Zoë writes:

Hi Swistle! I’m Zoë, and my husband is Jamie. (Zoë Isabelle and James William Martin). We are expecting a baby boy on September 21st, and we still can’t decide on a name for him. This is especially important because he is our first son (we have three girls) and he will be our last child.

Our girls are Mathilda Rosemary (Rosemary after Jamie’s mother, who passed away about a month before she was born), “Tilly,” and our twins, Hazel Beatrice and Amalia Claire. Beatrice and Claire are both after family. Our naming style seems pretty consistant; names that have a classic, slightly old fashioned feel, but not too common. Amalia was most popular in 1924, and Mathilda and Hazel 1918, respectively. But we just can’t seem to agree on a boy’s name.

We’d initially agreed on Henry, which we both liked, but we don’t want a very common name, and Henry is number 78 and on the rise. So that’s out. The same goes for Benjamin, which we’d thought about, but it’s number 25. Popularity (or, for us, lack of it) is very important to us. We want a name that’s somewhere in the middle – not a name that people do a double take when they hear, but we don’t want him to be one of five in his class.

Other names we’ve thought about are Owen (too popular), Griffith (I liked it, he didn’t), Toby (vice versa), Oliver (too popular), Grant (our last name is Grande), and Julius (too popular). I also really love Jack, and Jamie does too, despite it’s popularity, but I feel like it has to be short for something, and neither of us likes Jackson. And we also discussed Trevor and Fletcher, both of which are more modern and popular and don’t really go with our daughters names, but we kind of like them.

Oh, and we really want to honor both of our fathers (Lyle and Earnest) in the middle name, but we don’t particularily like either of their names.

Oh my, we are in a pickle here. If you could help us with a classic, early twentieth century name that isn’t too common now, as well as finding some way to honor my dad and Lyle, that would be amazing.

Thank you so much!

Let’s talk for a minute about commonness. The name Jacob (not on your list, I know, but stay with me) is the number one most popular boy name in the United States, and it was given to 1.0355% of boys born in 2008 (source: Social Security Administration). This means that out of 100 boys, approximately 1 is named Jacob. Assuming a class size of 30, where 15 are boys, that gives you roughly one single Jacob per SEVEN classrooms.

And that’s the most popular boy name in the U.S.! The name Julius, which is on your too-common list, was given to only .0501% of boys born in 2008. That’s 5 boys named Julius for every 10,000 boys—or roughly 1 Julius for every 667 classrooms.

My point is that if you want a classic and non-double-take name, I think you’re dramatically over-limiting your options—even if you want it to be quite uncommon.

But I can still take on the challenge! Here is a list of names that were common in the time period you want, but AREN’T common NOW (source for 2008 name rankings: Social Security Administration):

Frederick (#523)
Walter (#393)
Louis (#351)
Carl (#490; Karl is #864)
Theodore (#295)
Warren (#509)
Stanley (#653)
Russell (#406)
Harvey (#913)
Everett (#383)
Rufus (not in Top 1000 in 2008)
Leon (#502)
Edmund (not in Top 1000 in 2008)
August (#482)
Franklin (#467)
Calvin (#228)

Here are a few more to consider; these were around (though not common) in the time period you have in mind, and I think they have the right sound:

Cyrus (#512)
Gideon (#534)
Wilson (#537)
Malcolm (#546)
Emmett (#547)
Abram (#548)
Aldo (#569)
Wade (#591)
Jefferson (#599)
Clark (#698)
Sullivan (#706)
Sterling (#872)
Arlo (not in Top 1000 for 2008)

Now it’s a matter of seeing which names from those lists go well with your surname and with the sibling names. I think I’d use both grandpa names as middle names: I favor using people’s actual names to honor them (in my experience, even a bleah name has grown on me with time because of the family connection), and I don’t mind the use of two middle names for this one child since it’s your last chance to use the names. A few sample possibilities:

Frederick Earnest Lyle Grande; Mathilda, Hazel, Amalia, and Frederick
Everett Earnest Lyle Grande; Mathilda, Hazel, Amalia, and Everett
Rufus Earnest Lyle Grande; Mathilda, Hazel, Amalia, and Rufus
Edmund Earnest Lyle Grande; Mathilda, Hazel, Amalia, and Edmund
Franklin Earnest Lyle Grande; Mathilda, Hazel, Amalia, and Franklin
Calvin Earnest Lyle Grande; Mathilda, Hazel, Amalia, and Calvin

Would anyone else like to give opinions on which names work best, or opinions on the middle name situation?

Name update 09-26-2009! Zoë writes:

Hi, Swistle! Thank you so much for posting our name dilemma. When people suggested John with Jack as a nickname, we decided to do some more research to find out what other names we could use as a full name for Jack. And we agreed on Jasper (#452, but also popular at the turn of the century). Earnest and Lyle just weren’t appealing to us, though, so we’ve gone with both of our fathers middle names instead (both of which were on your suggestions list!). Jasper Franklin Louis Grande was born a day early at 8:07am on Sunday, September 20th. The girls are already referring to him as ‘Baby Jack.’ We’re very happy with our decision.. how do you think the name sounds? Thank you so much for your help!

Best,

Zoë

P.S. My father’s middle name is pronounced “Loo-ee,” but we’re not sure if we should pronouce Louis in Jack’s name that way or as “Loo-iss.” Which you think sounds better? Just wondering:)

Sarah writes:

My husband Dave and I are due with our second son on September 15th. We’ve never found ourselves in agreement about names. Our 21-month-old son, Isaac Zygmunt, was two days old before we named him. (Dave suggested Isaac after Sir Isaac Newton, and I readily agreed since it was what I’d wanted my parents to name my youngest brother. Zygmunt is after Dave’s long-deceased grandfather, and also the middle name of both Dave and his dad.) We call him Ike. I like the idea of his new baby brother getting a fun nickname, too, but it’s not a requirement.

In my opinion, our last name, Kil (pronounced “kill”) can be a bit hard on first names. Ones that end in “-en” or “-an” often create an unpleasant combo. For example, Dave recently suggested the name Roman, and I pointed out that with our last name, it would sound like “roam and kill.”

Dave, a geek, looks to scientists and mathematicians for name inspiration. (Hence Isaac.) But even more, he loves what he calls “gladiator/warrior” names–Apollo, Leonidas, Maximus, Sinbad. These strike me as names better suited to pets or comic book heroes. Dave loves the idea of Maximus “Max” Kil, but it just sounds too violent to me.

I like the idea of using names from our families. We could name the baby after our dads, Charles and Richard, who both died shortly after Dave and I started dating. I like the nickname Charlie for a little guy. (My dad went by Chuck, which sounds like more of a grown-up nickname to me.) I’d rather not use Richard as the first name because Dave says he’d want to shorten it to his dad’s nickname, Dick. (No offense to a great guy.)

Probably my favorite at the moment is Arlo. It first appealed to me in high school, when I noticed a couple famous people with the name. I’ve been thinking about it again recently, but I held off on suggesting it until a few days ago. Dave didn’t shoot it down, but I think he was just being polite because I built it up so much. I tried to sell him on the idea that it sounds similar to Apollo. It’s also an Italian variant of Charles, which I enjoy knowing, since my dad was half Italian.

I have long liked the name Atticus (from one of my favorite books, To Kill A Mockingbird). Dave has expressed that it’s cool because it has that ancient Roman sound he likes, but I wonder if it’s just a little too unusual to actually saddle my kid with.

Dave also likes Xavier; while I find it vastly preferable to his other picks, I don’t love it. Names which have been suggested and not outright disagreed upon are Abraham (Abe) and Asher (Ash).

Besides Zygmunt, our grandfathers had/have very common first names, but niftier middle names that might be worked in somewhere: Gardner, Martin, Roland. Oh, and David might be all right, too.

Can you come up with a name that will somehow marry our disparate tastes? Many thanks!

I’m with you on Maximus Kil. The child has geek genes, you said? A name like Maximus Kil is not going to work if he turns out intellectual, quiet, bookish, or skinny. In fact, I can’t picture it on a burly football player, either. Or on a doctor. Or on a computer programmer, a teacher, a psychologist, a scientist, or anyone except a pro wrestler or video game character.

The name Atticus leaps out at me from your list, but I wish it had a nickname. It seems like a lot of name for everyday use. But it would make a terrific middle name. Perhaps for this boy you could switch the family name to the first position and do Charles Atticus. Ike and Charlie.

I love Arlo and hope your husband will go for it. I like Arlo Richard, since it puts the name of honor in a non-nickname position.

Another first-name possibility is Edison. I’ve said it aloud a few times with your surname and I don’t think it presents problems there. Ike and Ed is adorable.

I also suggest Augustus. Ike and Gus.

Or Quintus: Ike and Quin.

Archimedes is a lot of name, but the cute nickname Archie makes it more manageable. Ike and Archie.

Darwin is a GREAT boy name, but Darwin has come to represent all of evolutionary theory. The name may now be too steeped in meaning for regular use.

Linus. Ike and Linus.

Tycho was the name of a famous astronomer, but doesn’t he sound more like a gladiator? Ike and Ty. [Edit: I’ve been saying it TIKE-o, but apparently it’s TEEK-o. Thanks, Karen! I think Ike and Teek is great.]

Name update 09-25-2009! Sarah writes:

Both you and your readers provided excellent ideas. When we saw Augustus/”Gus,” Dave and I were both excited. It really was perfect for both our tastes. The next day Dave’s enthusiasm for it waned, but I’ll be keeping it for possible future use.

Our new little guy was born on the 15th, and after a couple nameless days, we were getting frustrated. I liked a number of names but had no absolute favorite; Dave had been campaigning for Maximus since before our first son was born. I told Dave we should go with Maximus. He got nervous about my sudden change of heart, so it took another day before we officially committed to Maximus Richard, “Max.” I can’t imagine him as anyone other than Max now and feel that he’ll mold the name to who he is.

Nana writes:

Have you ever had a Nana write to you? I am going to have a granddaughter on September 9. My daughter and son-in-law just can’t come to an agreement on a name. They have a two year old son and found a name they both loved right away. His name is Camden James. Naming a child is such an big decision, so it’s important that they find a name that they both LOVE with neither having to compromise. Jessica, my daughter likes the newer, trendier names. This is her list: Emerson, Ellery, Zoe, Elizabeth, Sophia, Sadie, and Ava. Justin likes familiar, non-“made-up” names: Abigail, Ashley, Leah, Sydney and Natalie.

Originally, they both liked Natalie but Jessica is not so keen on it anymore. Also, they don’t want the nickname of gnat, and with a 3 syllable name, it’s inevitable that the child have some sort of nickname. (I suggested Talie but it was nixed) Justin’s favorite is Abigail…but it’s off Jessica’s radar. She thought he’d like Elizabeth…more traditional…but “no” was his answer.

(I personally like Sydney, Elizabeth and Natalie but a Nana can only express that opinion once.)

Jessica was ok with Ashley (with hopes that no one would call her Ash) but her cousin just named her daughter Ashlyn two weeks ago! (we are a close family) That takes the specialness out of it. I should also mention that R names are out as their last name is Ronderger.

So, Great Swistle, Jessica and Justin hope that you and your court (faithful followers with wise suggestions) can think of the perfect name for “Little Miss No Name” so that my dear granddaughter won’t have to be raised in the hospital until she is old enough to choose her own name! (I’ve heard that mom can’t leave until baby is named)

I’m so happy you’re there for us!

Here’s how I made my list: I took the names that would have been familiar to me back when I was in high school, and then I sifted through for ones that didn’t make me groan, “Oh, not THAT name AGAIN!”

Audrey
Bethany
Bridget
Brynna
Claire
Claudia
Elise
Emily
Holly
Jillian
Jocelyn
Laurel
Lindsay
Melanie
Meredith
Molly
Noelle
Sabrina
Sarah
Victoria

The trouble is, this list is likely to please Justin and not Jessica: someone who likes newer names (I would suggest Avaleigh and Brinley) is going to find the above list PRETTY DULL. Perhaps the first name could be something familiar and older, and the middle name could be something less familiar and newer? Molly Emerson Ronderger would be cute.

Can anyone help here? Familiar names that are more FUN, perhaps?

Name update 09-10-2009! Nana writes:

Baby Girl Ronderger arrived today! She has a name….AND….I’m very excited to say that Jessica and Justin picked her name from one of YOUR suggestions….faithful Swistle followers!!!!

The Naming Winner is Tracynicole22 !!!

Addison Grace Ronderger is 6lbs, 12 oz, 17 ½ inches long is lovely (she and mommy are healthy, too) and looks quite like her big two year old brother, Camden.

So THANK YOU to ALL who gave those wonderful suggestions. This has been so much fun!

Nana