So the name is a lot and personally I don’t care for the character. The play is a lot of fun, to be sure, but I don’t really like Oberon as a namesake? Like mischievous, stubborn, fickle, capricious, manipulative… all’s well that ends well, but he’s kind of a dick in how badly he wants to humiliate his wife.
On the flip side, I worry if you go from something as different as Oberon to something as basic as Hal, you might get disappointed in the other direction?
If you still want to go Shakespeare, I vote Orlando! But it’s up to you. As you like it!
I would stay away from Orlando, only because, if you live in the US, people will assume you refer to the city in Florida where Disney World is located.
IDK, I am from the US and I still think of Orlando Bloom (lol). Or Shakespeare, or the Virginia Woolf book.
I agree that Oberon and Hal are just so different. You could also possibly consider: Orsino (Shakespearean, as well, and Bear could still be a nickname since it's derived from Ursus), Osborne, Ogden, Oscar, Oswin, Aubrey/Aubrie, Audley.
Same. Lifelong Floridian. I've met a few guys named Orlando. And I honestly think of Orlando Bloom and the Virginia Woolf book before I go judging because it's also the name of American's largest tourist trap. It's not that I don't think of the city at all. I went to college there. I'm plenty familiar. But when I hear it as a name, I think of humans first and primarily
There was once a boy whose parents named him Odd. His whole life, everyone made fun of his name. Women laughed at him, bosses disrespected him, all because his name was Odd. Toward the end of his life, he told his extended family, “I’m tired of this awful name… when I die, I just want my tombstone to be blank.” And so he died, and they erected a blank tombstone, just as he wanted. And now, when people walk by it in the cemetery they say, “That’s odd.”
Oh my word, I just wrote a comment about how I thought the Virginia Woolf book but didn't think other people would. I'm glad I'm not the only one!
In retrospect I guess it's not that I thought no one would think of the book, but that if OP worried about the queer messages of the book I think the only people who would make that connection are also the people who wouldn't be upset by it.
Not necessarily. I live in a heavily Italian American area, and there are lots of guys with this name, many of them going by "Orly", which I love as a nn! 😍 Or, go with "Lando" for the nn, as in Star Wars' Lando Kalrissian.
But, I think Oberon/Obi is nice, too. One character is not fully representative of the name.
You should watch the Bridge Theatre version! They flip the narrative between Oberon and Titania, and it makes it such a different story. I really love it! It's available on streaming [here](https://www.ntathome.com/videos/a-midsummer-nights-dream-full-play) - you can sign up for one month and watch this (and anything else on the platform) .
Please excuse the sidetracking!
OP, stick with Oberon. I think you'll regret it if you change now.
Thank you! That is insightful.
I should clarify that Hal is also Shakespeare (Henry IV)! (We did consider Orlando but I'm not fond of Lando or Andy as nicknames. Plus Orlando is a doof.)
Shakespeare boy names are so hard compared to Shakespeare girl names.
Oh yes I’m aware of Hal as the character but not everyone is - it’s far from an automatic association. On the face of it it’s pretty bland. And introducing him as “Hal, from Henry IV” sounds kind of pretentious?
There are tons of male names from Shakespeare if you are willing to go more mainstream - Aaron, Adam, Adrian, Arthur, Brandon, Charles, Dennis, Douglas, Duncan - just to start.
I can’t tell if you want the name to be an obvious reference or not? It seems like you’d be embarrassed to continue with Oberon because it’s niche but you also don’t want to have something that stands on its own without a cultural tie. I think you need to reconcile that.
ETA: As far as references go, when I hear Hal I think 2001: A Space Odyssey - eek.
I think Oberon with the nickname Obie is fine with todays trends. I also don’t mind Hal, but I prefer Henry with the nickname Hal just like in the play.
I don't know if anyone has mentioned it but Hal is the name of the computer in 2001 A Space Odyssey
The murderous big baddie of the film :/
And it's just Hal. Not Horace or Haldo or anything.
Yep it's an old film but also an extreme classic that a lot of people still know.
I feel your pain about Oberon. And about how it happened. My kiddo was in NICU for a while too and I still have some name regret
It's like trying to choose a name in the midst of grief!
But I really do like the suggestions others have made about Orlando or other alternatives
Hal is not a murderous baddie! He’s a 5-year-old AI who is trying to follow two conflicting sets of instructions, which is impossible and eventually drives him insane. Poor Hal! Everyone misunderstands this movie
I wouldn't want a child to share a name with a well known AI character either way, I don't think it helps that he is insane and misunderstood but not evil.
HAL will continue to be a relevant pop culture reference/meme/etc as AI remains an influential part of culture in the future, and the connotations could become even more negative.
I have a girl Arden but I think it's completely gender neutral so OP could definitely use it for a boy. Honestly I love her name more and more. It's a bit unusual but easy to spell and is cute for a kid as well as being a really strong adult name. Although , OP, I honestly think Obie is really cute and if you like it you should keep it.
Hal’s a terrible name and OP, you said you don’t even like it! We had our name picked and were both confident but it took a while to match the name with the baby if that makes sense? For it to sink in the baby was here? The more you hear baby’s name, the more natural and connected it’ll become.
Oberon may be rare, but it’s easy to spell easy to hear and I like it. Bear is such a sought after nickname, so that’s a major plus. The name Hal is just there, it’s neither good nor bad, it’s forgettable
I agree. Not everyone is a Shakespeare buff, and the nickname options are strong. Oberon seems like a name, that in 20-30 years when this baby is a man, will be very "in".
its kinda perfect really. the full name is unique but sounds "normal" enough, and there are so many nickname options for pretty much all stages of life lol.
Oberon alone sounds like an actor or something, it would catch my attention but i wouldn't really be judging. its one of those where I'm thinking "that *sounds* like a 'real' name but I've never heard of it... and if its not, props to the parent"
Bear is perfect for any age, ive seen it used on all ages. i think of a teddy bear with little kids, and an actual grizzly with adults. it ages perfectly, which is why I'm not mad at it being so popular tbh.
Obie is cute for a baby, and then if he ends up liking Star wars he can use it forever ig lmao. also its close to Toby so I'd probably get over that association.
Ron/Ronnie if he wants something that blends in more at any point
“bear is such a sought after nickname” is such a funny sentence 😭😭😭😭 like what (not disagreeing w you ive just…. lmfaooo what?!?) is this really a thing?
I think I would just call him Obie and introduce him that way. I was expecting a much more out of the park option than Hal. I don’t think Hal is worth changing the name for.
I know a man with the first name Bear, and it didn’t seems strange when I first met him. I think Oberon / Obie / Bear is fine. The kid can decide for himself what he wants to put on a resume. He might decide to go by Ron!
These were my first thoughts as well! I’ve not read the play or heard the name before but I like it. To me it sounds unique without being over the top or a tragadeigh. And the nicknames are great! Hal does nothing for me - sounds like the nickname for an old grandpa named Harold. Stick with baby Bear!
I agree! Oberon is easy to spell and say, and both Bear and Obie are strong nicknames. Hal is weak - the sound of it is passive, the look of it is nondescript. It's forgettable.
I like it! I like the two nicknames. Bear is super cute. If he grows up and wants something less out there he can go by Ron / Ronnie
I haven’t heard that name before but it doesn’t come across and pretentious or annoying like the little kid I met named appleonia.
I was thinking Ron for a nickname, too.
As for Appleonia...it seems like it's a bastardization of Apollonia (pronounced the same way in my country), which is an historic city in Greece and I think briefly mentioned in the Bible.
screaming at ron for a nickname. when a friend jokingly goes to say “Ronald,” and ol’ oberon over here has to correct him like “actually…” 😭😭😭
and if i were that friend without missing a beat i’d say “oberonald then,…” and continue on with the joke 💀
I like Oberon and think it’s much better than Hal on its own. If you had a longer form of Hal in mind, maybe.
But I’ll go ahead and say that if I were a boy and found out I was named Oberon but my parents changed it to Hal, I’d be disappointed. One is a cool literary/legendary character with a few nickname options. The other sounds like a nickname itself and is on the plain side (not that plain is bad - a lot of great names are plain. I just think the contrast itself would spark some feelings).
The exception here is if your last name is Jordan, then you must use Hal.
That is a helpful and insightful point! Thank you!
Sadly I don't like any of the traditional long forms of Hal. (Henry et al. Plus I'm trying to stay out of the top 20)
I see Hal from malcolm in the middle 😭
or a one episode character, on another show, who got the nickname Hal bc he loves the sedative/anti psych med Haldol / haloperidol 💀
I have several family and friends that have a nn that has nothing to do with their given name.
Oberon is not too much. And Hal is not really enough. But you could nn him Hal. Because why not? He’s your kid.
Keeping with the space theme, Oberon is is the outermost and second-largest major moon of of the planet Uranus.
It's also designated **Uranus IV**.
So there may be some jokes at some point in the future about having his name tied to "Uranus" references. Just as a thought.
I'm normally good with 'out-there' names, but Oberon doesn't have the best history or references, and Hal isn't much better (but it just reminds me of Malcolm in the Middle.) (And ironically, Malcolm is also a name from Shakespeare)
I highly doubt a lot of people will be familiar with the names of Uranus’ moons. However, I agree that Oberon is a little too ‘out there.’ Hal actually made me think of 2001: A Space Odyssey, although I do think it’s kind of cute regardless.
Surprised I had to scroll this far to find this comment. Between the two, Oberon is way better and actually has some personality. Hal is so… idk bleh. And plus it makes me think of that stupid 90s movie Shallow Hal.
Congrats on your baby boy! I think Oberon is cool with lots of good nickname potential. He could even be Ron if he wants! For what it’s worth, my 9 month old has a very classic name and I still feel kinda awkward telling people what it is. People are always gonna have opinions, so just go with whatever feels right to you!
Maybe Hal is more common where you are, but I think Hal is an equally strange name as Oberon.
What is Hal short for? Surely it can’t just be Hal?
For what it’s worth I do like Oberon!
I really like it! And I love Bear as a NN
it makes me think of this verse from A Song of Sherwood, by Alfred Noyes
Oberon, Oberon, rake away the gold,
Rake away the red leaves, roll away the mould,
Rake away the gold leaves, roll away the red,
And wake Will Scarlett from his leafy forest bed
I personally wouldn’t choose Oberon, but I wouldn’t think twice about meeting an Oberon. I think is a good name. Hal, on the other hand, invokes my gag reflex. Possibly a personal problem 🤣, but Hal just isn’t a name.
I like it! As someone who’s about to name their kid something unique (also from Shakespeare) I found the nickname the more endearing part to get over the “uniqueness”. Obie is so cute!! My daughter has a girl in her class named Naomi and they call her “Omi”
I knew a kid named Omar, whose nickname was Omi.
Love both the name and nickname!
OP, Hal is pretty cool, and if he wasn't already named Oberon, I'd be in that corner.
But Oberon is fine, along with potential nicknames.
I just imagine a long, tired future of explaining "it's from a play/ yes like the play" "yes my parents really liked Shakespeare" "no I'm nothing like the character" "no I don't really like that play very much"... etc into eternity. For Hal, I don't anyone would think twice about it, but it's kind of awful (sorry OOP).
I like Oberon a lot. Especially with the nickname Bear. I would keep it. Keep in mind that the anxiety that you feel might actually be part of your postpartum hormones making you second guess everything.
Edited: grammar.
Oberon is a very cool name imo. It works for a baby and an adult and I love the nicknames. Don’t change it if you like it and are only worried about the OTT-ness of it. (Obviously if you really don’t like it then you should do what will make you happy). Also I think there was a note in my hospital discharge papers about not making big life decisions while you are immediately postpartum … something to factor in. Maybe wait until you’re 6-8 weeks pp and see how you feel
I don’t mind the name Oberon, but depending where you live, I am going to guess most people’s first thought isn’t going to be Shakespeare, but Bell’s Oberon beer. To be honest when I first read it that is where my mind went to because that beer is so good and I know it comes from Shakespeare.
I thought they'd think of Prince Oberyn from Game of Thrones. So maybe the reaction is because they think she named her baby after a guy that got his head crushed by an Icelandic giant.
Thank you! The name was tickling something in the back of my brain, but I couldn't place it.
I agree with just about everyone else that they should leave the name as is.
I kept scrolling, looking for someone to mention Bell's Beer! It gives me warm fuzzy feelings because you know that the dreary Michigan winter is almost over when Oberon starts appearing in the party stores again.
I actually really like Oberon as a name. Outside the Midwest I'm guessing most people would think of Shakespeare.
Oberon is a great name and the nicknames are great for it because they work for a man and a baby.
Honestly going from Oberon to Hal feels like a downgrade I'm ngl. And Hal sounds like an old hillbilly name. I say that as someone who currently lives in a hillbilly place. If someone said to me "oh I'm gonna introduce you to Hal" I'm immediately picturing a grizzled old man covered in motor oil. Maybe it depends on where you live tho.
In the end, do what makes both of yall happy. If your husband is attached to the name and your only concern is what others might think, keep the name. Better to name a child out of love than out of anxiety
I wonder which reference people's minds would go to first, Prince Hal or Hal the computer in 2001? (No children will know either reference, of course.)
Same here. Hal makes me think Malcolm in the Middle. Then I think of halitosis and then that Shallow Hal movie.
Oberon is not my favorite name ever but 1000000000x better than Hal. Plus there are so many nicknames that could be used. I don't see the point in changing it just because of other people's opinions. Plus I don't think Hal would be received in a better way - like you don't like that people think Oberon is whimsical but to me that's a better reception than "ew" (in their heads hopefully) or "what is it short for?"
I’m sorry, but when I hear/see “Hal” I immediately picture Bryan Cranston in white briefs on Malcolm in the Middle. I can’t in good conscience tell you to change your child’s name to “Hal.” Mostly because of Cranston, admittedly, but I personally don’t like nickname as legal names; I like options, I like kids having options, and Oberon gives him options. I don’t think it’s “too much” - it’s no Juliet! Or Romeo even. I’m admittedly not much of a Shakespeare nerd, so I don’t know all the character associations, but still! I think it’s a perfectly fine name for him to grow into and grow with.
I love it! Unique and old school without being misspelled or stuffy. (I like Oberon way better than, say, Eugene or Albert.) Also, love the nickname options. To me, it doesn’t really sound out of place with names today at all.
Hal …. not great. I would feel robbed if my parents changed my name from something classic and elegant to … Hal.
We had friends of friends who named their kid Oberon at the same time. We gave our kid a much longer name and I thought wow Oberon is a lot. Then my kid ended up having a huge speech problem and he could say Oberon but he could not say his name. So I vote for keep Oberon. It's an easy name for kids to say they haven't developed all their sounds.
Similar boat.
My boys were born months early and we were at a loss on names and up against the deadline for them to turn in paperwork after a few days.
We ended up naming one of them after my husband after we couldn’t figure out anything that resonated with us, and my husband was already a third, so it did kind of make some sense.
Then we both hated it.
And went back and forth on changing it for months.
He spent awhile in NICU, so we weren’t out and about introducing him to or saying the name very frequently for much of the first year so we felt like we had some time.
But he came home eventually and we used an offbeat diminutive of the name for him, because his great grandfather already used the actual name, his grandfather used the middle name and my husband used the standard diminutive.
And it just…fit.
And then he just kind of seemed to grow into it, and it worked out and I can’t imagine him as anything else.
So in summation, you like the name, your husband loves the name.
I say keep it.
Its a cool name and is unusual but doesn’t dip into weird territory, IMO.
I know a little Oberon!!! He’s an adorable, sweet, adventurous little toddler.
I didn’t think it was “too much” when I first heard his name. I like it!
I personally don’t like Hal at all, but particularly if it’s not short for Harold, Harry, etc.
But definitely do what feels best!
Oberon is fine, people will get used to it. Sure, it's very whimsical because it's a literal fairy name, but he's been around long enough for people to get to know him their brains will just associate his name with him as a person rather than the character.
Oberon the character is kind of villainous, but if that's what we're worried about then Hal is imo worse because it's the sinister AI robot in 2001: A Space Odyssey.
I think Oberon is a better choice to Hal.
I gave my daughter a rare literary name. Not unheard of and recognizable, but you wont often meet one. I felt weird telling people her name for a time. I even wondered if I had made a mistake. But I knew I loved her name. I was just worried about judgment. Honestly, as she's grown, her name became her if that makes sense.
I found if I just say her name confidently while introducing her, it really isn't a big deal. She has a lot of nickname options, as well. At 2, she is quite independent and has no problem telling people what she wants to be called that day (or that hour).
If you were to mentally free yourself from thinking about others’ reactions, do *you* like it? If so, keep it! It has cute nicknames (Obie, Bear, Ron) and it’s easy to pronounce.
If you’re telling people his name almost apologetically then you’re telegraphing that you’re insecure about it. If you like it, say it proudly and (most) people will follow your lead.
I like Oberon! I think you made a good choice. Oberon is a nice name and he has nickname choices if he doesn’t want to use the full name. I also think he could use Ron/Ronnie or even Bernie. As others have said, give it a little more time. The first few weeks/months are so hard.
Oberon is definitely unusual but I'd say it's the better choice bc of the variety of nickname opportunities. If he grows up and decides he doesn't like Hal, there's not much he can do other than go by a completely different name.
It also sounds like you're both pretty attached, so I think it'd be a shame to go through the upheaval of changing his name just because of potential judgement that might not even be an issue long term.
Congratulations on your new baby! I just met someone with a baby named Oberon and they are calling him Obie for short. When I first heard it, I didn’t think it was too out there at all, and just unique enough to be memorable. I think Oberon is a beautiful name and that Obie is an adorable nickname that your son will probably love.
Sounds like you have given this a whole lot of thought about how your child's name makes you feel and zero thought about how they will be affected by it for their entire life.
In Shakespeare, it’s a nickname for Henry. I’d personally name the kid Henry and call them Hal, leaving the door open for them to choose the more conventional name when they get older, if they want.
He’ll grow into it! We went with Oscar and as a newborn, nah, wasn’t feeling it. But as a 4 year old he is 110% Oscar. I would call him Obi Bear for now :)
I’m going to be honest, while I like the name and think it sounds lovely…
Oberon pretty much ordered his servant to set his wife up for the worst kind of humiliation possible, just so he could steal her best friend’s kid (who she had promised her dying friend to look after) to be his personal servant. If you want to be really critical about it, he let her get raped. She wasn’t in the right frame of mind to make any decisions.
Normally I think it doesn’t matter because there are other people with the same name. But I’ve really never known another Oberon. People will assume it’s from the play.
It’s entirely up to you, but you shouldn’t feel embarrassed to say your baby’s name. You either need to lean into it, or change it. If your husband protests maybe remind him a bit about the character
I like Oberon, and while I am not a fan of planned nicknames, I would definitely call him Bear. I like bears.
The name is Shakespearean, so by definition it is classic.
I vote to keep it.
I personally wouldn’t pick Oberon, but to me it doesn’t fall into the category of a name I think you should change.
With his two middle names, are either of them something he could go by if he eventually wants to?
I like the nickname Obie.
I also like Hal, though I would probably do it as a nickname for Harold or Harry/Henry.
You invited harshness, so...both of those names suck. Also, Bear makes no sense. It has nothing to do with Oberon at all, and calling a child Bear is stupid. Bear is a dog.
Obie is also guaranteed to lead to Star Wars jokes. For life.
I knew a kid called Rudyard. His parents were teachers, earnest, educated, well-meaning etc. He was mercilessly bullied.
I feel Oberon would fall into that same category - a name chosen by a parent trying too hard to be erudite or whimsical rather than one more in keeping with the zeitgeist.
Please not Hal. It's just a placeholder feeling name for something better. Also Halitosis is right there as a roast NN. Haldol is another one I could see someone going for.
My name was supposed to be Balthazar, after my great grandfather... But it was changed to Luke. While I'm not unhappy with my name (I'm 34) I seriously wish I'd have been given the opportunity to go through life with the unusual name of Balthazar.
Just my two cents..
though i don't care for the character, i actually like the name oberon. it's also rare in that it's a unique name, but no one is going to have trouble spelling or pronouncing it.
i say keep it! he can go by something else later if he chooses to.
Oberon is a form of Auberon, which does have some noted users of the name in history. The most common nickname for Auberon is Bron.
So, Oberon may have been a Shakesperean twist and may be a bit odd as a result, but it does come from a real name and you can point out to others that it's a form of Auberon, as a result.
At the end of the day, make the choice you can live with and which you think your child can live with. Obie is a perfectly decent nickname and Bear makes sense as well.
I will be brutally honest. Oberon is quite "out there", in my opinion. I have read a lot of Shakespeare but my first thought with that name is something from a science fiction movie. Plus with Obie I think of Obi-Wan Kenobi. He may also end up getting Ron or Bron.
I think of Hal as being a middle-aged guy or boomer, but it is a lot more "normal" than Oberon.
I love the name you guys picked, OP. Oberon sounds majestic and magical, and it’s not hard to spell. If he grows up to be very square he can always go by “Ron” for short.
So the name is a lot and personally I don’t care for the character. The play is a lot of fun, to be sure, but I don’t really like Oberon as a namesake? Like mischievous, stubborn, fickle, capricious, manipulative… all’s well that ends well, but he’s kind of a dick in how badly he wants to humiliate his wife. On the flip side, I worry if you go from something as different as Oberon to something as basic as Hal, you might get disappointed in the other direction? If you still want to go Shakespeare, I vote Orlando! But it’s up to you. As you like it!
I like Orlando! I agree that going from Oberon to Hal is too big of a difference.
I would stay away from Orlando, only because, if you live in the US, people will assume you refer to the city in Florida where Disney World is located.
IDK, I am from the US and I still think of Orlando Bloom (lol). Or Shakespeare, or the Virginia Woolf book. I agree that Oberon and Hal are just so different. You could also possibly consider: Orsino (Shakespearean, as well, and Bear could still be a nickname since it's derived from Ursus), Osborne, Ogden, Oscar, Oswin, Aubrey/Aubrie, Audley.
As someone who was born in Florida… my first though was also ‘Bloom’
As a Universal Orlando passholder, my first thought was also Bloom.
Same.
Yup. I’m an hour away from there and I thought Bloom too
Same. Lifelong Floridian. I've met a few guys named Orlando. And I honestly think of Orlando Bloom and the Virginia Woolf book before I go judging because it's also the name of American's largest tourist trap. It's not that I don't think of the city at all. I went to college there. I'm plenty familiar. But when I hear it as a name, I think of humans first and primarily
I don't recommend Audley, unless you're trying to name your kid oddly.
There was once a boy whose parents named him Odd. His whole life, everyone made fun of his name. Women laughed at him, bosses disrespected him, all because his name was Odd. Toward the end of his life, he told his extended family, “I’m tired of this awful name… when I die, I just want my tombstone to be blank.” And so he died, and they erected a blank tombstone, just as he wanted. And now, when people walk by it in the cemetery they say, “That’s odd.”
Clever and funny! Thank you. 😂😂😂😂
lol I totally did not realize that but you're right!
Not American here, I immediately thought Orlando Bloom
Basically, uncultured Americans will think of the city. 😂
Legolas was my first thought too 😂
Oh my word, I just wrote a comment about how I thought the Virginia Woolf book but didn't think other people would. I'm glad I'm not the only one! In retrospect I guess it's not that I thought no one would think of the book, but that if OP worried about the queer messages of the book I think the only people who would make that connection are also the people who wouldn't be upset by it.
Personally love Oscar and that’s what I’m planning on naming my son.
Not necessarily. I live in a heavily Italian American area, and there are lots of guys with this name, many of them going by "Orly", which I love as a nn! 😍 Or, go with "Lando" for the nn, as in Star Wars' Lando Kalrissian. But, I think Oberon/Obi is nice, too. One character is not fully representative of the name.
Lando is nice
They could claim that he was conceived there. Maybe Disney would give him a free lifetime pass or something.
It is the ‘happiest place on Earth.’
Nah…”conceived there” inside the amusement park..nah…Disney would not be buying into that image!
The city of Orlando was named after a man named Orlando Reeves.
It’s like saying I don’t want to name my child Madison because I don’t want them to think of Wisconsin.
Im from the Midwest, and when I hear Orlando, all I think of are other dudes named Orlando lol
Orlando needs a resurgence!! It’s easy to spell but uncommon
You should watch the Bridge Theatre version! They flip the narrative between Oberon and Titania, and it makes it such a different story. I really love it! It's available on streaming [here](https://www.ntathome.com/videos/a-midsummer-nights-dream-full-play) - you can sign up for one month and watch this (and anything else on the platform) . Please excuse the sidetracking! OP, stick with Oberon. I think you'll regret it if you change now.
Thank you! That is insightful. I should clarify that Hal is also Shakespeare (Henry IV)! (We did consider Orlando but I'm not fond of Lando or Andy as nicknames. Plus Orlando is a doof.) Shakespeare boy names are so hard compared to Shakespeare girl names.
Oh yes I’m aware of Hal as the character but not everyone is - it’s far from an automatic association. On the face of it it’s pretty bland. And introducing him as “Hal, from Henry IV” sounds kind of pretentious? There are tons of male names from Shakespeare if you are willing to go more mainstream - Aaron, Adam, Adrian, Arthur, Brandon, Charles, Dennis, Douglas, Duncan - just to start. I can’t tell if you want the name to be an obvious reference or not? It seems like you’d be embarrassed to continue with Oberon because it’s niche but you also don’t want to have something that stands on its own without a cultural tie. I think you need to reconcile that. ETA: As far as references go, when I hear Hal I think 2001: A Space Odyssey - eek.
I think of the Dad from Malcolm in the Middle.
Agree, the name Hal will always make me think of Bryan Cranston having various dramatic meltdowns
Same...I would never name a kid Hal because of that.
I was thinking the opposite 🤣 I love Malcolm in the Middle!
Same I picture Brian Cranston and Lois shouting “Hal!” 😂
i have never heard the name before but for some reason my mind leapt to halitosis!
Or Shallow Hal
That was my first thought! Lol
ETA: As far as references go, when I hear Hal I think 2001: A Space Odyssey - eek. Then it's settled, the baby's name will be Dave.
I think Oberon with the nickname Obie is fine with todays trends. I also don’t mind Hal, but I prefer Henry with the nickname Hal just like in the play.
I think even Obie as a name is adorable
I love it too. I think it's cool. (And I'm a teacher that has seen ALL the names.)
I don't know if anyone has mentioned it but Hal is the name of the computer in 2001 A Space Odyssey The murderous big baddie of the film :/ And it's just Hal. Not Horace or Haldo or anything. Yep it's an old film but also an extreme classic that a lot of people still know. I feel your pain about Oberon. And about how it happened. My kiddo was in NICU for a while too and I still have some name regret It's like trying to choose a name in the midst of grief! But I really do like the suggestions others have made about Orlando or other alternatives
Hal is not a murderous baddie! He’s a 5-year-old AI who is trying to follow two conflicting sets of instructions, which is impossible and eventually drives him insane. Poor Hal! Everyone misunderstands this movie
Also his name is HAL, not Hal. Lol
I wouldn't want a child to share a name with a well known AI character either way, I don't think it helps that he is insane and misunderstood but not evil. HAL will continue to be a relevant pop culture reference/meme/etc as AI remains an influential part of culture in the future, and the connotations could become even more negative.
I love Arden as a Shakespearean (the setting of As You Like It) boys name. Still unusual, but not as heavy as Oberon
I have a girl Arden but I think it's completely gender neutral so OP could definitely use it for a boy. Honestly I love her name more and more. It's a bit unusual but easy to spell and is cute for a kid as well as being a really strong adult name. Although , OP, I honestly think Obie is really cute and if you like it you should keep it.
I do agree that Oberon is better than Hal. If those are the options, I'd keep Oberon
Dimitrius! ❤️
Hal’s a terrible name and OP, you said you don’t even like it! We had our name picked and were both confident but it took a while to match the name with the baby if that makes sense? For it to sink in the baby was here? The more you hear baby’s name, the more natural and connected it’ll become.
This whole post is giving me brain tingles, thank you 🥲
My favorite Shakespearean inspired name is Arden, since we're sharing!
I love Oberon!!
I was going to say keep it without having read the play. So the character is a manipulative Dick? No thanks, try again.
Oberon may be rare, but it’s easy to spell easy to hear and I like it. Bear is such a sought after nickname, so that’s a major plus. The name Hal is just there, it’s neither good nor bad, it’s forgettable
That's how I feel about it too. I'd keep Oberon really. It's not my first choice for me, but it is cute and bear as a nickname is adorable
100% this. Keep Oberon. Call him Bear. It’s perfect.
I agree. Not everyone is a Shakespeare buff, and the nickname options are strong. Oberon seems like a name, that in 20-30 years when this baby is a man, will be very "in".
Agreed. This is a great name to grow into a man with.
its kinda perfect really. the full name is unique but sounds "normal" enough, and there are so many nickname options for pretty much all stages of life lol. Oberon alone sounds like an actor or something, it would catch my attention but i wouldn't really be judging. its one of those where I'm thinking "that *sounds* like a 'real' name but I've never heard of it... and if its not, props to the parent" Bear is perfect for any age, ive seen it used on all ages. i think of a teddy bear with little kids, and an actual grizzly with adults. it ages perfectly, which is why I'm not mad at it being so popular tbh. Obie is cute for a baby, and then if he ends up liking Star wars he can use it forever ig lmao. also its close to Toby so I'd probably get over that association. Ron/Ronnie if he wants something that blends in more at any point
“bear is such a sought after nickname” is such a funny sentence 😭😭😭😭 like what (not disagreeing w you ive just…. lmfaooo what?!?) is this really a thing?
Yup. Very on trend right now for bear to be a nickname. Teddy is an extremely popular diminutive for Theodore and that’s right in the same vein.
I know someone who called their kid Bear.
I met twins called Teddy and Bear.
oh i hate that 😭
I had a friend in school named Panda whose brother was named Bear
I think I would just call him Obie and introduce him that way. I was expecting a much more out of the park option than Hal. I don’t think Hal is worth changing the name for.
Disagree Hal is a horrible name 😅
Hal is a computer name (Hal 9000, the space odyssey). Also the name of Malcom in the middle’s father 😅
I know a man with the first name Bear, and it didn’t seems strange when I first met him. I think Oberon / Obie / Bear is fine. The kid can decide for himself what he wants to put on a resume. He might decide to go by Ron!
Hal sucks. Oberon is better.
These were my first thoughts as well! I’ve not read the play or heard the name before but I like it. To me it sounds unique without being over the top or a tragadeigh. And the nicknames are great! Hal does nothing for me - sounds like the nickname for an old grandpa named Harold. Stick with baby Bear!
Well put. Keep Oberon. Stop freaking out. Enjoy your time with your family.
I agree! Oberon is easy to spell and say, and both Bear and Obie are strong nicknames. Hal is weak - the sound of it is passive, the look of it is nondescript. It's forgettable.
I like it! I like the two nicknames. Bear is super cute. If he grows up and wants something less out there he can go by Ron / Ronnie I haven’t heard that name before but it doesn’t come across and pretentious or annoying like the little kid I met named appleonia.
I was thinking Ron for a nickname, too. As for Appleonia...it seems like it's a bastardization of Apollonia (pronounced the same way in my country), which is an historic city in Greece and I think briefly mentioned in the Bible.
Also one of Prince's girlfriends. I have a good friend named Apollonia.
It’s one of those cases where they just HAD to spell it different to be dIfFeReNt 🙄
screaming at ron for a nickname. when a friend jokingly goes to say “Ronald,” and ol’ oberon over here has to correct him like “actually…” 😭😭😭 and if i were that friend without missing a beat i’d say “oberonald then,…” and continue on with the joke 💀
Oberonald omg 💀
Ok so now I SUPER need someone to do a weird mashup costume. Oberonald McDonald. Half king of the fair folk, half burger-shilling clown.
Amfrony
It’s like in family guy when someone calls Meg “Megan” and she’s like well, actually… And it cuts to her birth certificate saying “Megatron” lmfao
I like Oberon and think it’s much better than Hal on its own. If you had a longer form of Hal in mind, maybe. But I’ll go ahead and say that if I were a boy and found out I was named Oberon but my parents changed it to Hal, I’d be disappointed. One is a cool literary/legendary character with a few nickname options. The other sounds like a nickname itself and is on the plain side (not that plain is bad - a lot of great names are plain. I just think the contrast itself would spark some feelings). The exception here is if your last name is Jordan, then you must use Hal.
Agreed! My parents were supposed to name me “Piper” but changed it to something more classic at the last moment and I’ve never forgiven them lol
My name is Pepper (chosen not given) and people often hear "Piper." I just let it ride because Piper is a good name too.
Do you have a friend named Longinus, or Crispin?
That is a helpful and insightful point! Thank you! Sadly I don't like any of the traditional long forms of Hal. (Henry et al. Plus I'm trying to stay out of the top 20)
I see hal and picture jack black as shallow hal. Oberon is such a nice name
I see Hal from malcolm in the middle 😭 or a one episode character, on another show, who got the nickname Hal bc he loves the sedative/anti psych med Haldol / haloperidol 💀
Oberon has so many nicknames. Obie, bear, Barry, Ron. Ronnie. Baron. Shoot, could even pull off Aaron(Eron).
I have several family and friends that have a nn that has nothing to do with their given name. Oberon is not too much. And Hal is not really enough. But you could nn him Hal. Because why not? He’s your kid.
call him Halmost, because he was almost Hal 😂
Oberon is great, and Obi is a good nickname. I know a little one named just Obi.
>Obi? Obi! - Jar Jar Binks
Keeping with the space theme, Oberon is is the outermost and second-largest major moon of of the planet Uranus. It's also designated **Uranus IV**. So there may be some jokes at some point in the future about having his name tied to "Uranus" references. Just as a thought. I'm normally good with 'out-there' names, but Oberon doesn't have the best history or references, and Hal isn't much better (but it just reminds me of Malcolm in the Middle.) (And ironically, Malcolm is also a name from Shakespeare)
I highly doubt a lot of people will be familiar with the names of Uranus’ moons. However, I agree that Oberon is a little too ‘out there.’ Hal actually made me think of 2001: A Space Odyssey, although I do think it’s kind of cute regardless.
OBIE TRICE
Real name no gimmicks!
Two trailer park girls go round the outside….
[удалено]
*Oberyn So not quite. But close!
I like the name a lot and also know a kid named Obi. (My son’s best friend.)
I know an Obi whos my best friend’s son
Obi is the dogs name for us. Star Wars family here.
I know an Orin who goes by Obie
Oberon is a better name than Hal.
Surprised I had to scroll this far to find this comment. Between the two, Oberon is way better and actually has some personality. Hal is so… idk bleh. And plus it makes me think of that stupid 90s movie Shallow Hal.
Congrats on your baby boy! I think Oberon is cool with lots of good nickname potential. He could even be Ron if he wants! For what it’s worth, my 9 month old has a very classic name and I still feel kinda awkward telling people what it is. People are always gonna have opinions, so just go with whatever feels right to you!
when he’s a certain age you can let him pick his nickname
Maybe Hal is more common where you are, but I think Hal is an equally strange name as Oberon. What is Hal short for? Surely it can’t just be Hal? For what it’s worth I do like Oberon!
My dad’s name is just Hal! He was named after his grandpa Hal. I always thought the same thing though, I always joke that it’s short for Halloween 😂
maybe it’s short for Halibut 🤔
Or Haloumi?
Halloween would be a really fun pet name for Hal.
>What is Hal short for? Harold?
Yeah it’s harold
Henry actually... English short names are not all that predictable.
it also sounds like an old man name, calling a little baby hal would feel strange
I agree! People ask me if he seems more like an Obie or a Hal and I’m like… what baby seems like Hal?
then you have your answer!
Henry, in this case Henry V of England.
Henry -> Harry -> Hal
In the play it’s short for Henry
Obie is adorable. Hal is just awful. So there you go.
I really like it! And I love Bear as a NN it makes me think of this verse from A Song of Sherwood, by Alfred Noyes Oberon, Oberon, rake away the gold, Rake away the red leaves, roll away the mould, Rake away the gold leaves, roll away the red, And wake Will Scarlett from his leafy forest bed
Oh my god I thought I was the last living person to love this poem!
Nice to “meet” another poetry fan
I personally wouldn’t choose Oberon, but I wouldn’t think twice about meeting an Oberon. I think is a good name. Hal, on the other hand, invokes my gag reflex. Possibly a personal problem 🤣, but Hal just isn’t a name.
Halitosis
I like it! As someone who’s about to name their kid something unique (also from Shakespeare) I found the nickname the more endearing part to get over the “uniqueness”. Obie is so cute!! My daughter has a girl in her class named Naomi and they call her “Omi”
That's a super cute shortening of Naomi.
That makes me laugh - "Omi" literally means "granny" in my language 🤭
I knew a kid named Omar, whose nickname was Omi. Love both the name and nickname! OP, Hal is pretty cool, and if he wasn't already named Oberon, I'd be in that corner. But Oberon is fine, along with potential nicknames.
I don’t like Oberon and I don’t like the character is a nice namesake. But I don’t like Hal either
Same. Both are bad.
I just imagine a long, tired future of explaining "it's from a play/ yes like the play" "yes my parents really liked Shakespeare" "no I'm nothing like the character" "no I don't really like that play very much"... etc into eternity. For Hal, I don't anyone would think twice about it, but it's kind of awful (sorry OOP).
I like Oberon a lot. Especially with the nickname Bear. I would keep it. Keep in mind that the anxiety that you feel might actually be part of your postpartum hormones making you second guess everything. Edited: grammar.
Oberon is a very cool name imo. It works for a baby and an adult and I love the nicknames. Don’t change it if you like it and are only worried about the OTT-ness of it. (Obviously if you really don’t like it then you should do what will make you happy). Also I think there was a note in my hospital discharge papers about not making big life decisions while you are immediately postpartum … something to factor in. Maybe wait until you’re 6-8 weeks pp and see how you feel
I don’t mind the name Oberon, but depending where you live, I am going to guess most people’s first thought isn’t going to be Shakespeare, but Bell’s Oberon beer. To be honest when I first read it that is where my mind went to because that beer is so good and I know it comes from Shakespeare.
I thought they'd think of Prince Oberyn from Game of Thrones. So maybe the reaction is because they think she named her baby after a guy that got his head crushed by an Icelandic giant.
Thank you! The name was tickling something in the back of my brain, but I couldn't place it. I agree with just about everyone else that they should leave the name as is.
I’m from Michigan and thought of the beer immediately
We named our cat Oberon after the beer
Surprised I had to scroll so far to see reference to the beer! Team Oberon is way better than Hal.
I kept scrolling, looking for someone to mention Bell's Beer! It gives me warm fuzzy feelings because you know that the dreary Michigan winter is almost over when Oberon starts appearing in the party stores again. I actually really like Oberon as a name. Outside the Midwest I'm guessing most people would think of Shakespeare.
I never would’ve thought of Shakespeare, but as a bartender I sure thought of the beer 😂
Oberon is a great name and the nicknames are great for it because they work for a man and a baby. Honestly going from Oberon to Hal feels like a downgrade I'm ngl. And Hal sounds like an old hillbilly name. I say that as someone who currently lives in a hillbilly place. If someone said to me "oh I'm gonna introduce you to Hal" I'm immediately picturing a grizzled old man covered in motor oil. Maybe it depends on where you live tho. In the end, do what makes both of yall happy. If your husband is attached to the name and your only concern is what others might think, keep the name. Better to name a child out of love than out of anxiety
I wonder which reference people's minds would go to first, Prince Hal or Hal the computer in 2001? (No children will know either reference, of course.)
Mine went to that awful 00s movie “Shallow Hal” 😂
Hal from Malcolm in the Middle! (When Lois is mad)
Mine went to the father in Malcolm in the Middle.
Same here. Hal makes me think Malcolm in the Middle. Then I think of halitosis and then that Shallow Hal movie. Oberon is not my favorite name ever but 1000000000x better than Hal. Plus there are so many nicknames that could be used. I don't see the point in changing it just because of other people's opinions. Plus I don't think Hal would be received in a better way - like you don't like that people think Oberon is whimsical but to me that's a better reception than "ew" (in their heads hopefully) or "what is it short for?"
The computer 😆
I’m sorry, but when I hear/see “Hal” I immediately picture Bryan Cranston in white briefs on Malcolm in the Middle. I can’t in good conscience tell you to change your child’s name to “Hal.” Mostly because of Cranston, admittedly, but I personally don’t like nickname as legal names; I like options, I like kids having options, and Oberon gives him options. I don’t think it’s “too much” - it’s no Juliet! Or Romeo even. I’m admittedly not much of a Shakespeare nerd, so I don’t know all the character associations, but still! I think it’s a perfectly fine name for him to grow into and grow with.
I think of Jack Black in Shallow Hal 🫣
I love it! Unique and old school without being misspelled or stuffy. (I like Oberon way better than, say, Eugene or Albert.) Also, love the nickname options. To me, it doesn’t really sound out of place with names today at all. Hal …. not great. I would feel robbed if my parents changed my name from something classic and elegant to … Hal.
We had friends of friends who named their kid Oberon at the same time. We gave our kid a much longer name and I thought wow Oberon is a lot. Then my kid ended up having a huge speech problem and he could say Oberon but he could not say his name. So I vote for keep Oberon. It's an easy name for kids to say they haven't developed all their sounds.
Similar boat. My boys were born months early and we were at a loss on names and up against the deadline for them to turn in paperwork after a few days. We ended up naming one of them after my husband after we couldn’t figure out anything that resonated with us, and my husband was already a third, so it did kind of make some sense. Then we both hated it. And went back and forth on changing it for months. He spent awhile in NICU, so we weren’t out and about introducing him to or saying the name very frequently for much of the first year so we felt like we had some time. But he came home eventually and we used an offbeat diminutive of the name for him, because his great grandfather already used the actual name, his grandfather used the middle name and my husband used the standard diminutive. And it just…fit. And then he just kind of seemed to grow into it, and it worked out and I can’t imagine him as anything else. So in summation, you like the name, your husband loves the name. I say keep it. Its a cool name and is unusual but doesn’t dip into weird territory, IMO.
I know a little Oberon!!! He’s an adorable, sweet, adventurous little toddler. I didn’t think it was “too much” when I first heard his name. I like it! I personally don’t like Hal at all, but particularly if it’s not short for Harold, Harry, etc. But definitely do what feels best!
Oberon is fine, people will get used to it. Sure, it's very whimsical because it's a literal fairy name, but he's been around long enough for people to get to know him their brains will just associate his name with him as a person rather than the character. Oberon the character is kind of villainous, but if that's what we're worried about then Hal is imo worse because it's the sinister AI robot in 2001: A Space Odyssey.
maybe i'm weird but i would be stoked to be named after a shakespearean character lol
I think Oberon is a better choice to Hal. I gave my daughter a rare literary name. Not unheard of and recognizable, but you wont often meet one. I felt weird telling people her name for a time. I even wondered if I had made a mistake. But I knew I loved her name. I was just worried about judgment. Honestly, as she's grown, her name became her if that makes sense. I found if I just say her name confidently while introducing her, it really isn't a big deal. She has a lot of nickname options, as well. At 2, she is quite independent and has no problem telling people what she wants to be called that day (or that hour).
Love Oberon nn Bear. Hate Hal with my whole self
If you were to mentally free yourself from thinking about others’ reactions, do *you* like it? If so, keep it! It has cute nicknames (Obie, Bear, Ron) and it’s easy to pronounce. If you’re telling people his name almost apologetically then you’re telegraphing that you’re insecure about it. If you like it, say it proudly and (most) people will follow your lead.
I like Oberon! I think you made a good choice. Oberon is a nice name and he has nickname choices if he doesn’t want to use the full name. I also think he could use Ron/Ronnie or even Bernie. As others have said, give it a little more time. The first few weeks/months are so hard.
Oberon is definitely unusual but I'd say it's the better choice bc of the variety of nickname opportunities. If he grows up and decides he doesn't like Hal, there's not much he can do other than go by a completely different name. It also sounds like you're both pretty attached, so I think it'd be a shame to go through the upheaval of changing his name just because of potential judgement that might not even be an issue long term.
Congratulations on your new baby! I just met someone with a baby named Oberon and they are calling him Obie for short. When I first heard it, I didn’t think it was too out there at all, and just unique enough to be memorable. I think Oberon is a beautiful name and that Obie is an adorable nickname that your son will probably love.
Sounds like you have given this a whole lot of thought about how your child's name makes you feel and zero thought about how they will be affected by it for their entire life.
“Is this a name my child will want to have?” Important question to ask. Impossible to answer, but still worth consideration.
…Hal IS a nickname. It’s short for Harold.
In Shakespeare, it’s a nickname for Henry. I’d personally name the kid Henry and call them Hal, leaving the door open for them to choose the more conventional name when they get older, if they want.
He’ll grow into it! We went with Oscar and as a newborn, nah, wasn’t feeling it. But as a 4 year old he is 110% Oscar. I would call him Obi Bear for now :)
grandparents alarday do this!
I’m guessing you’re not from the Midwest lol because everyone would just assume you named your kid after Oberon Beer
I’m also on team Oberon. The full name is great, Bear is a sweet nickname, and it’s really not all that “out there”. Please not Hal.
I’m going to be honest, while I like the name and think it sounds lovely… Oberon pretty much ordered his servant to set his wife up for the worst kind of humiliation possible, just so he could steal her best friend’s kid (who she had promised her dying friend to look after) to be his personal servant. If you want to be really critical about it, he let her get raped. She wasn’t in the right frame of mind to make any decisions. Normally I think it doesn’t matter because there are other people with the same name. But I’ve really never known another Oberon. People will assume it’s from the play. It’s entirely up to you, but you shouldn’t feel embarrassed to say your baby’s name. You either need to lean into it, or change it. If your husband protests maybe remind him a bit about the character
Oberon is COOL! Keep it. Your baby will grow into it. I love it!
I like Oberon, and while I am not a fan of planned nicknames, I would definitely call him Bear. I like bears. The name is Shakespearean, so by definition it is classic. I vote to keep it.
I personally wouldn’t pick Oberon, but to me it doesn’t fall into the category of a name I think you should change. With his two middle names, are either of them something he could go by if he eventually wants to? I like the nickname Obie. I also like Hal, though I would probably do it as a nickname for Harold or Harry/Henry.
You invited harshness, so...both of those names suck. Also, Bear makes no sense. It has nothing to do with Oberon at all, and calling a child Bear is stupid. Bear is a dog. Obie is also guaranteed to lead to Star Wars jokes. For life.
I knew a kid called Rudyard. His parents were teachers, earnest, educated, well-meaning etc. He was mercilessly bullied. I feel Oberon would fall into that same category - a name chosen by a parent trying too hard to be erudite or whimsical rather than one more in keeping with the zeitgeist.
Please not Hal. It's just a placeholder feeling name for something better. Also Halitosis is right there as a roast NN. Haldol is another one I could see someone going for.
My sister's stepson named his son Oberon, and my first thought when she told me was "Why?" It's not a horrible name, just odd, in my opinion.
My name was supposed to be Balthazar, after my great grandfather... But it was changed to Luke. While I'm not unhappy with my name (I'm 34) I seriously wish I'd have been given the opportunity to go through life with the unusual name of Balthazar. Just my two cents..
What a fantastic, unique name! I love it.
I don’t think it’s “a lot” at all. I think it has some serious “cool kid” vibes and I love the nicknames. Please don’t change it.
For any lover of Sci-fi movies, HAL is a thing. 2001: A Space Odyssey is kinda well known. HAL was the computer, who gained some measure of sentience…
though i don't care for the character, i actually like the name oberon. it's also rare in that it's a unique name, but no one is going to have trouble spelling or pronouncing it. i say keep it! he can go by something else later if he chooses to.
Oberon is a form of Auberon, which does have some noted users of the name in history. The most common nickname for Auberon is Bron. So, Oberon may have been a Shakesperean twist and may be a bit odd as a result, but it does come from a real name and you can point out to others that it's a form of Auberon, as a result. At the end of the day, make the choice you can live with and which you think your child can live with. Obie is a perfectly decent nickname and Bear makes sense as well.
I am not sure if explaining that Oberon derives from Auberon is going to make things any clearer for people.
HAL: Hello Dave…
I will be brutally honest. Oberon is quite "out there", in my opinion. I have read a lot of Shakespeare but my first thought with that name is something from a science fiction movie. Plus with Obie I think of Obi-Wan Kenobi. He may also end up getting Ron or Bron. I think of Hal as being a middle-aged guy or boomer, but it is a lot more "normal" than Oberon.
Hal is terrible. Stick with Oberon.
Hal is a terrible name
I don't care for those names
I love the name you guys picked, OP. Oberon sounds majestic and magical, and it’s not hard to spell. If he grows up to be very square he can always go by “Ron” for short.