Emily writes:
We are adrift in a sea of likable names with absolutely no respite on the horizon. You helped us name our would-be little girl last time; this time we know for a fact that we have a little boy joining us the first week of August and we are starting to panic. I know we have four months left but naming the baby, and calling them by their name, has become a very big part of our bonding process (including adding their name to our bedtime prayers and starting on a name quilt) and right now we feel disconnected.
Our first child is Willi@m Br@dley, but we call him Liam (almost all the time). I love, love, love his name. He was named for my husband and my father and his name just makes me happy. For boy number two we wanted something that fits nicely as a full name with William and has a nickname that goes nicely with Liam (so I’m not yelling incongruous names down the street). Your help would be so, so valuable to us since we feel completely and utterly lost.
For some context if we ever have a girl she would be Eleanor Ruth (we changed the middle from Delaney when we decided we really wanted family names) and we’d like to have no more than four children. We’ve given up all hope on a family first name for Boy #2, though we do still try to accommodate my other completely arbitrary naming “rule” that their first and middle name adds up to no more than four syllables (Emily Gr@ce, @aron Willi@m, Willi@m Br@dley, ……..)
We like…
Theodore, but don’t like the nicknames (Theo, Teddy, Ted, TJ)
Elijah, but my husband just isn’t sold
Oscar, but calling him Ozzie for a nickname seems like we’re trying too hard and Oscar just didn’t stick
Killian, but don’t want him to have to reference a beer for his whole life
Lachlan, but it didn’t “test drive” well (nn: Lachy [locky])
Charles, but we don’t want to seem like anglophiles
Louis, again, it didn’t “test drive” well
Edward, but there’s a negative family connection
Thomas, but we don’t like Tommy (or Freddy for Frederick, Phil for Phillip)
Edwin, which my husband says sounds too “old man”
Ezra, we’re afraid it’s too short next to his brother’s name
Micah, just doesn’t seem to fit (William, Micah, Eleanor)
Aaron, my husband never liked his first name so he doesn’t want to use it for baby #2
Levi, same issue as EzraSamuel Willi@m and Jackson C@rl are my brothers but we love their names. We’d like to use Jackson as a middle name if possible but that’s not set in stone either. Other family names we’ve considered for the middle are Russell, Sterling, Joseph, or Ward. None of them were deemed likable enough (or there were other reasons) for not using them as first names.
My husband’s favorite is Howard (for family and literary reasons) but I have threatened to do everything short of kidnapping the baby in order to not name him Howard. My favorite was Tobias (nn: Toby) but my husband said that’s an absolute no-go for him. This caused us to agree to veto both names completely and not bring them up again so they’re both off the list.
As you can see we’re all over the place. Even reading through each and every one of the Baby Name Wizard name style lists hasn’t helped. Please point us in the right direction!
Thank you so much for your help.
Nathaniel, nn Nate
I like Nate and Liam together. Great suggestions. I also like Andrew and William together with the nicknames Liam and Drew.
I like Andrew too. I’m not sure they’d want Andrew Jackson though, so a different middle name would have to be figured out.
Was going to suggest Nathaniel nn Nate too! Great match!
Would you consider Howard, nn Hoby? It is a stretch, as nicknames go. But I know a Howard – he’s a III, and was born in the 1970s, when Howard was a really out-there name, and he goes by Hoby. I’m not sure how much that’s one person’s unusual nickname sticking, and how much that’s a workable diminutive. But if Howard is your husband’s top name, and you like Toby … I can’t help but think of Howard, nn Hoby.
William Bradley & Howard Jackson (Hmmm … is that too close to Howard Johnson?), Liam and Hoby
William Bradley & Howard Joseph, Liam and Hoby
Oh, I just did a search and yup, there are other Howards, nn Hoby … so it could be an option.
Ah, I was just reading The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt (it’s really good, everybody! Worth reading) and there is a character called Hobie in it– I believe it’s explained as an old fashioned nickname for Howard in the book.
Are you just loving this book? I sure did. Now it’s hard to find something as compelling to read.
I’m completely in the same boat, Gail. I finished it a week or two ago and since then have been flailing from one novel to the next without really finishing any of them. Everything pales in comparison to The Goldfinch. It’s definitely the best book I’ve read in the past year. Last weekend I started Americanah by Chimamanda Adichie, which is very beautifully written and emotionally engaging, but…quiet. I’ll finish it eventually but there’s little momentum plot-wise propelling me forward. The Goldfinch was so hard to put down! I might try a 19th century novel, next like maybe a Dickens I haven’t read yet– something very suspenseful and well-plotted like Tartt’s book was.
Also, have you read her first novel, The Secret History? It’s fantastic! I can’t say the same for her second book, The Little Friend (it was a tad slow), but if you haven’t read The Secret History yet, you’re in for a treat.
Well, I do really like Elijah nn Eli. Could Husband become more sold on it? Elijah and William are both old fashioned names & Liam/Eli have the new age spunk. Elijah Jackson would work – although I will say, I actually like Elijah Samuel (from your other brother) better & think it pairs better with William Bradley.
On the other hand – if you are very set on Eleanor Ruth maybe that firmly rules out Elijah for you – as you would then have 2 E named children (plus you yourself being an E name)?
Would Jackson in the fn spot be a possibility, perhaps with the nn. Jack or Jax to keep from their being two in the family? Jackson Samuel after both brothers might be nice.
If you could get past your distaste for Howard, would Howard nn Ward be something to consider? Since Ward is a family name that may be a nice connection & make husband happy.
Other ideas: Oliver nn Ollie, Finlay nn Finn, Grayson nn Gray, Arthur nn Art
A few ideas…
Bennett (nn Ben)
Everett or Garrett (nn Rhett)
Oliver (nn Ollie)
Eamon (nn Ames)
Owen
Sullivan (nn Sully or Van)
George (nn Geordie)
If the beer reference is the only drawback from Killian, you could use the traditional spelling, Cillian, with maybe a nickname of Ian.
I really like Ezra Jackson.
I knew a boy named Jovani, nn Jovi. I am not a HUGE fan of Willi@m and Jovani together, but I really like the nicknames together. Liam and Jovi, so cute!
Neither of these work with the middles name Jackson, but: I like Andrew and prefer the nn Andy. I also like John, nn Jack with William/Liam and with Eleanor. Maybe you could use Howard as a middle name. John nn Jack could also be the connection with your brother’s name.
You could use Flip as a nickname for Philip. I’m not sure if it works with Liam, but since Liam is not the go-to nickname for William (in my mind – Bill/Billy Will/Willy) it could work. Maybe take some of the names you like and find more unique nicknames.
Christopher nn Topher
Frederick nn Rick
It’s a stretch, but you could use Toby for Thomas
A couple of ideas…Sebastian nn Baz, Phineas nn Phinn but that looks odd but then it seems odd to use Finn too…hmm maybe not that one, Henry nn Hank, which is I think my very favorite with the sibling name (potential future girl name).
And I like the suggestion of Eamon and nn Ames. So cute!
It seems to me that the point of least resistance on the list you and your husband are considering is “we don’t want to seem like Anglophiles”. I think it’s pretty easy to turn that thought pattern around, or explain the choice of Charles in various other ways. Charles could just as easily be considered a Francophile name, for example. Plus it neatly includes Carl, one of your brothers middles, in its Germanic origins.
So, I humbly suggest Charles Jackson, nn’d Charlie. Adorable with Liam, not overused, inarguably tasteful.
Good luck!
This was my thought, too. I think Charles is very nice with the surname also.
I had William plus a lot of the names on your list on my list during my second pregnancy (we had a girl). I especially like Elijah, Louis, and Micah for you. Since we seem to have some taste overlap I’m going to suggest my son’s name– Noah– and a few more I like: Benjamin, Ian, Joshua, & Zachary. I like all of those with Jackson, though some would take you over 4 syllables. I like Andrew, which someone suggested, too, but I’d avoid Jackson with that one.
David nn Davey would be great with William nn Liam.
Liam and Davey
Other suggestions:
Henry nn Harry
Callum nn Cal
Thomas nn Tom
Nathan nn Nate
Jacob nn Jake
Matthew nn Matt
James nn Jamie
Nicholas nn Nick or Cole
Benjamin nn Ben
Alexander nn Alex or Xander
Richard nn Hardy
Good luck!
For what it’s worth, I have a Thomas and I find that nearly everyone asks what he goes by, and I don’t think anyone has called him Tommy. He goes almost exclusively by Tom since that is what we call him and everyone has followed our lead.
Have you considered Ed as a nickname for Theodore? I don’t think it’s an impossible stretch, and I see you have Edwin and Edward down on your list as well which makes me think you’re ok with Ed. Or even Ned?
Or do you like:
Oliver (I think Ollie is a really cute nickname)
Julian
John (nickname Johnny or Jack)
Harvey
Miles
Patrick
Declan
Eamon
Peter
Good luck!
No one has suggested August nn Gus yet?
That name was my first thought upon reading your post. It might be because my father in law is William August.
Plus he’s due in August, and August Jackson sounds delightful :)
This was my inclination too! August can also be Augie which I’ve heard in use and find absolutely adorable on a little boy.
By the way, Cillian is an awesome name! I much prefer the traditional spelling which removes the word ‘kill’ and the beer association.
It also reminds me of the dreamy actor Cillian Murphy, nickname Cilly, who has definitely increased awareness of the name.
Victor, nn Vic?
Alexander/Xander
Daniel/Dan
Matthew/Matt
Robert/Rob/Robbie (I think this is an underrated classic)
Isaac/Ike
Luke (No nn, but pairs well with both Liam and William and Luke Jackson is great)
I second the Nathaniel recommendation!
I wonder if you’d like Spencer, Miles or Felix? I wonder because we have some family names in common with your list and these are family names in my family. Or also a personal favourite (thanks Lost!): Desmond. I think any of these would both work well with Jackson, with a sibling named William and your no-more-than-4-syllables rule! I especially love Desmond Jackson (H)all, nn Dez or Dezi, sibling to William nn Liam.
I think, stylistically, Charles sounds best with William. I wouldn’t let the Anglophile angle throw you, especially since William goes by Liam. I love the nickname Charlie, and think Charlie and Liam are adorable together.
I also rather like Levi, and don’t find Levi to sound shorter than William (both two syllable names…), but I do find Levi and Liam to be a bit close in sound. Still wouldn’t be a deal breaker for me!
Alternatively, I love Benjamin with William (and your last name). Liam and baby Ben. Very sweet.
What about Ethan? I like that a lot, too.
Good luck! You have lots of great choices!
I do really like the suggestions of Nathan/Nate (or Nathaniel/Nate) and Andrew/Drew for you.
Charles is by far my favorite from your list and I’m not so sure I’d worry about the names seeming too English together. But since that is a concern for you, maybe mixing up the nickname a bit would help? Chaz and Chip are both traditional nicknames for Charles that perhaps won’t feel quite so English royal family as Charlie. FWIW, I have a William & a George and have never gotten a single comment about the royal family or the “Englishness” of their names. Carl is also the German version of Charles, so Charles has the added benefit of the family connection to your brother Jackson Carl. Though, I’d probably change the middle name from Jackson to Samuel so that you could incorporate both your brothers’ names. Charles Samuel.
Or what about John with the nickname Jack? You’d get the tribute to Jack and could use another family name as the middle.
August/Augustus called Auggie? Liam & Auggie
Calvin/Cal Liam & Cal
Nicholas/Nick Liam & Nick
Jacob/Jake Liam & Jake
Harris/Harry Liam & Harry
Everett/Rhett Liam & Rhett (oh, I really like this one).
Isaac/Ike Liam & Ike
Gabriel/Gabe Liam & Gabe
I second the suggestion of Isaac/Ike. Ike is one of the best boy nicknames I’ve ever come across. William and Isaac. Liam and Ike. Such a great pair!
Out of your list, I really enjoy Charles (and that name has the easiest “objection” to overcome). William and Charles. Liam and Charlie.
Have you considered Nicholas/Nick/Cole? William and Nicholas make a great pair, and Nicholas gives you a few options for nicknames.
Lots of good ideas from everyone!!
The one I wanted to add was Albus or Alfred, nickname Al.
Of all the names on your list and all those suggested, my favorite by far is Charles Samuel.
I think William & Charles are a perfect classic/timeless pairing with the added bonus of great nicknames – Liam & Charlie/Chip
I also love the flow of William, Charles, and Eleanor!
i love the suggestions of Nathaniel/Nate and Gabriel/Gabe. Howard nn Hobie or Howie could be cute!
Fritz is a cute nickname for Frederick if you don’t like Freddy.
Theodore could have the nickname Tip, and Christopher could use Kit.
How about Leonard or Leonardo with nn Leo? maybe too close to Liam.
Harrison/Harry
Henry/Hank
Timothy/Timmy
Good luck!
Is Howard 100% off the table? An acquaintance of mine used it for a baby about 2 years ago and for a few weeks I thought Huh. Howard. And then suddenly it clicked and I love it and have been recommending it to so many people. Howie! Love!
Lots of good suggestions, I can only think of
Hugh/Huey
Calum/Cal
There are just a couple of names that repeat in my son’s Kindergarten grade and one of them is Howard! I was so surprised, as I’d never met any boys named Howard before and now suddenly there are two of them. In fact, I think one of them even has an older brother named William, who goes by Will.
One of the Howards goes by Howie and the other goes by Howard. So it’s a very normal and popular name to my son’s ears.
I love Charlie, Harry and John that were already suggested. I also know a Graham Jackson _.
William and Graham or Liam and Gray
What about Tobin, nn Toby? I like it far more then Tobias, but it still feels classic.
Also, Kemuel, nn Kem. This is the name we’ll use if we have a boy in September, I love that it’s an old name (obscure, but biblical), and the nickname is easy. Similar to Samuel, but just different enough.
I was going to mention Robert nn Rob, Bert, or Robin as an excellent match with William nn Liam
My other favs from the comments were Henry nn hank and Gabriel nn gabe
I would add Abraham nn Abe, Isaiah nn Ike, and Johannes nn Hans
What about Frederick nn Fritz. Or my nephew is Fitz and I LOVE his name! You could do Fitzpatrick or Fitzgerald.
I also really like Charles from your list! What about the nickname Chase? I work with a Charles who goes by Chase. Liam and Chase. William and Charles. Charles Jackson.
Nathaniel Jackson, nn Nate, also seems like a good choice for the sibling set.
Other suggestions…
– Latham. Nn Tad. Latham Jackson.
– Eldridge. Nn Eli. Eldridge Jackson.
– Roland. Nn Roe. Roland Jackson.
– Stanley. Nn Stan. Stanley Jackson.
Best of luck with your decision!
I know brothers named William and Charles that go by Liam and Les and I think that’s just adorable! I also love the suggestion of Liam and Charlie. Good luck and congratulations!
I recommend :
Michael Joseph – Liam and Mike
David Jackson – Liam and Dave
Peter Jackson. – Liam and Pete
Matthew Jackson – Liam and Matt
Jason Russell – Liam and Jay
I would avoid Peter Jackson just because of the Lord of the Rings director. I think he’s almost a household name (i.e. I also wouldn’t go for George Lucas or James Cameron).
I know this one is going to seem random, but what about Leonard, nn Leo? Or Henry? or Michael? or even John? Classic can be super nice in a sea of unusual.
Don’t discount Frederick until you’ve considered Rick / Ricky as a nickname – it’s a wonderful match with William and Eleanor, and Rick (H)all / Ricky (H)all sounds great!
Nathaniel and Charles are my favorites with William. Chase and Chad are more nickname options for Charles. I think Liam and Chase make a very modern set of brothers! I also wanted to suggest Lucas as a formal name for Luke, but it’s not needed as Luke stands well on its own. If Elijah doesn’t work for your husband, how about Elias? I kinda stumble over Liam and Eli though.
Your style isn’t mine, so I’m not sure I have a total grasp on it. Here are some suggestions though:
Simon- Cy or Monty
Edmund- it’s neither Edward or Edwin, but it’s equally respectable and established
Peter- Pete is so friendly! And “Liam and Pete” sound like they could be adventurers in the same novel.
Julian- Here’s an overlooked classic. Jules makes a nice nickname and literary nod (think Jules Vern).
Norman- I like how Liam and Norm sound both casual and familiar.
Franklin- Frank is a particularly manly nickname. Liam and Frank could be awesome together! (Franklin Carl does sound rather great).
Milton- Milt is no where near the popularity of William or Liam.
Gordon- Gordo and Gordy are solid nicknames for this era.
Really, my favorite from the lists you mentioned is Howard. Hoby is crazy-cute, all-boy, and a fine companion to Liam.
Best wishes as you welcome your charming new son!
I would definitely revisit Charles. Especially since it sounds like you would be calling them by their nicknames most of the time. I also suggest Gabriel “Gabe”, Nathan “Nate” and Benjamin “Ben” and I would throw out the syllable rule.
My apologies if there are duplicate responses but I didn’t have a chance to read through all of the comments.
I love your naming style!! It is very similar to mine so I will share with you some of the names we love:
Oliver. William and Oliver. Liam and Ollie. I love this. I love that the names share similar sounds but nothing enough to muddle them up. I may be biased because we have an Oliver but we weren’t 100% sure when we first named him (were in the same boat as you) and now we love love love his name and receive nothing but compliments on it. I also love this option with William and possibly future Eleanor.
Charles. I know you weren’t really sure about this but Liam and Charlie? Sooo cute!!
What about Simon? You could use the nn Sims. This was our second name we had picked out.
Maxwell. William and Maxwell. Liam and Max or Liam and Wells.
What about Walter? Liam and Walt.
Franklin. William and Franklin. Liam and Frankie.
What about August? Liam and Gus. Or Liam and Auggie. Sooo cute!!
K this might be too far out there but I’ve always loved Fitzpatrick. Nn Fitz. It’s such a great name!
Other names:
George
Arthur
Jack
Henry
Louis
Judah just because I love Jude so much. Liam and Jude.
Good luck and keep us posted!!
I’ve always found the nickname Win for Winston charming, and your listing Edwin and Lachlan made me think of it. Winston Samuel sounds nice, as does William and Winston, and Liam and Win.
I like the suggestion of Isaac/Ike. I also thought of a kid I know named Thurgood nn Goody if that’s appealing to you.
I also really like Charles for you. Liam and Charlie are adorable together. And, I don’t think the royal association is that strong since William and Charles are in different generations. William and Henry, on the other hand, does make me think immediately of the princes.
Henry does go so nicely with William, though. I wonder if either of you would like Harold (nn Harry) instead. It reminds me of Howard, but the association to me is a little more “purple crayon.”
I also like Andrew (nn Drew) for you because it’s got the common end-of-name nickname with William (Liam) and a potential Eleanor (Nora).
And, who doesn’t love Joseph from your list? So stinking cute. I also love the names Peter and Daniel. But, I would, since I named my boys those names.
Good luck!
Edwin/Edward+Oscar = Edgar?
I’m the original poster and wanted to update everyone. We are still debating but your thoughts are so very helpful. My husband threw Titus in the hat just before declaring he was going on a name hiatus.
Thoughts on Titus?
I have a Lachlan (Lachie) and a William (we call him Liam day to day)… Lachie and Liam. I think they go nicely together.. But I’m biased ;)
Angus or Hamish were out picks for a boy for our baby3.. But she turned out to be a girl :)
Oscar has always been high on my list. I once thought of using a Z name as a middle name as a way to solidify the Oz/Ozzie nickname. Oscar Zebedee “Oz” was my guilt pleasure name. Oscar Zachariah or Oscar Zachary would be other options.
I would second the suggestion of Abraham, but with the nickname Bram. William & Abraham, Liam & Bram.
For what it’s worth… I have two boys Theodore and Edwin- both on you like but not using list. They both go exclusively by their full names (they just fit best) and their nicknames and “biggie” and “Smalls” (it’s ironic because the younger Smalls is huge).
Edwin did seem old man until I put it on a baby- then it was adorable! It was a family name so strongly favored by us…
We are having our 3rd- here are my boy favorites- all shot down by my husband for boys…
Raymond
Franklin
Joseph
Stanley
Thomas
Byron
Lawerence
Louis
Also with the middle name Jackson nn could always be _J…. TJ, RJ,JJ ect
Oh also- we both LOVE Simon, but don’t feel like we can go there with a Theodoreš