Raven write:
I’ve read your site for a while, but I never thought I’d have my own baby-naming conundrum. Here’s my information:
I’m Raven and my husband is Donnie and our last name is Pierce with a “y” tacked on at the end. We have a two-year old daughter, Scarlett Jane. We picked her name because it was a name that people are familiar with, but not one you hear everyday. We also liked the spunk of name.
We are now expecting our second baby (in January). This new baby was a surprise souvenir we brought back from a vacation to Australia. Whoops. We also just found out that it’s a boy and we are having a very, very hard time coming up with a name we love like Scarlett. We want something that 1) goes well with Scarlett and 2) is unusual, but not crazy.
If this baby had been a girl, we were considering:
Tallulah – we liked the spunk of this name
Matilda – this was a nod to Australia (the whole “Waltzing Matlida” thing)Some boy names we like:
Arlo – probably my favorite, although I don’t love the way Scarlett and Arlo roll together into Scarlo – but that’s not a deal breaker.
August – mainly to get the nickname Gus. We like August, but think Gus is better, although I have reservations about giving a kid a name just to get a nickname out of it.
Dashiell – nickname “Dash”, although I’m afraid Dash might be translated into Douche later in school.Other complicating factors: My husband is a Jr. and his family would love for there to be a Donald Peter III, but I just can’t do it. At one time, we had talked about naming the baby Henry and calling him Hank (my dad’s name/nickname), but I feel like it’s not fair to do that if I have already rejected the naming tradition from my husband’s side of the family.
We’re also at a loss for middle names. Basically, we are going to have a five-year-old unnamed child, unless we get some help!
Thanks for considering our question!
Since you considered the name Matilda if your Australian souvenir had been a girl, I thought I’d start by browsing the Wikipedia page on Australia, to see if there were any good name candidates for boys.
The current Governor-General of Australia is Quentin Bryce. Perhaps this would be like naming a child [insert name of a disliked U.S. leader here], but Quentin seems like it would go very nicely on your list. Quentin Pierce-see; Scarlett and Quentin.
There are a TON of island names to pick through, though those might be significant only if you’d spent time there. (Also, I’d check to make sure they were NICE islands, lest one be doing the equivalent of naming one’s child [insert name of a dangerous/ugly U.S. location here]. Still, just going through part of the list, I found:
Bowden Pierce-see; Scarlett and Bowden
Clark Pierce-see; Scarlett and Clark (similar to Arlo)
Duncan Pierce-see; Scarlett and Duncan
Falcon Pierce-see; Scarlett and Falcon
Houghton Pierce-see; Scarlett and Houghton
Hudson Pierce-see; Scarlett and Hudson
Shaw Pierce-see; Scarlett and Shaw
Thomson Pierce-see; Scarlett and Thomson
Wilson Pierce-see; Scarlett and Wilson
I hope our Australian readers can offer insights and suggestions for Australia-related names.
I like August, and I like the way it’s slightly reminiscent of Aussie. Austin might work well, too, though then there’s no Gus.
There is a wide range of opinion on this, but my own opinion on giving a child a name just to get a nickname is that it’s not only fine but also fun—as long as you don’t DISlike the given form. I understand the “Why give the child a name you’re never going to use?” point of view—but what I like is that I MIGHT/CAN use it if I later want to, as can the child. I like the “long form for the dignified resume/profession” concept, and I also like that if my child turns out not to be the Libby type I’d imagined, she can change to Liz or revert to Elizabeth. I also like that I was named Kristen and not Kris or Kristy or Krissy. With August, you have OPTIONS, is what I’m saying, and I think it’s fine to like the nickname better than the given name.
I had never thought of the word douche as a risk of the name Dash. I don’t think I’m thinking of it now, either, though it’s too soon to call it: with some connections, as soon as I’ve heard of it I find it hard to forget. This one doesn’t have that “Crud, now the name’s been ruined for me” feeling to me, though: Dash still makes me think of a short enthusiastic run. Perhaps it’s that vowels don’t interchange as easily as consonants, since changing vowels doesn’t result in rhymes? I think of issues with Cooper and Tucker, but I don’t think of Rob sounding like rib or rub or rube or robe. But then, I’m not a middle school boy. …Wait! I have two of those in residence! I asked them (and also Paul) if they could think of anything to make fun of about the name Dash, and they came up with nothing I consider a problem (“It rhymes with crash!” “It’s the name of the kid in The Incredibles!”). After giving them awhile to think, I told them the word we were concerned about—and they all entirely brushed it off. Paul: “Oh! *scoff sound* No. Definitely not.” Rob and William: “What? No! I wouldn’t think of that!”
A possibility for dealing with the Donald Peter III issue without continuing the tradition is that you could use the same initials: Dashiell Preston Pierce-see, for example. This depends on whether your husband’s family is the type that would consider this a gesture of goodwill or not.
Or you could use either Donald or Peter as the middle name. Or both: August Donald Peter Pierce-see. That sends a much stronger message of goodwill, and would be the kind of compromise I might have gone with if Paul’s family had had a naming tradition.
Or, if you did name him Henry/Hank, you could spin it: Instead of naming him for one grandfather, you’re naming him for the other. Or: your husband’s father has already had someone named after him, and now it is your father’s turn. It’s not a rejection of your husband’s side of the family, any more than naming him Donald Peter would have been a rejection of your side of the family. A combination such as Henry Peter or Henry Donald might make it even clearer: this is a merging of families, not an absorption of a female member into a male family line. He’d be “named for his grandfather and his father,” just as he would have been if he’d been named Donald Peter, but one of those two people would be from his mother’s line instead of both from his father’s.
The more I think about it, the more I think using Donald or Peter for the middle name might significantly cushion the blow of not having a III, as well as solving the challenge of finding a middle name. If the flow isn’t right, Don would be another option.
Quentin Bryce is a woman, not sure if that changes anything. I vote for Banjo, a very Aussie name, after Banjo Paterson.
I like Lawson, after Henry Lawson, the Australian writer and poet. Scarlett and Lawson sound good together too.
Other suggestions:
Byron (as in bay)
Joseph (as in Banks)
Bligh (after William)
Tasman (after the explorer)
Clancy (of the overflow)
Lachlan (after Macquarie)
Edward/Ned (after Ned Kelly)
Archer (winner of the first Melbourne Cup)
Dawson, Daly, Mitchell, Hunter, Murray (Rivers)
Sydney (after the city)
Darcy (after Les Darcy, Australian boxer)
Flynn (after Dr John Flynn, Royal Flying doctor)
Hope these help and all the best!
I like the idea of an Australian theme name, though I’ve never been there so will let those with more knowledge offer the suggestions.
Arlo is nice, but it’s not quite right with Scarlett for me. August/Gus is closer, but feels like it is missing the spunk of Scarlet. Dashiell/Dash is just about perfect IMO. Unusual but known and mirrors the spunky feel I get from Scarlett. Looking at some of the Aussie suggestions, Lachlan, Archer & Falcon all have the same kind of spunky feel.
I do also like the idea of blending the 2 families. I think it would send a clear message that you aren’t rejecting your husband’s family, just that you value both the maternal & paternal sides. However, I know several families that take an all or nothing approach to juniors, so I’d only do this if I was 100% sure your husband’s family would be touched/see it as meaningful.
I think Henry sounds great with Scarlett, and Hank is spunky. However, it’s getting quite popular. August would probably be my next choice, and I like the idea of using Donald or Peter as a middle name. Good luck and congratulations?
That was supposed to be ”congratulations!”
No question mark!
I really like Henry Peter or Henry Donald for you. Hank seems to be very much your style, and although you’re not obligated to name your child after anybody, I think it might be easier to tell your father-in-law “We named our son after my father! (instead of you)” than “We named our son after this random famous Australian person! (instead of you)”
I’d probably go with Henry Donald, since Peter + Peirce-y is a little repetitive, and also so that if you have a second son it doesn’t feel like the next grandpa’s “turn.”
This is exactly the situation my MIL was in when her husband (a Jr) wanted to carry on the naming tradition into the third generation. My husband was very nearly a Donnie! Instead they moved it to the middle and gave him her pick in first name position. There were no hard feelings, he still has the honor name but tucked comfortably in the middle where he doesn’t have to deal with it day to day.
I love the idea of Henry Donald to honor both sides! Scarlett and Hank are too cute to pass up.
Austin nn Aussie is amazing and sounds fantastic with Scarlett. Austin Donald Peter gets my vote.
Holden is a popular car in Australia, and a cool name for a boy. My understanding is that it would be like naming your kid Ford or Chevrolet here. :)
As an Australian: Quentin Bryce is well-liked! However, she is a woman, if that changes anything.
Some Aussie options:
GIRLS –
Adelaide (city – I think it’s gorgeous with Scarlett)
Sydney (city)
Victoria (state)
BOYS –
Murray (river)
Darwin (city – a bit out-there but I think it’s great!)
Sidney (city)
Angus to get Gus? (I love it!)
Logan (city)
Griffith (city)
If you’re looking for Australian “flavoured” names, I suggest this website! http://waltzingmorethanmatilda.com/
I second ANGUS!!
I really like Connor with Scarlett.
Connor Donald
Connor Peter
Connor Henry
Scarlett Jane and Connor Henry is my favorite combo.
I like Dashiell for you and I don’t see it getting transformed to douche. Henry Peter is a nice way to blend the family names, too. If you need some more ideas how about Sebastian, or Sterling? I think those would work well with Scarlett and the surname.
Since you kindof like August, and want Gus as a name, have you considered Augustus or Augustin? How about just Gus? I actually quite like Scarlett and Augustus. i imagine a charming, but serious young man with his spunky sister. ;)
Australia uses many names that are a different style than popular American names. Check out the “Waltzing More Than Mathilda” blog. Looking at the popularity charts, some popular Aussie names that would be more unique in the US are Cooper, Lachlan, Levi, Braxton, and Flynn, Archie/Archer, and Ryder.
I also do like Dashiell for you. And if you want Gus, what about Angus (also saw this on an Australian sight). Or Gustavus (like the University), or Fergus, or Magus.
I actually love Scarlett and Fergus (Gus). Fergus Donald Pierc(ie)
My first thought was “Banjo”. Good luck!
I just had quite a hunt around and couldn’t find any names that ‘Dash’ is generally short for other than ‘Dashiell’ which seems to be meaning unknown maybe comes from the French place name ‘de Chiel’.
‘Dash’ is strongly linked to the Kardashians and their clothing chain ‘Dash’ and Kourtney’s son’s middle name ‘Mason Dash Disick’.
I saw suggested that to use ‘Dash’ without ‘Dashiell’ you could use a first name starting with ‘D’ and a middle name starting with ‘Ash’. e.g. Daniel Ashton. This could be a perfect way of incorporating ‘Donald’ for you seeing your husband is part of a naming tradition. Donald Ashley? Donald Ashton? Donald Asher? I like the last one the best, Asher is a lot more current than Ashley and I am just not a huge fan of Ashton because of Kutcher… not that I don’t like Kutcher but it just feels like HIS name to me :)
Alternatively, I have just realised it is totally feasible that ‘Dash’ could be a nickname for any name that starts with ‘Ash’. You could have ‘Asher Donald Pierce-see’ or even ‘Asher Donald Peter Pierce-see’ so as to keep the sequence of the naming tradition in tact but just have an extra name on the front?
Another option is ‘Donald Peter Asher Pierce-see’, known by ‘Asher’ nn ‘Dash’? 2 middle names (Peter Asher) is lovely in my opinion (my son has 2 middle names). And being known by a middle name is also lovely IMO! In one branch of my family there is a tradition of naming all of the boys ‘William Middlename Surname’, known by Middlename (so all the boys have the first name ‘William’ but none of them are called ‘William’). Hence ‘Donald Peter Asher Pierce-see’, known by ‘Asher’ nn ‘Dash’… this is getting a little complicated but hopefully you get my drift! It honours the naming tradition (although I suppose your son would not technically be ‘Donald Peter Pierce-see III’.
Another option is you just say ‘Dash’ is your nickname for ‘Donald’ and then you can have ‘Donald Peter Pierce-see III’?
For some reason I have locked onto ‘Dash’ and have just realised you had several other options and were interested in Australian names.
– I am in Australia and have to say that the only name which mirrors ‘Matilda’ for boys is ‘Banjo’. I guess other than that you have placenames… there are not really that many Australian places names that Australians frequently use for first names I don’t think!
– ‘Gus’ I love and can also be a nickname for ‘Angus’ (v popular in Autralia) and ‘Gustavo’/’Gustavo and ‘Augustus’ as well as ‘August’ which you mentioned already.
P.S. I have used ‘Asher’ throughout my comment but you could use any name starting with ‘Ash-‘ – there is a huge list of ‘Ash-‘ boy names here http://www.babynamespedia.com/start/m/ash
Sorry I have got fixated on your naming issue but was thinking about what are the boy names that ‘feel’ the most Australian to me:
– Lachie (pronounced Lockee) short for Lachlan
– Finn
I can’t really say why they feel so Australian… I guess it is just because they are often-used and seeing that I am not from Australia myself but live here, I know they are more used here than my English-speaking home country.
My favourite names for the sibling set would be (not necessarily Australian though) :
August or Augustus. I prefer Augustus. nn Gus. :) Scarlett and Augustus. LOVE.
Henry.
Theodore. Have you considered Theodore? It has several opportunities for nicknames. Scarlett and Theodore. Kinda cute!
Oswald. nn. Oz or Ozzy which I think is sooo cute on a little boy, spunky and not very common. I love the sib set.
Finnian.
Although I like Darwin (believe it is a city in Australia) as it’s not very common, I feel that Scarlett and Darwin is mouthful.
I personally love Arlo but I agree, for some reason it runs into Scarlett becoming Scarlo…. but could keep it on your list if you end up having another boy? once you have another name in the mix it may not run together as much. eg. Scarlett, _______, and Arlo.
As for middle names, use your honour name(s) there. Both my kids have two middle names after each of their grandparents and we haven’t had any issues thus far with that. So use Donald Peter or Donald Henry. I think if neither of you 100% love these names for your babes’ first name then the middle name is an excellent place for honour names.
Good luck and keep us posted.
One more that I forgot to add on my list… What about Wells?
Seistle’s ‘island’ idea made me think of Fraser – it’s an island off the coast of Queensland that is incredibly beautiful. Fraser would be an awesome name for a little boy!
Sorry, stupid thumbs, ‘Swistle’ not ‘Seistle’!
I don’t get why not more people use two middle names. Henry Donald Peter is great!
I’ve never heard a bad word about Quentin Bryce and she seems like a pretty interesting person. It’s a nice subtle nod to Australia and I like the idea of naming a boy after a woman.
I always think of Banjo (Patterson) or Murray (River), I think they are kind of ridiculous in Australia, but cool anywhere else. Roo as a middle name? Okay. I’ll stop!
please don’t name your son III, unless you love it. My husband is a III and it is so confusing and annoying — because he was the youngest, he got the nickname PJ which he doesn’t love as a now 67 year old person. we named our son Peter James instead of Paul Joseph and people always assume that PJ is the child.
I love the suggestions of Lachlan, Flynn, Angus “Gus”, and Archer best, and these seem like easy matches with Scarlett while not being common in the US. Archer “Pierce-ee” might seem a bit strange though, at least it sounds funny to me.
There was actually a famous American-Australian called Donald – Don Lane, a big-deal multi award-winning comedian and chat show host. If you put Donald in the middle, it could be both a family name and an Australian name, and also an American name.
There is an Australian war hero named Sir Hudson Fysh, which I notice is one of the names Swistle suggested.
Banjo seems like a name you can only get away with in Australia … in the US, people are going to think of the instrument, not the poet.
I’m pretty far down in the comments, but I’m chiming in as a mom to an August nn Gus and a Theodore nn Theo (I see someone ahead of me suggested Theo). FWIW, I LOVE my boys’ nicknames and they were DEFINITELY the deciding factor in choosing both of their names. I like their given names very much, but not as much as the nicknames, and have not had a moment’s regret in either case about choosing these names. Also, both of their given names have really grown on me over time, especially August. AND, my husband is a Jr and there was much discussion each time about having a III. I left it up to my husband and gave him the ultimate trump card; what we did instead was give our first son my husband’s first name, and our second son his middle name. If you think you might have more children someday…I like how this worked out because now they both have part of their dad’s name, and Gus didn’t get left out. Finally, I can also offer another, slightly less perfect but still acceptable way to get to “Gus” that I heard recently: Magnus. Whatever you decide, your list is terrific, and you won’t make a “bad” choice. Good luck!
Kids can sometimes be a bit squeamish about the topic of their conception, so I think I might set aside the thought of using a name chosen specifically as a reference to the country where that took place. ;-)
I like Henry Donald for your son — so much more meaningful for him and for your families.
I actually really like a lot of the Australia inspired names, but I have to agree with Patricia that it strikes me as a bit icky to name a child after where he/she was conceived. If you tell your son it’s because you took a trip to Australia and loved the country, maybe I’d be on board, but I’m not a fan of highlighting for your offspring just exactly how and where they came to be. :)
I really like Simon with Scarlett. It is uncommon but still recognizable. I like the name Simon Augustus P. You could call him Simon or Gus. I also like Augustus Peter or August Peter, nickname Gus. I know a John Augustus nicknamed Gus. just wanted to throw Simon out there for you! Also, I also love Henry nickname Hank.
My husband’s name is Robert, which is also my Dad’s name. My dad is a jr. My husband is a fourth. Any other male in our immediate family has the first name Robert. (Both sets of grandpas in each of our families) We got pregnant and it was a boy. I thought it would be insane to name him Robert. The FIFTH considering all the numerous Roberts in the family. We picked Grayson or Colton. My husband was happy, then shortly before my son was born (at 28 weeks that’s another story!) My hubby had huge reservations and had a deep desire to name his son after him. I gave in. Its his first son, our first child. In the end our 2lb baby had a very big name! But ultimately it felt right, like he needed it. Anyway all that to say, be ready in case your hubby changes his mind! You may have a harder choice! Also I do love Henry Donald. Great compromise, solid name, matches with the timeless-ness of Scarlett (which I love btw! Alas I’m prego with another boy) Good luck!