OK, so as I mentioned in my other post, my DH is Turkish, and we will have one "American" (western) name and one Turkish name for our little boy. We are currently at a loss for either one and time's a-runnin' out. I'm 35w+ right now, and have been on bedrest since 21w. My BP has been creeping up over the past week, and I'm afraid my pregnant days are numbered.
Here is the (long) Turkish list. I went through a Turkish baby name book, and picked ones I like and that I *think* are relatively pronounceable to english speakers (even if the correct pronunciation isn't immediately obvious, it can be done with a correction or two). Or ones that I think have a similar English name so that we/he could anglicize it if we choose (e.g. Aran/Aaron).
Please read through them, give the pronunciations a try, and let me know what you think. Do any jump out at you (as good or bad)?
Our pattern so far has been to give the kids an American first name and Turkish middle name (the tradition in Turkey is to use the middle name as the "main" name). Some people over there call our DD Annika "Ela". Even the IL's sometimes do (they do moreso with our twins that we lost: Cole (Kaya) and Lina (Belen)).
But DH seems to be leaning toward using a Turkish first name this time (i.e. using the Turkish name as the "main" name, even over here). I'm not opposed to the idea. But he's wishy-washy on what he wants. I think my two favorites are Kaan and Evren. WDYT?
Adem (ah-dem): This is the Turkish version of Adam. DH isn't too keen.
Akay (ahk-eye): full moon (lit. white/bright moon)
Aksel (ahk-sell): a flood flowing clear and white. In other languages it apparently means "father of peace". Synergy with "Axel". I really like it, but DH dismissed it.
Aran (ah-rahn): a plain/lowland, or a cozy and warm place. Synergy with Aaron.
Arda (ar-dah): means 'successor'. It's a pretty popular name in Turkey right now.
Arik (ah-rick): Clean and pure. I thought there could be a synergy with "Eric", but looking at the turkish meaning, I'm thinking it doesn't sound very strong.
Arin (ah-rin): face. Again, synergy with Aaron
Ates (ah-tesh): Flame.
Aydin (eye-din): cultured and forward-thinking. Synergy with Aiden
Baran (bah-rahn): strong, noble, high, breaking resistance
Barin (bah-rin) energy, strength
Deren (deh-rehn): one who collects, composes, gleans. Synergy with Darren
Derin (deh-reen): Deep: Synergy with Darren
Destan (des-tahn): epic, saga
Devran (dev-rahn) world, fate, time (era)
Devrim (dev-rim): revolution
Emre (em-ray): friend, poet, paramour
Emri (em-ree): having to do with an order or command
Emrah (em-rah): someone who plays the saz (guitar-like instrument)
Eran (air-ahn): brave, fearless person. Synergy with Aaron
Evran (ev-rahn): according to my book it means a person or tree that grows very, very (too?) tall. Kind of a strange meaning.
Evren (ev-ren): Universe. This is one of my favorites. DH doesn't seem too keen.
Imre (eem-ray): friend
Kaan (kahn): ruler, emporer. Comes from the mongolian Khan (as in Gengis Khan). I think this one is my favorite (for the look/sound more than the meaning). DH is uncomfortable because our DD's BFF's mom's BIL is Turkish and named this. I've liked the name since long before we ever knew him, and we're not close to him at all, so I don't care. But I think DH thinks it would seem like we're naming him "after" him. Not sure I can convince him.
Kenan (ken-ahn): promised land
Koray (kor-eye): red moon. Synergy with Corey?
Koral (kor-all): border guard, also chorale. DH says this sounds like a "rough" name to him. I worry it's too girly, like "Coral"
Tan (tahn): Dawn (i.e. sunrise). There's a famous and really attractive Turkish ballet dancer by this name. But it would constantly be pronounced "Tan".
Tanay (tahn-eye): The moon at dawn
Taner (tahn-air): Shining like dawn. Synergy with Tanner
Tay (tie): foal (as in baby horse), or equal (as in tie). Synergy with Ty
Ulas (oo-lahsh): to arrive. Now that I think about it, could get teased with "goulash". Ouch.