WHOA! I'd have more to say than ......!! Could you use still though, with the past being the past?
The past is well and truly the past, he knew after 18mos in that relationship that it wasn't going to work out. But he stayed with her for another 18mos, living 3 hours away. Long story, but I just don't want to use that name.

I really prefer the boy's name we've got picked out this time anyway. It's a name DH and I came across and fell in love with together.