Hello,
We are expecting our second child, another son, who is due at the end of April. As with our first child, we are struggling with boy names. Our first son turned two in January. With him we didn’t know his sex until he was born. The girl name came easily, but we didn’t have our boy name until after he was born. His name is William August. Most people, including us, call him Will, but he has a Grandpa that has never called him anything but Gus, which I love.
This time we know we are having a boy but still we struggle. Obviously, I want a name that goes well with William, but William can go a few different ways. Royal, cowboy, American traditional…
Here are some things I love about Will’s name.
I love that it is timeless. It is common/popular now, but it has always been common/popular. I like that it doesn’t feel like we are trying to “bring back” an old Grandpa name. I love that it has a nice formal name with a cute but still manly short name. And I love that the short name is kind of trendy and modern while the long name is classic and traditional. I love how his middle name gives his full name a more modern feel too. August is trendier but still old, which I like.
I would love another name that I can love for all (or most) of the same reasons I love William August.
Here are some names we have considered, discarded, or won’t/can’t use. Did I mention my husband is very opinionated about names??
Names we both like: Malcolm (Mac), Arthur (Art?), Milo, Calvin (Cal)
Names I like (but hubby is against for one reason or another): Samuel (Sam), Louis (Lou?), Jack, Oliver, Nicholas (Cole), Lucas (Luke), Marshall
Names hubby likes (but I’m against for one reason or another): Charles (Charlie), Gordon (Gordy), Henry
Names you would think we would like but aren’t crazy about: Daniel, James (at least for a first name), Michael, Matthew, Jacob, David, Joseph, John, Christopher
Names close friends have used recently: Alexander, Benjamin, Thomas
We would like to avoid super Biblical names if possible. If it helps, our girl name has always been Alba Josephine. Our kids use my husband’s last name – a one syllable name that starts with an S.
Are there any names left? We are stuck. I will end with saying that a lot of the names I have discarded in my mind I could see myself falling in love with. When I was pregnant with my first, I never thought I would grow to love the names William and August as much as I do now. So maybe there’s hope!
If you are willing, we appreciate any advice you may have!
Thanks!
Emily
This is a letter that has occupied my mind. I’ve been trying to think of names that are like William, but William really does seem to be a special case. How is it that a name can sound fresh when it hasn’t left the Top 20 since the start of the Social Security Administration’s records in 1880? Well, it just does, and I don’t think other names can be held to that standard. I wrote a whole post with suggestions but kept getting bogged down: one name was great but didn’t have a good nickname; another name was great but definitely a little Grandpa-ish; yet another name had a great nickname and didn’t sound Grandpa-ish, but didn’t feel fresh to me either.
When I find myself going in circles like that, I stop and reevaluate: am I looking for something that exists, or am I spinning my wheels because what I want is something I can’t have? Right now, my theory is that you’re stuck because you’re looking for something that may not exist: a name you love, that you love for the same reasons you love the name William, that isn’t ruled out for any other reason. Considering how small the pool of timeless names to choose from is, and adding an opinionated partner to work with, and then ruling out names for various reasons—well, as I say, this is the point where I stop and reevaluate.
I think from here there are two paths:
1. Give up on one or more or ALL of the characteristics that make a name similar to the name William, and instead choose a name you like for different reasons. It can be fun to like names for different reasons, and makes for good naming stories. (“We liked YOUR name because it’s timeless yet fresh, and we liked YOUR name because of George Clooney. Mmmm, George Clooney. …I mean because it’s timeless yet fresh.”)
2. Go through the list of timeless names (your current candidates and others not on your list) again and again until you start to develop love feelings for one or more of the new or discarded candidates.
The first path would lead me to throw all my backing behind the name Henry, IF the reason you ruled it out was something such as a lack of nicknames you wanted to use, as opposed to something such as a horrible association. I just LOVE William and Henry together. I think it may be my absolute top favorite pairing with William. I don’t have too strong a Royal Princes association with it, in part because the names are so common, and in part because I always think of the younger prince as Prince Harry; many people don’t even realize his name is Henry. The nickname issue would probably be the biggest hurdle for me if I were you: I don’t think of Henry as HAVING nicknames. I know it DOES have nicknames (The Baby Name Wizard lists Hank, Hal, and Harry), but none of those feel natural to me: even if I picked one (I’m theoretically keen on the nickname Hank, since I have a dear relative named Henry/Hank), I don’t think I’d end up using it. I’d just call him Henry, and maybe hope another nickname would evolve naturally.
If Henry is out, that same first path would lead me to throw out everything and start over, as if this were your first baby and you were just making lists of names you liked, without putting any of them through the “Is it the same as the name William?” filters. I would even include on your list names that don’t go with William, since those might lead you in new and useful directions.
The second path, on the other hand, would lead me to suggest going through the list name by name, talking up each one that seemed like a good idea, giving yourself time and reasons and opportunities to fall in love. I’d suggest exercises such as imagining the name written in cute preschooler handwriting on a drawing (I’d go so far as to find a child-handwriting font and mess around with it), or imagining William calling the baby “Baby _____,” or looking at pictures of cute babies online and trying the names on them, or going over again how you never thought you’d love the name William as much as you do.
I am about to suggest my children’s pseudonyms, pretty much one right after another. They come to mind because William is also one of the pseudonyms.
I wonder if you would like Robert. That’s one that, like William, doesn’t seem to go away. One thing that makes it different than William, however, is that its popularity is currently in a slow and gradual decline. It was in the Top Eleven (darn you, 1881 and 1887, for preventing me from saying “Top Ten”) from the start of online Social Security records in 1880, until 1989. Even now, it has only fallen as low as #62. William and Robert; Will and Rob. One thing I like about it is all the other cute nicknames, like Robin and Bobbin and Bertie and so forth. (I’m imagining modifying the lyrics to “When the Red Red Robin Comes Bob Bob Bobbin’ Along.”) One thing that’s interesting to me about the name Robert is how much it grew on me: when I first used it as a pseudonym for my firstborn, I didn’t even like the name, but now I do. I like calling him Rob. It’s pleasing to me that I know Roberts my grandfather’s age, my dad’s age, my age, and my children’s age.
Next Swistle-kid-pseudonym to consider: Edward. This is another that I don’t think I would have considered as an actual name, but then I used it for a pseudonym and now sometimes I wish I HAD named the twins Elizabeth and Edward! What a great pairing! I don’t know if I would have used a nickname or not. Eddie, perhaps, or the more deliberate choices Ned and Ted(dy). William and Edward; Will and T…. oh wait. Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Hm. I guess that would rule it out for me.
I see I am already out of pseudonyms to recommend.
I think it would be worth exploring the possibility of using Benjamin even though your friends used it. William and Benjamin; Will and Ben.
From the list of four names the two of you agree on, my favorite is Calvin. That is in fact my favorite for you of all the possibilities on your list or off it. I think it comes very close to duplicating what you like about William: the formal, non-Grampa-ish full name with the friendly boyish-but-great-for-a-man-too nickname; the timeless feeling with the modern freshness.
For a middle name, I might look for something more common, so that William has a common name followed by a less-common middle name, and Calvin has a less-common name followed by a common middle name. I would do this mostly for the satisfaction of it; that is, if I found a less-common middle name I liked better, I would certainly go with that. But William August and Calvin James has a very satisfying balance, and I enjoy that kind of thing.
Or, I would do my usual middle-name-finding exercise, which is to skim lightly through the baby name book (something like The Baby Name Wizard with a selection of names, rather than a name dictionary with tens of thousands of them) saying the names to myself very rapidly (“Calvin Aaron, Calvin Abel, Calvin Abraham…”) and pausing to make a list of anything that catches my ear.
Or, I would go through the list of names you have already, looking for one that can be salvaged. Sometimes a name has to be discarded as a first-name candidate because of something that is not its fault, such as that it sounds too close to a sibling’s name or creates undesirable initials or is a name someone else just used. It can be satisfying to salvage one of those for the middle name.
Name update!
Dear Swistle,
I wrote to you back in February seeking name advice for our second son. You featured my story as “Baby Boy S_____, Brother to William August” on 2/18/2015.
Well, our little guy decided to come 11 days early on April 14, 2015. He was born without a name even after all the thought and discussion, hours and hours of thought and discussion! I guess we work better under pressure because we decided on a name shortly after he was born. We named him Charles Archer and have been calling him Charlie. William August and Charles Archer. William and Charles. Will and Charlie. Grandpa will surely call him Archie, so Gus and Archie. I love.
I want to thank you again for your advice. I was determined to find a name that I loved for ALL the same reasons I love our first son’s name, William August, but you helped me realize that perhaps I was searching for something that doesn’t exist, especially with so many already discarded names. While we seriously considered using your suggestion of Calvin (it was one of just a few names that went to the hospital with us), you had also inspired me to look back at my (extensive) “no” list and reconsider some classics. Charles/Charlie was one that my husband has always liked, but I had put in the “no” bucket because of a past association. However, when I revisited it later on, it grew on me quickly, and I began seeing our son with that name. Archer kind of came out of nowhere, but I think fits nicely.
Thanks again for your help! And a big thanks to everyone who commented as well. A picture of our boys is attached. :)
Emily
William is my sons name. I love it. We called him Will and after he started school he asked to be called William there. I love both and think they sound manly and timeless but not stiff. Plus, it means strong protector and that’s the ultimate big brother name meaning in my opinion!!
Since we both like William I’m going to add my favorite boy names. Some you said are friend names but honestly (and sadly) friends move and leave our lives all too often. I wouldn’t let that stop me. Plus the few people I know with duplicates almost like it and say things like “my kate” and “little kate” and “our Kates” so it’s not a negative to me. (That said my kids with their classic/boring names have a lot less repeats than the trendier but technically less common names. We’ve only met one other William in 8 years so far.)
I love Benjamin with William. Alexander is great too and has an awesome nickname and meaning. James was another boy name on our list. Originally I didn’t love it but it’s grown on me so much that I had some mourning over not being able to use it (we had a girl). I think the nicknames Jamie and Jem are awesome.
My other boy name crush is Everett/ nn Rhett. Less common but super cool.
Have you thought about David? I think it’s underused personally. Same with Nathan.
Benjamin and Alexander would be perfect .. How close are the friends who used them? Are they people you see all the time?
My favorite of your rejects is Samuel, but I am biased because my son is Samuel William (we call him Sam). My second-favorite is Henry, for so many reasons.
I wouldn’t reject Edward or Theodore for the Bill and Ted association. I knew someone with a William and a Teddy and no one but me EVER made that association (which I thought was weird). Either full name goes beautifully with William.
George and Charles are nice choices, too. What about Philip? I mean, as long as we’re on royalty. Will and Phil might be a little too cute, though.
Might Jack be up for reconsideration if you went with John and nicknamed him Jack?
What about Miles instead of Milo? My son is Alexander Miles but we discussed Milo for a long time. Miles somehow won. Another that came to mind was Elliot.
Well… most of my suggestions you’ve basically covered in your lists you’ve already mentioned.
I’m not sure how stuck you are on your “vetoed for one reason or another” list, but I would maybe start by reevaluating why you vetoed each name: was it because when you compared it to William’s name that something was missing (ex: it doesn’t allow for a trendy shortened name like Will’s does, can you get around that if you realize that you actually like the full name? ) OR was it because you just don’t like the name. Re-go through all the names. If you’ve been obsessing about it, you might just have to take a break and come back to discussing names in a few weeks.
When we were pregnant with our son, I was in the same boat, couldn’t find a boy name that I liked to save my life. We had thrown out every name it felt like, so we sort of just stopped talking about it (mostly because I’m sure my husband was ready to strangle me at that point and didn’t care what our kids’ name was going to be at that point) then a week before he was born, I came back to the names we had discussed along the way and we went through again whether we liked or didn’t. The only name that seemed right was Oliver – by then we couldn’t even remember why we had thrown it out to begin with. Needless to say, my Oliver is almost 2 and I can’t imagine him having any other name.
First, most because I’m biased, but I wonder if you would like Oliver? Has the same feel as August but because August is a middle name, I don’t think they would be too close.
Oliver and William. Ollie and Will. Ollie and Gus. Super cute.
Oliver reminds me of Arlo. Would Arlo work with your last name? Or Oscar. Or Oswald nn Oz or Ozzy.
I agree with Swistle, I personally love Henry. Think it works well with William. I would also reconsider Jack and Louis (Louie). My favourite from your list would be Arthur. But I also do like Malcolm.
What about Theodore? Theo is more trendy nickname with Theodore being a timeless, more traditional name? William and Theodore. Will and Theo. Oh… this might be my favourite.
What about:
Simon
Maguire Nn Mac
Walter (might be too grandpa-ish for you, but I love it!)
George
Fitzpatrick nn Fitz
Good luck and keep us posted!
I really like William and Theodore (Will and Theo) too!
Thomas (Tom, Tommy)? Good luck!
I’m lobbying hard for Calvin. It’s my top boy name right now and I think it works incredibly well with William. Swistle made a fantastic case for it in her letter. I also think Edward is a fantastic name. So many nickname options and I think it fits the “classic without sounding like we’re trying to bring back an old man name” vibe that you’re going for.
Best of luck! Please let us know what you decide.
Wow, this question is making the rounds! I thought it felt so familiar and I almost skipped it because I thought I’d read it here before. (It was featured on Appellation Mountain this past weekend too. Not a bad way to get some good opinions from a couple of high-quality name gurus!)
For other commenters, this same post is over on Appellation Mountain http://appellationmountain.net/name-help-names-left/
She has a poll of name suggestions that might be helpful for you to vote on.
We had William (Will) on our short list of boy names when I was pregnant with my second child who turned out to be a girl. The other names were Joshua (Josh) and Ian. Would either of those work for you? Other names we considered: Andrew (Drew), Jonah, & Micah. Or would you like Owen? I agree with Swistle that if you can use Benjamin despite it being used in your circle, that would be a nice match.
My first thought was Johnathan with nn Jack. Perhaps you like that better than John?
A few other ideas: Zachary (Zach), Michael (Mac, Mick), Andrew (Drew), Dominic (Dom), Nathanial (Nate), Colin (Cole), Fredrick (Fred, Rick), Patrick (Trick), Theodore (Theo, Teddy), Louis (Louie)
I also really like Calvin for you!
Was going to recommend Jonathan as well! It’s a strong formal name that is still in the top 30 but has a lot of options for nicknames.
My dad is also a John who goes by Jack so I’m partial to that as well.
I think Robert with the nn Bo might be fun! Or Christopher? Or Joseph/joe? I also like John nn Jack.
Calvin is my favorite for you!
I also think Jonathan, Alexander, Robert and Samuel fit your description perfectly.
My first thought was Andrew and I also like Christopher and I think both can be pair with James as a middle name.
I totally forgot to include how much I love Hugh or Hugo but I personally think Hugh is more of a traditional/timeless name and I would use Hugo as the nickname.
William and Hugh. Gus and Hugo. Will and Hugo. Soooo cute!!
We have a Will- it was #5 on my short list of 5 names and the one hubby picked, but of course I too adore it now for all the reasons you already know!
Also on my short list were: Drew, Owen, Reid and Nathaniel.
I would still pick these today- but maybe Andrew for you so you have the nn option of Drew, or Andy?
Plus I am drawn to Caleb over Calvin- still Cal but IMO more of a boys name with grown up potential. I just have a hard time picturing “little Calvin”!
Oh or Abraham or Abram. I love Abe or Bram.
I have a William, August was on our short list and many of the names you mentioned were also discussed as possible names for both our sons. With that in mind, I’ll throw out the name of my other son, George. It is a bit fusty, but it’s never really gone away like trendier names have. We tried out nicknames like G., Geo, Geordie, GiGi and finally settled on the simple George.
Other names that were strong options for us included Andrew (Drew), Thomas (I didn’t like Tom/Tommy), Harrison (Harry), Edward (I don’t like Ward, DH doesn’t like Ed/Eddie), Theodore (Ted/Teddy/Theo), Solomon (Sol-but DH wasn’t sure), Sterling (no nickname). If you eliminate the “must feel fresh” requirement, some fustier options included Albert & Walter (and the previously mentioned George).
I agree about perhaps changing expectations. Throwing out the requirement for a nickname, I love the name Carl paired with William. William & Carl. Both are beautiful, timeless, masculine names. It would be fun to then give a middle name that could potentially be used for a nickname, much as your William’s grandfather calls him Gus. So many names work. ( I like Carl Alexander, but perhaps a more current choice would be better.) But Carl just by itself sounds wonderful to my ear with both William and Will. My next choice would be Calvin. Cal is an adorable nickname.
Highly recommend Robert. I know a little guy named Robert called Bobby and it is very refreshing and classic / timeless. The nickname Rob feels even more updated to me, like Will vs Bill.
I second Henry – LOVE Hal as a diminuative, Theodore/Theo, and Edward/Ted/Ned.
But I also know a delicious Campbell who’s called Cam quite a lot…. Am also drawn to Evander,
which is so dreamy and grownup, but could also be shortened to Ev, or VANDER!!
My one suggestion would be Charles with the nn Cal. I like that Charles is on your husband’s list as a favorite, and Cal is a nn you both agree you like. I also think William and Charles are an amazing brother set. For a mn, I’d love to see a name from your list — I think Charles Oliver is my favorite. William August and Charles Oliver. Will and Cal. Awesome.
There’s a blogger who has sons named William and Frederick nn Fritz.
I encourage Robert, which I love. From your short list I really like Malcolm. Have you thought of Gabriel or Bertram or Duncan?
The name Bennett immediately came to my mind. In the way that Benjamin seemed very appropriate, Bennett feels similar. It has a classic, authentically traditional vibe while still maintaining a more youthful nickname, Ben.
Sebastian also stands out. While it seems a bit trendier then William, I really like the pairing, and Sebastian does have a strong history as a name. There are also several great nicknames (I am partial to Bas).
Of previous suggestions, I have to agree with Theodore in any capacity, as well as Edward. I know an Edward who goes by Ward – maybe too much W with Will, but a much fresher variation then Ed. John and Jack are both wonderful as well.
Other ideas, apologies for repeats:
Graham
Edmund
Isaac
Griffin
Everett
In rereading previous commenter’s posts … Frederick nn Fritz is a really handsome suggestion. I think Fritz is fun, but not unknown, and gives some youth to such a big name.
Edmund
George
Harold
I was going to suggest Gilbert. It’s one that I’ve been coming around to lately, I think it has a timeless sound that isn’t stuffy and love the nickname Gil! Although, Will & Gil… hmmm, maybe not :) If you like Ben but Benjamin is out, what about Benedict or Bennett?
Some others that I think would be great options for you: Andrew, Nathaniel, Gabriel, Spencer, Julian, Peter, Cameron, Raymond, Tobias, Anthony.
My vote to reconsider is Joseph. Very similar popularity curves. Timeless. beautiful classic formal name with a modern, snappy nickname. Will and Joe. William and Joseph. Or Will and Jude if you prefer it.
Well all three of my boys have names from your should but don’t love list!
Simon
Patrick
Evan
Owen
Good luck….
Philip nn Pip
Christopher nn Kit
Joseph nn Joss
Thomas nn Tom
Jacob nn Jake
David nn Davey
Daniel nn Dan
Love the suggestions of Joshua nn Josh, Andrew nn Drew or Edward nn Ned.
James nn Jay would be great! Will and Jay! Love James Calvin or James Archer (Archie!).
Good luck!
Actually, I think I really like Joseph with William. Will and Joe are great brother names!
Joseph Archer perhaps?
All the best!
Wonder if you would like Callum!
My first thought was James. Second thoughts were Andrew and Nicholas. I love Henry nn Hank. Zachary?
I think you might be in a situation where you had a timing element to naming William and now that you have more time, it’s making the decision harder. I know with both of my boys I liked the names well enough but now that they are my boys I love their names.
What about Frederick (Fred(dy)), Francis (Frank(ie)), or Martin? I really like Martin James!
For a little brother to William “WIll”, I like these names:
— Abraham, nn Abe or my favorite, Bram
— Elliott, possible nn of Eli
— Bradley, nn Brad
Since you are considering names with no “standard” nicknames like Milo, Gordon, and Marshall, I wonder if you’d consider these:
— Jared – There’s a spike in the ’80s, but for some reason, I always think it goes well with William.
— Alden
— Calvin makes me think of Corwin.
How about Theodore (nn Theo or Teddy), Edmund (nn Ned), Jasper, Archibald (nn Archie), Frederick (nn Freddie, Fritz), Alfred, Albert, George, Felix, or Victor?
While reading your letter the first name that popped in my head was Gideon
I agree with all the Theodore suggestions. I have a little guy with this name and we call him Theo. Fits him perfectly! No one has ever tried to call him Ted. Plus it’s adorable when he calls himself by his full name. I also know a set of brothers name William and Reed, which I like.
My first thought was also Henry. My son is Henry, and I have a friend with twin boys, William & Henry. Swistle-approved! ;)
If you think this might be your last child, would you consider repurposing your girl name? You could name your son Albert, no Albie. William & Albert. Will & Albie. Cute & unexpected.
I really like Matthew with William. Will and Matt. I like that they both have 7 letters, two syllables, double letters, and a 4 letter nn.
David is another timeless classic name that works well with William.
I’m going to put Gregory into the mix. I know Greg’s who are 50 and who are 20 and it sounds great on both generations. It also conjures images of Gregory Peck which really isn’t a bad thing.
Phillip nn Pip
Lawrence
Robin
Carter
Forrest
Frederick
Steven/Stephen
I’m going to throw Grady into the ring. It’s an old name but it fits in with the more modern Brady/Brody crowd. I don’t think it’s considered timeless like William, but it does have a cowboy and all American vibe to it. Gray is a very fresh sounding nickname. As for a middle name, I immediately thought of Everett. It has the same quality as August, old but cool. Grady Everett and William August. Grady and William. Grady and Will. Gray and Will.
I teach preschool and have 2 Williams. Totally agree that it’s a great name with lots of flexibility. If this is your last child I LOVE Matthew nickname Matt- but I wouldn’t do that if you plan to have more children, because they make such a perfect pair but it would be hard to continue the pattern.
I have a David in my room and he’s the first David I’ve met under the age of forty- and it works so well on a little guy. William and David, wWill and Dave? Hmm. Nathan/Nate is also nice. I also have a Calvin and it too is fantastic on a kid. Calvin is my second favorite for you.
Nathaniel (Nate) James S-.
William & Nathaniel Will & Nate
I love the way it looks together with the recurring i,a,l. I also love the way the names sound together. Plus they both have great short form names that even pair nice together. I like how they both seem like distinguished names when used as whole name but fun and cute as short forms.
Out of other suggestions I read I really like Edward, Oliver and Gregory .
For some reason I think Jeremy would work well for you (I like Jem as a nickname). William and Jeremy. Will and Jem.
I also like the suggestion of Zachary (Zack) and Nathan or Nathanial (Nate) for you.
Good luck!
Oh, and if you don’t mind using another “W:” name, I also really like Wesley (Wes)!
Oh! And Robert! What about Neil?
Henry nn Hank and Alexander nn Xander immediately came to mind.
3 of your 4 choices that you both like are on my own list and you asked if there are any names left, so here are some names I think you might like (including repeats):
Timothy – Tim
Peter – Pete
Frederick – Fred
Isaac – Ike
Stephen – Steve
Leonard – Leo
Nathan – Nate
Here are some other names you might consider:
Gregory – Greg
Jason – Jay
Theodore – Ted
Edward – Ed
Walter – Walt
Wesley – Wes
Douglas – Doug
I love your little one’s name and love the photo even more. What an adorable pair of brothers!
Ahhhh, great name and GREAT picture! Will and Charlie! Gus and Archie! SO too cute.