Can you say goodbye to a name?

Check out the link below! 
The Name not Taken

The post takes a very good look at what it means for parents to give up a name.  I already am starting to feel this pain.  Steve doesn't get attached to names like I do.  If I find a name that really strikes a cord with me, its really hard to let it go.  In fact, I have a back burner list of names that I would use for novel characters (should I ever get around to doing so).  These are names that I adore so much and wish I could have used, but won't get a chance to for one reason or another.  Now, I'm going to share some of the names that I know I won't get a chance to use no matter how many kids I have in the future.

For the girls (basically, all of these are names that Steve won't let me use):

Lyra- This is one of the coolest names I've ever heard.  I first heard it when I read The Golden Compass.  The name has such a vintage feel to it and I've mentioned before how much I love vintage names.  Its also almost unheard of here in the US.  That makes it extra appealing to me.  I don't quite understand how its so unpopular here unless everyone thinks like Steve, who says people told him the name was too close to the word "liar".  Anyway, its a super cute name that has great potential!
Hermione- This name has a similar fate as Lyra due to similar reasons.  Steve can't imagine using this name because of the character from Harry Potter.  There is also the fact that it is a little too out there for his tastes.  I love this name for the exact same reasons as Lyra: its got a vintage feel and its uncommon.  I hope that more people start using this name, even if its for a child's middle name!  Its an underused gem that is just too cool to pass up, in my opinion.
Freya- Its a goodess' name!  How cool is that?  Its also really popular in Britain, so I wouldn't be surprised if we see it pop up in the top 1000 names in the US sometime in the future.  This name doesn't necessarily sound vintage to me, but it has the uncommon factor going for it, big time!  The reason I can't use this name is because it is the name of a video game boss and that is what we would always be reminded of when we looked at our daughter.  Its so sad because this is another really pretty name that is just begging to be used!

For the boys (if we don't have a boy now, we'll keep the choice we've made if we do have a boy later):

Max- Oh, I love this name.  Its so cool and it has the vintage vibe I love.  However, that vintage vibe is slowly being replaced by a trendy vibe.  That is why both Steve and I have decided to retire this name.  When even Steve says a name is getting too trendy for him, then its serious.  I'll always love Max and I will miss this choice greatly. 
Finn- Another name that Steve just won't go for.  He was willing to use it as a middle name, but the combination we had we've decided to pass on.  I think Finn is one of the most handsome choices for a boy out there!  And other people are agreeing with me.  The proof is in the pudding and Finn is rising steadily in popularity.  Soon enough, its probably going to be a top 100 name and I hope more parents continue to chose this name for their little boys!
Emerson- Unfortunately, we're slowly loosing this name to the girls!  Its a really neat choice for book lovers because Ralph Waldo Emerson was an amazing writer and what a great way to celebrate that.  Emerson is a fairly popular name, there are people using it for boys, as well as girls.  However, I don't think that this name has the qualities that Steve likes for a boys name.  It was another possible middle name choice, but it never made it onto our final list of choices.
Graham- Oh, I've gotten so much grief for loving this name.  I think the favored complaint is Graham cracker.  I think Gray is a really handsome nickname to go with this name, but, again, Steve just can't bring himself to get on board with this name.  I don't see this name becoming too popular, which appeals to me, but if its going down in popularity, that kinda gives Steve more evidence that this may not be the name for us. 

I know I've put the weight on Steve for giving up these names, but I value his opinion greatly and its his kid too.  For me, we both have to like the name, preferably love the name!  These are the gems that I love so much that we have decided to pass on.  Feel free to see if you can get your significant others on board to use one of them.  Someone should :)!