Erin writes:
My husband and I are expecting our 3rd baby (and most likely last) at the end of February and are absolutely stuck for names! We do not have a single name that has survived the list for our baby boy! Our girl list is, of course, running wild!
Our other kids are named Charlie Flynn and Lucy Faye, though she goes Faye, so in some ways we would like a middle name that is a bit different and starts with F, but at this point we just need anything! Our last name is hyphenated (Fleece-Smith) so we not as in to long names or first names that sound like surnames.
Another issues is that we can not use family names of any sort because the families don’t really get along and because it’s our last child, we shouldn’t start now. So names that are out are: William, Owen, Paul, James, Thomas, Alexander and John. Of these we like James, Owen and Paul.
Other names that we have considered and discarded are:
Toby (not strong enough)
Elliott (ditto, though this is one I like a lot)
Ford (I think this may be too cool)
Jack (too popular)
Noah (weak again)
Oliver (ditto)
Henry (too popular)
Luke (and all of it’s permutations: Luca, Lucas, etc–way too popular, there are 3 kids named Luca in my son’s pre-K class of 25)For a girl we would pick Alice Leigh, Lilly Alice (or reversed), Maia or Penelope (Penny) Jane. Obviously we dropped the ball on the F middle names on these!
Thanks!
Before seeing your list of rejected candidates, I would have suggested Oliver: it’s one of my favorites with Charlie, and both of those names were on our finalist list for our youngest son Henry. I don’t think of it as weak at all—maybe I’d call it gentle, or gentlemanly. But Oliver in the musical is one tough cookie despite being a little sweetie-pie, so I think of the name Oliver as having connotations of courage and strength and perseverance.
Henry would have been my next suggestion, if it weren’t also on the rejected list. It’s at #46 for 2012, but Charlie and Lucy are comparably popular if we take into account the various ways people get to the names (Charlie from Charles and Charlie, Lucy from Lucy and Lucia and Luciana and Lucille and Lucinda).
My third thought was Leo (another from our finalist list for Henry). Leo Fleece-Smith; Charlie, Faye, and Leo.
While I’m at it, let me think—what else was on that finalist list? Alan (family name, and we’d been watching a show with Alan Alda), Milo, and…hm. Funny how I must have gone over that list a million times, yet I can’t remember it now. Charlie, Henry, Oliver, Leo, Alan, Milo, and…. Well, it’ll come to me. (I finally looked it up because it was driving me crazy, and it was Elliot—another from your list!)
Ford seems perfect for the unusual-F-middle name if it works with the chosen first name, since you like it but are worried it’s a little too cool. I like Franklin and Frederick, too. Or Forest, or Felix, or Fox, or Fletcher? Or Fisher is one of the middle names we considered for Henry. (Paul never liked it as much as I did: I’d just read a novel with a very appealing character in it named Fisher.)
For a girl, I love Flora and Florence and Fiona and Felicity and Frances and Fern. Or Faith, or Flossie is vintage and adorable.
If you like Owen, I wonder if you’d like Ian? Ian Fleece-Smith; Charlie, Faye, and Ian.
Is Everett any stronger than Elliot to you? I love it with the sibling names. Everett Fleece-Smith; Charlie, Faye, and Everett.
I like George in this sibling set, too, and it has some of the sound of Ford. George Fleece-Smith; Charlie, Faye, and George.
Or perhaps Calvin? Calvin Fleece-Smith; Charlie, Faye, and Cal.
Or I love Joe with Charlie. Joe Fleece-Smith; Charlie, Faye, and Joe.
Or Malcolm? Malcolm Fleece-Smith; Charlie, Faye, and Malcolm.
Or Isaac: similar in sound to Jack, similar in style to Noah. The nickname Ike would be cute with Charlie. Isaac Fleece-Smith; Charlie, Faye, and Ike.
I wish the name Harvey would get a little more popular: it doesn’t seem very different than Henry to me, in look or in sound or in era. Harvey Fleece-Smith; Charlie, Faye, and Harvey.
Name update! Erin writes:
Hi! We had our baby, he was, and is, a boy! We continued to wrestle with names until the minute we were discharged! My favorite names were Elliot Ford or George Fox, and my husband came out of left field with his new favorite Archer Ford, but he also liked George Fox. So after much negotiating we arrived at George Fox! Thanks to you and your readers and commenters! At least we knew that the middle name would be Ford or Fox!
Since you like James, Owen, and Paul but can’t use them because of family issues, have you considered similar names.
instead of James, have you considered Jasper, Jared, or Miles?
Instead of Owen, have you considered Evan, Ethan, Or Rowan? What about names with long o at the end,? have you considered Leo, Theo, Matteo, Milo, or Nico?
Instead of Paul, have you considered Joel, Carl, or Saul?
Also, have you considered names that are similar to the ones you feel or not strong enough or too popular?
If Elliot is too eat would Everett would feel stronger? What about Garrett? If Toby is to weak, what about Tyler or Teddy? If Noah is too weak, have you considered Noel or Nathan? Instead of Oliver, what about Oscar?
Wow, what great suggestions! Very thoughtful response.
Starting with the middles I had the same thought about Ford, since you are drawn to it but have some doubts. That makes it a great candidate for a middle name. And I love Fern so much as a middle I don’t want to even think about any other F names, unless you go with Lilly- Lilly Fern is a bit too botanical. But Penelope Fern? Lovely. Alice Fern is nice, too.
For a boy how about Andrew, Jonathan, Matthew, Patrick, or Thomas? I particularly like Patrick Ford.
Ohh… I never thought of Fern. Fern is super cute. Fern and Flora are by far my two favourite choices for middle names.
First of all, I love your children’s names. I think Faye is very sweet, an old classic that feels surprisingly fresh. And Charlie is just a great, solid name.
Here’s a list of names that I would consider from the same popular time (early 1900’s) that I think would go great:
Franklin. Charlie, Faye and Frankie. SO CUTE!
Frederick.
Henrik (instead of Henry. Less popular, stronger feeling)
George.
Malcolm.
Walter. Charlie, Faye and Walt. This is pretty dang cute too.
What do you think about Oscar? Similar to Oliver but maybe a bit more spunky and stronger sounding? Charlie, Faye and Oscar.
We have an Oliver. We weren’t sure of the name when we picked it (we were in desperation mode and went back and forth every day for several weeks) but we totally love it now. We have had so many positive comments about his name. Plus, Ollie is super cute nickname. I would reconsider if you still like it, just aren’t sure if it is “strong” enough. I think it goes great with Charlie and Faye.
What about Leroy. Not sure how you feel about this name, but I think it’s pretty cute and spunky. It has similar sound to Leo but much less popular. Charlie, Faye and Leroy. That’s actually pretty cute sounding.
If you like Toby but it isn’t strong enough, what about Tobias? Could still use nn Toby but have a stronger name to fall back onto.
Middle name options:
Ford, Fisher, Floyd, Frederick or Franklin (although I prefer Franklin as a first name as Frankie is soo adorable.) You could also give him the same middle name as Charlie, Flynn, so the boys have a neat connection to each other.
Flora (LOVE THIS), Fauna, Fiona,
Good luck and keep us posted!!
My favourite Toby-esque name is Tobin. Tobias is a good suggestion, but I think Tobin sounds “stronger” due to the hard N. TOBIN TOBIN TOBIN! Do it. Tobin Ford would be awesome.
I love your naming style!
Since Flynn and Faye both include a “y”, what about Farley for the middle? I also agree with Swistle that Ford could be fun!
Suggested above, the first name that came to mind was Garrett. Garrett Farley.
I like Gareth too.
How about Samuel, nn Sam? Charlie, Faye & Sam – my favorite!
I could see Nathan working nicely. Charlie, Faye & Nate
Peter? Charlie, Faye & Peter
Or, Joshua? Charlie, Faye & Josh
I like Emmett with your sibset. Charlie, Faye & Emmett
Nolan? Charlie, Faye, & Nolan – wish I heard this name more!
Good luck!
Simply in terms of rounding out the sibset, I think Henry and Penny are near perfect in all regards–relative popularity, sound, style, & length.
Henry Forest and Penelope Fern get my vote.
Otherwise, all of Swistle’s suggestions are great, you cannot go wrong with any of them.
Love Henry Forest & Penelope Fern! Henry really does work so nicely!
What about
Arthur Jay – nn Artie
Alfie Ford
Elias – nn Eli
Isaac
Miles
Rhys
Troy
Freddie
Guthrie
I’d like to suggest Harry. Charlie, Faye, & Harry
Harry Floyd or Harold Floyd
Just reading through your list I would suggest:
Matthew
Phillip
Miles
Peter
Calvin
Simon
Henry
Samuel
Daniel
Oh boy, this is a hard one. I do have to say – Noah — weak?! The man BUILT AN ARK!! lol. but ok brainstorming some suggestions:
For Boys:
Max, Fred/Freddie, Samuel
I think Ford would be great in the mn spot. It has the trendy feel Flynn has with Charlie.
Samuel Ford Fleece-Smith.
Charlie, Faye, and Samuel.
For Girls:
Johanna, Elsa, Amy
Mn ideas: Farah, Febe, Flora, Francis.
Elsa Francis Fleece-Smith.
Charlie, Faye, and Elsa.
I love Otis for you!!!
Otis Ford
Otis Frederick
Otis Frank
My taste in boys names is ‘gentler’ too and I used to think they were too weak. I’d encourage you to embrace it! There are so many masculine traits that are wonderful even if they are not macho. Gentleness, creativity, sincerity, generosity, patience are the kinds of things that come to mind with names like Noah and Oliver for me. But also spunky and energetic. I think they are names that when people hear them as adults, they’ll feel like they can trust them. :)
Aww totally love this comment. And yes, totally suits my Oliver :)
Peter. Charlie, Faye, and Pete
Absolutely love the name Alice!
Charlie, Faye and Alice. Love! Alice Fiona sounds lovely. Really like Jane in the first name spot with your other Children’s names too.
Charlie, Faye and Jane. Jane Felicity and Jane Florence are great!
For a boy, Peter Ford or Henry Franklin would be my picks.
All the best!
Love all these suggestions! I know a man named Henry Fox ________ and I have always loved it! If not Henry, Swistle’s suggestion of Harvey is awesome.
What about Tyler or Grant?
I’m not sure where you live, but just want to send this piece of warning. Up in Canada right now, Toronto’s mayor ROB FORD has been a national embarrassment. He has recently been discovered to have used crack cocaine, has been found to be on numerous drunken escapades, along with many other embarrassing disasters (such as discussing his disgusting sex life to media). I’m not sure if you are aware of this or not, but has been on international news for the past few months. (worth googling his name)
So, despite thinking Ford is a neat middle name option, I personally would be VERY careful with what first name you pair with it. Even reading the name Peter Ford, it is so close to sound as Rob Ford that it actually makes me cringe.
That being said, it definitely affects me as I live in Canada so we hear his name on an almost daily basis, whereas you may not even be aware of the situation. Just thought I would put that out there. But may be a non-issue.
I just wanted to say that I’m also Canadian (and unfortunately a Rob Ford constituent) and I would keep this association in mind if you’re from the area however, it wouldn’t rule out names like Peter for me at all. A name like Peter doesn’t have anything to do with the Mayor and I don’t how it could make people think of him. (For reference, Rob Ford is the Mayor and his two brothers are Doug and Randy).
I also wanted to caution against Henry Ford- he was super famous and that name has much too much baggage. It’s not a bad association but I think everyone deserves a little more of a unique name. (it would be like naming your kid John with the middle name Kennedy).
Just popped in to suggest Rory. Rory Fleece-Smith; Charlie, Faye, and Rory.
I know of a sibset Henry, Charlie & Sam maybe you’d like Sam? Or Samuel?
Evan, Ethan, Myles, Theo, Harvey, Rudy, Rory, Abram, Eli? I also like Jack, but it may be too popular for you.
I don’t have a suggestion for the first name but my maiden name is Ford and ever since I was a young girl I always vowed that if I ever had a son, his middle name would be Ford. So far I have a girl but I plan on using Ford as a middle name if I have a son. So, my vote is for Ford for the middle name! It’s just a cool looking and sounding name. I was sad to have given up my maiden name when I got married!
George Fox! What a great name!
George Fox is also the name of the founder of Quakerism and a very well-known name among Quakers. Here’s a silly parody of “What Does the Fox Say” that you can sing to your baby: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/02/quaker-parody-what-does-george-fox-say_n_4531947.html
Congratulations on the addition of George Fox to your family! I have a 3 year old George Frederick, who was going to be Lucy if he was a girl, so I especially like your choice.