Need Help Deciding on Baby Boys Name

Updated on March 10, 2009
L.W. asks from Citrus Heights, CA
55 answers

I am due next Thursday with my second son. Hubby and I have pinned down two names, but just can't decide which we like best. My son is named Noah and the two baby names we are considering are Daniel and Dylan.
Which do you like best? Do you have a great name suggestion for me to consider?
Thanks for your input Mama's!

1 mom found this helpful

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T.F.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi, there are way too many Dylan's out there. Maybe it's just me but that name reminds me of 90210 (the original). I like Daniel but I would want my son to be called Daniel. If you call him that most people will follow. Congratulations!

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F.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Daniel for sure. One it is a Bible name like Noah and two it is the most beautiful name. Congratulations on your new baby boy.
F.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Dylan was my husbands favorite name. There are not too many nicknames for Dylan or bad rhymes. With Daniel, you have to consider if you want your child called Dan or Danny. Daniel has the potetial to be more problematic with name calling later on too.

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L.B.

answers from San Francisco on

have you gone to the social security web site of baby names? great site! also, you can google by category - famous literary characters, celebrity names and one of my favs...places or cities. my friend named her daughter,Cambria, after their anniv. spent in the central coast. good luck!!!

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J.H.

answers from Bakersfield on

Lisa,
Oh boy, did you open a can of worms! The funny thing about names is that many people have name associations that cause us to like or dislike them. I can't stand the name Katherine or any derivitive of it because I grew up with a Kathy who I didn't care for at all....and my dislike list is long! My husband and I have 4 girls and it was a struggle naming them because I had all these "association" hang-ups and he didn't have near so many. We wanted to choose names that were somehow different, but didn't sound like we were trying so hard to be different that the names turned out bizarre. We ended up with: Gillian Page, Emma Joyce, Lola Grace and Heidi Jo. As far as Dylan versus Daniel, I can tell you currently Dylan is being used a lot. Daniel has been "on the charts" consistently for years, but it seems like it's one of those tried and true names and not just a fad name. I prefer Daniel over Dylan for that reason...there are tons of Dylans currently and not so many Daniels. My personal choice for the boy we haven't had (yet???) is Sullivan. I've had that one picked out since our first! Still waiting.... But I do like the suggestion of one mama who says wait until he's born and see what comes natural. I think that seems pretty smart. And just one more thing to think about. My mother named me J. (yes, with one 'n', which has caused me grief from day one!), and it was such a popular name back then. Now, everytime I go anywhere, I hear someone calling for a J. somewhere and it makes me crazy! I know they aren't calling for me, but I'm forced to look, anyway! So that's just a little tidbit from experience. If you can choose something that isn't one of the most popular names of the time, it sure makes life easier for them later on! Either way, have fun with it, and congratulations. Children are a blessing from God!

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C.C.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi Lisa,

Great choice of names. I like both. It's funny this popped up for me to read. I'm going to go with Daniel. First because that is my oldest son's name, and I have 3 boys, no girls. Second because I will, and so will he, have a choice of what to be called. When I call him Daniel, he usually knows he is in trouble. When he became a man, his friends call him Dan. And then there is Danny, which is my favorite because no matter how old he is, he will always be my baby boy Danny.

C.

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D.P.

answers from Fresno on

My sister is a teacher, and she would say there are certain names that always seem to be trouble makers in school. I, personally, think Daniel is "safer" in this respect. My son has a name that is so completely out of the ordinary in our area that his teachers had little possibility of making judgments based on his name. (It's a very popular Greek name, but not popular among the general US population). The cool thing about it is that it has allowed him the opportunity to become as unique as his name...and he loves it.

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S.A.

answers from San Francisco on

Of the two, I like Dylan better. I am due the end of May, and we can't find a boys name for the life of us. I think we've recently honed in on Rowan (Roan or Rohan are spellings, too). It's tough.

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T.V.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi Lisa,

Dylan is very common these days. Daniel is a strong name, but people will call him Danny or Dan. I love the name Noah and if you like "N" names, how about NELSON OR NEIL?

Congratulations....how exciting to welcome new life!

Blessings to you ALL.....

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K.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Both are very popular names right now. Maybe consider some that aren't quite so common...

Noah and N...?

Nathan
Nelson
Neil
Nicholas
Niles
Nolen

Noah and D...?
Dakota
Dalen
Darel
Daren
Denton
Derek
Devon
Dillon
Donnel
Duncan

Good Luck with what ever you decide!
K.

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E.V.

answers from San Francisco on

love the name noah...daniel is too common and i feel like i know a lot of daniel's, and dylan is popular but i like it way better. so my vote is dylan. :)
oh yeah, here are a few "differnt" D suggestions..i was once a preschool teacher so i have sooo many names in my head!
Desi
Deckland
Darwin
Dillon spelled different :)
Damion
Daryn

good luck!

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M.P.

answers from Seattle on

I like Dylan ;) Congrats!

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F.A.

answers from San Francisco on

Dear Lisa,

First, congratulations and good luck!
I love both names. Maybe you will see when your baby is born if he looks more like a Daniel or a Dylan!
What does Noah think?
Take care,

F.

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L.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Lisa,

Since you already named you first born with a Biblical name, I think it would be great to continue that idea with your 2nd son. So I support the idea of Daniel.

We named our 2 sons, Jordan (after the Jordan river) and Jeremiah. I wanted both of our sons to have names from the Bible.

I hope your delivery with baby number 2 does smooth and well for you.

Best wishes to you and your growing family.

L.

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L.P.

answers from Sacramento on

I picked Dylan James for my 11 mo old son. He has a big brother named Jacob "Jake" Daniel. Good luck.

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S.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi Lisa, first of all congratulations. My pick is Dylan. To me the name is fun. There are alot of Daniel's. Whatever you choose, I am sure will fit your son just fine.

☆.H.

answers from San Francisco on

Wait and see what he looks like. That's what my hubby and I decided to do when we were torn between two names. As soon as we saw him, it was clear which name to choose. Good luck!

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S.L.

answers from San Francisco on

I like....

Jake
Jack
Matthew
and.....
Lorenzo

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J.Y.

answers from San Francisco on

Congratulations! Daniel and Dylan are both lovely names so you can't go wrong. I will put in my vote for Dylan as it is a little less traditional. Since your other son is Noah, rather than Nicholas or Nathan, which is a little less traditional too so they go together really well.

Good luck and welcome little D....!

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M.W.

answers from Sacramento on

Congrats to you and your family,

This are a few names that has always stood out for me.

1. Jaydin
2. Kamdyn
3. Elijah
4. Dylan ( love that one)
Anyhow once you see your precious new addition it'll come to you if you haven't decided before he arrives.
Congrats again.

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B.H.

answers from San Francisco on

ugh.. what a task I recall all the research I did when i was pregnant for the invaluable name!!! I absolutely LOVE dylan,...Daniel is a great name too, but it's just sooo common. I would try Dylan with a twist.

If and when we get to that point (and hopefully it's a boy, because I have an adorable and loveable little girl whom i love, but gosh, she keeps me on my toes daily)... I would name him Connor.

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M.F.

answers from Salinas on

I love Dylan! but I am biased it is also my daughters middle name, I love it so much

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K.H.

answers from Sacramento on

I like Dylan. Daniel is really nice but just be prepared for people to call him Danny or Dan. Dylan sounds good as child name and also a grown up name. Those are my two cents...
other names:
Parker
Carson
Carter
Oscar (I love this name but nobody else does)
Nolan
Brendan

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J.B.

answers from Sacramento on

Lisa,
Congratulations and best wishes with both the new baby and your older son.
For baby names, I had once heard that you should stand on the front porch and call your child in to supper using their entire name, first-middle-and last, and see if it sounds good. If not, pick something else. This also works if you say it is a stern voice like you might use if your child were in serious trouble.
Best wishes - J.

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J.C.

answers from Sacramento on

Dylan is my favorite, but I agree I like Daniel too. Hard choice. Both are common these days, but if you don't mind that you've got some good names. Here are a few I loved.

Gavin Dean
Mason Austin
Christian Reed
Jadon Gabriel

God bless!

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C.V.

answers from San Francisco on

Hello Lisa,
First off, Congrats on the up coming arrival. I was where you are back in June 08. My second son came 5 weeks early so my husband and I were really not ready. We had so many names but none we could agree on. We were so happy with the name we picked for our first son and everyone loved it. So i think the bar was set so hight for round 2. My husband is a traditional name picker and I wanted something not so common but not horrible. There are some really bad ones out there today. Im so happy that you are serious about your childs name and picking strong names for your son. Im glad you didn't pick a state, city, country, object, material, herb, etc. My husband and I actually left the hospital with no name. They let us have a name down but allowed us to change it over the weekend if we wanted. I got my Blake name for 2 days and then we changed it. My baby name since I can remember was Blake. My husband had nothing to do with it with both boys. SO to anwser your question, I love Dylan. I read some where about picking a name. They said, say your to be childs name 10 times and then think about saying it when they are 20,40 and 50 and saying it as you are introducing them as an adult and see how it sounds and for boys saying the full name making sure it goes with the last name. All nbames sound great when they are little babies. Make sure your son's name grows with him. We talked about the baby coming with our older son and asked him what he wanted to name his baby brother. He was 2.5yr at the time and wanted to name him Nemo. LOL

Good luck to you.

SAHM/Zombie 40yrs old with 2 beautiful amazing little boys. Ryan Cole 3 and Logan 8 months.

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K.D.

answers from Stockton on

I think both of them are adorable. Maybe wait and see what he looks like before naming him. Have you tried calling Dylan or tried calling Daniel? What middle name are you thinking of? Do they sound good together? I think Dylan is a little more trendy like Noah, but Daniel is cute too. You could call him Danny. O.K. if I had to vote I would vote on Dylan. Currently my favorite boy's name is Caden.

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A.N.

answers from San Francisco on

I think Noah and Dylan go better with each other than Noah and Daniel...

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V.L.

answers from Modesto on

Congradulations Lisa on your up and coming birth of your Son!
Both names are awesome! Which one does your husband like??
Men feel more connected with thier sons when they get to pick a name for thier sons, it is a father son thing. Tell your hubby that he has to pick one now that you both like these two names. And thank you for not picking something like moon unit or carol. You sill love your son no matter what his name will be! If you like both since he is a boy and your husband knows what name boys will be the least teased about. Here are the meanings of the names your huband and you have decided on,

Your Name Meaning

DANIEL
Gender: Male
Origin: Hebrew
Meaning: God Judges
Popularity Find For FREE!

Your Name Meaning

DYLAN
Gender: Male
Origin: Welsh
Meaning: Of The Sea; Son Of The Waves
Popularity Find For FREE

Again Congradulations MOM, sons are very special, I know as I have 3.

let him decide on one of the two.

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R.R.

answers from San Francisco on

At my last job at any given time I worked with 3 Daniels. Maybe it's just me, but I am very sick of that name and I've never been partial to the name Danny either. I do like Dylan, but one potential drawback to that name is that recently I've been hearing of a lot of baby girls named Dylan. Personally I still think of it as a boys name, but it all depends on how you feel about it. Congratulations on your soon to be new baby boy! Good luck!

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R.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi Lisa-

My son was born a month early and we were down to 10 names. We took one look at him and knew he was 'Kyle'.

Couple of things to keep in mind, and Wendi O. pointed out out one below, check the initials!! I really wanted to use my husband's name for a middle name, but he would have had KGB for initials, and we have an Eastern European last name. Not that communism is a problem anymore in the US, but something we thought was to be avoided. My friend growing up had initials BRA. She hated having to write her middle initial or just initials on anything.

Another thing to thing about is how the name flows with your last name. Some don't go. My aunt loved the name "Beth", but she married a name with the last name "Besser". Poor girl would have sounded like she had a lisp every time she said her name.

And check out nicknames that can be made, not just from the first alone, but in combination with the middle and your last.

So many thing to think about... I know know why Picabo Street's parents let the kids choose their names!

V.R.

answers from Sacramento on

I vote Daniel - but I'm a little biased, my son's name is Daniel & I love it!! I think one reason I like it so much is that he can go by 3 different names & they all sound great, rather than "nick namey" type names. Daniel, Danny, Dan. He calls himself both Daniel & Danny (he's 2.5) & they both sound so cute when he says them. :)

Good luck! We've got our 2nd boy coming in 2 months & can't decide between Luke or Levi. I prefer Levi because it's a lot less popular than Luke, but still sounds manly, but my husband's a little less certain.

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X.L.

answers from Sacramento on

if you don't already have a middle name picked out then name him daniel dylan or dylan daniel that way you get both your favorite names! My sister did this with her daughter, she liked both ryann and dylann and couldn't decide which she liked best so she named her ryann dylann aka dill-pill... *LOL* congrats and good luck!!

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A.C.

answers from San Francisco on

I prefer Dylan over Daniel myself. Though, Dylan is very common. There are 3 of them in my sons pre-school class. I have 2 boys. Tegan (pronounced Teegan) and Carter. When I was naming my second son, I also liked the name Hudson. A name I also really like is Gavin. Good luck and I am sure whatever you choose will be perfect!

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S.A.

answers from Sacramento on

This is obviously just my opinion, but since you asked--I like Daniel since it and Noah are both biblical. Also, as much as I like Dylan, I think it has become too trendy. Daniel is a nice, time-tested name. There's my two cents. Have fun deciding ;-)

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C.M.

answers from San Francisco on

Daniel -- its a name that will still sound good with he's 80!

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D.T.

answers from San Francisco on

Daniel. He can have nickname with this name- Danny, Dan...

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K.H.

answers from Modesto on

Daniel is my vote. Hands down!!! I think the name has a lot of character and charm. Dylan doesn't do anything for me.

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A.J.

answers from Sacramento on

I am biased to Daniel, just cuz its my hubby's name...But as the previous mom noted everyone under the son has a nickname for him from DJ, Danny...Dan. No one calls him Daniel for anything. Its funny when I talk to his friends and family from his home town I call him Danny, but I've never called him Danny personally its always been Dan. But anyway, that's what his parents wanted they just wanted to give him a "professional" name for when he was older.

Although our friend just name their lil one Daniel and no ones shortened it yet......Just some input I know how hard it is to decide on names.

Congratulations!!

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D.B.

answers from San Francisco on

Congratulations, Lisa!

I see that most people are voting for Dylan because Noah is not a common name. However, I would vote for Daniel because Noah is a Biblical name and so is Daniel. Of course that may be of no concern to you. I also have two boys. My husband picked their first names and he went with the same letter for both. I hated that since my sisters and I all started with the same letter. I got to pick the middle names and named them after two angels: Michael and Gabriel. Whatever name you choose, think about the meaning of the name. ie Noah is Hebrew and means peace. Daniel is Hebrew and means God is my judge. Dylan is welsh and means son of the sea. That might help you in deciding too. Good luck to you and God bless you and your family.

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D.Z.

answers from Yuba City on

We were on our way to the hospital for a c/section with twin girls (we already had 3 girls) and no names decided. We figured them out in the car on the way and after they were born gave each one her name. You'll know the right name, maybe you just need to look at him first.

Congratulations to you & hubby!

D.

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M.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Lisa,

Congratulations! My vote is Dylan Thomas. I think it has a nice sound to it or Daniel James. Hope this helps and I hope that you have a wonderful, safe delivery!

Molly

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J.W.

answers from San Francisco on

Let your 3 yr old pick the name. It helps the child feel important to this new little one coming into his house. My son was 3 when son #2 was born. He loved coming up with the name and having final say! By the way my #2 son is named Travis. I love it!

K.O.

answers from San Francisco on

A friend of mine had two names picked out for her daughter and couldn't decide either. She waited until she was born to see her and once she saw her she new which name she was.

My suggestion would be if you can't really decide between the two, wait until he is born and once you see him you will know.

Best of luck!

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J.K.

answers from Fresno on

I like them both but Daniel is biblical which I like. How about Rylen or Caleb? I think that is kinda cute. It really matters what middle name you are going to put with it if he is going to have a middle name. I just like it when the whole name flows.

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S.B.

answers from Redding on

Dear Lisa,
Congratulations and best of wishes for a happy delivery!
Chosing names can be a very daunting task, believe me. My daughter was 4 days old before dad would agree to anything I suggested. In 9 months and 4 days, his only suggestion was Athena, so he wasn't much help.
There were two things I really considered seriously before committing to a name for either of my children, one girl and one boy.
A) How will it sound when they are really in trouble and I'm hollering at them?
B) How will it sound when their name is announced at their high school and college graduations?

Dylan and Daniel are both very lovely names. Maybe when you actually get to see your baby for the first time, the name will just come to you. You can always ask Noah what name he likes.

Best of wishes and please let us know what you decide.

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S.Q.

answers from San Francisco on

Lisa W. and Hubby,

I like the name Daniel better. A couple of reasons: In the Bible, Daniel's enemies couldn't find anything "shady" about Daniel. His "fault" was that he prayed to God three times a day at his window. That shows good character-a trait I'm sure you'll want for you new son. (And if the baby turns out to be a girl, you could call her Danielle.)

And I've had a friend whose name is Daniel and he was fun to be around.

God bless you as you go through labor and hopefully you'll have a healthy child.

S.

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J.M.

answers from San Francisco on

I had two names I was choosing between for my son. Lucas & Gabriel. My son came 4 weeks early and I was freaking out because I still hadn't decided. I didn't actually pick his name until the last day we were at the hospital! After two days with him, he just looked like a Lucas James. I think once you meet your son you will know which name to go with. Both Daniel and Dylan are cute names!

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W.O.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi Lisa,
I thought I was going to be having a girl due to how I my body is this time...turns out it is a boy. So I am right there with you and my only real advise is to make sure you like it will all moods. Say it happy, say it frustrated, call it out loud, etc. What does it leave you feel like after you say it in each tone. Call me crazy but I am leaning twards names that end in y as that leaves my face in with a smile. So even if I get mad, when I say their names my face is already working toward being happy again. Someone suggested for me to use Cody Evan (CEO).

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A.M.

answers from San Francisco on

I will add my vote to Daniel. To me, Daniel is a strong name; Dylan reminds me of soap operas and romance novel cowboys. Also, Dylan will end up shortened to "Dil"...

Of course, whatever name you choose will be great, because it will be your baby's name, and therefore absolutely special.

A.

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N.C.

answers from Sacramento on

Noah and Dylan are the names of my good friend's son's. How funny how common the same names are within families. I love my son's name "Preston."

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J.M.

answers from Fresno on

Picking a name is so hard. I like both names, Daniel can be Dan, or Danny or Daniel. Dylan is just Dylan, so if you don't want him to have lots of nicknames Dylan is the one I would go with. Sometimes you need to meet your baby and see what fits.
J.

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K.C.

answers from San Francisco on

Hi Lisa,
I think boy names are much harder than girl names. I also think that picking a name is a very personal thing you and your hubby should decide on. It depends on what your background is and such. Did you pick your first son's name b/c you are religious? Are your two choices Daniel and Dylan b/c they both start with the letter D - or is that coincidence? Obviously there are many factors that come into play when choosing a name. It just depends what you are looking for. There are DOZENS of baby name books and web sites you can go through. My two son's names are Enzo and Matteo. We chose those two names b/c they have personal meaning to us.

Good luck! And please remember that a name is FOREVER... So, don't just pick a name from a poll request on this site. Have it mean something to you and your family.

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K.H.

answers from Fresno on

Having both of their names from the Bible is nice.

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E.S.

answers from San Francisco on

I like Dylan best.
Other names I like:
Chase
Sawyer
Mason
Nate (would be cute with Noah)

Congrats & good luck!! :)

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