandpotato]

I prefer Laken. Dislike Rae but it's much better as a middle than a first.

 

[amy8686]

I agree - Laken Rae is great! And you'd be sad if you didn't end up using the name you've always wanted to use. Go for it.

 

[Beanonorder]

I also like the sound of it hyphenated - Laken-Rae.
I agree if you've liked the name for so long you may regret not using it. I am having the same issue - I've liked our boys name since before being pregnant with dd. My friends went and used it a few months ago but I still can't let it go. I've found another name I kind of like but I can't let go of my first name...

 

[bumblebeexo]

Double barrel it, Laken-Rae?

 

[mod19]

Thanks guys. I've never considered double barreling it. It doesn't sound bad but then I feel it would be too long for a middle name. Plus, its sounds "too southern" to me if that makes any sense at all. I'm from the north and it's not something many people do up there.

Beanonorder did your friends know you liked the name or did they use it by chance? I think that situation would deter me too but like you said, if you've had it picked for so long there's no reason to not use it. I dunno. Easier said than done I guess.

It's also been bothering me that we've been getting negative looks when people ask what her name will be and I tell them Laken. You asked what it was, I did not ask your opinion.

 

[daneuse27]

I like the idea of hyphenating, or double-barreling it: Laken-Rae. I think its very pretty, and original

 

[Beanonorder]

Thanks guys. I've never considered double barreling it. It doesn't sound bad but then I feel it would be too long for a middle name. Plus, its sounds "too southern" to me if that makes any sense at all. I'm from the north and it's not something many people do up there.

Beanonorder did your friends know you liked the name or did they use it by chance? I think that situation would deter me too but like you said, if you've had it picked for so long there's no reason to not use it. I dunno. Easier said than done I guess.

It's also been bothering me that we've been getting negative looks when people ask what her name will be and I tell them Laken. You asked what it was, I did not ask your opinion.

No they didn't know. They had originally decided on Thorne and then some idiot said to them people are going to spend the rest of his life asking if he has a little prick. And that put them off it. As soon as they announced the name I told her that was our boys name so if we do use it she knows we didn't steal it from them.