The last post I did (Baby Boy ___ Earl Van Brimmer) is not sitting well with me. As Erin noticed in the comment section, the names I suggested were not ideal with the middle name Earl.
Here was my struggle: with the rhythm set by a one-syllable middle name and a three-syllable surname, my preferred number of syllables for the first name would be three or four syllables. Furthermore, with the middle name Earl, it seemed like it was better if the first name didn’t end with an R or a vowel. But jeeks! Trying to find a 3- or 4-syllable boy name that didn’t end in R, didn’t end in a vowel, was a good fit with names such as Logan and Noah, and wasn’t too common? PANIC.
So then I started making excuses: Rhythm preferences are so subjective. We don’t usually say the entire name anyway. A 2-syllable first name sounds great with a 3-syllable last name. The two sample choices are 2-syllable. The middle name is a family name, and so probably the sentimental value trumps the negligible problem of the entire name not sounding perfect all together.
Excuses, excuses. I came up with a list of names that do indeed sound good with Van Brimmer. Isaac Van Brimmer is GREAT, isn’t it? And I hoped no one would notice that Isaac Earl Van Brimmer is…less great. The rhythm is okay if not perfect, but the hard-C in Isaac blends poorly with the name Earl, giving a sound almost like “girl.”
Owen Van Brimmer is another good choice. But “Owen Earl”? Not ideal, is it? Sounds almost like, “Oh! An earl!” Sigh.
These things bothered me, and so we’re going to try again. Here are some 3- and 4-syllable boy names. A couple of them DO end in R. Some of them are probably too common. But I think they’re all better names than the first list.
Alexander Earl Van Brimmer
Nicholas Earl Van Brimmer
Benjamin Earl Van Brimmer
Christopher Earl Van Brimmer
Anderson Earl Van Brimmer
Elliot Earl Van Brimmer
Gideon Earl Van Brimmer
Harrison Earl Van Brimmer
Jefferson Earl Van Brimmer
Sebastian Earl Van Brimmer
Sullivan Earl Van Brimmer
Jonathan Earl Van Brimmer
There. I feel better. Let’s have a new poll over to the right—and I’ll leave the original poll up as well, for interest’s sake. [Poll closed; see below.]
[Poll results (207 votes total):
Alexander: 11 votes, roughly 5%
Nicholas: 30 votes, roughly 14%
Benjamin: 21 votes, roughly 10%
Christopher: 8 votes, roughly 4%
Anderson: 26 votes, roughly 13%
Elliot: 29 votes, roughly 14%
Gideon: 12 votes, roughly 6%
Harrison: 16 votes, roughly 8%
Jefferson: 5 votes, roughly 2%
Sebastian: 20 votes, roughly 10%
Sullivan: 15 votes, roughly 7%
Jonathan: 14 votes, roughly 7%]
Name update! Sarah writes:
I finally won out with the name choice of Logan. I only had to watch an entire marathon of Star Wars and agree that the husband could have the final say on Baby #2. Thanks for helping us out!
Swistle, you are nothing if not thorough. :o) I like this list better too (but I also still like Isaac).
You crack me up!
Elliot and Sebastian are my faves.
Oh, lots of good choices! I voted for Harrison (the nickname Harry would be very cute, and Harrison Earl Van Brimmer sounds distinguished), and I also liked the sound of Christopher and Sullivan. But honestly, all of Swistle’s suggestions are excellent, and flow well with the rest of the name. Best of luck!
I voted for Benjamin because I LOVE the way Benjamin Van Brimmer sounds – the alliteration is great. :) Benjamin Earl Van Brimmer sounds very posh and proper. My second choice was Elliot Earl Van Brimmer. Great job, Swistle!
HOW did you DO THAT??? I’ve been racking my brain since I left my infamous comment for just ONE name I like with Earl Van Brimmer and you came up with tons! Now I don’t know which one to vote for! I’m very impressed! The Van Brimmers really need to write and tell us what the choose!
I would definitely go with Harrison, oh I DID go with Harrison, it’s my 10 year old’s name! I like all of your suggestions except for Gideon. Nothing quite says “kick me” like an uptight overly stuffy name. I think how the first and last names go together is far more important than how the middle name goes. I can’t say that any of my friends call me by all three of my names or even know my middle name, so it’s not really an issue.
Although very impressed at your list, I still stick with Collin. I like a shorter name with Van Brimmer.
What about Theodore? It was the first 3 syllable name that popped into my head as I read the post. Theodore Earl Van Brimmer. Theodore Van Brimmer. Theo Van Brimmer. I like it.
My husband votes for Harrison, but I don’t know. You’re bound to have the kid called Harry and that just doesn’t fit, in my mind, with Van Brimmer. I like Elliot … and still think Isaac works.
I like Patrick Earl
You already have a one and three-syllable names. Why not a two?
My husband is named gideon Brimmer, and he is not overly uptight or stuffy. In fact the entire opposite!!!!