Krystal writes:
Hi Swistle, we are currently pregnant with our third (and probably last) baby, who we found out will be a boy and need help with naming. Our last name is Salazar (sale-ah-zar). Our two littles are named Isaiah Daniel and Ayva Jordan (with Isaiah, Daniel, and Jordan being family names).
Names so far considered:
Lucas- I love, husband hates and doesn’t like Luke either.
Jude-Husband loves and I’m unsure. I like it best as a mn and it’s his cousin’s name although we’re not very close to him so it shouldn’t really matter.
Anthony-Husband’s name and too common and very present throughout our family but could be a mn.
Ryland-we both like as a mn and it combines a couple family names of our father’s that we can use. Not sure it’s the one though. I like it but not sure if I love it but probably depends on the first name we choose.
Josiah- like, don’t love.
Landon- like but unsure it goes with the sibset.
Emmett- we both like and don’t know why the but, but there is one.Both of our other kids have names after my husband (Isaiah and Jordan) his only names left are Anthony and Jude (which is probably why he likes Jude Anthony but I’m not sold as previously stated above). I would like to incorporate my name somehow by converting names to a boys name but my name is Krystal Lynn maiden name Gallegos (Guy-egg-ous). Chris and Christopher are out as they are used by family members. Don’t like Christian. My dad’s name is Larry Daniel (Daniel being my son’s mn) the only name I would come up with was combining Larry and Lyn to get rylyn which I converted to Ryland but would love to hear any other suggestions you and your reader’s have.
I’m not sure of our naming style. I would like to say nothing too common but Ayva has been top 5 for years and Isaiah seems to be gaining popularity but nothing like Jack or John. We want a strong but somewhat offbeat name and not sounding too weird. Also,both Isaiah and Ayva end in the -uh sound, and I don’t necessarily want to make that our trend but if this is our last child does it secluded him from the other two kids? Their names also both start with vowels which again I wasn’t trying to make that a theme but don’t know if that needs to be considered in finding THE name this time around.
Anyway, I love yours and your reader’s advice and am praying you can shed some light our way!
Thanks in advance!
The Social Security Administration reports that the name Isaiah was #42 in 2012; Jack was #46, John was #28, and Ava held its place at #5. But names are very regional: Ava is relatively common where I live, but there hasn’t been a single Isaiah in any of my kids’ classrooms. And I’ve encountered so many boys named Jack it’s getting comical, but not a single John. (Many of them are probably going by Jack, which can throw off the statistics considerably.)
If the name you like best of all starts with a vowel or ends in an -a/-ah, I think it would be okay and not too overly matchy to use it; but my own preference would be to avoid it. I wouldn’t have thought the similarities between the first two names were on purpose, but if you add an Elijah it suddenly stands out to me as a deliberate theme—and if this child ends up not being your last, you might feel pressure to continue it past the point where it would be fun. Although there are always going to be people who are looking for offense and hurt where none was intended, I think the odds are in your favor that a third child will not feel rejected and excluded if his name doesn’t end in an -ah sound or start with a vowel. If it does ever come up, I’d say, “Oh! No, we just chose our favorite name each time, and the first two just happened to be similar in those ways.” Then I’d play the Similarities/Differences Game, which is where you point out all the things that make the names similar and different: “See, Landon, all three of you have A’s in your names; and you and Ayva both have two syllables while Isaiah has three; and you and Isaiah both have six letters while Ayva has four; and Isaiah and Ayva’s names start and end with vowels while yours starts and ends with consonants…” etc.
If you DO want to match the beginning and ending, I suggest Ezra. It has the same biblical revival sound as Isaiah, and it gives you a different initial. Isaiah, Ayva, and Ezra.
By the time the paragraph about honor names got to the name Ryland, I felt like the name had nothing at all in common with either Larry or Lyn. At that point, I think it would be better to just choose the name you like best, with a wistful feeling that it’s too bad it didn’t work out to use another honor name from your side. Things often do work out that way: one side of the family will be rich with good honor names, and the other side won’t. Do you have any good surnames on your side that could be used as middle names? Or perhaps he could share your initials: Kai Landon, Kelvin Larry, Kent Lucas, etc. Or your dad’s initials: Landon Davis, Leo Dawson, Levi Declan, Louis Dylan, etc. Or your mom’s initials, since your dad has already been honored once.
I mentioned Louis as an example of an L name, and I think it’s a good candidate even if you’re not trying to match initials. It’s similar to Lucas, so maybe your husband will dislike it just as much, or maybe it’ll be different enough that it’ll be something you can agree on. My main hesitation is the way the -s of Louis hits up against the S- of Salazar, but it doesn’t make a combination that sounds like something negative or causes confusion about the names, so I think it’s fine.
If Emmett is not quite right, I suggest Everett. Everett Salazar; Isaiah, Ayva, and Everett. This compromises on the matching beginnings/endings: his name would start with a vowel, but not give you another -a/-ah ending. And it’s great for Similarities/Differences: three syllables like his brother’s; a V like his sister’s; all three have different numbers of letters; all three have at least one repeated letter (Isaiah has two I’s and two A’s; Ayva has two A’s; Everett has three E’s and two T’s). This is my first choice. I like it with Anthony or Jude as the middle name.
I agree Ryland doesn’t seem like much of a tribute to Larry + Lynn. I had to read it through twice to even see that you’d taken the end of Larry to get to Rylyn. What about Lawrence instead? A bit more formal, but it is the given name of a lot of Larrys.
Since your husband has 2 namesakes already (technically 3 since they’ll all have his surname) I really like the idea of this one being named for you. For Lynn tributes, maybe you could use a boy’s name that incorporates the sound? I think it works, specially if used in the middle position-even more of a tribute if the first name starts with a K. Lachlan, Leonard, Dylan, Allen, Lennox, Glenn, etc. Oh-or Kellan, with the K start and “lynn” ending sound, it almost seems like a contraction of your name. Krystal Lynn, K’lynn, Kellan.
Krystal is a “Chris” name, but it’s also the name of a gemstone. Maybe you could do something like Jasper or Mica/Micah? This idea could also be used with a “lynn” sound in the middle position. Something like Jasper Glen perhaps.
Is there anything else besides your name that could provide inspiration for a boy’s name? For example, if your birthday is in August, maybe you could name him August or Augustus. Or could you name him after a place that is important to you? Hometown, birthplace, where you went to college, etc. Or the name of a favorite character or author or something.
The names that popped into my head before I read the post (just from the title) were Caleb, Joseph, and Micah. I think I like Caleb Jude and Micah Anthony best. As for working in family names from your side, how about Guy for the first syllable of your maiden name, or Lars, for your father, either as firsts or middles? Lars Anthony is striking. You could also use Loren or Lorenzo, though I like Lars better with the sibling names. Would you consider Christopher if you used Topher as the nn? I had a student once named Linden– that could connect back to Lynn. I liked Swistle’s idea of initials, too, and I think Louis works well as a middle for many different names.
I hadn’t thought of the stone aspect of Micah. That makes me like it even more. And Dylan, Lachlan, etc. are good ideas for Lynn.
I like Swisitle’s suggestion of Levi for a first name alot. I also like Leo.
Some middle name possibilities I could think of:
– use your maiden name as is for the baby’s middle name
– Stan or Stanley (the STA from Krystal and the N from Lynn)
– Linden is a good idea from the suggestion above, maybe spelling it Lyndon would be closer to your name?
– Kyle or Kyler or Skyler (KYL from Krystal)
What about Judah instead of Jude? Judah is less common, has the -ah ending, and differs from the cousin’s name. I like Judah Anthony.
Judah is what I was going to suggest. It’s a beautiful name, and Jude makes a great nickname.
I think Arlo might be a great choice for you. It starts and ends with a vowel sound, like your other children, but ends with a different vowel sound so it’s not too matchy.
I like Leo a lot for similar reasons, the vowel ending seems like it goes with other childrens’ names well. I’d be tempted to make it short for Leonard though, since it seems like you would like to have a namesake and Leonard is pronounced like Lynn-ard.
There’s also Rhys, which is a great first or middle name that incorporates parts of your name. I also like the suggestion of Micah.
Lennox would also make a great middle name. Micah Lennox Salazar.
Lyndon popped into my head immediately. Isaiah, Ayva, and Lyndon. Two start with vowels; two names have a “y”; double letters in all of them (a, a, and n). I like Lyndon Anthony.
It is harder now that you’ve eliminated some honor names. I notice that you seem drawn to nickname proof names. Here are some of my favorite nickname proof names that would work with the sibling set:
– Aaron (Isaiah, Ayva, Aaron) I love that all three kids would have double A’s in their names. This may become unsustainable with more children.
– Jared (Isaiah, Ayva, Jared)
– Roland (Isaiah, Ayva, Roland) Roland seems less forced and more masculine than Ryland. I love the subtle repeating L sound in Roland Salazar.
– Leo (Isaiah, Ayva, Leo) It is hard to explain the Daniel in the Lion’s Den association that led me to Leo. I like Leo with the sib set.
– Saul (Isaiah, Ayva, Saul) I’m a sucker for name alliteration. Saul Salazar sings to my ears.
What about Luca (instead of Lucas or Luke)?
Did you have a beloved grandparent/aunt/uncle with an excellent name?
I also like the idea of using a “special name” from your life rather than an honor name- a favourite author, character, historical figure etc. If you wanted to honor your father it might be nice to ask him if he has any favourites like this. It’s also kind of a nice story for your son to tell when he get’s older. “I was named ____________ because it was my grandpa’s favourite book.”
Liking the suggestions of Kellen and Lachlan. Allen could be made from your name krystAL LYN and could make a good middle name.
With your sibset and surname I like Levi, Micah, Judah and Noah.
My favourites:
Jude
Judah and you could use Jude as a nn
Arlo
Leo
Micah
I especially love Judah and Arlo with you sibling set.. would definitely use one of these two!! Keep us posted and good luck.
I just had to comment on this because my boys’ names are being mentioned over and over. I have an Everett William and a Leo Sullivan; so obviously I’m digging both suggestions. For your sibling set I like Leo the best. I love love love the name and am complemented on it constantly! It sounds great with your last name too. Leo Salazar. Runners up are Arlo (not crazy about it with Salazar though) and Judah (nn Jude). Good luck!
I think Levi is a great suggestion. It has that biblical connection like Isaiah but also has the “v” sound like Ayva. Love Ezra too.
Isaiah, Ayva and Levi
Isaiah, Ayva and Ezra
I’d also like to suggest Jonah, Simon, Abram and Reuben.
All the best!
Kellan & Micah are great suggestions. The last part of your name–Tal–also works as a given name. I know a little boy with this name ( rhymes with all/doll/ball ) & his mother told me the name means “dew” in Hebrew. Isaiah, Ayva & Tal.
I love the suggestion of Ezra.
You guys are awesome with your suggestions. I quickly put Levi and Ezra at the top of my list (DH has since vetoed Ezra) but I’m loving the Everett, Judah, Leo and Micah ones too. You guys have definitely picked up on my unknown style :) we’re going to have a naming session this weekend so I’ll let you know what happens.
Also, DH schedule has been crazy so he hasn’t looked at many names but randomly threw out the name Hudson. . . I feel like it’s total left field in comparison to our already named children although I like it seperately as a name just not sure it goes with the sibset. Any thoughts/suggestions there?
How about Lyndon to honor your middle name? Just saw your recent response post referring to the name Hudson- I don’t really care for it with the sibset, personally.
Other boy names I like with Isaiah and Ayva:
Tyler
Samuel
Landon
Owen
Flynn
Liam
Josiah
I also think Levi was a a really good suggestion.
Hudson clashes a bit with the sib set to me. I have a hard time imagining myself shouting that name sequence off the back porch. “Isaiah! Ava! Hudson!”
In re-reading your thoughts about a namesake, I wonder what you’d think about Colin as a namesake for Krystal Lynn. Colin Anthony. Colin Salazar. Isaiah! Ava! Colin! I pronounce Colin as KAH-lin, not KOH-lin and that seems to bridge the names a bit.
Good luck with the weekend naming session.
One more to add to the wonderful suggestions:
Leland Christoph (Ryland+mum’s intitials reversed+I was dying for an opportunity to suggest Leland!)