baby name question

My DH and I are struggling to pick our first babies name. I am 23 weeks along and we were hoping to decide before my baby shower. We're having a boy and there are 4 names we like.  A few are very popular and we are concerned that the names are "over-used".  

My DH name is James and we want to use his 1st name as our babies middle name.  We want to pick a name that is not too common (Michael, Johnaton, etc) and somewhat trendy- but not too cute. Boy this is hard. If anyone could look at the names and tell me which ones they like most/least and why.

The names we like in no particular order are:

1. Rowan James
2. Jayden James (top 100 most popular names in 06)
3. Kellan James (my Dh middle name is Kelly and Kellan is an irish name meaning powerful or slender. It is listed as more of a boys name, but some websites state it is used as a girls name. It also is not listed in the top 1000 most popular names in 06.
4. Cullen James
5. Conner James (top 100 most popular names in 06)

Most of the names we seem to like are of Irish or Gaelic orgin. Jayden is English.

[waiting4mybabyboy]

I like Jayden James, I just like the way it sounds.  

[waitingwithhope]

Some comments on names as I have taught hundreds of children over the years...

1. Rowan James- this one is the most uncommon out of your choices. Know that someone might say "are you rowan a boat?" etc. but this name is nice.

2. Jayden James (top 100 most popular names in 06)- The J names have been known to have been more commonly attached to children with behavior issues at school. That does not mean that all Jayden's or J names will not be sweet, but a lot of them are not :( I think this name is also a nice one, but as a teacher, I would caution against a J name.

3. Kellan James (my Dh middle name is Kelly and Kellan is an irish name meaning powerful or slender. It is listed as more of a boys name, but some websites state it is used as a girls name. It also is not listed in the top 1000 most popular names in 06.-- Try to avoid any name that could be a girl or boy name. This causes constant confusion and it is better to have a boy's name become a girl's name than the other way around.

4. Cullen James- This one is quite nice and still unusual enough that not everyone has it. Are you ok with the short form of Culley? Or CJ?

5. Conner James (top 100 most popular names in 06)-- Nice name again, but SUPER popular. The connor's or conner's that I know of are usually active in sports and tend to be more bouncy in school too. Another CJ name, but that can be cute too if it is occasionally used.

I am totally for your middle name of James, though. VERY nice. I would keep that. I would vote for Rowan, Cullen, then Conner, Jayden and Kellan in that order.

[Elisa0407]

i would have to agree with the first post!!  defenetly sounds good together!!

[nikkicole827]

I like Rowan I think... if ours was to be a boy, he was going to be Terrence James which is Dh's names but just go by James.  I love the name James!

[waitingwithhope]

Have you considered the names Aiden and Liam? Both are also popular, but the Aidens and Liams I have known have been very sweet and adorable.

[lfb]

I teach school and Jayden is really popular.  We have a lot in kindergarten and other grades.  I like Rowan.  My son's name is Bennett.  I always get compliments on it.  People tell me it is not too different, but not overused.  I found it in a baby book when I decided to name him after my dad, Benny.

[archer0000]

I find it completely UNFAIR of the previous post to even suggest to you that children with the name that start with "J" have behavioral problems in school.  I think that is inappopriate to say! Exspecialy when I have 7 year old son who's name is JAYDEN.  My son is perfectly normal he does very well in school, just the fact to even suggest such an absurd comment is RUDE.  I am sorry if this sounds crude, but coming from a parent PLEASE understand.

[ally76]

Ooohhh!  I love the name Bennett.  Very different and very cute...I might keep that one in mind!  As for the "J" names being linked to behavorable problems...I dont agree either.  Everyone has there one ideas.  When I was pregnant with dd #2 we painted her room yellow and so many people said babies that sleep in yellow rooms are depressed!  Can you believe that?  Well my dd proved that theory WRONG!!  She is full of Pi$$ and vinegar (as everyone says)  Point is, she is the happiest kid ever!!!  I think the name Rowan is cute too but I kind of like it better for a girl.

[waitingwithhope]

I did not state that everyone with a J name will have behavior issues, from my experience, it has been more common than not--but that is only my experience and it also could be region-based as well. This can happen with any name...there are always children who make you not want to name your child that name and children who make you think that it is the cutest name ever--and sometimes you get both of them with the same name. I have a child whose name rhymes with your Jayden and I think the name is cute....just a cautionary tale from experience. Sorry to offend--did not mean to.

[ally76]

I thought I would add...I like the names Carson, Connor, Carter, Cameron...I like the "C" names.  

[wantingababy#1]

I cant believe how quickly everyone has been responding to my  dilemma.  Thank you to everyone who has offered their thoughts.  Its sounds like the name Kellan is not a big hit?

My Dh and I know that we want to stick to one of the names I listed, by narrowing down the pros/cons is SO hard.  We do like Aiden, although this name is taken from a recent family member.

I think I like Jayden, Cullen and Rowan best.  I did like Kellan because it is different, but I read that it sounds more feminine and close to Keegan (which is our new nephews name).  

Keep the thoughts/advise coming..... it helps me to narrow my decision

MB  

[2ndBaby]

Speaking of 'boy vs. girl' names, isn't Rowan the name Brooke Shields used for her older daughter?  I don't mean to be critical...just adding to the information listed.

[lynne1276]

I like Jayden the best.  My friend just named her son Jayden.  She is spelling it Jadyn.  I'm naming my boy Ayden Thomas.  I also only know 1 person named Kellen and it's a boy.  I like that name too.

[waitingwithhope]

Another poster mentioned Hayden. That is also a very nice name...along with Hunter .

[lovethebops]

Jayden james, Isn't thst the name of one of britney spears' kids?? Not sure, but if you don't mind your child having a really, really popular name, then go for it. Not just that name, but ALL the ayden names are very popular now. Jayden, aiden, caden,brayden, hayden..Hayden was actually a name I had picked out years and years ago, and to my dismay, it is one of the most popular names on the list. I liked it back when I never heard it, now that I hear it all the time, It somehow has lost its zip. It's funny that you mentioned rowan as a name, I was just thinking of that name today in the car for a middle name, if we have a son. I would pick that one, only because it is unique, and not way out there, and not a name that he would probably have in his class someday..( I garuntee their will be other "ayden" names in his first grade class, they SOOO popular right now!) Well, sorry for the rambling, just my thoughts, My vote is for Rowan:)

[waitingwithhope]

oooh..Caiden is nice. So is Cade.

[waitingwithhope]

I agree with Rock Rose...some names are becoming more common for girls now. Another name close to Rowan is Rory--I have only heard of a couple of kids with that name...but, again, I am not sure if that is being uses as a girl's name. Or Reid. That name is also not as common yet. Cullen is super cute--the more I think of that name, the more I really like it :)

[rubyolivia]

I like Rowan.....it's cute...trendy but not overused. (at least around here) Like the above poster said....people will say "rowin a boat". But hey...no matter what name your kid has they will find something to make fun of it! My last name is Fohner so my poor son is destined to be called Boner! lol And we're naming him Maxwell, max for short...Maxi pad. lol My best friend's son is Graiden and my husband always says "gradin papers". ugh

Cullen I like the least. Don't really know why.....

Hope this helps! Once you see him, a name will come to you! :) My friend with Graiden had Peydon, Graiden and Hayden picked out for her son and had NO clue what they'd name him. As soon as they saw him they knew!

Also, I like Jayden.....but I know alot of girls named that, too!

[rubyolivia]

As for Kellen........I dated a Kellen years ago. (nice guy...for the record lol) and a girl I went to high school with just had a son and named him Kellen. So I link it more to a boy....

[candie26]

Jayden James is Brittany Spears' youngest baby. I like Caiden for a boy, but a friend of mine had her baby first =(! If we are having a boy, then his name will be Dominick Aiden.

[rubyolivia]

Lol I like Caden...I know a girl named that. (Kadyn) I think it's cute for either though. I think the names with "y" in them are more feminine looking though. :) Also....I love the name Hayden, but since Graiden is being used it's a little close!

[Kat0513]

I like Jayden and Rowen.  The name Cowen has always been a favorite of mine and Rowen sort of reminds me of it.

[RockRose]

wanting - I like all the names you've picked,  they sound really cool.

The only reservations I have are that Jayden and Kellan,  to me,  are not obviously boy names.  I like to be able to look at a name and know what gender the child is - saves some confusion.

I only know two Jaydens,  and they're both girls - although it sounds like in other parts of the country it's a boy name.  Somehow,  Kellan sounds like the grouping of girl names - Kayla,  Keily,  Kiley,  Keela,  Keisha,  Kelly,  Kaley,  etc.  

Best wishes - I always thought boy names were easy to pick and girls names were impossible!

[surprisebaby]

i prefer names that are not on the top 10 lists...one of my sons name is graeme . there is only one other graham in his school and he spells it differently...(ours is scottish version)  our other sons name is lucas and although more common, there are only a couple of them at his school too.  my vote is rowan...as for name calling our 1st ds gets graham cracker...we have brought him up, to make a joke back...no biggie really. our 2nd gets pukey lukey....he laughs about it too!