Bree writes:
My husband and I are expecting our second son (and last child) on 8/14/11. We have one son, who is three. His name is Carter William. We call him Carter but I often find myself using both names together “Carter William”. I just love the charm of using both names if they flow well together. Naming our first son was a breeze. This baby really has us at a loss.
We have FINALLY narrowed our list down to two possible names. John Robert (“Jack”) and Reed. It seems weird that we have one “complete” name that we like and another that we can’t find a first/middle name to go with. Sometimes I wonder why we are so stuck on Reed when we have a perfectly wonderful full name, but I just can’t let it go (maybe that’s a sign?). I would love some suggestions from you (or blog readers) on the name Reed.
We love classic names that can stand the test of time and can transfer easily from childhood to adulthood. I’m not a huge fan of trendy/popular names, and I definitely dislike odd and very uncommon names or anything that has celebrity buzz with it. So far, our biggest hurdle with naming comes from a few issues I have with how the name sounds with our last name. Our last name is “Knick” (pronounced just like the basketball team). I’m having a hard time with our short one syllable last name. It’s been hard for me to find something that “flows” with it or doesn’t make is sound too harsh. Our names are Andrew Clark (“Drew”) and Melanie Bree (“Bree”).
Here are some other names we considered during our search:
Davis
Miller*
Jackson
Andrew*
Clark*
Cordley*
*Family Name
Hopefully this provides you some insight on our dilemma. I’m really looking forward to your suggestions!
I like the name Reed/Reid very much, but I agree with you about the difficulties with the surname: both “Reed Knick” and “Jack Knick” sound awkward to me. Clark Knick sounds similarly awkward. But “sounding awkward” is subjective, and a certain amount of awkwardness might be unavoidable; and of the three, I think Reed Knick sounds least awkward by far (since it doesn’t repeat the -ck sound). I like the idea of using a middle name that parallels the classic middle name of your first son: Reed Andrew Knick, Reed Henry Knick, Reed Thomas Knick, etc. I can picture you calling out “Carter William and Reed Henry, hang up those backpacks before you go outside!”
With Carter, one of my two favorite names from your not-quite list is Davis: Davis Knick, Carter and Davis. I like Davis Reid Knick. If you don’t mind repeating the -er ending, my other favorite is Miller: Miller Knick, Carter and Miller. I’m less certain about a middle name for Miller: some of the names I put with it make Miller sound like a profession: “Take this grain over to Miller Jack.” Miller Cordley Knick is my favorite, I think. Or, to parallel your first son’s name with a classic middle name, Miller Henry Knick or Miller Thomas Knick or Miller Robert Knick or Miller Stephen Knick. I like this idea with Davis, too: Davis Henry Knick, Davis Robert Knick, Davis Andrew Knick.
Additional possibilities—I tried to avoid -n and -er endings, but eventually avoided only -n:
Archer
Charles
Finley
Grady
Harris
Henry
Jared
Malcolm
Redford
Ridley
Samuel
Spencer
Trevor
Turner
Wesley
Name update! Bree writes:
Just wanted send a quick email to give you a name update! After much consideration (seriously, hours were spent on this name!) we decided to name Baby Boy Knick #2 Reed Cordley Knick. After your post and reading comments we pretty much narrowed it down to John Robert Knick or Reed Cordley Knick. As much as I loved the possibility of having another “double name” to go along with Carter William, I just couldnt let go of Reed. It was the name my husband loved and when we asked Carter what he thought, he told us he already had a friend named John. I considered it a sign and thats how the decision was made!
Our “baby” boy was born 8/8/11 (a week early) weighing 9 pounds 8 ounces. We think his name is just perfect!
Thanks for all the input from you and your readers! Its great to hear what others think!
I have recently met a little boy called Reeve, thought you might like it if you like Reed – which I also think is a great name!
I agree Reed sounds better with your last name than Jack. I like Reed Andrew. Or how about Reed Charles or Reed Connor?
Or Reed Oliver?
Reed and Jack both sound off with Knick (IMO). I was going to suggest Jackson after only reading big brother’s name in the title! Jackson Reed Knick is so handsome, and you can choose to call him Jack or Reed for short. I also think “Jackson Reed” can easily be said full-name style similarly to “Carter William”.
Reed Arthur?
i have a Reid and love the name, but not sure if flows with your lastname- totally personal preference though.
i do prefer Jackson Knick to Jack Knick.
I really like Davis Reid/eed Knick. Probably my top pick from swistle.
and my suggestion is BENNETT REID KNICK.
Carter and Bennett (both two syllables- both strong enough to carry a one syllable last name)
or…. John Robert is PERFECT….but skip the jack….call him ‘jonn robert’ . i double fairy heart love double names.
John Robert, while I love both names, sounds to me too much like the supreme court justice that I don’t like. I’d personally veto it for that reason.
Reed is great but I agree, Reed Knick sounds…off. Jackson Reed is nice, but like Swistle I think my favorite is Miller: although I am totally obsessive and I personally would have to think about whether I was going to have more children and if they were boys if I thought they should all have -er ending names. But that’s just me and my personal insanity.
I think I’d go with Jackson Reed or Miller Reed (or Miller something else).
Hmmm… Well, you said you weren’t a fan of popular names; that seems to strike ‘Jack’ far, far off the list.
John Robert, however, is wonderful. I know of three Johns: one is a baby, one is in college, and one is a grandfather. It’s a name that certainly spans the test of time.
Having said all that, when I was reading your letter, I came to the same conclusion Swistle did. Davis Reed Knick is FABULOUS!
Carter and Davis make a rockin’ sibling pair without being boring, common, or weird.
They would both have two-syllable first names… which is nice on the ear with a one-syllable surname.
You’ve got great, classic, steady taste. All the best to you and your growing family!
I love Reed and think it sounds fine with you last name but i do prefer the spelling Reid!! its a really great name though not unheard of but not common!!
I love your first son’s name Carter! when i think of Carter, Archer (as suggested above) comes to mind! Carter and Archer go well together and its has the cutest nn Arcie!! also love Davis!!
all the best look forward to seeing what you choose x
Seems like Davis is a name that a lot of people actually like. If its ok I would like to ask a question about its “sound”:
We both really liked Davis and Miles but those got nixed due to the “snick” sound you get with you say the name out loud. For example, Davis Knick sounds like Dave Snick when you say it out loud. Anyone else hear that? Maybe it was just us.
I REALLY appreciate all your input. We really are having a hard time finding a name that goes well with our surname.
Some of the name suggestions we didnt include (because one of us didnt like it) on the email to Swistle are actually suggestions that are showing up in comments. Amazing!
Thanks to all!
John Robert is a wonderful choice; it is my father’s name, actually. But, I agree that it doesn’t work with your last name. What about the name Connor? Connor Reid. Carter and Connor. Nice.
I think if you here a name a certain way so Davis Knick as Dave Snick then you will probably always her it like that no matter what any one else says so i would maybe steer away from it if it bothers you alot!
My Daughters middle name is Alison last name Campbell when i say her name together Ava Alison Campbell i always think of the song Alice the camel has one hump etc!! i know it sounds silly but if i had realised this before i would have steered away from the mn Alison! As my daughters name reminds me of a camel :) No one else i know thinks this though only me!! So go on what you think!!
(sorry if this posts twice first time round it didnt work)
I like Reed Wilson Knick.