Jocelyn writes:<\/p>\n
After perusing dozens of baby names websites, I have officially decided that yours is THE ONE source for thoughtful, genuine feedback. \u00a0I would really appreciate any help you can offer with naming my second child due this winter (boy or girl TBD!)<\/p>\n
My name is Jocelyn and my husband’s name is Brian (last name sounds like Fable). \u00a0We currently have an adorable two year old boy named Sawyer Benjamin. \u00a0It took forever to finally agree upon a name for him, mostly because my husband kept throwing out ridiculous names, perhaps trying to make me laugh more so than trying to name our baby! When he found the name Sawyer, I immediately loved it (plus the fact that my husband actually suggested a real name). Despite constantly being asked if we watched the show Lost or if it was a family name, neither applied to us. \u00a0I just love how it is an unusual name but easy to pronounce. \u00a0Now, the work begins all over in trying to find a sibling’s name…<\/p>\n
Girl names: \u00a0I’m open to suggestions, but have always loved the name Madeline for a girl. My husband quickly agreed on this one, so the trick would be just to find a middle name. \u00a0I don’t want it to sound too Southern (like Maddie Sue) but I do want it to flow. Possible Madeline Leigh? \u00a0The spelling of this name has also caused me some concern- should be pronounced like Madelyn, but that spelling looks too close to my name, and Madeleine suddenly looks like too many letters to me (and this was supposed to be the easy name!)<\/p>\n
Boy names: now the fun begins. \u00a0I do like surnames, but not ones that are too common, such as Jackson. \u00a0That brings me to my surname, Reed, which I could totally live with if I could just convince my husband… Another name that caught my eye was Ryland, but it would take some getting used to and I’m wondering if it’s too close to Brian (as is Brennan, another favorite of mine). \u00a0Bennett seemed like a really nice name to me, but I just get the feeling that it has a little bit of femininity to it. \u00a0I somewhat like Hudson, but not sure if I could really get used to that one, either. \u00a0In a nutshell, we’re looking for a name just as uncommon as Sawyer but not too “out there”. \u00a0Please help!! :) <\/p><\/blockquote>\n
I suggest using the Madelyn spelling. I think it’s fine (nice, even) that it shares an ending with your name, and it’s the best spelling for making your pronunciation clear. We had a cat named Madeline for a few months, and it was eye-opening to me that no one at the shelter or vet’s office was ever sure how to pronounce it. I was grateful that it was a cat and so we could easily make the decision not to care or correct pronunciation—but typically, each person would ASK each time: “Let’s see, today…Madda-lynn, Madda-lyne?…is getting two shots.” “Let’s schedule the next appointment for…Madda-lynn, Madda-lyne?”<\/p>\n
For middle names, I think a lot of names would work well: Madelyn June, Madelyn Grace, Madelyn Ruth, Madelyn Rose, Madelyn Joy. To tone down the “Maddie Sue” flavor, I’d go with something multi-syllable: Madelyn Sophia, Madelyn Elizabeth, Madelyn Julia, Madelyn Olivia, Madelyn Rebecca. It would be a good place for a name that you wanted to use for the first name, but couldn’t because of some reason that wouldn’t matter for a middle name (problem with initials, too similar to a family member’s name, didn’t go well with Sawyer, not your usual style, etc.).<\/p>\n
I wish I could pressure your husband to accept Reed for a boy. Not only is “mother’s surname as child’s first name” one of my top favorite naming ideas, but it works out so exceptionally well in this case! Sawyer and Reed! Perfect!<\/p>\n