Harlan - thoughts?

[bluebonnet22]

I've brought this name up in lists before but I'd love to have a discussion of this name. DH isn't really onboard so it's more of a GP of mine, but I love it ! It's my grandmother's maiden name (and my great grandparents last name - I was very close with them). Anyways, please give me your thoughts good bad and ugly about the name ! Thanks! 

[joy]

I like Harlan. It is a legitimate first name for a male, too.

[michellina]

For a boy right? I'm not a fan, personally. I want to say Harlem when I say it. It just doesn't flow off the tongue well.

ETA: I do have a soft spot for family names though! I would consider it middle name territory, just my opinion!

[crapbag]

NMS, but it's not awful at all. There are a few movies/shows with Harlan characters. Do you have a tentative girl name?

[Idani]

Nothing I would use nor do I particularly care for it but I certainly wouldn't side eye it either

[draeray]

I think of the Harlem Globtrotters which I know for some of you might be a stretch, but that is what comes to my mind. But, I do have a soft spot for family names. I would probably put it in a middle name spot if it were me.

[missycee]

Meh, it's definitely NMS but I could see the appeal for you as a family name.

[AleWife]

I have an excellent personal association with a Harlan from my younger years. So I like it.

[leahb12]

It's ok but not for me. I do like the family association though.

[bromios]

LOVE! It is one of my top twenty most favorite boy names!

[ashiscute]

It's ok. I like that it's a family name. There's an author named Harlan Coben so that's my immediate connection.

[shadesofgold]

Have a male friend with that name - I like it for a boy.

[billyhorrible]

I'm not a huge fan of the name, however, I like the family association, so if it were me, I'd use it as a middle name.

[Deleted]

Legit name but unpleasant sounding. Also, makes me think of Harlem in NYC.

[bluebonnet22]

Feb 19, 2015 12:42:50 GMT -5 crapbag said:

NMS, but it's not awful at all. There are a few movies/shows with Harlan characters. Do you have a tentative girl name?

Girl front runners are currently Elise and Camille, but that definitely can change (I'm 19 weeks)! 

Thanks to everyone so far that has provided honest feedback! I have gotten some negative reactions IRL , but not much explanation so I appreciate the explanations . I hadn't thought of Harlem (we live in Texas, but I'm obviously familiar with the area) but I guess that is an association to consider! The name will most likely be a middle name but I still keep pushing it for a first name because I'm not overly excited about my husband's first choice (William). 

[macchiatto]

I know a young Harlan. I want to like it but to me it sounds a little too soap opera/romance novel. It might be partly the similarity to Harlequin that does that for me.

[dreadpiratebuttercup]

Love! It's a fantastic boy name.

[Stormtroopooper]

I like it. I think my H might have suggested it before, but I dismissed it because we have a Harrison.

[cuppatea]

Feb 19, 2015 20:40:47 GMT -5 @blackpearl08 said:

It conjures up images of a confederate soldier and the creepy cult leader dad in Big Love for me but it's a legit name.

that was Roman Grant, wasn't it?

[Widget123]

I agree with PP that Harlan would be better as MN. I like the family association but I agree that it sounds unpleasant.

[Deleted]

Feb 19, 2015 21:48:45 GMT -5 @blackpearl08 said:

Feb 19, 2015 21:42:19 GMT -5 cuppatea said:

that was Roman Grant, wasn't it?

You're right! Not sure why I remembered him as a Harlan.

Harlan was the brother of the main male character.   
Oh maybe not.. I thought so but then googled and cannot confirm.  It does sound familiar as a character on that show...hmm

I like it, but would probably use it as middle.

[Ruca]

My really my style. But cool that it's a family name!

[ugotstarbucked]

I know it's a real name, but it just sounds like Harlot to me. MN spot for sure.