Melissa writes:
We are having a BOY! Big sister is Paige Irene. Last name is phonetically Hayworth.
Boy’s middle name will be Clay (Irene and Clay were agreed upon as family honor middle names before we knew Paige was a girl).
Criteria: No noun/verb names. I totally broke this one and only criteria with Paige and I love her and her name but regret that because I HATE saying “turn the page, Paige” etc. Oh, and Clay clearly breaks this rule as well but middle name, family name, whatever, can’t worry about it.
Other criteria: Not a name prone to nicknaming. I want a name where he is called by his full name on a regular basis (I like this about Paige’s name). The other thing I like about Paige’s name is that everyone is familiar with it and it feels common enough without feeling super trendy. I know girls/women of many ages with the name
Paige.Back to boys: when we were first married we somehow agreed we both loved the name Tyler and promptly named our new puppy Tyler so that’s out. And we have very close friends with a son named Ty so that’s out. I think that’s the only boy name we’ve ever agreed on. I do not like the name Tyson.
Very early in this pregnancy the name Quentin was brought up and I agreed I kind of like it and now hubby is CONVINCED our son is Quentin Clay. End of discussion. Meanwhile all my initial reservations are resurfacing: We live near San Quentin prison (death row) and that is the first connotation that comes to mind for me AND Quentin Tarrantino whose films are so violent is the second. It makes the perfectly nice name, Quentin, sound very violent to me. Oh, and I don’t want to end up with the nickname Quinn. On the up side, Quentin is my father in law’s middle name so it would be another naming honor. But also for his side of the family so it’s a double honor to dad’s side while Paige’s middle name is a single honor to my side and my mom, love her,
but she’s sensitive to such things.And there we’ve stalled out. Hubby is set on Quentin and I am not.
Having obsessively read Swistle Baby Names and paid close attention to names in general since the start of this pregnancy I’ve decided I only like girl names. The only boy name I like that comes to mind is Cade and that doesn’t work with Clay.
Help!
and:
An update on this naming situation: Quentin is off the table, criteria and middle name Clay remain. Our ‘fetus name’ is Oscar and we don’t want to use it for real but I do like the sound of the name if not the many cultural references.
We find we’re drawn to names with a K/C/Q sound. I don’t mind the repetition of sound with Clay; it’s more important the the first and last names work together than first and middle. Nobody uses their middle name much.
I’ve checked out the Baby Name Wizard from the library and here’s what we’ve got. We seem to like the “Brisk and Breezy” style where Paige’s name is found and the “New Classics” for their timelessness. The “Nickname Proof “list was also helpful. On our list:
Drew (verb name). We like Andrew but so nicknameable I’d rather use just Drew (or Andy?)
Lucas (very nicknameable to Luke but I don’t love just Luke)
Colin (seems fine–maybe we should just use it?)
Lincoln (after our boat engine, not the president. Hubby and I get a kick out of this inside joke but nickname Linc seems really possible and the name’s a bit out there)
Kyle (I like, hubby is a teacher and it has bad connotations for him so it’s out)
Carter (this one seems really bad with the middle name–even though I said that didn’t matter. Much.)
Eli (seems fine but don’t love)Any other ideas or thoughts?
Thanks!
This is a name that probably doesn’t fit your style AT ALL but I want to mention it anyway because I’ve recently started thinking of it as one of those “Why isn’t anyone USING this GREAT NAME?” names: Pascal. It has a similar sound to Oscar; Paige and Pascal is adorable. But it definitely fails the criterion of being familiar and common.
Another one that might be too unusual but I want to suggest it anyway: Felix. Felix Hayworth, Paige and Felix. And it’s a little in-joke on the name Oscar if you ever watched The Odd Couple.
A more likely suggestion is Scott. It too has the “sc” sound of Oscar, but it’s definitely more familiar. Scott Hayworth is wonderful, as is “Paige and Scott.” Because the name was much more common in the 1960s and 1970s, the main downside is that it’s a bit of a “dad name.” On the other hand, I know a little elementary-school-aged boy named Scott and it didn’t seem ODD to me—the way it DID seem odd when I once ran into an elementary-school girl named Kristen.
From your list I think Kyle is a wonderful idea: close to Tyler, but without duplicating your friends’ use of Ty. Lyle is another similar possibility, since the name Kyle has teaching associations. Or there’s Kyler, or Schuyler. Which makes me think of Spencer and Parker.
I wonder if you would like the name Caleb? It’s somewhat similar to Cade and Kyle. I’m not sure if it works with the middle name or not (the L sounds and the AY sounds might get too tangley), but my inclination is to think it’s cute and works well enough: Caleb Clay Hayworth. And I like the matching vowel sound with the sibling name: Paige and Caleb.
Or Isaac? It has that nice hard-C sound, which runs into the C of Clay just a little but I think it’s fine: Isaac Hayworth, Isaac Clay Hayworth, Paige and Isaac. No automatic nicknames (though he’d have Zac and Ike if he wanted them), and familiar at different age levels.
Do you like Charlie? I was just mulling Hayworth and Paige and it popped into my head. Charles Clay Hayworth. Paige and Charlie.
Or Keegan? Keegan Clay Hayworth, Paige and Keegan.
Or Ian: Ian Hayworth, Paige and Ian.
Or this is a stretch, but I got to it by looking for other names that started with a sound similar to Ty: Milo, or Miles. Paige and Milo is so cute I can hardly stand it. Milo Clay Hayworth.
Same thing with this name (Ty to Sy): Simon. Simon Clay Hayworth, Paige and Simon.
Or Wyatt: Wyatt Clay Hayworth, Paige and Wyatt.
Oliver has the O beginning and the R ending of Oscar: Oliver Clay Hayworth is handsome. Paige and Oliver.
Grady is similar to Cade but is better with Clay: Grady Clay Hayworth. Paige and Grady.
Similar to Quentin but without the issues is Benton. Downside: Ben is such an easy nickname. But otherwise, it’s so good: Benton Clay Hayworth, Paige and Benton/Ben.
Less similar but still within reach is Edmund: Edmund Clay Hayworth, Paige and Edmund.
Or Kent or Trent, but they don’t work well with Clay. Well, maybe Trent does? Trent Clay Hayworth, Paige and Trent?
I also love Lincoln from your list. I think it will continue to become more common, which might make it more comfortable to use.
(screenshot from SSA.gov)
Would you like Eli better as Elias? Elias Clay Hayworth, Paige and Elias. I like the pleasing mirror symmetry of their ai/ia.
Name update! Melissa writes:
Thanks for naming our baby! Baby Boy Hayworth now known as Charlie Clay Hayworth arrived on May 27. We’re already used to saying “no, not Charles, just Charlie.” Charlie was a name I considered early on but you suggesting it in your response brought it up for discussion with hubby. After getting beyond the fact that it was his family dog’s name growing up all agreed we love the name Charlie. Scott and Colin were our runner up names.
Still trying to get used to not calling this little boy Oscar as we did in utero :)
Photo attached and thanks for your wonderful naming service!
Scott! Love it!
I know a Lincoln. No one calls him Linc. I think it’s one of those nicknames that might be “said,” but it’s certainly no where in Matt/Matthew, Tom/Thomas territory. If the nickname is your only hesitation, I’d let it go completely.
I love the name Paige. How about Seth for little brother? Paige and Seth.
I like Swistle’s suggestions, but I wanted to comment on Lucas. We have a boy named Lucas, and nobody calls him Luke. I wouldn’t mind if they did, as we call him Luca usually. But it seems like people tend to think of Luke and Lucas as separate names, not one as a nickname for the other.
I was going to say the same thing about Lucas… the Lukes I know all have the given name Luke, but we also know many Lucas’s. It’s like the name Jonah or Jonas… it could be nicknamed to Joe, but it isn’t usually the case. To me Lucas Clay is the best of your options. Good luck!
Just wanted to jump in and say hi because my name is Paige and I have always liked it. I only occasionally got the references to “turn the page” growing up, but never minded it. My brother’s name is Ryan, FYI.
Coincidentally, I am expecting a baby in about 10 days and if it’s a boy his name will likely be Quinn Lincoln. I had been hesitant about Lincoln as the first name but reading Swistle’s and other’s comments makes me consider Lincoln Quinn instead.
Anyway, I think Paige and Lincoln work well together. And I also like Miles or Milo from Swistle’s list. Good luck!
Wow, there are lots of good ideas here. I especially like Scott and Caleb and Seth (from a comment). May I suggest Reece/Rhys. I think it’s lovely with Paige.
I just wanted to throw out there that kids/friends are going to come up with nicknames no matter what the name is. My name is Claire, arguably un-nickname-able, but I have a handful, all of them LONGER than my given name. It’s what people do, & all mine are affectionate from my friends. All that said, I am just suggesting you go more with a name you love rather than worry over a potential nickname.
Good luck!
I feel silly leaving this comment so often on this site, but my son’s name is Kieran. Familiar, not too common, nickname-proof, starts with K. Maybe it would work?
What about Caden instead of Cade? It’s much better with Clay and nice with Paige too.
I think Clay sounds best with a 2-syllable first name.
Lucas Clay ‘Hayworth’ is my favorite from your list. I think of Lucas and Luke as separate names. Luke is a well established name and doesn’t need a longer version, nor does Lucas need a nn. I think most parents choose one or the other, not both. I know a little boy named Lucas, and his parents always call him that, never Luke. I’ve never thought of him as Luke; he’s Lucas.
Paige Irene – one syllable first name; 2 syllable middle
Lucas Clay – 2 syllable first name; one syllable middle
I think those names go together very well.
Oh my gosh, this is already SO helpful. Thank you (especially for reading all that since I wrote kind of a novel up there). I do love Charlie from Swistle’s ideas (better than Charles actually). Wyatt is surprisingly cute and Scott is a great idea. I like the reader input on Lincoln and Lucas which are both still contenders. THANK YOU–keep the ideas coming…. Oh, and to the Paige commenter– I love Lincoln Quinn. Use it!
I vote for Lucas. These days people are used to parents wanting full names used and Lucas isn’t too much of a mouthful.
I think Colin’s a great choice from your list. It seems to meet all your criteria and it sounds good with both Paige and Hayworth. I kind of like the alliteration in Colin Clay, too.
I also think Lincoln and Lucas are not doomed to nicknames.
I liked the suggestions of Felix, Ian, Isaac, & Oliver.
How about Anthony, Dewey, Isaiah, Riley or Tristan?
Wowee! Lots of good suggestions! My favs are Scott, Benton and Seth :)
From your list I’m another one who likes both Lincoln and Lucas. I think Lucas goes best with Paige.
Other possibilities could be Carson, Calvin, Keenan, Kellan, Chase, Cole, Conrad… I like Keenan Clay with Paige Irene.
Just on nicknames in general – I think they are impossible to avoid once your kids start school. If there’s not an obvious one for their name the other kids will make something up anyway. It’s a sign of familiarity and belonging so not necessarily a bad thing.
Lucas, Colin and Lincoln seem very similar in their sounds. Here are some other similar names you might like (some may have already been suggested):
Lucan
Lachlan
Lewellan
Corbin
Connor
Colter
Callum
Kelvin
Kane
Declan
Here’s a radical idea. How about taking Clay out of the middle slot and naming him Clayton (as long as it doesn’t offend anyone). It seems to have the sounds you like.
If the person you’re naming him after is still living then you would have a Clay and a Clayton, less chance for confusion than if you named your son Clay.
And you could use one of your other favourites for the middle name slot. Maybe Clayton Ty?
Good luck.
Logan?
I can’t help but keep jumping it because it’s so great to hear all the ideas and feedback! Thank you!
re nicknames I know they’re basically inevitable (I call Paige Paigey) all the time I just don’t want a name like Robert but always called Bob or something where you use Bob all the time except on formal documents. In that case I always think it must be easier to just be named Bob. My husband, Rob, disagrees but I’m the name naysayer around here :)
As for Clayton–funny that should come up. This guy is being named as a tribute to his uncle (husband’s older brother) who died in infancy. His name was Clayton but they always intended to call him Clay so Clay seemed the appropriate way to honor him but Clayton would equally be so. My issue with Clay is it being a noun (I’m SO picky) and with Clayton that we’d probably just call him Clay (nickname and noun)
Actually Lincoln is growing on my from the discussion… hmmm
Glenn. Glenn Clayton “Hayworth”.
Marc. Marc Clayton “Hayworth”.
Gordon. Gordon Clay “Hayworth”.
Frank. Frank Clayton “Hayworth”.
Hope that helps… it seems like getting a ‘not-too-popular’ name means digging out the slightly dusty ones before everyone else re-discovers them!
All the best to your growing family!
I have a Seth and Caleb and hubby’s name is Scott, and I must say, they are all great names and definitely “nick name proof” with the exception of my husband being called Scotty every once in a while by his siblings.
Melissa,
Just jumping back in to reply to your latest comment. My parents also wanted to choose a name for me that didn’t have a nickname, and ended up calling me “Paigey” all the time too! So funny!
And thanks for the encouragement to use Lincoln Quinn. I have a feeling that my husband is leaning toward Lincoln for a first name but I had originally shot the idea down.
Hi Melissa! I’m excited for you and the “Hayworth” family. I think of the suggestions given so far, I like Seth, Scott, Felix (especially the Oscar connection)and Miles. I also love Wyatt. What about James? Obvious nickname potential but a fantastic name on it’s own.
If his middle name will be Clay, then I think it sounds better if he has a 2 syllable first name. But if you decide to go with Clayton instead, I think the 1 syllable names sound awesome with it. And he’ll match Paige’s name in meter (1-2-2).
Seth Clayton Hayworth
Scott Clayton Hayworth
Miles Clayton Hayworth
James Clayton Hayworth
Wyatt Clay Hayworth
Lucas Clay Hayworth
Felix Clay Hayworth
Good luck guys! I’ll be waiting to hear what you decide!
Paige is such a cute name. To consider for her brother…
Kellan. Kellan Clay Hayworth. KCH. Paige and Kellan.
(or sp Kellen)
Christian. Christian Clay Hayworth. CCH. Paige and Christian.
(for what it’s worth, the Christian’s I have known have always gone by their full names and not Chris)
Kiefer. Kiefer Clay Hayworth. KCH. Paige and Keifer.
Cason. Cason Clay Hayworth. CCH. Paige and Cason.
(Similar to Casey and Carson. No real nn potential that I can think of)
Best of luck!
I love Lucas, Colin and Oliver.
I will say, though, I dated an Oliver and his nickname was O – he was a musician tho :)
Melissa, you have some nice choices listed above…
I like your suggestion of “Pascal” as it reminds me of “Pasquale,” the boy from the Rose is Rose. The comic always had a warm feeling and remains my one of my favorites.
“Calvin Clay Haworth” has a nice but slightly mischievous sound to it.
“Warren” or “Glen”, like “Scott” are good strong boy names that are not overused.
I’ll end my suggestions with a name that sounds dignified and could be a thematic match with Paige’s name…”Harold Clayton Haworth.”
It’s fun to see the input from everyone else.
Best wishes to you and your growing family in the coming weeks.