M. writes:
Hi swistle!!! I wrote to you two years ago asking for help naming my precious “baby boy Weens“! I loved your feedback and readers comments! I went with Asher August and I’m soo in love with his name I am struggling with finding an equally AWesome name for new baby brother due in October.
A few things have changed: I found an amazing man :). He has a 7 year old son named Aiden. So now we have Aiden and Asher. At first my baby name obsessed mind freaks out at the fact they are two A names. Do I keep the A theme? Or scrap it?! We will be having another baby after this one and I think I have convinced myself that since neither of us were involved in the naming of the other’s bio child, we can get away from “A” names. And 4 A name kids is too duggar-ish.
We have a list going into the delivery and dh favorite is one of mine but I struggle with the combination of the middle name. Mn is Robert. Our “list” is Sullivan, Foster, Oaken, Uriah, Axel. Foster is the one I struggle with. He loves the sound of the two together but for the life of me I can’t say it properly with the repeating errr rrrrrr rrrrr.
Is it too tongue twister??
Last name is billespie with a G not a B.
Thanks in advance!
I agree: the time to break with the letter A is now, if you don’t want to use A for all the children.
Will you be saying the first and middle names together much? That is, do you call the other children First Middle routinely, or do you call them only by their first names? If you plan to call him only his first name, I don’t think it matters if it runs together a bit with the middle name. If you plan to call him First Middle and you find you can’t say it properly, then I think it matters enough to eliminate the name from consideration.
My favorite with Aiden and Asher is Foster. If you cross out Foster, my second favorite is Sullivan. Let’s have a poll to see what everyone else likes best:
Name update! M. writes:
Hi swistle! I very much appreciate you putting up my blog post at the last minute!!! Was so great of you!!!
We went into delivery both kinda set on using foster but once we met him (after an hour and twenty minute labour!!!) we both knew he was a Sullivan. We took a couple days to make sure it suited him. We are all so in love with our 9 lb 12 oz Sullivan Robert wiens Gillespie <3Thanks again so much :):):)
I hope to write you again in two years ;)
Yep, I remember your original post! Foster seems perfect. You seem to have a thing for occupational baby names. If you guys need more choices, just look at “occupational baby names” lists that are floating around on the internet. But seems like foster is perfect, and like swistle said, unless you consistently use the mn with the first, the repeating R will never be an issue.
I agree, Foster is a great name. I don’t see a problem with ‘Foster Robert’, as I pn the first name Foss-ta, so the ‘R’ sounds don’t run together for me at all. I think it’s ideal.
If you feel that it’s really going to be a problem for you, especially if you plan on using/saying both names together quite often, you may need to start looking at other alternatives to go with Robert.
Suggestions:
Deacon
Chase
Devon
Reeve (Love this!)
Shepherd
Vance
Foster is still my favorite!
All the best!
If you’re worried about Foster and Robert running together, could For(r)est be an option?
I like Forrest too! Gives you a different sounding end to the name compared to the brothers names
Just thought of Jensen and Reuben. I especially love Reuben, also spelt Ruben, as it has the same soft but masculine feel of Asher.
Good luck!
I voted for Foster, but was going to suggest Forest as well!
I voted for Sullivan, because the R problem really bothered me, though otherwise I do quite like the name. It occurred to me that a lot of young kids have trouble saying their R’s. With so many R’s in the name, especially so close together, it just seemed like asking for trouble. “My name is Fostaw Wobewt. But perhaps I’m just overly sensitive since both of my kids needed speech classes!
I agree Forrest works, and because the R’s aren’t back to back, I think the potential problems aren’t as bad. I also thought of Murphy, Tucker & Gideon for you.
I was all set to vote for Sullivan Robert (which was very nearly my son’s name so I really love it), but then I realized that I don’t really care for Sullivan Billespie. Too much L and they have the same cadence so it sounds a bit sing-songy. So I’m back to Foster, if you don’t think you’ll call him by first and middle a lot. Love the suggestions above, especially Deacon. Also like Conlan, Declan, and Duncan. I know a preschooler named Robert Duncan, and Duncan Robert is really handsome too.
I agree. Normally I love the name Sullivan. But I don’t care for the combination of Sull + 2 more syllables followed by Gull + 2 more syllables. Some of your other favorites work better with the last name.
I don’t think Foster flows with your last name and Robert runs into it. I also question using the same ending for 2 of your sons – the er in Ashersnd Foster. Forest is a great alternative. Forest Robert ( )illespe sounds great.
Also if you do want to go with an name, Arlo would be a great choice. Aiden, Asher, and Arlo. Despite the same first initial, each name has a different beginning sending sound.
How about Robertson as a middle name? I know in your first post 2 years ago you mentioned it was a family/honor name so it depends on how your family traditions work but I think it solves some of the problems with “Foster Robert” by adding another syllable.
I also really like Forrest as an alternative however, I’m not a big fan of the back to back two syllable name pattern- that’s just my preference though and it might not bother you.
I know a family with a Foster and his nickname is Fozzie. Based on the list of names you considered for your first baby, this seems like something you might like!
Ok.. you have so many great options!! I love Sullivan but I think Foster is a better match with the other two sib names. As Swistle said, unless you use the first and middle name together often, then the Foster Robert isn’t that big of a deal to me at all.
Gideon. Really like it with your last name actually! Plus I think it goes well with Asher and Aiden.
I agree that if you were wanting to ditch the “A” then now would be the perfect time, if not, I LOVE the name Arlo. I think it gives a different feel than Aiden and Asher but still blends nicely.
Good luck and congrats on the “new” awesome hubby and step-son!
I just wanted to say I love the name Asher August! Great job! : )
I voted for Uriah. It’s my favorite and I think it goes great with the other names. And all children will have vowel names rather than A names.
Count me in the Forrest camp! The “Foster Robert” does bother me a bit (though I also love the suggestion of Robertson). I agree, as well, with the Sullivan + Billespie being a lot of “L” sounds. I actually voted for Oaken–I’ve never heard of the name myself, but it seemed like a good match with the others in the family. Then again, maybe it’s too close to Aiden? But, I did like how “O” seemed to tie in with the other vowels without being overly matchy.
One other thing, while for some reason I still can’t get the Foster family (from the show Step By Step) out of my head when I hear the name (which I know is a dated reference that probably won’t matter at all–and a positive association at that!), I do really like that the definition of Foster is to “encourage or promote the development of (something, typically something regarded as good).” ….not that you’re solely relying on your child to develop your family, but I love that he’s a beautiful symbol of your new family coming together :)