M. writes:

I came across your blog and I’m hoping that you can help us with our baby boy naming dilema. We are expecting a baby boy this December (the 18th) and for months my husband and I have been going back and forth and cannot agree on anything. Would LOVE some advice and opinions since we have spent months pouring over name books and can’t agree. Our last name is Rose.

Before we knew it was going to be a boy, we had NO problem deciding on girls names- we agreed on everything! We both loved Chloe and Lauren, and we both liked Clara too, so that was no problem! However, once we found out it’s a boy, we are stuck since we’ve never agreed on anything and the closer the due date gets the more stressed I am getting about finding a name! I find boys names really hard to pick- I have always liked the name Reid, but our last name is Rose, so that doesn’t sound right together (plus my husband doesn’t like it anyway). I tend to like preppy-ish names, but my husband vetoes them all saying they don’t sound strong enough. We both liked Jake until a friend of ours had a baby and used that name (close friend, so we can’t use it), and we both liked Gavin, but a family member had a baby and used that name! My husband likes Wyatt, but I can’t get the image of cowboys out of my head, and it just seems too trendy, or trying too hard or something. The hard part is that our last name is feminine, so it really should be a pretty masculine name. We had Jackson on the list originally (but I think it’s WAY too popular) and Deacon on our lists (I like Deacon more than my husband- I don’t think he can get Wyatt out of his head). I also liked Graham, but husband said no. If we can’t agree on anything, I have a feeling my husband is going to get his way and just name him Wyatt Jackson. However, I would love to have a say in at least one of the names, and make that name a little less common or trendy. I would love a name that has a bit of ‘soul’ in it instead of strength, but not have the name be too soft….we are stuck.

Any advice would be appreciated!
Thank you!

This is one of the many brilliances of The Baby Name Wizard: if you know some girl names you like, you can look up “brother names” and see if any of those are also to your tastes.

For Chloe, The Baby Name Wizard suggests Liam, Gavin, Miles, Carter, Caleb.

For Clara: Louis, Julius, Theo, Porter, Charles.

For Lauren: Brandon, Lucas, Nathan, Zachary, Joshua.

And look, there’s Gavin among the choices!

Because Carter’s R-ending runs into the R of Rose, I’d suggest Carson instead if you wanted something of that style. But Carson might be too androgynous with Rose.

Caleb may be more popular than you have in mind (or maybe not: it’s about the same rank as Gavin, according to The Social Security Administration), but what I like about it is it’s very boyish and it has something of the cowboy vibe that might be what draws your husband to the name Wyatt.

Miles definitely has soul, and it’s definitely boyish, but is it strong enough? Perhaps not. Would Milo be an improvement? Milo Rose. Hm, it sounds like “my low rose.”

Davis might have some soul from Miles Davis. Davis Rose.

I know a family with a similarly feminine-sounding surname, and they went with the first name Derek. Their other finalist was Garrett.

Zachary is definitely masculine, and the nickname Zach is similar to Jake from your list.

Gavin makes me think of:

Garrett
Gideon
Grady
Griffin

Grady sounds particularly cowboy to me, but all those names seem strong and masculine.

Emily writes:

Sorry for the somewhat last minute email here, but we are in trouble! My husband and I are having our sixth daughter together next week, she is due November 5th. This is the first time we have found out the gender before birth, and I think it has made naming the poor mite even harder. Our main problem is choosing a first name which goes well with her sisters names.

Ottilie Fflur (aged 7 – sometimes goes by Tilly, her middle name is Welsh)

Adalia Seren (aged 6 – sometimes goes by Addie, her middle name is Welsh)

Cecily Roma ( aged 4 – born when we lived in Italy for a year, hence her middle name!)

Nolia Betsy (aged 21 months – Nole-ee-ah, English middle name)

Violet Lucina (aged 21 months – Vi-oh –LETT, English middle name)

Our names are, Logan James Brown and Emily Quinn Brown.

Some names we like, but are out:-

Aleydis – Not sure if I want to reuse initials though (Adalia)
Helena – (niece’s name)
Eleanor/a
Emmeline
Evangeline (my name is Emily – so I don’t really want to reuse the E)

As each of the girls has an L in the second half of her name I would quite like to do this again, to continue flow. But it is not crucial as long as the name sounds like one of the bunch! But we are quickly running out of names! As we have eliminated – A,B,O,N,C&V names for definite and maybe L and E names too! (B because hubby doesn’t like alliteration – so Beatrice/Beatrix is gone)

Middle names:- ( Need to reflect the country of birth, this baby will be born in USA)

Quinn
Logan
???? Really depends on the first name, preferably unusual

One name we are considering is Romilly Quinn Brown.

Sorry – for the long question, it really has become rather complicated naming her! Maybe we should go with Cecily’s suggestion of Bumblebee! Thanks

I think Romilly Quinn takes care of all your requirements. I hesitate only because it adds another “lee” sound, when already four of the five girls (and you) have that sound. Do you pronounce Ottilie as Ah-TILL-ee-ah or AH-till-lee? If the latter, Romilly seems rhymey; if the former, it’s a worry only if you might call her Milly and would rather not have a Tilly and a Milly.

Other possibilities:

Genevieve
Imogen
Isadora
Juliette (too rhymey with Violet?)
Penelope
Philippa
Philomena
Willemina

If E isn’t out after all, I suggest Elodie. If L isn’t out after all, I suggest Lorelei.

Erica writes:

We just found out that we are expecting our 5th, yes FIFTH B.O.Y…wowzers! I LOVE playing the name game and thoroughly enjoyed picking out GIRLS names for the first 10 weeks of the pregnancy…but alas, we need another boy name! I am now 33 weeks along and we still have no name! This is especially hard because we usually are great name pickers! We actually picked our #5 child’s name the day our #4 child was born, so with it being this late in the pregnancy is really hard for me. I feel like having a name helps me bond with the baby during pregnancy and without it I’m struggling.

My husband and I are Eric and Erica Johnson and we are a blended family with “our” 3rd on the way. The older 3 children are from my previous marriage, but they all live with us. The children’s names are

Perry Thomas B. (13)

Parker Logan B. (12)

Libby McClairen B. (9½)

Corban Joseph J. (2½)

Clayt Daniel J. (18m)

Baby boy J. due 12/15/10

All but one child (Parker Logan) has a family name, or a family inspired name (meaning we have a really long story how I got from my dad’s name Clayton to McClairen for my daughter’s middle name….but to me it is the inspiration more than the exact name that matters)

It is important to me that the meaning of the names have no negative meanings and its important to me that we find the closest meaning based on etymology rather than “baby-naming” websites that like to flower up some of the less desirable meanings. We are word of faith Christians, and its really important to me that we are speaking nothing negative about our child every time we call his name! I would really like this baby’s name to reflect that he is appointed, a gift, a reward or something with that kind of meaning. I’ve been dealing with a bit of disappointment (as much as I don’t want to be but I was so hopeful for a girl this time around)

Our 2 youngest children’s middle names are family names but we are pretty much out of male names…we are a family surrounded with females! Hubby’s father is Joseph Daniel (hubby is Eric Joseph) It really bugs me to not have a family name, but to “force” the issue seems to be no good either.

Possible Middle names:

Eric- haven’t run it by hubby but with the right first name he might go for it

Ray- I don’t like it much for the sound of the name, but it is a family name (my dad’s middle name, and my DH great grandpa’s first name) Coming from the name Raymond, it means Advice protector…Downside….my sister used the name for her daughter (who is 2 years old) and we are close…So maybe another name with the name “ray” with in it….though Raymond doesn’t really ring my bell either! UGH…

Since we are running low on family names, a known biblical name might be an easier route (I’ve looked through nearly all of them by meaning and picked out a nice long list of instant vetos…

I like Eli or Elijah for a middle name, because I felt God used a baby named Eli to help prepare my heart for this son. DH hasn’t vetoed or approved the name

The few first names that we have on the still considering list…but none really feel like they fit….

Names I’ve suggested (all have meanings that “pass”)

Ramsey – my favorite but DH doesn’t like names that end with and “ey” sound.
Gentry Foster
Foster Eli

Names DH has suggested

Roman
Titus
Lock(e)
Given
Wyatt – DH current like, but “meh”…if you ask me and I don’t like the meaning.

Thanks for your help!

Faith writes:

I have enjoyed reading your posts over the past few months! I have been looking for a sign – anything – to tell me that “this is the name” of our second son. So far, nothing.

I will have a scheduled c-section on December 8th.

His brother is 3 1/2 year Noah Wilfred (Noah b/c we loved it and thought it was so original at the time + Wilfred my father’s name)

Our last name is Schaff (short A sound SHAFF)

Dad is Russell Eugene Schaff III

We have both agreed that baby #2 should have Russell as his middle name (each boy will have a grandfather’s name for the middle)

We don’t have other male family names to draw from. :(

My husband has had one name offering from the very beginning. Only one. Miles. (He’s a big fan of Miles Davis)

I’m not sure how I feel about Miles Russell Schaff. Too many sss sounds. And Schaff sounds so close to “shaft” which tends to pull in the possibility of names that sound like porn stars. (Harry Schaff…..

We aren’t tied down to biblical names, but they do sound right with Noah. I’d like a name that doesn’t skyrocket to the top 10 like Noah did. A classic, traditional name.

Some on my list have been

Eli Russell/Noah and Eli

Caleb Russell/Caleb and Eli

Jeremiah Russell (husband says there are too many syllables in Jeremiah)/

Wilson Russell Schaff (I love the name Will/Wil but William is so popular./Noah and WIl

Quinn (was on my list and now off b/c it looks like there are so many girl Quinns out there)

I love the name Silas (but Silas Schaff is too many ss sounds)

Thank you for your help!

The first thing I notice is that you guys broke a three-generation naming tradition. I’ll bet I’m not the only one hungry for details. My mother-in-law and father-in-law broke a many-generations naming tradition when they named my husband Paul, and it caused…issues. (And I’m so grateful to them for weathering those issues so I wouldn’t have to do it a generation later.)

Anyway! On with business! Since you like Silas but it’s too much S, I wonder if Simon would work better. Simon Schaff, Simon Russell Schaff, Noah and Simon. I like it.

It’s too bad Miles Davis’s surname also ends in S, or that would be a good option. But maybe it’s a good option anyway? Davis Schaff, Davis Russell Schaff, Noah and Davis.

(I was going to suggest Milo, but then thought of your porn caution and “Mile O’Schaff” and changed my mind. Ahem.)

I think I might avoid M-names anyway, because of the MRS initials. And I-names, because of IRS.

I like the sound of Benjamin Schaff. Benjamin Russell Schaff, Noah and Ben.

Melissa writes:

I’m having a bit of a name dilemma & am wondering if you and/or your readers might be able to help. I found a name that I really like, but I’m wondering if giving a baby a rare name is almost worse than a popular name in a way? I like the name Junuh really well for a boy (pronounced exactly like Judah, but with an “n”), but the only place I’ve ever heard the name was in a movie that I saw again recently. It is actually the character’s last name, but that’s what he goes by in the movie & the more everyone says it throughout the movie the more I like the name. Fortunately (for me), the movie wasn’t all that popular (or that good for that matter), so I don’t think people would automatically make the leap. I know we’re all in the search of the happy balance between ‘uncommon’ but still ‘familiar’. Is this name too far out of bounds? I feel like it sounds a bit familiar, because it is close to both Jonah & Judah, but I like it better than both of those. These are my biggest concerns:

1. Does it sound like something I just made up? (for the record my husband hates what he calls ‘makey-up’ names & for the most part I actually agree with him)

2. Does it sound like a girls name? because I really don’t like boy names that could possibly be mistaken for girls, which is really difficult since all boy names seem to go to the dark side these days, leaving us with VERY few original options. (since people aren’t familiar with it, will he go through his whole life with people thinking he’s a girl on paper?)

3. Will he always get, “you mean Jonah?” … “No, Junuh”. …. “Oh, like the month, but with an ‘a’ on the end?”

Anyways, sorry for the saga, but I would appreciate it you have a chance to give me some feedback. I love your website & am absolutely addicted to finding the perfect baby name, & find it a huge relief that I’m not the only one. For the record, my husband & I are starting to try for babies, so if you have more pressing naming issues, I completely understand! Thanks Swistle!

To me, it sounds like a girl name and/or a made-up name. Not only is the “-a” ending typically feminine, but June is an established girl name and Juno is a major goddess. The movie Juno only reinforced the feminine connection. Another problem is that Junuh looks like it could be pronounced Junnuh.

The only boyish connection I can think of is to “Junior.” I think I would either use Judah or think of another name.

J. writes:

We do not have a due date because we’re in the adoption process, which is unpredictable. Our last name is an Irish O’____ name. We now have a Grady, Scarlett, and Vivien. If we adopt a girl, my wife wants Pepper. I’m okay with that, but may be more comfortable with it as a nickname (I’m trying to picture “Judge Pepper O’____”). I’m also worried about the Iron Man issue (Pepper Potts). Thus, we need help with girl P names for which Pepper could be a nickname (Penelope? Persephone?), and/or feedback on Pepper as the real first name, not nickname. Many thanks!

I think Penelope is the best name for a Pepper nickname because it fits best with your other names: Grady, Scarlett, Vivien, and Penelope. Philippa would be another good option. I don’t think of Iron Man at all. On its own, I think Pepper is not enough. What does everyone else think? Names, nicknames, on its own?

Laura writes:

My husband and I are currently in the waiting process of adopting our first child; which means we could have a baby anytime from tomorrow to a year from now…
We have a list of names we like for both boys and girls, and aren’t really looking to narrow down the list so much as to get feedback as to whether or not any of the names work well with our surname – Lee.
I find that our last name is difficult to work with as any name ending in -ly is out, and it can make a lot of names sound like adverbs.
The list of boy names we like are:
Elias
Elliot
Micah
Jude
Asher
Sebastian

The list of girl names we like are:
Tessa (But not Theresa or Contessa)
Maggie (But not Margaret)
Elizabeth (LOVE the nn Elle)
Ariana (AH-riana NOT AIR-iana)
Adela
Mia
Holly (I know about the -ly ending, but I still like it – am I over thinking the -ly ending thing?)

If there are any warnings or red flags that strike you on any of these names, input would be ever-so-much appreciated!

The only one that catches my attention is Asher Lee, which to me sounds to much like Ashley. What does everyone else think?

Are you a parent who has sent in a naming question? Has the baby been born and named, but you haven’t updated us yet? Do you know how much our hearts leap up to see those updates? LOTS, that’s how much! Update us! We’re dying to know if/how our hard work paid off!

Jannel writes:

We are due with our first child on November 17, 2010. We are not sure of the sex of the baby. Our last name is Hockey. My husbands middle name is Travis ( which I really like), and mine is Lillian Rose (after both my grandmas). Other possible middle names for girls might be Lynn (his mothers and sisters middle name) or Jean(my mothers middle name). Possibilites for Boys Daniel (my Dad’s name) or Laverne (his Dad’s name) I find that I like more unique names or old fashioned names such as Olivia and Jake and my husband like the VERY POPULAR modern names like Jasmine and Carson.

I have a baby girl name I have loved forever. I can’t picture it any other way, BUT my husband hates it! I think the first name is perfect and the middle name is my middle name and also my grandma’s. My mom also loves this name. I have told others and have gotten mixed feelings so let me know what you think.

Ireland/Irelynn Rose

The names I like:

Girls:
Olivia/Alivia
Kate
Leyton
Lachlan

Boys:
Jace
Jake
Rylan
Jaxon
Leyton
I could do his choice but spelt Karsen

Names he likes:

Girls:
Jasmine
Haylee
Kate

Boys:
Carsen
Rylan

Besides Irelynn, none of the above names just out at me. Maybe its because he never really Loves anything I suggest. Can you give me any suggestions?

Thanks! xx

I think we need to start by tidying up some terminology. The names Olivia and Jake are much more popular than Carson and Jasmine: Jacob has been the most popular boy name in the U.S. since 1999, and Olivia has been in the Top Ten for ten years and was #3 in 2009 (source: Social Security Administration). Looking at your lists, it looks to me as if you and your husband have very similar tastes: for the most part, you both like modern names.

The trouble with Irelynn is it’s ALMOST Ireland but NOT Ireland, which I suspect will lead to confusion. But the biggest trouble of all is that your husband hates it. I too have felt this despair (in my case over the name Millicent), but there is no way around it: if he hates it, it doesn’t matter if you love it and your mom loves it and all the commenters on this blog love it: it’s OUT.

Would he prefer the name Eidolyn/Idolynn? We know an Eidolyn who also goes by Eidie, and it’s very cute and we’ve found it fun to say.

You both have the name Kate on your lists. Would he agree to Kate Irelynn? The rhythm isn’t perfect, but it gives you the name you love in a position where he might hate it less. There are plenty of names I’d never consider in the first-name slot but would be willing to use in the middle-name slot—especially if there was something in it for me, like getting more say on the first name. Perhaps he would agree to it as a way to have the name-discussing done with. And you could then legitimately call her Irelynn sometimes, maybe as an affectionate nickname only you use.

One exercise I recommend for first-time namers is to imagine names for future siblings. This, right now, is the moment to decide if your family will be more likely to include girls with names like Lachlan or girls with names like Olivia: the route you choose now doesn’t HAVE to dictate your later choices, but it’s likely to at least be of influence.

If you decide to go for boyish names for girls, a name that comes to mind from your Layton and his Haylee is Hayden.

If you want more girlish names for girls, Leyton can become Layla, or Lila, or Leta, or Laney.

If he likes Jasmine, might he like Jessamyn? It has more of the rhythm of Irelynn.

Avelyn is another name with a similar sound to Irelynn.

I think Iris would be a beautiful choice. If you pair it with Lynn for his mother and sister, you have Iris Lynn—which you needn’t point out to him is very similar to Irelynn.

For boys I see you both have Rylan. Is that a name you can agree on? Rylan Travis, maybe?

Or I wonder if you would like Corbin?

Leyton and Jaxon make me think of Lennox.

Would you like Xavier? It’s an old name but recent usage makes it feel modern.

I think Kiefer is a great name for a boy. Kiefer Travis Hockey.

Jake and Jace make me think of Jude. Jude Travis Hockey.

Or would you want to use Travis as a first name? Travis Daniel Hockey—or if you want just one namesake name, maybe Travis Carson Hockey or Travis Rylan Hockey.

(I recommend not spelling Carson “Karson” for a boy: changing a C to a K is a common way to make androgynous name more feminine, as in Kamryn, Kori, Kodi, etc.)

I think my favorites are Travis Carson Hockey and Iris Lynn Hockey, with runners-up of Kiefer Travis Hockey and Kate Irelynn Hockey.

Leigh writes:

So I am expecting my 5th boy. His brothers’ names are:

Jack Bennett
Sam McQueen
Charlie Merrill
Luke Whitney

Our last name is two syllables and ends in an -en sound.

Each of the middle names are family names, but I kind of feel like I have exhausted the family names at this point. (Tonight I just went through them again and didn’t find much.) I would be okay not using a family name for the middle name, if I felt like it sounded great with the first name. I am also not really into naming the child a long name, only to shorten it. If I’m going to call them the nickname, I’d rather just name him the nickname.

My main problem is that I love 1 syllable names. And I think that usually a 1 syllable first name doesn’t go so well with a 1 syllable middle name. Or maybe it’s just the names that I like that don’t go together so well. I’m also not sure why I’m having such a hard time picking a name. But most things I think of just sound okay and not like THE name. I also would like to use a 2 syllable name for baby #5, just so Charlie isn’t the only 2 syllable name. But then again, if it was the perfect name, I’d be okay with 1 syllable.

For first names I like:

Henry and/or Hank
James
Max (some days I like it, some days I don’t)
Joe

I also love the names Jude and Grey, but I’m not sure if I’m brave enough to use them as first names. I could use one of them as a middle name if I found the perfect first name to go. We also could use the middle name Briggs (which is a family name) as a middle name, though I’m not sold on it and I don’t like it at all for a first name. I also really like the name Louie,

For a while I thought I could name this baby Max Elliott. But I don’t like it, for some reason. I’m not sure why. I think I don’t really love Elliott, or it doesn’t feel like it fits with my names. Other combinations I’ve thought of are: James Grey (even thought it is 2 1 syllable names, I think it sounds good), Henry Briggs, Henry Jude, Henry Grey.

So my questions for you are:

1. Do you have any suggestions of 2 or more syllable first names that fit my names?
2. Do you have any suggestions of middle names that sound great with the possible first names I listed?
3. What are your suggestions for some combinations?

Thanks for your consideration. And if you have any questions, I’d be happy to answer them.

Two syllable names that seem to me to go well with your sons’ names:

Casey (repeats an initial)
Leo (repeats an initial)
Milo

I also like Ian, and in fact it would be my favorite of these, but it seems like most names ending in N would be only so-so with your surname.

But I prefer your idea of Henry. I also like all your one-syllable choices better than my short list of two-syllable choices. If Charlie is the middlest middle child he might like having something special about his name.

For a middle name I like names that sound like more family names. Henry Walker. James Shepard. Joe Sawyer. Milo Connery. Casey Lennox. James Maguire. Joe Campbell. James Ellis. Milo Redford. James Murphy. Joe Evans.

I think Henry is my favorite of your options—because despite just saying three seconds ago that it might be nice for Charlie’s name to be special, I also see the appeal of making things more even. I like Henry Briggs and also Henry Grey from your list, and Henry Shepard and Henry Ellis from mine. I also love your James Grey idea.

I think I’d favor Henry because it has two syllables and doesn’t repeat an initial, and Henry Briggs because I like the family name thing you’ve got going.