wendyroo Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 Thank you all for your replies. I'm always gun shy about picking a name worried that everyone in the world except me knows something bad about a given name. My husband doesn't want much of a say about naming the kids, which is both good and bad - when I asked his opinion of Spencer all he said was, "that would be fine." My mom, on the other hand, is somewhat opposed to Spencer, but she can't figure out why exactly. She is heavily lobbying for the name Logan. I've already told her that is not going to happen. For one, it is way too popular for my liking (currently ranked in the top 20 names) and also, to me, it doesn't seem to go with my other kids' names which are older, more classic names. Thanks again, Wendy (and Peter and Elliot and Spencer) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitten18 Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 I see people referencing "Spencer for Hire". The Robert B. Parker character is actually Spenser. Spenser is his last name but it's the only name he every goes by, he never gives his first name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeacefulChaos Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 I like Spencer. I don't love it, but I don't have any bad connotations to the name. And I don't need to love it lol - but I do really like it. :) (It's also the name of my favorite character on Criminal Minds :lol: ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom2scouts Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 I may be a bit biased because I have a son named Spencer. He's a sweet boy and I love his name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tita Gidge Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 I've only known one Spencer. He was a freckled, spectacled, red-haired boy who had dimples that charmed the pants off of our teacher. He got away with a lot, because he was a cutie patootie and he knew it :) I liked him anyway, and I like the name. It's common enough to not be mangled, but not so common that he'll necessarily be Spencer Last.Initial. I think it goes just fine with your other boys' names, and very well with the middle name David. Congratulations on your little boy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tammyw Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 I love the name Spencer, however, every time I see my friends son I greet him with "Spencaaaa". Okay, so where is that from? When I first read this thread, I kept thinking "Spencaaaa" but I couldn't type that as I thought maybe I was crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 I'm biased, it's my maiden name. One of my cousins named her oldest Spencer as well. I think it's wonderful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pamela H in Texas Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 I like it and it goes well with your other kids :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misty.warden Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 He might have to get used to "Spencer for Hire" jokes. Otherwise, it's a cute name. Never heard this. I think just about every name has some kind of joke/tease associated with it so meh. I think it's a really nice name, preppy and old-fashioned (but I'm biased, ds's name is Glenn and I hate the deluge of kids these days named Aydenn and Mykynleey). Something about it tickles my memory though... My first thought is Spencer's which is a gift shop that sells mostly cheap lewd gag gifts. I'm not a fan of the name. It sounds odd to my ear. It was this. But I don't know how common this store is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisbeth Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 I love the name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baseball mom Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 Well, the first thing that comes to my mind is Spencer Reid from the TV show Criminal Minds. He's my favorite character and super cute, so I think of good things. Yep I like the name Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 I love it, and the three names absolutely flow and go together - one of my pet peeves! One of my friends gave her dd a cute, casual, VERY tomboyish name, and then gave her son a much more formal, old-fashioned, British-sounding name. Does not flow, lol. Please, be brutally honest - give me the good, the bad and the ugly. What does the name Spencer bring to mind? I am pregnant with my third boy. My first two are Peter Thomas and Elliot Robert. For the new baby I am considering Spencer David (all middle names are after family members). Does it flow - Peter, Elliot and Spencer? Thanks, Wendy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 Well I am with Laura Corin. I don't like using last names for first names. I do like some of Sahamamama's name ideas. To me, it doesn't have that connotation - while it isn't common, I've known & heard of people with it, and do think of it as a first name. And if it's good enough for Superman :laugh: As far as jokes or odd references, there isn't a name in the world that doesn't have a joke, odd reference, or embarrassing rhyme attached to it. Kelly is smelly, and Debbie does Dallas, and so on. I think parents should try to make sure names don't jar (with last name or sibling names), see what the initials spell, and then quit worrying about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lea_lpz Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 I like it. A tiny bit preppy....think blonde, fit and trim boy in a blazer, lol, but not pretentious at all. I think it is a good name. Very masculine, which I like, and goes well with the others. That's what comes to mind, too :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matryoshka Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 I prefer names that are not co-opted surnames, unless it's a family one re-used. But that's just me. I've never even personally met a single person with the last name Spencer, while I know quite a few boys with it as a first name, so it doesn't even really hold that connotation for me. Where I really don't like last names for first names is for girls. Most disliked: Mackenzie (although it's morphed to MaKenzee or something most of the time now). I did know a girl growing up who had that as a last name, so maybe that's why it bugs me so much?? It's become so popular, it doesn't jar like it used to, but where did that come from?? It's not particularly feminine sounding... (apologies in advance to all the moms of super-cutie Mackenzies - it's practically as popular as Emma now, so I'm obviously the one who's wrong about this... ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 It's not my cup of tea. What does it bring to mind? Spencer Gifts. (As in naughty gifts.) Not sure if this is/was local or a chain, but it is not something you want associated with your kid. However, it is not a bad name at all. I work with a couple men named Spencer and it didn't occur to me to react to their name. My dad used to work with a guy whose nickname was "Spence." It doesn't sound bad or anything. Just not my cup'o'tea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThisIsTheDay Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Absolutely love the name Spencer and think it fits your other boys' names as well. I'd considered that name for my own son. (Haven't read any other replies.) ETA: Just saw your mom jockeying for Logan. I think of Logan as one of those boy or girl names. I think I get that from Flowers in the Attic, that trash book series from the 1970s. I'd avoid naming my son anything that could be confused as a girl's name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ewe Mama Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 I really like it. It goes very nicely with the other boys' names. It's not horribly common, but it isn't so "out there" that it makes you wonder if you heard it correctly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Thank you all for your replies. I'm always gun shy about picking a name worried that everyone in the world except me knows something bad about a given name. My husband doesn't want much of a say about naming the kids, which is both good and bad - when I asked his opinion of Spencer all he said was, "that would be fine." My mom, on the other hand, is somewhat opposed to Spencer, but she can't figure out why exactly. She is heavily lobbying for the name Logan. I've already told her that is not going to happen. For one, it is way too popular for my liking (currently ranked in the top 20 names) and also, to me, it doesn't seem to go with my other kids' names which are older, more classic names. Thanks again, Wendy (and Peter and Elliot and Spencer) Love Spencer. That is my great nephew's name. And my nephew's name is David. I loved the name before it was in the family and I like it more now. FTR, I'm not a fan of Logan, but I know lots of people who love that name. I think I just don't like long O's in a name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 I've never even personally met a single person with the last name Spencer, while I know quite a few boys with it as a first name, so it doesn't even really hold that connotation for me. Where I really don't like last names for first names is for girls. Most disliked: Mackenzie (although it's morphed to MaKenzee or something most of the time now). I did know a girl growing up who had that as a last name, so maybe that's why it bugs me so much?? It's become so popular, it doesn't jar like it used to, but where did that come from?? It's not particularly feminine sounding... (apologies in advance to all the moms of super-cutie Mackenzies - it's practically as popular as Emma now, so I'm obviously the one who's wrong about this... ) :seeya: I feel the same. I kinda liked it when my oldest was born, but I sorta detest that name now. :001_unsure: I dislike the off-shoots with attempts at creativity even more. MaKiah. Machiaela. MeKiaayelleiahhhhhh. :blush: I've known sweet girls with this name, and dear girls with this name and cute girls with this name and I'm sure I'm offending someone now, so maybe I'll just shut up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Okay, so where is that from? When I first read this thread, I kept thinking "Spencaaaa" but I couldn't type that as I thought maybe I was crazy. In the show Spencer for hire the character hawk always said Spencer like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joyofsixreboot Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 My oldest (19) is named Spencer so....I really like it. He is Spencer Phillip. My other two sons have last name first names though so it may just be my "style". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edelweiss Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Love it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinyhappypeople Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 The first thing that came to mine was the older brother in iCarly. I'm so ashamed that I even KNOW that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Please, be brutally honest - give me the good, the bad and the ugly. What does the name Spencer bring to mind? I am pregnant with my third boy. My first two are Peter Thomas and Elliot Robert. For the new baby I am considering Spencer David (all middle names are after family members). Does it flow - Peter, Elliot and Spencer? Thanks, Wendy I think of the character on Pretty Little Liars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 I've never even personally met a single person with the last name Spencer, while I know quite a few boys with it as a first name, so it doesn't even really hold that connotation for me. It's the reverse for me. There was a rather ineffectual comedy character in a long-running show when I was a child called Frank Spencer. And then there is the family of Diana, Princess of Wales. FWIW, Wikipedia gives 34,000 people surnamed Spencer in the UK and 150,000 in the US. First name Spencers in the US are given as 46,000. Laura Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alexigail Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 I probably wouldn't mind it except that it makes me think of Spencer Pratt. Though I doubt that would be a problem for your child's generation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TranquilMind Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Please, be brutally honest - give me the good, the bad and the ugly. What does the name Spencer bring to mind? I am pregnant with my third boy. My first two are Peter Thomas and Elliot Robert. For the new baby I am considering Spencer David (all middle names are after family members). Does it flow - Peter, Elliot and Spencer? Thanks, Wendy It flows ok, but I'm not crazy about it. It sounds like a last name, and also sort of prissy. I think James Spader as a prep school kid in the 80's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 I think it's a good name, and it brings to mind a good friend's son. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carrie12345 Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 I tried to name #5 Spencer, but dh vetoed it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbmom Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 Well I have a Spencer, so I vote for "love it." Of course I also have a Logan, so perhaps my vote shouldn't count ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 I think it sounds elegant. A lovely name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raceNzanesmom Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 I like it! :) My good friend's grandson is Spencer Jordan. Great name, fits him perfectly. I used to teach a boy named Spencer, sweet boy. I say go for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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