Best Sounding?

[krisbenson.livejournal.com]

My hubby really likes the name Ethan. I had it on my "list" when I was pregnant with our first son, but this pregnancy I wouldn't say I'm super fond of it, however I don't completely hate it. ...He is considering a name that I love that he is not super fond of, so I am considering Ethan.
Originally we wanted to use hubby's name as the middle name, which is Stephen (pronounced Steven), but Ethan Stephen doesn't sound that great to me. :p Especially with our last name, Benson. To me it doesn't flow well.
So, we have a couple other family names we would consider using as middle names: Lee (my dad's name) and Mark (my brother whom I am super close with). Which do you think is the best sounding?
Ethan Lee (or)
Ethan Mark?

..Or do you think neither sound that great and we should keep looking for another? I would like to use a family name for the middle name, so in a sense we are kind of limited there. ;)

Comments

[how-obscure.livejournal.com]

Ethan is a nice enough name, but I don't think it sounds all that great with your last name, honestly. I don't like Lee or Mark in general, but they both sound okay with the name. I think Mark sounds better of the two.

[krisbenson.livejournal.com]

I feel the same, I don't feel it sounds that great with our last name either, I don't think it flows very well and is kind of harsh sounding all together. That is one of the reasons I'm not so fond of it, but I'm trying to be "open" and not shut down all of the names he likes.
Thanks for your opinion on the name itself and which one you feel sounds better out of the two! :)

[duck-deluxe.livejournal.com]

I don't care much for Ethan as a name and it sort of seems dated to the mid 90s to me. That said, I think you're right...it doesn't flow with your last name.
Ethan Lee is too much "E" sound, I think.
Ethan Mark seems too abrupt.
I think you'd have to pair it with something longer ... Alexander or Nathaniel or something like that.

[mrssubee.livejournal.com]

Ethan Mark..I really like the name Ethan- I would love it if I had another son- but, my husband is not so into it

[kitchen-poet.livejournal.com]

I like Ethan. But to me Ethan Stephen comes way too close to rhyming, so I'd personally choose Ethan Mark. It's a nice, handsome name. :)