Too cruel?

Question

What do you think of these names? I've loved them for as long as I can remember, but I'm not sure if they would be appropriate for a child:

for a girl:

Aelfwen (means literally 'beautiful elf') May

for a boy:

Ryder James (my partner wants James in there somewhere because it's his dad's name)

Oh, and the surname would be Niblock (although possibly Fox, as that's my name)

what do you think? (be honest)

Answer 1

I actually really like Ryder James. But I am sorry I terribly hae Aelfwen, and I have many nordic and celtic names for my children and grand children.

For a girl, I suggest you look to plant names perhaps... I did this for my girls and everyone loves their names and they are fairly unique.

I will offer you my son's name... Alden or Aldwyn. Both are the same name meaning old friend, loyal, wise.

Answer 2

Ryder james

Answer 3

I like Ryder James, but PLEASE, do not name your daughter Aelfwen. First of all, no one will ever be able to pronounce it and I don't think that "beautiful elf" is the greatest association, either.

For suggestions for classic girls names, I can only think of a few suggestions: Amelia, Carys, Kora, Alise (Ah-leese), Susannah, Johannah.

No matter what name you choose, congratulations & good luck with your little one!

Answer 4

May is nice, but I think the whole Elf thing might be a bit cliched after the whole lord of the rings thing.

Ryder... very modern. Not sure whether that makes them good or not.

Answer 5

Aelfwen is nice but I don't like Ryder.  James is a nice middle name.

As for some girls suggestions what about:

Rhiannon,

Megan,

Carys.

This website is good for more Welsh name suggestions -

http://www.babynames.org.uk/welsh-girl-b...

Answer 6

Aelfwen is cute, but it would probably be a little difficult.  Ryder James is nice...  I love unique names also, but I know that growing up, having a weird name can be tough on a kid...

Answer 7

i really like aelfwen some nice girls names are

ashlynn

daniella

daisa

shila

seienna

rilynn

kalynn

kale

karana

anika

Answer 8

i think ryder james fox is very catchy!

Answer 9

Since you asked for honesty:

There's no doubt that Aelfwen is a beautiful name. However, it's definitely a name I would use for a pet rather than a child. It sounds very Tolkein and World of Warcraft to my ear-- like the name was directly inspired by a science fiction series. I cannot find this name listed on *any* baby name websites, or in any of my books. Initially, this makes me believe that the name is a modern English creation, rather than being traditional Welsh name (as I had originally thought, given the style of the name). Personally, that's a bit off-putting.

Here are some eye-catching names that I think are more suitable for a child:

Ceridwen (a name of Welsh origin, the goddess of poetic inspiration),

Arianwen (a name of Welsh origin, means 'white, holy silver'),

Anwen (a name of Welsh origin, means 'very fair'),

Aeronwen (a name of Welsh origin, the goddess of battle and slaughter),

Arwen (a variant of the Welsh name Arwyn, meaning 'muse'),

Branwen (mythological: the daughter of Llyr in the 'Mabinogi'),

Bronwen (a variant of Bronwyn, means 'fair, blessed breast'),

Guinevere (a name of Welsh origin, the wife of King Athur, means 'fair one; white and smooth, soft'),

Gwendolyn (a name of Welsh origin, means 'fair bow; blessed ring')(I think that this name is meant to be spelt Gwendolen for a girl, because the 'y' is masculine in Welsh names. I'm not too sure though, since the website thinkbabynames spells it this way)

Rowan (a name of Gaelic origin, means 'red-berry tree')

May is quite a pretty middle name. It suits just about all of the recommended names.

Ryder James: I love the name James, but Ryder isn't a name that appeals to me. This is just my personal taste in names-- there is certainly nothing wrong with naming your son Ryder. Most parents would agree with me, especially if the top 1000 name chart is something to go by. Ryder has risen rapidly in popularity. It is currently ranked at #217, and has been in the top 1000 since 1994. The popularity of this name doesn't surprise me at all. It fits in well with current naming trends: It is reminiscent of transferred surnames such as Cooper, Hunter and Tyler, while incorporating the trendy 'ry' sound (think of popular names like Riley, the rhyming sensation).

Like I said, Ryder James isn't bad for a boy. But it seems like such a trendy, conventional choice when compared to Aelfwen. Something like Owen James is so much more striking and handsome.  Here is an excellent website that lists some really beautiful Welsh names:

http://www.names-meanings.net/names/male...

Answer 10

Aelfwen May is actually quite cute! its really unique and reminds me of something a celebrity would be called haa.

i'd go for that, you can guarantee she won't meet anyone else with that name in her life. its really quite beautiful.

Answer 11

I think you should use the dad's suggestion. You may love the name, but your son will not.

Answer 12

I don't think they are cruel, I think they are nice.

Answer 13

Dont go with those names really hard ones..The kid wil make a booooo out of him/her self in front of people sorry...

Answer 14

the girls name no,the boys name is ok but seriously is there nothing else. just remeber the name is for life. the boys name is going to be shortend to Ry actually i quite like that.x

Answer 15

What a beautiful choice of names

Aelfwen May

is absolutely gorgeous

Ryder James

is great

but have you considered

Ryan James

Aelfwen May Niblock

and

Ryan James Niblock

Brilliant

and would suit baby through to adulthood

xx

Answer 16

yeh aelfwen would be a lil to cruel. sorry but yeh! go for ryder jamyz. lovin it!!!!!!!

Answer 17

I love Ryder, but definitely not Aelfwen.

Answer 18

sounds not too bad

Answer 19

as much i as love unquie names Aelfwen is too out there, sorry

but Ryder now thats cute...i might name my son that when i have one :)

plus it makes me think of the guy Rider Strong from Boy Meets World...and he was cute

Answer 20

Ryder James,

Ryan James,

Taylor James,

Answer 21

i think you should probably think it over... Ryder James is OK but Aelfwen may have great meaning but when you introduce yourself you don't say "Hi, my name is Aelfwen it literally means beautiful elf"

Answer 22

Aelfwen for a girl is just torture..

It makes me think of someone tiny with pointy ears

Answer 23

Honestly? Aelfwen Niblock sounds like a goblin or something from the Lord of The rings! Aelfwen Fox is nice!

Answer 24

the girl would probably get a lot of "how do you spell that?" or  "did I pronounce it correctly?" but it's a nice name, I guess. I wouldn't do it though.

Ryder I like.

Answer 25

I do like Ryder James, but Ryder does have the potential of sounding a bit like a modern television drama name; it's strong, but it's lacking in substance.  Would you consider instead:

Ronan James (Irish)

Ewan James (Scottish)

Gareth James (Welsh)

All three names are less common than Ryder, but they strike me as more substantial.  Gareth is especially cool -- he was one of the knights of the Round Table!

As far as girls' names go, Aelfwen is pretty, but it does sound made up.  I think Vii's suggestions of Welsh first names are excellent.  Here are some other classic combinations I like (most of them non-Welsh, since Vii has those covered):

Lydia May

Rosalie May or Rosalind May

Clara May

Susannah May

Anneliese May (I think it's okay for you to use this)

Miriam Eve

Isla May

Elsa May

Eloise May

Amelie May

Gwendolen Eve

Helena May

Juliet May

Violet May

Elodie May

Daphne May

Good luck, and I hope this helps!

Answer 26

Sorry but I don't like Aelfwen.

But I do like Ryder james.

Answer 27

Ryder James Niblock sounds ok.

Answer 28

Ryder James is a fine, and would go with the surname Niblock or Fox.  As for Aelfwen - sorry but I really don't like that name, beautiful elf ' what would happen if your baby had sticky out ears when she got older - she would get hugely hasselled!!! It looks like a german name? May wouldn't be my choice but its okay.

Answer 29

Don't know about that girls name, I would worry about other kids teasing... kids are cruel.

Our second sons middle name is Ryder so I like that.

Perhaps you might like out daughters names, since we like the same Boy name.

I have

Anneliese Janette and Mackenzie Aspen

Answer 30

Naming your child something that means elf just isn't a humane thing to do lol. The name Ryder is adorable though! You did good with that one. =]