Godly Right to Name First-Born Son Spyridon

Name the kid Alexander. Definitely Greek enough for the father. Russian enough for the mother. American enough that teachers can pronounce it and kids won't harass him for it.

As a voice for the unborn, I would not want to be stuck with that name, historical or not. Oh the abuse children will inflict on your child would be terrible. In seeing one of the comments, Spirdon was spelled differently, not Spyridon.

The lack of respect is staggering

Why do they not just name the child Michael Spyridon? Then both parties get the name he or she wants, the child will not be made fun of or discriminated against in any way, and he or she can call the child by either name. Then further down the road, if the child prefers Michael or Spyridon more than the other, he can make the decision to go by that preferred name! Its a win-win option.

I think it's a great name and I'm no where near Greek in heritage. If you name the child Spyridon Michael, kids can nickname him Spike for fun. Either way you are giving the young one a legacy of great worth! Remembering your ancestry is something that will be of great worth to the boy as he grows.

I agree with using Spyridon as a middle name. Women have the responsibility of making sure their children are given names that enhance the child's life, and not get them bullied. You, Sir, are attempting to give your child a prime target name for bullies. Man up, and relegate Spyridon to middle-name status, where it belongs!

Horrible, horrible name...don't do it!!!! I agree..Michael Spyridon...is the best way to go.

The only thing I have to say is this...if that child is born in the USA the man actually has no say so as to the name whatsoever...SHE DECIDES ULTIMATELY

Why not Spyridon Michael? I've known a millions Michaels and Mikes in school and in the working environment and they just get boiled down to "Michael #1" or Michael B in Accounting. Instead, let your child's name have heritage, culture, and meaning, all while being unique and interesting. Worrying about kids picking on him is pointless, because kids are ALWAYS going to find something else to pick on him about. You're not naming your child something ridiculous like APPLE or BLANKET. I think the wife should bend at this point. It obviously means a lot the husband and her husband's family, so I feel like she's being the selfish one by not giving in.

I am all for giving your child a unique name. No offense but if he were to be named Michael, he would be hard pressed to be remembered. However if he was named the requested in the petition, Spyridon, he wouldn't he forgotten

What is ironic is that I am greek and my husband isn't. We named our son Michael Spyridon. Works great. He loves that he has his grandfathers name as part of his own name.

If your first is a boy name him both of your fathers name. That is what i call working together and having the best of both worlds. Congrats working together: Soukeras said he has already conceded that if the couple goes with Spyridon as a first name, the middle name can be Michael, and that his wife can have naming rights for all future children.

I have no problem with ethnic names, even though I can foresee kids in school nicknaming him spiderman, or at least singing spyridon to the tune of spiderman. (Actually, that might be kind of cool.) However, what I do have a problem with is naming a child something that both parents cannot agree upon. Marriage requires compromise. If she doesn't like the name, please agree to use it as a middle name.

Spyridon, in America, will lead to teasing and nicknames. I think his first name should be Michael, then Spyridon ("Don"??), and later when he's a teen/adult he can choose what he wants to be called. I think the escalation of this to international levels indicates a weak spot in your marriage and you both need counseling.

Counterpoint 2........this whole contract deal.......she's the dictator??????? You both definitely need counseling!!!!!

As a fellow Spyridon, I must say the uniqueness of the name has made my life even more interesting. People never forget your name and it is such a strong and powerful. Not to mention it will be a Spiro that will beat up on Nicholas Soukeras in bowling!!!! Make the right choice, put your wife in her place and tell her that Spyridon is the way to go.

Name him Spyridon Michael Sourkeras and nickname him Rider.....

Michael Spyridon. Boom! Done! lol This way the kid can choose when he gets older. Doesn't a husband already get to give the little boy his surname and all the cultural implications that go along with it AND pass it on generation after generation -while the mother's surname et al get's lost in the wind (unless she hyphenates)? Throwing a tantrum over the right to have the first AND last name and calling it tradition with someone who grew up in a whole different culture seems kind of selfish to me. If you wanted to be a Greek traditionalist, why didn't you take a Greek wife?!!!!

Michael Spyridon. As another commenter said, he's getting your last name. Let your wife give the child some family heritage, too. It is not your God-given right. Your God-given mandate is to put your wife's needs above your own, adhering to the 100/0 rule. 100% thinking about her needs, even if she didn't do anything for yours. Sorry, pal, that's from God, not me. Also, think about your son's future. He's growing up in the U.S., so unless he has a future career as a musician, a name like Spyridon is going to be a hang up.

Mr. Soukeras- If you hadn't begun your petition by claiming a "Godly" right to name your presumed son Spyridon, I would have no trouble signing it. If you had claimed only ethnic, Hellenic, or paternal privilege, my name would be right there, as I have no objection to unusual names and even can embrace most. I am not Greek Orthodox and will therefore concede that there may be some Godly right, but I'm just not buyin' it. Sorry.