Hi Swistle,
I’m expecting a second baby boy in August. I love the name Felix, but my partner thinks it is a “cat name.” I’m having trouble finding other boy names that I like as much.
Our details are as follows: last name sounds like Hues, big brother is Cyrus, and if this baby had been a girl she would have been called Daphne. The middle name will likely be Francis, an honor name. I prefer two syllable names, but am open to suggestions. My partner tends to veto names that can’t be shortened into a nickname.
Other names:
Hugo (can’t use because of our last name)Jasper (I like but don’t love this name. I also have this silly idea fueled by pregnancy hormones that all of us could have initials in alphabetical order – I’m E, partner is B and brother is C so I was hoping to find a name I loved with an A, D, or F to fill in the sequence)
Milo/ Miles (my partner likes Milo a lot, but I’m lukewarm)
Thank you for your help!
I am immediately alerted to this sentence: “I’m having trouble finding other boy names that I like as much.” Before we suggest any name candidates, I am going to suggest a mental reset: it is entirely possible, and in fact mathematically/logically likely, that you will NOT be able to find any names that you like as much as your top favorite name. So there is no sense comparing other names to it, or expecting them to measure up; the actual task here is to find your favorite name of all the OTHER, NON-FELIX names. If your partner does then end up coming around to Felix (and “it’s a cat name” is a pretty dated objection, and shows me that your partner might not be doing the necessary work to get caught up on current naming practices), that’ll be great news! And if not, you will have another name, a name the two of you can agree on, and maybe in time you will grow to like it as much as (or more than!) Felix.
I think the alphabet thing is fun, and should be used only as a fun name-generating exercise and/or a way to decide between two equally-loved candidates. It feels to me (though of course it only matters what it feels to YOU) as if ONLY a D-name works to satisfy this goal: the others don’t fill in any gaps, and in fact accentuate the gaps. I guess F works a little, in that then we have B&C and E&F. But it’s hard to find the motivation to make that happen. One parent and one child, and then…the other parent and the other child? And choosing an A name means you’re the only one stranded. And if you’re planning more children, it seems like this paints you into a corner. But I agree it would be fun/satisfying if it DID work out.
I don’t suppose you’d want to consider Francis as the first name? Frances has been gradually coming into style for girls, and I feel as if Francis/Frankie/Frank for boys is a very appealing traditional-but-not-overused option. Cyrus and Francis; Cy and Frankie. And then this opens up the possibility of using Felix as the middle name (especially if the honor name comes from your partner’s side of the family), which is a great way to salvage a name that one parent loves and the other parent vetoes. Francis Felix Hues.
Because both Hugo and Milo were mentioned, I am going to mention a few more -o names, even though they don’t really have nicknames: Otto, Leo, Nico, Theo, Roscoe, Arlo, Elio, Tycho. (Is Tycho worth a lifetime of correcting people who naturally pronounce it like TIKE-ko instead of TEEK-ko?) You could use Leonardo, with the nickname Leo. Marco lets you shorten to Marc; Matteo gives you Matt/Mattie/Teo.
Okay! Now to find some more candidates.
Isaac? I don’t think it has the VIBE of Felix, but it has a nice snappy sound, and shortens to Ike or Zac. I think I like the shared long-I sound with Cyrus. Cyrus and Isaac; Cy and Ike/Zac.
Xavier? It feels classical like Cyrus, and has the X of Felix. It doesn’t really shorten to the kind of nickname someone might write on a homework paper, but I suspect a person might find themselves saying Xave/Xavey to rhyme with Dave/Davy. Cyrus and Xavier; Cy and Xavy.
Frederick. Has that old-fashioned feeling, with some of the crackle of Felix. Cyrus and Frederick; Cy and Freddie/Fred/Fritz.
Ezekiel. Again the crackle and the old-fashioned sound catch my eye/ear, though that might not have anything to do with why you like Felix. Cyrus and Ezekiel; Cy and Zeke.
Or Ezra for something a little shorter/simpler. Cyrus and Ezra; Cy and Ez.
Aidric. No short form that comes to mind other than Rick/Ricky, which feels dated—but SO dated that it could be coming back. I have noted one Johnny and one Tommy and one Ernie and one Eddie and one Mickey (!) among the children in my circle, so perhaps we are heading into an era of bringing back nicknames, especially the freckle-face/gap-tooth ones from the Baby Boomer era. Cyrus and Aidric; Cy and Ricky.
Julius. This repeats the ending of Cyrus, but gives you the nickname Jules. Cyrus and Julius; Cy and Jules.
Rufus. Again, a repeated ending, but I have loved this name since Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, and my love for it continues on. Cyrus and Rufus; Cy and…oh. Nothing. Well, it’s borderline rhymey anyway.
Another of my little lovies is Alfred. Oh gosh, I think it’s so sweet and warm—yet with full dignity, not at all cutesy or babyish. And nicknames to burn! Al, Alfie, Freddie! With your surname, he sounds like such a little warm-hearted little gentleman/farmer! Alfred Hues, Alfie Hues! Cyrus and Alfred; Cy and Alfie.
Earnest is a name I feel we could all love again if we heard it as the WORD earnest. Such a nice word! Sincere and open-hearted! Cyrus and Earnest; Cy and Ernie.
Edmund. Cyrus and Edmund. Cy and Eddie.
Barnaby. I mention this because to me the name Felix has a certain playful energy. Barnaby has a similar feeling to me. It’s fun to say; it’s fun to write. Cyrus and Barnaby; Cy and…hm. Not Barney, I don’t think, not yet. Barn. Barns. B. Nibby. His Nibs. I feel certain something would emerge.
Abram. Cyrus and Abram; Cy and Abe.
Vincent. Cyrus and Vincent; Cy and Vinnie/Vince.
Oohhh, D names popped into my head before I even read that part! Dashiell and Declan popped in right away, but I also like Dean and Desmond. Cyrus and Dean, Cyrus and Desmond.
Does Hugh work instead of Hugo? What about Toby?
I know a Felix with a brother Grant.
Dominic, Declan, or Dexter
I knew an alphabetical family like that. The parents were B and E and the kids were A,C, & D (Austin, Carter, and Devin).
I agree it shouldn’t be an iron-clad rule if it starts to box you in, but it’s a fun starting place.
Cyrus and Alexander (Alex, Sasha, Xander)
Cyrus and Dane (no great nickname there, but I like it)
Cyrus and Franklin (Frankie)
Ernest as a name is usually spelled without the A, I think, and is very cute and I’m not just saying that bc I gave it to one of my kids. BUT you should totally use Frederick nn Fritz! FRITZ AND CY!!!!!
I came to endorse Fredrick -Fritz. All of the Felix cool but none of the cat vibes.
What about Oscar? I know of a family with a little boy named Felix (it totally works on a child!) and they also have a son named Oscar.
I was going to suggest this too! Oscar has a really similar feel to Felix I think – classic but playful.
What about:
Reuben
Davis
Spencer
Jude
Harris
Tobias
Louis
Graham
Marlon
Perry
Grant
Oscar
If Felix is a cat, so is Milo. If your partner can get beyond Milo&Otis as a cat reference, I’d encourage him to rethink Felix. I really love Felix, and it’s awesome with Cyrus.
Do you like Miles better than Milo? Could you do Miles / Myles on paper and Milo/Mylo as the nickname? Although it sounds kind clunky with the surname..
I love the idea of a D name, if you can find one you love. Dashiell is a great suggestion! Cy and Dash! How about Dorian, Damian, Dallas, Deacon, Darian, Dustin, Donovan?
I’m so glad someone else made that connection too! Clearly they need to lean in to “cat names”… 😆
Just a few ideas that came to mind, thinking of names that have some of the same energy as Felix/Hugo/Jasper:
Rupert (would be so cute – maybe with nickname Bert!)
Crispin
Edgar
Gordon
I love the suggestion of Dashiell in the comments, it pairs so nicely with Cyrus. I also LOVE Swistle’s suggestion of Earnest/Ernie. I know an adult Barney and never question the name and think it could be cute for Barnaby. Others:
Ansel
Anders
Donovan
Ooooo Dashiell, Deacon and Xavier! Heart-eyes.
My first thought was “Duncan”- and then I saw your letter wish list…
Duncan and Cyrus
One putative name meaning of Cyrus is “lord” and Dominic means “of the Lord,” maybe that meaning connection could help see them as good brothers? I have a Dominic and we call him his full name and “Dom” in equal measure. The nickname is very sweet on a little boy!
Came to suggest Evander and Virgil, but I am loving Dashiell.
On the D challenge, I too thought of Dashiell, Duncan and Donovan. Donovan Hues is dashing.
What about Casper instead of Jasper? Casper Hues
While you may not want the repeating initial, Cedric also came to mind. Cedric Hues. Cyrus and Cedric.
Frederick to Fritz is awesome too.
Am I the only one that thinks Hugo Hues is not a dealbreaker? That the alliteration is charming and wonderful? Just know there are those of us out there! :)
Possible nickname for Barnaby (not that you need one): Arnie.
What about Augusten/Augustyn? Cy and Gus definitely feel like brothers to me. Or Quentin.
We had LOTS of these names on our lists! My older son is also Cyrus and he has a little brother, but I won’t tell you which of these names is his, in case it influences your opinion ;-)
Ari
Calvin
Errol
Harvey
Oscar
My gramma’s family is chock full of Cyruses. A few of their various brothers are:
Bryant (with a t),
Laurence,
and yes, Felix.
Oh, and Gramma was a Gerald.
Krispin, Cy & Kris?
Griffin, Cy & Finn?
David? Very familiar but I don’t think I’ve heard one on the playground in _years_.
Desmond, Cy & Des?
Donovan, Cy & Van?
I’m definitely biased because it’s my son’s middle name, but Felix does NOT scream cat to me. I remember a professor who’s first name was Felix making a joke about Felix the cat and we students were all baffled, and that was 10+ years ago, so I think the association is getting less and less well known.
Hadrian? Hadrian Hues. Cyrus and Hadrian. Cy and Hade.
Downside: Being mistaken/misheard as Adrian.
These are my son’s names actually. Cyrus is the eldest and Felix is his baby brother. 👶
What about any of these
Cyrus and Leon Francis
Cyrus and Roman Francis
Cyrus and Kai Francis
Cyrus and Vincent Francis
Cyrus and Calvin Francis
Cyrus and Conrad Francis
Cyrus and Quentin Francis
Cyrus and Callum Francis
Cyrus and Wesley Francis
Cyrus and Jonah Francis
Cyrus and Reuben Francis
Cyrus and Lachlan Francis
What is the nickname for Milo?? I know this post is old,
Hoping someone might be able to help me out. OP’s husband only wants names that can be shortened to nicknames but likes Milo. We’re considering Milo ourselves but I didn’t think it had any nicknames?
Leonidas goes well with Cyrus
Cy and Leo
Just here because this makes me super happy: my two kiddos are Ezra and Cyrus (often known as Ez and Cy), so I love that the combination has the swistle stamp of approval!