Help Me Pick a Middle Name!

Updated on January 04, 2011
W.R. asks from Blacksburg, VA
26 answers

Hi! We are trying to come up with a middle name that is different, but not weird. (Sometimes I think there's a fine line.) We are considering Chowning and Acadia. (For a girl.) Opinions?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.V.

answers from New York on

Chowning???? Sorry, I don't like it, unless it has some special meaning for you, I think it's a little too "different". Acadia sounds a little more "mainstream", but I just keep thinking of the SUV.

4 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Acadia reminds me of the GM vehicle, but I prefer it over Chowning (unless that is a family name). Did you mean Arcadia?

4 moms found this helpful

L.B.

answers from New York on

What is the first name? Are you using last names as middle names? I have never heard of Chowning or Acadia used as name? If Chowning is a last name or family name, then I quess it is o.k., otherwise I don't like it.

4 moms found this helpful

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.A.

answers from Chicago on

I am going to be honest. Acadia sounds like a car model, not my favorite. Chowning sounds like Chowder or something. I think you are crossing the line from different to weird with these two. Just my 2 cents, but to each their own!

How bout "Wynde" pronounce "wind" for a middle name--its an anagram of your name and it sounds pretty =)

8 moms found this helpful

L.U.

answers from Seattle on

Chowning? That would just be mean. The first thing that came to mind is ChowDown...which you don't want your little girl to be made fun of with that, right? Acadia...it's okay. Is there a reason you are trying to think "so" outside the box? To each their own!

5 moms found this helpful

M.L.

answers from Houston on

I prefer Acadia over Chowning. Has more of a melodic rhythm and feminine quality to it.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

O.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

I don't like either...

3 moms found this helpful

M.3.

answers from St. Louis on

Chowning or Acadia is the first name your going with, or your considering these for middle names? Im confused.

3 moms found this helpful

J.P.

answers from Stockton on

I like Acadia -

Chowning....I wouldn't pick that one......first thing I thought of was a dog....

3 moms found this helpful

M.H.

answers from Raleigh on

I know a little girl named Acadia (after the National Park), and it fits her to a T! Personally, I think Chowning is really weird...unless there is some sort of familial reason, I wouldn't use it.

2 moms found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

Sorry, but Chowning, sounds like eating. I do not think a girl should never have an eating reference in her name.. too easy to pick on...

Acadia is pretty, maybe Acadia, but it sounds like a name brand for something,.. liquid soap?

Congratulations on your baby girl!

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.A.

answers from Spartanburg on

I love Acadia. I would like it as a first name.
I also like Rose, Lark, and Lynn as middle names.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

I.*.

answers from Columbus on

I’m really sorry but I wouldn’t give my child either middle name. I think you crossed the line over to weird. Kids can be really mean and I think she would be made fun of when she’s in school. Chowning reminds me of clam chowder. Acadia is a vehicle and is the region of northeastern North America which was established as a French colony in the 17th century.

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.R.

answers from Chicago on

What are the first and last names going to be? It is very hard to pick without knowing what the entire name will sound like.

I believe in choosing names that will mean something- not just sound cool. For example, use your mom's name or your maiden name or the dad's mother's name as a middle name. My brother's name is Zackary R., because my mom's family is Welsh and R. is our family name on that side. My son is named William Angus, because his dad's family has Scottish heritage.

I would say, WHY are you considering Chowning and Acadia? Do those words or names have a special meaning for you? Then they might be a good fit for your family. Or your daughter may be born and you may decide that the name you've picked out just doesn't fit her and start over!

It is a middle name, so I doubt if having an unusual one will be any kind of issue- most kids don't have any idea what other kid's middle names are! But think about WHY you are choosing a name and choose one that is meaningful to you and your family as well as one that sounds nice.

That's my advice! Good luck and god bless!

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.S.

answers from Houston on

I like acadia but dont care for the other one

1 mom found this helpful

C.M.

answers from Myrtle Beach on

Acadia I think is very pretty! Chowning, I don't love, but if you do, don't listen to what the other people on the posts say!
Congrats on your little girl!!!

1 mom found this helpful

T.N.

answers from Albany on

What's wrong with Wendy? I've always liked it since I am definately more of a Wendy than a Tinkerbell!
:)

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.C.

answers from Minneapolis on

ravena, harper, acacia, kai, McKinley

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi Wendy,

There are some odd/different sounding names in the Bible that I have always loved. Jerushah means inheritance and I'm afraid my other favorite is Jael (pronounced JL). It means mountain goat, lol, but she was the heroic woman in the Old Testament who killed the Canaanite captain who oppressed the Israelites for 20 years.

Congratulations on your little girl!

M.

1 mom found this helpful

H.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

Chowning, and Acadia are both very weird.... sorry...

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Jacksonville on

Are you asking what we think of these neames or are you asking for middle names to go with these names? How about Acadia Breanne?

1 mom found this helpful

V.E.

answers from Denver on

Definetely NO on Chowning. I agree it sounds like eating, or worse..dog chow! Very, very, very weird. I would only use t if it was your maiden name and/or a family name, but i would give a second middle name as well. Acadia is kind of pretty and its not extreemely different, but I think of the SUV (which ironically, I test drove). Can you share the first name?

A few names I thought of that are multiple syllables and different:
Amelia (similar to Acadia, but more well known)
Eloise
Emery (yes like a nail file, but its a nice flowy name for a middle name and also a band)
Bristol (actually becoming more popular)
Cheyenne
Peyton
Lilianna

I hope some of these help

1 mom found this helpful

P.L.

answers from Washington DC on

Wendy,
so are you decided on a first name yet? It's hard to help pick a middle name without knowing the flow etc. Do you have an iPhone or iPod? You could download a free app called babynames.
I think both Acadia dn Chowning are different names, I prefer Acadia over Chowning but it does make me think of the SUV. Unless you're dead set on Chowning please don;t use unless you are a history buff. It makes me think of Josiah Chowning, we ate at a Chowning's Tavern while touring Historic Williamsburg VA.
Good Luck wendy!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.S.

answers from San Francisco on

what is the first name? I like acadia- pretty and different but not so much that its strange. Chowning-not sure-would need to know the first name.

M

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.M.

answers from Cumberland on

The girl's name Acadia \a-ca-

dia\ is of algonquian wakashian origin, and the meaning of Acadia is "place of plenty". Place name: the French settlers of Nova Scotia called it Acadia after the name of a river there.

Tha't a pretty name-Acadia-go to thinkbaby names.com-it will help.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

W.S.

answers from Norfolk on

I too wanted something a little less common but my primary concern was whether my child would be picked on because of the name we chose. I agree with most of the other posts about Chowning, too many options for teasing. Acadia, makes people think of cars and parks but I like it better than the other. What about something similar like Ariana or Adriana? Best wishes for a heathly baby!

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions