Hi Swistle,
We have a really good name for our first-born son. Now with another baby boy on the way, my partner and I are STUCK. How can we give our second-born son a great name too?Surname will be L0Puert0 but swap the ‘uer’ for an ‘o.’
My son’s name is Bear. It’s simple, but different. People know exactly how to spell it (sometimes it happens only after I clarify, ‘like the animal.’) I love the dual symbolism — Bears can be big and strong. But teddy bears can be soft and cuddly. It’s also a nickname I have for my partner.
I want my new baby to have a name of his own, too. As a youngest child who was often compared to my siblings, it’s important to me that this baby can build his own path. Sometimes that starts with a name.
If it’s helpful, we’re open to and seem to be leaning toward baby names and lists that have been categorized as hippie/hipster or nature-inspired. One name that has made our brainstorm list is ‘Kai,’ but it’s too popular for us. But you can say we’re still leaning in the direction of a simple and easy to spell name for this baby.
Please help us add to our ideas list!
Thanks,
Em
This is a GREAT example of why I recommend thinking ahead to future sibling names while choosing a name for the first baby. It can feel too soon, and unnecessary, and hard enough to name the first one! But it can be so useful. Some names can make it very, very, very challenging to come up with sibling names, and it’s nice to know that going in.
The first name that came to mind was Fox, but I don’t know if that’s too on the nose. Finch. Otter. Raven. Or Hawk? Wolf? Tiger? I don’t know. I would not want to be named Hawk or Wolf or Tiger, but perhaps a boy named Hawk or Wolf or Tiger would love it.
I also thought of Lionel. But then it feels as if one child has an animal name, and the other has a hidden animal name—almost like it’s a wink/joke.
Similarly, I thought of Dane, then realized it could sound like a reference to Great Danes. Or Drake: I might not have thought of ducks (or rather, I absolutely would have, but I’m aware it’s also a name), except that there’s a brother named Bear, so maybe the duck tie-in is what they were going for. I still like Dane. Bear and Dane.
A nature name might be nice. Stone. Flint. Heath. Orion. Sage. Cedar. Clay. Sunny. River. Ocean. Cove. Grove. Island. Canyon. Sky. Dell. Glen. Hart. (Not Forest. And nothing associated with hunting: no Hunter, Arrow, Colt, etc.) Maybe Ranger? Wilder? Scout? Walker?
I wondered if Path might work as a name.
Maybe something like Kip or Kit or Mac (or Bo, but probably too rhymey with the surname). Adventurous, friendly. (Kit, though, is a term used for some kinds of baby animal. This could be a plus or a minus.)
I suspect we are going to be seeing more Nordic names soon (I base this on the way my eyes have started to linger on that section in The Baby Name Wizard, rather than skipping it), and some of those seem to me to go nicely with Bear. Aksel/Axel, Hans, Jens, Leif, Niels, Niko, Odin.
Or Pax. This came to mind because I had a co-worker whose name was the Spanish word for bear, and she had a brother named Pax. Ace. Merit. Hugo. Zed. Tycho. Ty. Cape. Jude. Jules. Rufus. Joss. Bridge. Bowie. I am in sections of this baby name book I don’t often use.
I know two children named Bear. They have brothers named Augie, Nash, Finn, Zane and Jules. I feel like Finn could work for you. Easy to say/spell and then they get the shark emoji when their brother gets the bear emoji. 😀
I like the idea of Finn! The name itself feels cuddly and gentle to me, but the shark association gives it a bit more toughness, similar to what you said you like about Bear. I also like the parallelism of it being a word name that’s not totally unexpected as a name, but also not a word that directly parallels Bear (like Fox or Wolf would do), allowing this child to have a bit more individuality. In general, I think that’s the type of name I’d be looking for here.
Another thing to consider, though, is whether you plan to have more children after this. If so, I might look for a smaller number of similarities between the names (e.g. short and snappy but not a word name, or a longer word name that has nothing to do with animals), unless you feel confident looking through the suggestions here that you could find enough names that fit the full list of characteristics. It’s also fine to have “I love it” as a uniting characteristic if you don’t mind the actual styles differing. I probably wouldn’t do Bear and Matthew, but Bear and Joachim is okay if that’s just what you love.
I like Finch, Flint, Cove.
I knew of a boy called Bear and his older brother was named Seal.
Griffin! (Full disclosure: My boys have the middle names Bernard and Griffith, so they’re my bear and griffin. So, of course, I think this is the perfect combo.)
I was coming on to suggest Griffin as well.
This could get you the nickname Finn too. Just a thought ;)
Reed, Heath or Skye
I know of someone named Bear and his younger brother is named Arlo.
For sure a name with depth is needed to set with Bear:
Noble, Loyal, Able, Blaze, Creed, Valor, Atlas, Saint, Ever, Orion, Thayer, Soren, Magnus, Weston, Everest, Kingston, Zion, Ryder
Rio
River
Skye
Sage
Orion
Zephyr
Heath
Drake, I really like this with Bear. While Drake can mean a male duck, it is also an old word that means dragon and my mind actually goes to dragon before it does to duck.
I also know two children named Bear. I really love Swistles suggestion of Pax. It is the name of a wonderful early elementary story if a boy and a fox (named Pax). It is the most beautiful story.
Me too. I have to think before I remember what a boy duck is called, but the dragon meaning comes automatically
Love the Bear and Sage suggestion. Sounds like a peaceful pair of brothers.
Bear and Fielding
Bear and Arrow
Bear and Sparrow
Bear and Eero
Bear and Jasper (I like the animal with the gemstone)
Bear and Royal
Bear and Jett
Bear and West
Oh, I love Bear and West!
Cobalt
Griffin
Leo
Forest
Ford
Rowan
Corbin
Linden
Grant
Caspian
Felix
Stellan (I know it’s a Norse name, but I think of it as being related to Stella, meaning star, even though it has a different etymology. A sweet nod to how special your new baby is).
Soren
Kieran
Koa
Pao
Sol
I was planning to suggest Ford or Forest myself, but then I saw your suggestion of Leo and I think it is perfect! It is the name of an animal (lion) without being the name of an animal.
Caspian?
Scout?
I do like the suggestion of Finn.
With Bear and your last name, I also really like:
Sage
Milo
Crew
Reed
Duke
Brooks/Brook/Brookes
Brock
Keagan
Wild
Boone
I also like Kai with Bear.
Oh one more Mav or Maverick
Okay two or a variation of Max
Maximillian?
I was going to say Stone ! Bear and Stone. Both easy to spell. Stones are of the earth, grounded, a literal rock in the storm. Has a great meaning like Bear.
I love Bear. ❤
I don’t think I’d do another animal for his brother, I think it’s too cute. (Although I do love both Wolf and Fox!) And actually, Griffin might be an exception to my preference, it goes well with Bear and isn’t too over the top (maybe because it’s a mythical animal)?
I liked Swistle’s suggestion of a nature name (I think noun names go well with Bear), and I like the Nordic names as well. Axel, Odin, I’m surprised Thor wasn’t mentioned!
I like the suggestions of Finn, Griffin and Drake.
Fenris / Fenrir
Crow / Crowe
Oak
Grove
Ronan
Cliff
Oberon (Obi) <– "bear-like" according to some baby naming sites, so maybe not.
I knew someone who went by the nickname of Bear as a child. His name is Orion.
I enjoy so many of the suggestions. I think Drake and Sage are stellar. My contribution is Everest. Hits all the same notes as Bear, but is distinctly his own name and goes well with the last name!
Bear and Everest
Everest L0puert0
Best of luck!
I suggest Blaze.
I know a little boy named Blaze and it works so well!
Good luck, can’t wait to hear what you choose.
Wow I can’t believe how many people know people named Bear on here!
I was coming to (now second) Noble, and the idea of adjectives or a different category altogether from animals or individual nouns. I think it would take away from Bear if you just build a zoo, even a subtle one. Names like True, Hale, Coy, Ever, Galaxy, Atlas (basically seconding most names from @AlexiswithaG
I do wonder if you’ll go on to have more children, which will complicate naming as it goes. But I also think it would be kinda cool to have an M name? so like Bear is after a nickname you have for your partner, this name can be a nod to your (nick)name? How about Marvel? Major?
I too don’t think I’d do another animal name, personally. I love what I call “cowboy names!” So, I suggest: Ryder, West, Hawkins (could be called Hawk as a nickname), Scout, Garrett, Thatcher, Holden, Jedd etc.
But I also wonder about more word names, such as Wild, Fort, Steel, or Cannon?
I’m not sure whether OP is planning to have more children after this pregnancy? I would definitely steer clear of an animal name if so because it creates a clear pattern that would be weird to break with baby #3. Of the suggestions from Swistle and in the comments, I really like Pax, Everest, or Heath.
A family I knew growing up had very fun, outdoorsy, nature-word names for two of the kids (very much like Bear) and then they named the third one Helen. I really like the name Helen, but EVERYBODY scratched their heads/felt sorry for her when they realized how cool and unique her siblings’ names were.
I would lean nature-y and not animal. I like Ranger. I know one and it works well in real like. I also thought of Branch (if you like baseball, there’s Branch Rickey as inspo).
I love Bear!! I keep getting drawn to your comment, “It’s important to me that this baby can build his own path.”
I like Orion (North Star) because it is associated with that feeling for me. Bear and Orion. It also kinda puts another layer on Bear when I think of Ursa Major.
Rhodes! Nature meaning. “Own path!”
Peregrine. Falcon meaning. Also Pilgrim (traveler, seeking their own path). I like Pippin as a nn. It would not be easy to spell like Bear.
Blaze. Blaze your own trail. Easy to spell. Same initial.
Moss. Nature inspired. Easy to spell. Could paint you into a four letter noun name pattern.
Orion, Rhodes, Oak, and Blaze are all fantastic suggestions too!!
Quill!
A child in our daycare is Ponder, which is growing on me.
I think Journey would be the perfect name. It probably came to mind because you want the baby to have his own path. Journey is a word that everyone knows how to pronounce and spell; it goes well with the last name; it fits with the name Bear but retains its own style.
My favorite of the above suggestions is Orion. There is a child in our local preschool named Summit, which could work for you.
Steele/Steel? Like the Olympic Diver Steele Johnson.
Bear and Steel
I love someone’s suggestion of Jasper. Also for your consideration: Rowan, Story, Storm, River
How about Glade? It’s sturdy in its sound but has a kind of mystical, gentle quality at the same time. Glade, a clearing in the forest.
My first thought was Zane, or Zebulon. The suggestion of Stone is fantastic.
I also like Walden, Cosmo, Viggo.
River. Bear and River.
Maybe Dell or Glen?
how about…
Bodhi, Scout, Journey, Atlas, Orion, Link?
Just a word of caution about male Nordic names, they are inherently so lovely, but I have seen on various threads, etc. that these baby names have gained a lot of popularity with many white supremacists and fringe hate groups who have been identifying with, and using lots of imagery, from Viking culture. I’ve been seeing this trend increasing (there are even articles being published about it now, do a quick google search), and I fear it will become more well known. Not that these names are off limits by any means, but something to consider before doubling down on something like Odin for example (Sons of Odin…eek).
Ohhhhhhhhhh nooooooooo and thank you for mentioning this.
What about Crew?
I love Bear! I was coming to the comments to suggest Cedar – I know a little boy with this name, and like it! – but I am liking others’ suggestions more than more own! Griffin, Arlo, and Stellan stand out for me! :)
If you like animal names and Kai, what about Koi? I know a man named Coy, so the pronunciation would be the same. I also like PPs’ suggestion of Jasper and Pax. I also knew a boy named Justice and that seems like it could work for you. And I don’t know why, but I like Anselmo for you. Or Amistad?
Maybe look at moons (Sao, Neso, Triton, Phobos) or national parks or something?
I like the National Park idea! Acadia, Arch(es), Bryce, Denali, Gates, Katmai, Kenai (or Fjord), Lassen, Rainier, Zion.
Koa! Like Kai but way less popular, and has that outdoorsy, naturey vibe that Bear and Kai both share. Koda would also be cool.
I thought of names like “Koala,” but it seems like the second boy’s name needs to be on the same level as the first boy’s name, that is, it should be a Family of animals, not a subspecies. Thinking of the Families of animals (Dog, Cat, Weasel, Rabbit/Hare, Squirrel, Deer, Bear, and Ape), it seems like Hare (or Squirrel?) would be the most usable for a boy and Cat would work well for a future girl.
I know a Bear and his little brother is Hank.
I like the idea of another one syllable name that’s not an animal.
I liked Ranger, Orion, and Caspian out of all the amazing suggestions!
In all my time, I’ve never had a child named Bear and now I’m sad about that. :) I did have a Barker though and that might work, maybe.
Swistle has knocked it out of the park with her suggestions. My favorites are Stone and Clay.
I was just reading an article with the name of a boy, Lochlan with the nickname Lock. I wonder if that could work for you? It seems to have some of the strength that the name Bear possesses.
What about True? One syllable, easy to spell, solid yet positive association kind of name. It is traditionally male, but I don’t think that is your main concern. To me, it imakes a great brother name for Bear.
Bear and True.
True L0Puert0
I like Stone the best from the list. I would also suggest Cliff.
Leo
Blaze
Axel
Zane
Felix
Milo
Arlo
Jasper
Orion
Micah
I just thought of the name of Merritt. A noun name but doesn’t lock you into the nature theme. Bear and Merritt. Oh the downside is the spelling.
I kinda like Nature Names as a theme with Bear, like Jasper (nn Jazz?), Hawk, Oak, Pine, Jay (like bluejay), Slate, Garnet, Field(ing?), Forest. Pax is pretty cool too.
I suspect Bear and his little brother may get comparisons, whether he’s Pax or William, just because they’re siblings. but never mind, hopefully it never happens.
Bear and Griffin / Griffith
Bear and Coy (coy is not just a word, but also short for coyote out West)
Bear and Holt (Holt – small wood or grove of trees; forested upland (Old English); otter den (uncommon word definition))
Bear and Atom
Bear and Kaolin (Kaolin – a type of clay)
Bear and Koal / Coal
Bear and Lafayette (nickname Fate)
Bear and Gage
Bear and Credence / Creedence
Bear and Sirius
Bear and Kekoa (kay-ko-ah, Hawaiian “the warrior”)
Bear and Ikaika (ee-kai-kah, Hawiian “strong”/”strength”)
I personally think the two names sound more balanced when there is more than one syllable for the second name.
I know one boy named Bear. His older brother is Fox. The other Bear (spelled Baer) I know has brothers named Sullivan and Zealand.
Good luck!