Dear Swistle,
My husband and I are excitedly expecting baby #2 this spring – a second boy! We need some help and appreciate any you can offer at this point! Our last name is Norris with an M.
Our first son is named August, but he goes exclusively by Augie at this point in his life. We love his name for so many reasons – it’s not completely unknown, but also not common in our area, it’s a strong name with a soft nickname that fits his personality so well, it starts with a vowel (my personal preference), and best of all, we found out after he was born that my grandpa’s father, grandfather, and great-grandfather had all been named August. I could go on and on about why I love his name so much. Unfortunately, loving his name so much is making naming this second baby seem like a particularly difficult challenge! We’ve talked and talked about options and whether we need to continue talking about options comes down to one question – is Marvin a usable name on a baby born in 2020?
My grandpa was named Marvin and he was hugely important in my life. My husband was also very close to him. I don’t adore the name, but I would love thinking about him when I talked about my son’s name and I would love to honor my grandpa this way. If he were named Marvin, we would also use my grandpa’s middle name, which was Henry.
I know names from the same era as Marvin are becoming popular again, but for some reason Marvin feels outside of that trend and like it may never truly be “usable” again. I don’t need a name to be trendy – in fact I’d prefer it not be – but I also don’t want it to be a name people intensely dislike or don’t “get.” Vinny isn’t an option as a nickname because it’s my stepbrother’s name (unrelated to my grandpa).
So. Would you use a name you feel a little iffy about as a name in theory but love in use because it reminds you of someone you love? Would you stick it in the middle name spot instead? Can you picture a baby named Marvin without wondering what in the world his parents were thinking or cringing or laughing out loud?
If you wouldn’t use Marvin, what else might you suggest based on our small list of names we’ve come up with? We’re struggling! If we don’t use Marvin as a first name, it would be the middle name. Other options we’ve considered:
– Elliott
– Henry
– Arthur (very close friends told us recently that they intend to use this name on a future child and were adamant we not use it even though they aren’t expecting – an issue for a whole other post!)
– Sterling (husband doesn’t like)
– Everest (husband doesn’t like, although he loves Everett)
– Everett (not usable for me because it is closely associated with my father’s family and I don’t want that association – otherwise a lovely name)
– Ezra (husband loves, I don’t)To get a better sense of our style, if we ever have a girl, our top contenders would likely be Aurelia, Anastasia, Elena, and Violet (Lettie).
Thanks so much for your consideration!
Marvin is the kind of name I can picture completely reversing my feelings on, the way I did with Henry and Charlotte: both names seemed UNUSABLE to me until they suddenly, abruptly, magically became usable, through some process of name fashion that has been very instructive for considering future naming trends. I would not cringe or laugh if I encountered a baby Marvin, but I would be surprised and interested; I would assume it was a family name. But I’m remembering when I encountered a baby Ruth, and I was not only surprised and interested but AN IMMEDIATE CONVERT.
It’s too bad Vinny isn’t a nickname option, because Vinny is another example of a name I would have thought was currently unusable, but then I encountered one in the wild and it completely changed my mind. Also, Marvin/Vinny is a nice fit with August/Augie; “Augie and Marvin” doesn’t click into place quite as well.
Hm. Hm. Let’s talk this through a little more. The ending of Marvin reminds me of Evan and Calvin. The beginning of Marvin is more the issue, I THINK. But on the other hand, Mark and Marcus. Hm. Is it the “arv” sound? I am personally a huge fan of the name Harvey, but I recognize it’s a little…vintage for a lot of people. But Harvard and Marvel seem to be rocking it. Hm.
Well. I can picture Marvin being charming in the same way I find Harvey charming. But I also feel we are Not Quite There Yet. On the other hand, I am so extremely on-board with honor names. And “It’s after my grandfather!” is such an easy and charming explanation. Hm.
I am not sure if the alliterative surname improves the situation or makes it less advisable. I am also not sure if the similarity to the name of the singer Maren Morris is helpful or harmful or irrelevant. (I had thought when I began the sentence that her name was spelled Marin, which is much more visually similar than Maren.)
I guess if it were me I would with some regret come down on the side of using it as a middle name, but I would be supportive and impressed by the use of it as a first name. I think what I would do is reverse the name: Henry Marvin instead of Marvin Henry. August and Henry works beautifully, as does Augie and Henry.
My husband’s name is Henry, and his grandfather’s name was Marvin. We agreed long ago that Marvin was not usable for us. My vote is for Henry in the first name spot. It’s a classic, timeless choice. I also love the names Elliott, Everett, and Ezra as sibling names with August.
I like it a lot! We gave our second son an honor name and it brings me so much joy that I wish we had used an honor name for our first as well. And Mars would be a potential cool-guy nickname to boot. I say go for it.
OH MY GOSH YES!!! I am STRONGLY on the side of “use it!!!”–this is one of those that, in ten years, everyone will wish that they had thought of first. It’s JUST about to come back. And if it doesn’t–even better. It’ll stay unique. People will remember him. They’ll have inexplicably warm, woolen-sweater-with-elbow-patches feelings about him. His resume will be the one that stands out in a good way (unique, but he sounds like a smart, hard worker). And with your family connection–if you didn’t use it, I think that you’d always regret it. Plus, in the rare, rare circumstance that he hates it, he can go by Henry! Perfectly lovely option!
The only thing missing is a nickname. MARS IS PERFECT. I have never ever ever in my whole life met a little kid who wouldn’t just LOVE to be called Mars. It’s the coolest. HE WILL LOVE IT. I am so excited about this. <3 <3 <3
TEAM MARS! Great great great nickname. Augie & Mars <3
I had a swim coach called Marvin! I will warn you that based on my experience with the name, it’s highly correlated with a propensity to yell “PAIN IS WEAKNESS LEAVING THE BODY” at inopportune moments.
I like Marvin and Augie/August more than Henry and Augie/August, but obviously from bb2’s perspective the most important thing is the name by itself. And you know what, I think I do like Marvin (N)orris. Especially with the middle name Henry so he can go by that if it turns out Marvin is a little too funky for his style.
Go for it!
To me it hits “slightly funky” rather than “oh no how awful”… which I think is the perfect spot for a comeback.
And even if it doesn’t, there are so many names being used nowadays, I think it will be fine. Henry is a great middle name backup in case he ever really wants it.
The nickname “Mars”, suggested above, is genius! Makes me like the name even more. :)
In the Charlie and Lola books/show, Charlie’s best friend is Marv. I find it perfectly charming.
Personally, I would go with Marvin because of the family connection and meaning to you. It really doesn’t stand out that much from other vintage names that are so trendy now.
And I think the nickname solutions has already been mentioned … Augie and Mars.
Team Mars! Augie and Mars!
I even like the suggestion of Marv. I would use Marvin Henry!
I feel about Marvin the way I feel about Walter, which is I would not EXPECT it to be workable, but in fact when I have encountered Walter on an actual child (I now know two Walters!), I find it so fresh and charming that is seems OBVIOUS that it was workable all along. So I say go for Marvin. Although Henry Marvin would be lovely, too.
Congratulations!
Use it! I think it’s so close to other names coming back that once people met baby Marvin, it would immediately seem wearable. Plus, you will get that special twinge of connection with your grandfather that you mention.
You could make other nicknames from Marvin, like Marvy (it’s so close to Harvey that I think people would get it), and like Swistle mentioned, the Marvel craze has made the sound commonplace.
I can think of one example of Marvin used in modern pop culture. Sitcom couple Marshal and Lily from How I Met Your Mother named their fictional baby Marvin, which might be irrelevant already, but it gives some precedent to modern use of the name.
You said you would use your grandpas middle Henry
No matter what but especially with Marvin- personally I am of the thought that exact namesakes, IIs, and Jrs can be tough for a little person to live up to. The idea of reversing the names to Henry Marvin though would give your little one his own identity, still be a total honor name, gives you the soft vowel-ish name you prefer AND pairs beautifully with August.
Oh! Another potential data point in favor of Marvin: I have noticed a slight uptick (from zero to two) in babies named Martin, which has SUCH a similar sound.
Being your favorite grandpa’s name makes Marvin totally useable! Marvin Henry! You can always call him M&M or MH or Marvie or Em, if you like. Inverting to Henry Marvin would be more familiar, if you’re worried, but as the proud mother of a 3yo Susan, I find people rarely do more than a quick blink or complement me on it. (She’s named for my late mother) The only reason why I didn’t name my son Gerald after my favorite grandparent is because my husband was assaulted* by a Jerry, and it’s just too close for him, though he loves my Grandma Gerry. Because everyone does.
*he’s open about it, so I know he won’t mind me mentioning it here.
OH MY GOSH M&M
THIS JUST GETS BETTER AND BETTER
I just came to add a nickname suggestion that I see two others have already made. I know of a children’s program that has a little boy called Marvie/y, and I think that pairs nicely with Augie.
I put Marvin in the same category as Agatha (and we know two of those). I think it shares a lot of the trending sounds as Swistle points out without yet being mainstream.
The other names on your list seem more a la mode, more “liquid,” which may be why you are struggling with this one. Marvin works, as does Henry. Really it comes down to how you feel about being an outlier. How unique do you like to be? (No wrong answer to that question.) Maybe try the playground or Starbucks tests. Or saying, “please meet my son Marvin.” Does it feel right? Do you cringe or find joy? Because this is really about how you feel about the name, not a problem with the name itself.
I love Marvin. I’d be totally smitten to meet a little Marvin at the park. I think it’ll make a comeback in 5 or 10 years. Not that it’ll ever be a top 10 name, but popular enough it won’t seem surprising.
I also like Augie and Marv together. It’s less cutesy than Augie and Vinny would be.
If you find a name you and your other half LOVE, by all means, put Marvin in the middle. But don’t settle on a different name just because Marvin might seem a dusty choice to some. I think if you did that you’d end up regretting not going for it.
Other ideas, in case you hadn’t considered them:
Arlo
Edmund
Oscar
Oliver
Otto
Sullivan
Walter
Milo
Good luck!
My first thought was the one Swistle ended with– Henry Marvin. Solves a lot of problems. My main association with the name Marvin is Marvin K. Mooney, not sure if that’s good, bad, or neither. The idea of using Mars as a nickname is appealing, though.
Mars as a nickname is genius and completely makes Martin sing as a choice. I’m so impressed by the commenters here every time!
Use Marvin! It’s charming and retro and will likely be part of the pack of “grandparent names” so many of us are going for these days. I think Augie and Marv are a great pair, and Marv (N)orris rocks!
Full disclosure: I have three kids with old timey names , and they don’t stand out as odd at all.
Theodore (Theo)
August (Gus)
Mabel (sometimes Maisie)
100% use Marvin! It’s old fashioned ,different and has meaning to you which makes it perfect. Its known in the UK by other parents that have sat and watched Charlie and Lola , the childrens programme , Charlie’s friend is Marv which is really cute.
Love the thought of nicknames Marv/Marvey and Marvelous Marvin!!!
I actually know a little Marvin. He’s 4 now, but I’ve known him since he was a toddler, and it really is wearable! I did double take at first, but it really isn’t much off of Walter or Arthur in terms of old man style. He can always go by Henry if he hates it or you have name regret down the line. But I doubt you will when it’s such a wonderful honor name!
Sidebar: I had a boss named Marvin- well that was his given name, a family name inherited, and he exclusively went by his middle. Like we weren’t allowed to even acknowledge his first name. He had clearly spent his whole adulthood at least distancing himself from it professionally- this just to say there’s some thought warranted about what future Marvin might feel about having a charming but ultra rare name.
I think it sounds as though you might regret not naming your son Marvin…And if you do, I bet you will be happy years down the road. The little heart skip you get by thinking of your grandpa when you say his name is a rarity in life, and I say go for it! I don’t think you’ll regret it one bit.
And brothers named Mars and Augie is adorable.
Yes, yes, yes.
Marvin is snappy and smart. He’s masculine and amiable
All the nicknames mentioned are superb:
Marvey
Mars
Marv
And I’ll add Vin (NOT Vinny) in case he wants it for junior high.
Use it. Love it. He’ll be honored if you show him he’s named after an honorable man.
Marvin! I’m into it and it will be so deeply meaningful for you to use it and say it every day. I like Marvie and especially like Mars (Mars!) as nicknames. Some folks mentioned a kids book with the name used and I wonder if you would like to read one? When I was naming my son I saw a name I wanted to use was a name popular on an older television series and i went back and watched it and it confirmed for me how incredibly usable and delightful the name is.
We named our daughter Gloria after both of our grandmas and I had some reservations that lasted into the first couple of months of her life. I am a name enthusiast and knew I would pick something outside the top 100, but I wanted something that sounded a little bit more like it was ABOUT to be popular, if you know what I mean? But ultimately the meaning behind it meant more than that, and her name grew on her and us and I love that she is ALWAYS the only one named Gloria wherever we go and i can’t even tell you how much this name fits her. Sometimes I think about the other names we were considering and laugh by how much they WOULD NEVER fit her funny, quirky personality. The nickname Glo is adorable on her too. And it helped me honor my late beloved grandmother and also honor the grief I feel that she would never meet my children. Good luck!
OMG USE IT!!!
It’s clear it’s so meaningful to you that you’d come to adore it regardless of other’s reactions. And I think Marvin is unexpected but not weird. Marve, Mars, and Vin are all great suggestions especially paired with Augie! Love!! And update us 🙂🙂
Please use it! Marvin with nickname Mars or Marvie, ah! The swoon factor is high. ESPECIALLY given how meaningful it is to you and how good the full name would sound Marvin Henry Norris. I think as he grows he can find a nickname that works for him, go by the full name, or choose his middle name. There is good balance there.
Henry Marvin (N)orris seems to be the most obvious solution. Plus, August and Henry or Augie and Hank are adorable as a sibset.
You have lots of good choices with Marvin Henry or Henry Marvin! Marvin is GOOD, fresh, sweet. Or Henry is adorable & safe. And Augie & Hank is perfect, though Augie & Henry, or Marvie, are good too. Do you like Emmett? I love August & Emmett together.
Can’t believe no one has yet mentioned how cool Marvin The Martian is. And the nickname Mars tying into the Martian part? Love it!
Definitely use it! I immediately thought of Marvin Williams the basketball player from UNC (now the Bucks, 2nd round Draft Pick!). I never thought his name out of place (he was born in 1986). I love it! Go for it!
I know a little boy with the similar – but not the same – but slightly more dated in my mind – Mervyn.
When I first heard it I was really taken aback but he wears it really well. My kids don’t have an opinion about it at all (they don’t know which names are ‘old names’ after all). So from that one data point I would say Marvin is usable. I just asked my 8 and 11 year olds and they said ‘its a bit odd but pretty good’ which means they haven’t heard it before but it is fine.
Side note: I have been waiting for Martin to come back (2 syllables, ends in n, great saint connection, cute nickname).
The alliterative surname gives me pause but that is entirely about taste – some people love it and some don’t. I would go with it if you love it :)
I remember in How I met your mother Marshall and Lily hesitate about naming their baby Marvin, but eventually go for it because it was his father’ name, and everyone gets used to it. Maybe it’s a sign that we might be ready for babies named Marvin? But I think I would choose Martin. Close enough, but not the same feel.
Also, looking at your list, I see a lot of E—t names, so maybe Emmett?
Marvin is definitely usable. As someone who ended up using a not at all in style name for my eldest as an honor name, it still feels wonderful, even after 10 years, to say my grandfather’s name and talk to my son about his namesake. In the early days when we told people his name, the most common reaction was either no reaction or asking whether it was an honor name. It was recognizably out of style but not so, much like Marvin is today.
I would use Marvin
Team Marvin here. Go for it!
Marv, Marvey, Mars – all wonderful.
One of my favorite uncles was Marvin, nn Moishe, so I vote use it! Marvin nn Mars, or Mal, or Marvie
I had such a very lovely Marvin in my life when I was a child. I think it’s an excellent name with lots of cool nickname possibilities.
I also thought of Marvin the Martian, but for some reason didn’t think of the nickname Mars, which I love!
I don’t know any Marvin’s, but I do know a Melvin and a Calvin, both of which I wouldn’t have expected to be as “usable” as they are.
AND I was literally thinking about this post the other day while I was driving, and drove past a truck that said MARVIN. So if you’re looking for a sign, there you go.
My immediate thought was what Swistle came to in the end: reverse the order, Henry Marvin. Henry certainly isn’t unpopular, but Marvin definitely balances that out. August and Henry sound fantastic together, as do Augie and Harry, or (my personal favorite) Augie and Hank. Love love love a Baby Hank.
If that’s still a no, I think using Marvin as a middle is definitely not a cop-out. I used my beloved grandmother’s first as my daughter’s middle name, and I get the Warm Fuzzies every time I think about it. Elliott Marvin is pretty great.
Use it! I have a son named Jarvis which has the same “arv” sounds that swistle mentions as perhaps giving it the dated sound. I’ve heard 99% positive things about it (and the negative stranger was a jerk).
I usually get asked if it’s a family name/maiden name. It’s not, but I would have loved to have a connection to it like you do with Marvin.
MY grandpas name was also Marvin Henry!! Love the idea of bringing it back. My grandpa loved his name so much that he named his first child – a daughter- after him… Marvyn Lee. She’s always gone by Marvy which is an amazing name / nickname. My dad, second born, does tease his sister and tell her how glad he is that she was born first! :) (okay, Steve!) if not Marvin Henry, I love Oliver Marvin. August and Oliver. Augie and Oli. (And Augie and Marvy)
I love it! I had a great uncle named Marvin – he was my grandmother’s youngest brother and she always talked about him like he was still a little boy even once he was an old man, so somehow the name makes sense to me for a little kid. His siblings and wife always called him Marvie, which could be adorable with Augie. Do it!!!
I want a name update on this so so bad!! I have a son Auggie and am so interested in bringing back some “out there” names for a sibling. Having an honor name makes it even better!!