Cynthia writes:
After reading some of the other requests for help I find myself in the same boat as a lot of expectant mothers – my husband vetoes every name I suggest. I have literally read a book of 10,000 baby names front to back, having given him an entire page full on names of which he promptly crossed off every one except for Ivan and Oscar. We have a 3 1/2 year old son named Isaac Joseph, and this new baby boy will be our last. I know people often pair Isaiah with Isaac, but we both don’t care for it. Ivan doesn’t really appeal to me – it sounds a little harsh. Oscar is OK, but we’re not in love with it. Our last name is Schmit. I seem to prefer simple names like Jack, but I can’t have people saying that you don’t know Jack Schmit. My husband vetoed Sean, Jude, Drew, and Shane, among others. Two syllables would also be ok, but nothing long like Jeremiah. We prefer names that aren’t made up, too trendy, or with annoying unique spellings – he’s already going to have to spell his last name for everyone who will insist on putting a “d” in Schmit. Unfortunately, I’ve had some anxiety and depression issues in this last trimester and don’t want my child to be affected by what I’ve been through so maybe a name that lends itself to happiness, strength, and peace would be best.
I know this isn’t much information to go off of, but any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks so much for your consideration.
I suggest Ian. It’s similar to your husband’s chose of Ivan, and it’s also simple, easy to spell and pronounce, and not trendy.
Name meanings are tricky: I have a big box of baby name books, and a name that means one thing in one book can mean something completely different in another book, and another thing still if I look it up online. But I will put a few I’ve heard of here, and maybe we can get input too from people with more expertise in meanings.
If you’d like the name to mean happiness, the name that comes to mind is Felix. I’m not sure that goes well with your surname, though: Felix Schmit is difficult for me to say.
Frederick is one of my current favorites, and it means “peaceful leader”: strong and peaceful both. Jeffrey/Geoffrey/Jefferson mean “God’s peace.” Noah means comfort and peace. Aaron means strength, and it’s neat how Isaac and Aaron both have a doubled A. Gideon means wise strength. Leo means lion, which connotes strength—and also wisdom and peace, for those of us who grew up reading the Narnia books.
I suggest Milo. It means strength/soldier (for its associations with the archangel Michael) but also mercy.
I love reading all these positive meanings behind these names.
My favorite from Swistle’s suggestions are Leo and Aaron.
I love Swistle’s suggestions of Ian, Noah & Aaron. Another name that sounds like Ivan is Van. I know a boy around 4 with that name and it’s cute on him.
I also know another preschool boy with your last name whose name is Samuel. If you like alliteration, it’s a nice solid name, though the SS initials might bother some people.
Or how about Nicholas, nn Nick or Nico? Or Andrew? I know your husband vetoed Drew but maybe he’d like the full name better and you could call him Drew as your own personal nickname.
p.s. I hope you are feeling better soon.
Hmm…I wrote a rather lengthy response to this post and it disappeared! Wonder where it went??? So I’ll try again.
How about Jasper, which begins like JAck and ends like OscAR? Traditionally the name of one of the Magi (although not in the bible), Jasper has positive and joyous connections.
I looked at Baby Name Wizard Expert Matchmaker for short names that go with Isaac and came up with a list of some that also sound well with Schmit:
Caleb
Jacob (nn Jake is close to Jack)
Aaron
Eli
Jonah
Owen
Noah
Luke
Ethan
Joel
Evan
Daniel
Adam
Hugo
Ben (Benjamin or Bennett)
Paul
Boys names that mean peace: http://www.thinkbabynames.com/search/1/peace
…including
Jonah
Calum
If you click on some of the “Related tags” or type in one of your preferences, you can find names with other meanings you like.
I hope you find this helpful and fun.
Best wishes!
Names I like that you might like are Simon and Max. I like the suggestions of Aaron and Gideon.
Best wishes to you!
Oh, use Oscar!! Isaac & Oscar!
So masculine, so classic! Both start with vowels, both have ‘s’s and ‘r’s, both are five letters long! But they sound entirely different when yelled from the bottom of the stairs… such a bonus!
Love them together!!
Pregnancy is rough; you’re not alone with your anxiety and depression. You will get through this and soon have another beautiful little boy to snuggle in your arms. All the best to you and your growing family.
I do like the combination of Isaac and Aaron, and from an alternate source Aaron means “enlightened” which I associate with both peace and happiness.
A name that is really underused these days is David, which I have always read to mean “beloved”. I think this would be a nice way of saying your pre-natal depression is not a reflection on the way you feel about him. It is also almost impossible to misspell or mispronounce.
Another option might be Tait, which means “cheerful”.
I love the name Milo! 20 years ago, Milo seemed like one of those dated names, like Ruth or Harold.
Now though, for some reason, it seems current and fresh.
Elijah is the first name that came to mind and I see someone has also posted the name Eli. Or Elias would also be lovely.
Asher. I think it means happy.
Isaac and Asher.
I like the suggestion of David — such a strong classic name that goes well with both Isaac and your surname.
I love the suggestion of Aaron! The double ‘a’ is sweet without being overly obvious.
I really liked the idea of Felix until I thought of how it sounds with Schmit. Felix Schmit sort of sounds (to me!) like “Feel like –“. (If it makes you feel any better, I loved the name Jack and had to scrap it because my last name would make it sound like both Jackass and Jackoff. Splendid, right? Bah.)