I need suggestions for a baby boy's name that "straddles" American and Viet culture.?

Question

My wife and I are expecting a boy in July. She is putting the pressure on me for a name. I'm thinking of Benjamin Monroe M, or Michael Pham M. HELP! My child will spend equal time in both countries. I want a name that will help him "fit in" and succeed in both cultures.

Answer 1

i really like benjamin monroe....that sounds great!!

Answer 2

Timmy + Lastname OR

Benjamin +___________

I like Benjamin

Answer 3

This website has lists of names and meaning.  Naming a child is important so take your time. Best of luck.

http://www.adoptvietnam.org/vietnamese/n...

Answer 4

BENJAMIN MONROE M

THIS IS THE BEST TO GO

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~...

MICHAEL IS A VERY COMMON NAME!!!

TO MANY OUT THERE.

Answer 5

Michael Pham M   I like that one.

Answer 6

Im thinking the same thing and i would suggest you pick the name like easy for both cultures. I like Benjamin name and in Vietnamese you can call 'Ben'

Answer 7

We named our daughter with an English first name and a Vietnamese middle name.  Best of both worlds.  She can use either name where ever she is and you could do the same.  Cheers

Answer 8

Vick Viet + last name

^_^

Vick for American to call

Viet for Vietnamese to call

^_^

Answer 9

i would also like to say congrats! and here are a few names that i like:

-***lucas***

-nathan

-sean

-david

-van (or could  be a  middle name)

i really like michael pham m.

good luck and i'll let you know if i come up with more! =]

______________________________________...

oh just thought of two more...

-vince

-noah

  or maybe noah huy m?

Answer 10

Personally, I still prefer Vietnamese name. If you want to name your child something that is easy to pronounce, go for it. However, if you're both Vietnamese, to me, middle name must be a Vietnamese name so he has something to relate to although he has a Vietnamese last name.

When we came to the US, some people changed their first name to American name when they became citizen. In my family, we didn't. We still have Vietnamese name. My yahoo is a waterfall in Dalat where I came from. I use this ID when I post messages.

People just have to learn how to pronounce my name if they're interested. If they can't, I don't really care. I will not change my name to something that I'm not. Perhaps we still have a strong tie with our culture than most people.

Answer 11

What about Daniel? Dan is also a Vietnamese name.

Answer 12

Nolan Ly M.

Ethan Mein M.

Answer 13

First of all, congratulations on your baby boy!

You probably already know that the Vietnamese have few given and family names. I.e. my wife's name is Ha and so are the names of three of my aunts. That in mind, I would suggest giving him an American first name to give your son some individualism among other Vietnamese.

I would suggest that you research your wife's family background and choose the given name of the most prominent figure of her ancestors as your son's middle name. As you know, ancestory is very important to the Vietnamese. This would also put the pressure back on your wife to help with determining your son's name.

The one things that I will advise you not to do is name your child like my grandpa named one of my aunts. He named her after a laundry business not far from their house in Thai Binh. She has always been the black sheep and doesn't get along with anyone else in the family.

I will probably be in Saigon in the middle of July. Give me a call if you still have problems picking you kid's name by then.

Answer 14

Well, America is very diversified. Many kids in my school arent named the traditional names such as Emily and Matthew. As long as it can be pronounced, it will be accepted.

Answer 15

P**c Long

Answer 16

1- English first name and Vietnamese middle name will work best. So, the kid won't have a "weid" or hard-to-say name. You can also pick another name to call him at home (it's pretty popular in Vietnam to have a nickname that only your family call you by).

2- If possible, try to find a name that easy to say in both language so relatives on your side and your wife's side can say it. I am saving the name "Liz" and "Kim" to use for my daughter since it's the easiest English name for Vietnamese people to say. For boy, Mike/Ben/Sam sound pretty good.

3- Double check with your wife to make sure the name won't sound weird in either languages. For example: stay away from "Bob" since it sounds like "squeeze" in Vietnamese, lol, and don't even think about "Steve".

4- On the two that you have in mind. The first one (Benjamin) is not bad at all, but how about a vietnamese middle name instead of Monroe ? That way, both sides will have its part. About the second one, Michael, is the middle name your wife's last name ? If so, how about choosing a Vietnamese name that popular in her family history instead ? Something that comes from one of her parents or ancestors's names or even her own middle name or first name, it will have a lot more meaning that way.

5- CONGRATULATION TO YOU GUYS, woohoo.

Answer 17

Call him Phutball player