Megan writes:
My husband and I are trying to decide on a boy name for our first baby due August 12, 2014. We have a lot of finalists, but can’t decide which one is best, or if there is something similar that would be better.
Our last name is like Dawson with an L. My name is Megan, and my husband is Matthew (goes by Matt). We’d love an M name (our dog is named Maebee, goes by Mae), but can’t think of an M name we like (Max is OK, but not our favorite. Mason is too trendy. Too many friends named Micah).
We are pretty confident that we want to use Stone as the middle name. It is my maiden name and we both really like that it is a strong, easy to pronounce name. We’d use it as a first, but are worried about the nickname “Stoner” (we live in San Diego).
We want a name that is unique, but not too different. We don’t want one that is becoming really trendy though. We like classic names, but feel they are becoming too trendy.
Our finalists (and thoughts on each) are:
Finley (nn Finn) – my favorite, but worried it is going to become really trendy in the next few years. However, we are both surfers and love that the nickname is ocean-related. My husband prefers Findley for a girl, so we’re thinking of saving it in case we have a girl as our second.
Mateo (nn Teo) – this is our only M option, but is it weird that we are essentially naming him after my husband without using the same name? We’d call him Teo, which we both really like. We like that it is pronounceable in Spanish since we both speak Spanish and travel in Latin America frequently, but worry about using a Spanish name when we aren’t Hispanic.
Brooks – love this, except it doesn’t go with “Stone” as a middle name since it runs together and sounds like Brookstone.
Beckett (nn Becks) – also worried this is going to become trendy in the next few years.
Rio/Reo – same concern as Mateo about using a Spanish name when we aren’t Hispanic. My husband suggested the alternative spelling “Reo” – his brother was Richard and grandfather was Edward, so we are using their first initials.
Lane – my middle name is Laine, so this would be a spin on that. Not sure about the double LL sound though for first and last name.
Names we’ve considered but discarded:
Tobias
Cameron
Thiago
Oliver (nn Ollie)We’d really appreciate any thoughts or other suggestions you have.
I suggest Milo. It starts with M, and it’s similar to Mateo and Rio, but without the concerns. Milo Stone ()awson. My one hesitation is whether the -lo of Milo is not great with the La- of the surname. Mi-low-law.
In which case I suggest Miles. Miles Stone ()awson. [Edit: A commenter pointed out that both Milo Stone and Miles Stone sound like “milestone,” and I agree.]
I also love Malcolm. Malcom Stone ()awson.
Or Marcus.
Or Mitchell, though there’s some muddling with the L’s of first and last name. I also thought about Marshall, but with the surname I get Martial Law.
But before we go any further with the discussion of M names, let’s consider the consequences for future children. If you two both have M names and your dog has an M name and you give your first child an M name, will you feel that you need to keep using M names? Since you have only one M name you like for a boy, and since you might want to name a daughter Findley, this has the potential to paint you into a very tight and uncomfortable corner.
The issue of using names from a different nationality is an interesting one. Currently, it seems to depend on the particular nationality (the 1970s craze for Irish names didn’t seem very angsty), the particular community (some communities have a wider or different range of names than others), and the particular names (for example, someone might object to a significant/symbolic name of one culture being used outside that culture, but not mind two figs about run-of-the-mill names being used). Or there can be issues resulting from the traditional relationship of the two cultures.
The name Mateo seems fine to me, culturally-speaking, but I know very little on this topic; perhaps others will have more input. Names ending in -o are currently in style, and I think the fact that his dad’s name is Matthew is a plus, not a minus: it makes it a sort of honor name, and “explains” the use of the name to anyone who might find it surprising.
The name Rio feels riskier: it’s much less familiar/common in the United States (98 new baby boys named Rio in 2012, compared to 3,513 named Mateo/Matteo), and Duran Duran’s song about a female Rio still plays frequently on some radio stations (54 new baby girls were given the name in 2012). Spelling it Reo doesn’t strike me as an appealing solution, and the connection to an R from one family name and an E from another family name feels like a reach. I’d also say it falls into the “too different” category you’re trying to avoid: only 5 new baby boys were named Reo in 2012.
Theo is another possibility.
Or Nico.
You mention liking the ocean connections of the name Finley (903 new U.S. baby girls and 473 new U.S. baby boys in 2012), but Finley means something like “white-haired warrior.” Are you thinking of swim equipment fins and fish fins, or is there another connection to oceans/surfing? Another option is the name Ocean, given to 63 new U.S. baby boys and 54 new baby girls in 2012—similar in popularity to Rio. Or Kai is a Hawaiian word meaning “sea,” and might be a good fit for you: not too unusual, not too common (1,925 new U.S. baby boys and 277 new U.S. baby girls given the name in 2012). Or is there another surfing/ocean-related word that has meaning for you: the name of a beach, a famous surfer, etc.?
To narrow down a list of good candidates, I recommend thinking ahead to sibling names—as you’ve done with considering not using Finley because of the possibility of using Findley later for a girl. It’s not as if I’d suggest choosing all the names in advance (it’s hard enough to come up with one name at a time), but it’s a good exercise for narrowing down what it is you most like in a name, as well as for figuring out how important sibling name coordination is to you. We talked a few paragraphs ago about the issues involved in choosing an M name such as Mateo; it would also be a good idea to think about how the name goes with other names you’re likely to choose. Would you feel as if you had to choose another Spanish name for a second boy, or would you feel fine with, say, Mateo and Lane, or Mateo and Beckett, or Mateo and Brooks? I’d apply the same question to the other finalists: do any of them make you feel stuck with a theme, or as if other names on the list are ruled out?
Wow swistle gave some really great advice here!
I will say on babynamewizard, there was just a question on naming a girl Beck. So you may be right in that Beckish names will be getting trendy. good luck!
If you’re going to go with an M name for a boy, I’d do an M name for a girl, too, with Findley as the middle name.
I like the names Swistle gave (Milo/Miles, Malcolm, Marcus), and I’d like to add Marvin, Morgan, and Manny.
And I really like Mitchell, too. Martin. Malachy.
I really think that the name Kai is an awesome solution for you guys. Kai ()awson. Kai Stone ()awson.
Swistle was spot on with all of her advice. You’ve already mentioned a preference for non-M names for a future daughter, so I strongly recommend using non-M names for this baby (and future ones). Good luck!
I like Mateo for a boy. I don’t think it is odd that it is Spanish and I agree the connection to dad’s name is nice/helps explain a more uncommon choice.
If you use Mateo for a boy, you could save Lane for a future girl. You’d loose the M theme, but each child would have an honor name after one of the parents.
Finley & Beckett seem very trendy to me. You may find yourself disappointed by their trendiness/popularity later. I am not a fan of Findley, it looks like it should be said find-lee.
Oh! This brings up a good point as well – the connection between sib names can vary based on how you explain it. Ex: you don’t have to highlight that 3 of you are M names & a fourth isn’t, but could highlight the fact that one is named for father and the other for mother
I think if you’re stuck on using an “M” name, I love the suggestion of Miles and Malcolm for you, with possible nicknames Milo or Mac.
The issue of using a Spanish name when you’re not Hispanic is interesting, but I see it more and more often (I’m in northern California). I know a white blonde-haired Mateo and I also know another white boy named simply Teo. I think with this name and especially given that your husband is Matt, would work. Other names (Like Rio) would give me pause.
In both of these situations, however, you’re in a possibly tight predicament with another future child. Stick with “M” names? Or stick with Spanish names/names that crossover in Spanish?
If you scrap both of these ideas, I love the suggestions of Nico or Kai.
Water related: Arroyo, Adrian, Eddy… there are lots more of these for girls than boys and it gets tricky with word names if you want to use “Stone” as middle.
Other ideas:
Sawyer, Anders, Wilder, Julian, Alec, Abram, Trevor, Isaac, Felix, Oscar, Nathaniel, Gabriel, Elliott
Emmett
Love Milo! Miles Stone reads as milestone to me…not sure whether it would be an issue for you or not.
Also love Malachi instead of Malcolm.
Oh, I’m glad you pointed out the milestone thing—I hadn’t noticed that!
If Stone is a definite for the middle name, neither Milo nor Miles work to my ear because they sound like “milestone”, as another poster pointed out. But they are great names.
I think using a Spanish name when you’re not Hispanic is fine, especially considering that you live in a part of the country that is significantly Latino and Spanish speaking. If anything it’s a nod to another kind of assimilation, and I think it is great.
If I were you, I’d use Mateo (or Matteo) with the nickname Teo (TAY-o). Sounds very movie star with “Dawson” to me. I also like Mattea for a future daughter, if you don’t go with Mateo this time.
Good luck!
What about Brooks Mateo, if you love the name Brooks more than you are set on using Stone?
I think Mateo Brooks works but don’t know how it would be perceived in your area of the world. Beckett Stone is also great.
Some additional ideas:
Rafael, nn Rafe, Stone – link to Spanish, potential nickname that has a surfer sound :)
Keir Stone
Malachi/Malakai, nn Kai could be a way to keep the M and have a water related nn.
Dylan – meaning: son of the sea
Caspian (sea), Adrian (Adriatic)
Morgan
or word names like Bay, River, Calder?
All of this advice was so good!
Just wanted to second the Malachi/Malakai with the nickname Kai suggestion. It also locks you in to the M names less later on if he mostly goes by Kai. :)
This is exactly what I was thinking too!
Good point! Love the idea of Malakai. You get the M name and the nickname that doesn’t tie you into M names in the future with the added bonus of the water connection, which you could revisit for a sibling.
I liked the suggestions of Malachi, Malcolm, Miles, Milo, & Mitchell, but I also see the point about how using an M name could create pressure you don’t want later to keep using Ms. Going back to your discard list, I like Tobias & Oliver. Trying to get the same feel, would you like Felix, Linus (if you don’t mind 2 L initials), or Simon (if you don’t mind similar ending sounds with the last name– personally I like that)?
What about Maclan for a boy and Malone for a girl?
Matthias is close to your husband’s name so that may not work.
Micah
Marlow
Marshall
I love Mateo with the great nickname Teo. The fact that it ties in with dad’s name makes me love it even more! I don’t find anything strange about it.
I’m also in Southern California if that makes any difference :)
I like Kai and Finn (Finley/Findley) in a sibset together.
I would save Findlay for a potential future daughter. My favorite of your short list is Lane – it would be a memorable name like Clark Kent.
I share concerns about backing yourself into a corner using an m name. If you want to go in that direction I really like Milo Stone with your last name.
Since ocean/sea/surfing is your thing, have you considered these names that mean water.
Dax
Dover
Calder
Dillan
I really like Kai that everyone has suggested. I think its vibe might be just right for you. I would also suggest Luka or second Nico, they seem like really good fits.
Swistle’s suggestion of Kai is so spot on for you! Love it!
For an M name I suggest Macoy nn Mac. Macoy Stone ()awson.
I really like the idea of Tyde for you as a connection to the ocean. You could use nn Ty.
Tyde Stone ()awson – Ty ()awson. Sounds like a future surfer to me :)
What about Morgan? It’s not common for boys and it means something along the lines of “of the sea”. Such a strong and handsome name. Morgan Stone ()awson. Morgan ()awson. Morgan and Findley. I also like the suggestion of Kai.
Yes I was also going to suggest Morgan as an ocean name also Dylan both names also sound like good surfer names to me. Also like Malachi
I think that starting a family of M-names is very gimmicky and you may feel a bit stuck with it if you go that way with the first child, so think hard about whether you want to paint yourselves into that particular corner… but maybe for you, the commonality of the letter M for everyone is a positive. In that case, I suggest Meyer. Love it… Meyer Stone (L) awson
Malachi nn Kai is a great suggestion.
The name Marco also came to mind, familiar and recognizable in many countries and not necessarily just Spanish roots. Although the meaning of Marco technically has roots with the God of Mars, the beginning of the name (Mar) means “sea” in Spanish I think….Marco Lane, Marco Stone, Marco Brooks. I’m getting carried away.
Megan, Matt, Marco (and Mattea or Findley someday) looks and sounds like a smashing family :)
Marco, Malachi, Mateo would also be a fab set of brothers somewhere in the universe.
Congratulations to you and your husband on your upcomimg arrival!
I would revisit “Stone” as a first name. Here are my arguments:
1) Stone [awson is a great name.
2) I think a lot of modern trendy or semi-trendy names are basically attempts to capture the natural cool of certain types of names exactly like Stone [awson. Except a lot of them end up feeling like people are trying really hard (to me), whereas “It’s my maiden name” is so effortless and genuinely cool!
3) I don’t feel like “Stoner” is that big of a deal at all. I would find it weird and silly if someone really latched onto Stone in that way (especially in little kids, this seems unlikely to me… even here in California!)
4) Re: all M names. A family we’re friends with have done this, albeit with another initial, and to be honest, I find it really gimmicky in a trying-too-hard kind of way. I don’t hate it, I just don’t understand what’s supposed to be cute about it, I guess.
In second all of this–Stone (awson is brilliant and Stone Mateo/Matteo honors both mom and dad in a lovely way.
I think the suggestion of Kai is a good one too and Kai Lawson is such a great “surfy” sounding name.
Other suggestions:
Dylan
Conway
Glade
Bay (particularly like this one!)
Ford
Kyle
Kendall
Cove
Reef
Storm
Caspian
Wade
I would be hesitant to lock in “M” names but, if that is your leaning, I also think there are some really good ones out there too.
Marius
Murphy
Muir
Murray
Mortimer
Moses
Murdoc
Marvin
Some girl names too:
Marina
Maris
Mira
Maya
Meredith
Muriel
I think Brooke would be a really great name for a future girl too!
Hope this helps and good luck!
Kai makes me think of Kona.
Merrick – ruler of the sea
Indigo – thinking along the lines of the color of the deep ocean?
Slater- after the surfer Kelly Slater
My favorite name for you is Kai Stone. And I think it goes well with sister Findley or brother Teo in the future. However, I’m writing as another Megan about the name Matteo and the cultural concern you mention. We also love to travel and chose a name for our daughter that is familiar in Europe, Asia, Australia, Latin America…everywhere but here! We were worried about critiques from our more conservative family but the only question has been the story behind it and everyone seems to like it. The true validation was taking her on vacation, out of the country, where we met people from many different backgrounds. I’ve found for the most part only English speaking countries recognize “Megan” but we met people from all over the world who told us our daughter’s name was popular in their culture. I think Matteo/Teo could have a similar experience.
I think you have many great choices – good luck!
Hmm.. I have mixed feelings about using an “M” name. I guess my only concern is would you feel that you would have to use an “M” name for your other future children if you choose one this time around? Especially if you have found a name that you already love that doesn’t start with an “M”. I know that I would likely feel pressured in keeping with the theme. If you do choose to go with an “M” this time around, I do like the idea of using Laine or Lainey or Lane as your next child’s name and can use the explanation of naming him/her after you. Ok… enough about future children!! Just should be something to consider right now when choosing what you will name this babe.
“M” NAMES:
I second or third or fourth the suggestion of Malachi nn Kai! Totally love this. Another option is Malakai or Makai.
I also really really like Mateo. Love the meaning behind it (agree with swistle, that is a really neat connection between babe and dad that isn’t “obvious”.) Really really like this. Plus, I also like the shortened name, Teo as well.
What about Maguire nn Mac or Gus??
If you like Max but aren’t sure, what about Maddox?
What about Miguel? I’ve always loved this name!
If you like Beckett but worry about it being too trendy (I think it’s probably almost there??) what do you like of Merritt?
If you like Miles but don’t like the Miles Stone _____ what about the spelling Myles? Also, i don’t think that is such a big deal unless you plan on calling the babe by their first and middle name on a regular basis. I also like the suggestion of Milo.
NON-“M” NAMES:
I immediately thought of several non-“M” names for you:
(dang, my initial thought was Oscar, although I don’t know if Oscar (L)awson sounds very good together)
What about Felix?
If Oliver isn’t quite right, and Oscar doesn’t sound very good with your last name, what about Arlo? Arlo Stone (L)awson. Sounds like a pretty awesome name to me!
Raphael. Raphael Stone.
What about Jude? Jude (L)awson sounds great!
I also like the idea of using both Stone or Lane as the first name.
Good luck and keep us posted!
Jude (L)awson likely sounds so great to your ear because of the actor Jude Law. My hyphenated last name starts with (L)aw too, so it’s quite disappointing that the name Jude is out of the running for my baby-to-be.
I don’t see how that takes Jude out of the running.
Also – everyone I know with hyphenated last names always goes by the second of the two. ex: Taylor Kon-Chaney goes by Taylor Chaney.
My coworker hyphenates and goes by the first surname for short. Alice Betel-Snyder –> Alice Betel.
Really? I guess everyone in know with a hyphenated last name goes by both. Plus, mine is very short– only 2 syllables & 7 letters total for both names combined, so there is no real need to shorten it. I can see Jude (L)awson potentially working for this person because (L)awson is at least slightly different from the actor’s surname. But in my case, the first surname actually is Law, and the second is the name of a popular, one-named singer (Pink), so my husband insists the name would read like someone announcing the host and musical guest for the week on Saturday Night Live. “Hosted by actor Jude Law, and featuring musical guest, Pink!”
I’d love to be a little boy growing up in San Diego (access to surfing, yes!!) named Mateo Stone, nn’d Teo. Love this.
The thing about Brooks & Becks, etc., is they have such a wasp/upperclass gloss to them–which seems incongruent with the surfer scene, but what would I know, the surfer scene for me lies firmly in the fantasy realm. (but if there’s such a thing as incarnation………)
I wouldn’t worry to much about each of the 3 of you then having a name that starts with “M” and thus setting a pattern. When would this even be obvious except when signing xmas cards?
Or maybe for that brief period when birth announcements go out? Especially if you’d plan to call him Teo.
Around here, Finley is strictly a girl name, so if you go this route, you’d have to be good with the unisex angle of the choice.
Overall, I would give more weight to the first name than the middle. If you have a first name you both love, go with that and be flexible about the middle. But really, Mateo Stone? Beautiful. Teo Lawson? Cool.
reincarnation, that is.
I like Martin and Matteo best for M names. I love Marisol for a future girl. Non-M name favorites: Felix, Luke, Adrian, and Ian.
Oh Marisol is a fabulous future girl name!! So neat!
I generally like Mateo and don’t think it’s too weird to use it on a non-Spanish-speaking child, but I admit it’s given me pause in the past when I’ve met kids/people whose names’ origins were similarly incongruous with their family backgrounds. I see Swistle’s point about Irish names, etc., but some names have been appropriated more completely than others–I think you’re more likely to meet a non-Irish Shannon than a non-Irish Aoife, for instance. I’d probably raise an eyebrow at hearing that non-Spanish-speaking parents had bypassed Matthew, Jr./Matthias/Mattias/Mattison, etc., and gone with Mateo as an honor name instead.
That said, it’s a pretty name and your reasons for wanting to use it make sense!
My major concern would be that (in my opinion) it REALLY doesn’t pair with Finley/Findley as a possible sister name. To me, the two names strike incredibly different tones–one is traditional and connotes a specific set of cultures, the other is on-trend and preppy (and connotes a very different culture). I think Beckett and Finley sound much more like siblings than do Mateo and Finley.
Malakai and Findley work together! The unexpected spellings tie them together, and Kai and Fin are cute theme nicknames.
Ooh, Mateo and Marisol. I love that, and that eliminates the mismatch completely.
I have friends who aren’t spanish, in fact the wife is half chinese, but all three of their kids’ names are spanish. The husband got a doctorate in spanish though and they also love to travel. So, as far as that goes, just go with what you love.
From the previous suggestions I also love Mateo, Malachi with Kai as a nickname, or just Kai, Marco, or even Stone.
I love Stone as a first name!
I don’t think giving your first child an M name paints you into a corner for future children. If the name you like starts with an M, go for it. People generally won’t even notice and if they do, they’ll consider if for maybe 30 seconds and go on with their day. (My parents are both Ms and their 4th child out of 5 has an M first name.)
Anyway, a classic but not trendy M name I just love is Martin. Another suggestion would be Theodore, although I get the impression its popularity is rising quickly. From there you could get Theo, similar to Teo, OR my favorite boy nickname, Teddy! Teddy Dawson-with-an-L.
Love Emmett Stone ()awson, gets you the M sense w/o an actual M. Another option, Cooper Stone ()awson. I wouldn’t encourage Mateo w/ Matt as a dad unless you wish to risk Matt as son’s nn if Teo doesn’t take. (My sister intended her Christopher to be nn’d Toph/Topher-it just didn’t happen and she doesn’t care that much for Chris.) Another family named their son Stephen Andrew planning on calling him Drew; he became Stevie despite their intentions. Just something to think about.
I just thought of Maceo (mah-say-oh) as an option if you don’t want as obvious a tie to Matt. It’s a variation on Mateo. It gives you the nickname option Mac too.
I love Mateo, especially Mateo Stone (L)awson!! What a smashingly handsome name : )
I also rather like Stone as a first name.
My biggest concern with Mateo would be that it doesn’t at all go with Findley (I don’t care for that spelling either, and would go with Finley or Finlay for a girl). So you have to think ahead and decide if sibset coordination matters to you.
I like Stone as the first name!