Emily writes:
Hello! We are expecting our third son in July and are struggling with names. Our other children are Oliver Beckett and Silas Athen. Our last name is short (Howe) so I feel that one-syllable first names don’t flow as nicely as longer ones. My husband and I are both teachers so that can make thinks trickier. I tend to gravitate towards “older” choices. I believe we’ve settled on Douglas for a middle since our other boys have family names from my side and Douglas would honor my father-in-law and this will be our last baby.
Here are some from our list:
Whitaker: probably the front-runner right now but…too long? Too surname-y? Too close to his brother’s -er ending? I do like Whit as a nn.
Everett: I don’t love Ev as a short version; also, husband isn’t a fan.
Clement: Seems I like a -t ending. Too like the sausage company, but I think Clem is a cute nn.
Milo: Love but not the O ending in combo w our last name.
Hawthorne: Too much alliteration? Too “out there”?
Leopold: I like Leo as a nn but, like Milo, not in combination with our last name.
Linden: My mother’s name was Linda and I’d love to honor her but I’m afraid this sounds too feminine and also offers no suitable nn. This would be incorporated as either a first or middle with a varied spelling if we were having a girl.I want to looooove this name and I’m just not there yet. Any input and/or suggestions would be welcome!
Thank you!
The first name that popped into my head was Nathaniel.
Nathaniel Douglas Howe. Oliver, Silas, & Nathaniel. I think it sounds great!
Of your list I vote for Linden. Linden Douglas Howe. It doesn’t come off as feminine to me, even when paired with Oliver & Silas.
Good luck & congrats!
What if you spelled it like the former President – Lyndon?
Yep, I thought this as well. Gives it a more masculine feel. Would you be honoring your side of the family too much over your husband’s side if you name after your mom since the other two also have family names from your side? Of course, if they all have your husband’s last name, maybe that evens it out. ;)
I love Hawthorne, but not sure how I feel about it with your last name.
Yes, I also thought of Lyndon like the president. I know an older man named Lyndon who is sometimes called Don or Donnie by his family, maybe that would work for you? Though, I don’t really think it needs a nickname. I really like Lyndon for you.
Whitaker & Hawthorne do feel more surnamey/trendy than Silas or Oliver. I like Everett, maybe you could use Rhett as the nickname instead of Ev? Maybe your husband would like something like Garrett or Emmett better?
Love this!
At first I stumbled over Whitaker, but it’s grown on me quickly. I agree -o Howe isn’t a great sound combination.
Another thought might be Julian. Oliver, Silas, and Julian Douglas Howe.
Graham? Graham Douglas Howe.
August? Oliver, Silas, and August.
My first thought was Winston Douglas H0we. Oliver, Silas, and Winston. nn Win
The second name that occured to me was Calvin Douglas H0we. Oliver, Silas, and Calvin nn Cal.
or
Benedict Douglas H0we. Oliver, Silas and Benedict nn Ben
Albert Douglas H0we. Oliver, Silas, and Albert nn Al
Ezra Douglas H0we Oliver, Silas, Ezra nn Ez or Zee
Another alternative to Linden – my great-grandfather’s name was Linwood, and it is my brother’s middle name. I think Linwood Douglas Howe sounds great.
Oliver Beckett and Silas Athen (Howe) Douglas
Whitaker: I think is ok. I don’t particularly like “Whit Howe” if you are going to call him that as a nn often.
Everett: I’ve never heard anyone use “Ev” as a short version, so I wouldn’t be worried about that. If anything, I would think they would use Rett as a nn.
Clement: I don’t know anything about sausage, but Clem reminds me of phlem.
Milo: Like this. With Howe it isn’t IDEAL, but I don’t think its terrible either.
Hawthorne: I hate alliteraetion so, out for me.
Leopold: Don’t like as much as Milo
Linden: Meh.. not a favorite.
Everett with possible nn. Rett would have been my first choice, but you don’t seem to love it. So, my second choice would be Milo. Milo Howe. Milo Douglas Howe. Oliver, Silas, and Milo.
Do Oliver and Silas have nicknames? I would’ve assumed not based on the names themselves, but then for this third one you seem so worried about nicknames, which is odd to me if neither of the other two go by nicknames
I’m not sure it helps, but Linden is a very masculine warrior type in the Fourth Realm series by John Twelve Hawks. I guess this association makes me think all male. I love the name and think it would go well with your sons’ names!
I’m a librarian and I can’t say that this is a popular series. I doubt many people would associate the name with this character.
I really like this name myself, though. I’ve actually suggested it to a previous poster yesterday. This is the one with my vote.
I love Whitaker (my natural impulse was to spell it with two “ts” – Whittaker). I think Whittaker Douglas Howe is great! I like Linden spelled Lyndon too. I usually love alliteration, but Hawthorne Howe is too much for me and I agree with the “o” endings being a bit off.
I would add
Franklin
Tobias
Isaac
If you like Milo, but not the -o ending, would you like Miles?
I don’t think Linden is too feminine, but there is the Lyndon spelling, as a few have noted. I liked the suggestion of Julian, or if you are willing to use a one syllable name, Miles. If you like Everett but your husband doesn’t, would he care for Emmet or Elliot?
Another nn for Everett could be R(h)ett, but I will second many others in saying that I really like Linden, & it does not seem too feminine to me. Wonder if changing the spelling would make you feel more secure about that: Lyndon, Lindon, Lynden. Or if you’d like something similar but more established like Landon? Good luck.
I know a family with an Oliver nn Ovi and an Elliot nn Lio (Leo). You could have the distinguished nature of Everett with the Lio nickname you like.
I love everything about the name Whitaker Douglas Howe except for Whit Howe–I somehow cannot get past “What now, Whit Howe?” as well as finding it simply difficult to say, it also reminds me of “without”. And I cannot come up with another nickname to suggest….That they both end in er doesn’t bother me a lot, but Oli/Ollie Howe simply works better.
Analytically, Whitaker Howe works the same way Oliver Howe works–the er ending of each name readily launches into Howe, the 3-syllables making an easy rhythm. If you’re not bothered by popularity, you could use Alexander–either Alex or Zander works better with the surname. Or Christopher and call him Topher.
A name that ends in “l” also works really well. I like the above suggestion of Nathaniel Douglas. Or Gabriel or Russell.
I like Hawthorne in the middle–Douglas Hawthorne is pretty awesome, really.
Clement and Linden both seem like names that would need an extrovert to easily pull off–for a sensitive boy I think they both have the potential to be tricky. Same with Leopold.
Either Everett or Elliot would complement the names Oliver & Silas, and both sound great with Douglas and with Howe. I really like the suggestions of Calvin & Julian, or Callahan.
Good luck!
Just read sarabean’s suggestions of Franklin & Isaac–both are really good.
I like the connection of the “l” in the middle of your other sons’ names.
So, I’m thinking Elliot, Calvin, Alexander, Phillip, and, yes, Lyndon. Lloyd? Lloyd Howe doesn’t have the same choppy feel as other single syllable first names. Lloyd Douglas Howe. I can imagine him growing up to be President.
I think I’ve mentioned this in a previous post… I recently met a Thurgood nn Goody, which might fit nicely in your family.
I think Whitaker is a fantastic choice for you. Like the commenter above, I was also thinking that adding another “t” would look good. Whit(t)aker is a great name!!
Everett is one of my favorite names but it is a but lacking in the nickname department. Likewise Emmett. But! Perhaps you would like Edmund?
We have a Silas too! Ezra was on our baby name list and I agree with some other posters that it would sound great with your other names. My kids all have an L in common, so I like that idea too! Elliott or Elijah would be great.
Wow, has no one suggested Felix? That was my first thought.
Felix, followed by:
Oscar
Julian (nickname Jules)
Roland
Lionel
Jasper
Theodore (nickname Teddy)
Thomas
Barnaby
Linden is too feminine to my ear, and Lyndon too associated with Johnson. Whitaker is nice, but Whit Howe is disorienting– it sounds a bit question-like. “Wit, how?”
Although Felix jumped to my mind first, I think Julian is my fave with your surname. Julian Howe. So elegant, sophisticated, and distinctive!
I like the above suggestion of Calvin, and the Lyndon spelling is a good option too.
Another suggestion:
What about rearranging the letters in Linda to get Daniel? It’s a nice classic that pairs well with your other boys.
Daniel Howe
Daniel Douglas Howe
Linda to Daniel! That is so clever!
I also like Ezra and the idea of Douglas as a first name. They both sound particularly good with the last name Howe.
Somebody mentioned Don or Donnie as a nn for Lindon, and it made me think of Donovan. Donovan Douglas Howe. You would then have have Don/Donnie or Van as potential nicknames.
Felix is great!
Hmm….I don’t know. I do think there are some stumbling blocks with most of your options. Boys names are hard!! I do love Oliver and Silas, though. Wih those names, I really like Elliott and Abram.
Good luck! I
The name Whitaker brought Willoughby to mind. Love it!
Oliver, Silas and Willoughby
Willoughby Douglas Howe, nn Will or Wills. Very distinguished!
What about Micah, Levi, Caleb, Roman, Lincoln or Alec?
Love the suggestion of Miles too!
Good luck!
I really do like Whitaker nn Whit. I also like Lindon/Lyndon nn Linn/Lynn which actually was a popular boys name back in the day in itself. Other names that came to mind include: Barnabas, Gilbert, Simon, Rufus and Felix.
I like Whitaker very much! I do not like Linden/Lyndon, but only because of the LBJ association. The name ALWAYS makes me think, “Hey, hey, LBJ. How many kids did you kill today ?”
Of your names, I think I like Milo best. I also love the Ezra suggestion.
What about Ellington? It has the surname type feel. Ellington Douglas Howe. Oliver, Silas and Ellington.
Or Isaiah? I think Oliver and Isaiah should fabulous together, and Silas fits beautifully, too.
Crosby is another surname like name. Olivery, Silas and Crosby. Or Fletcher. Too bad Ford is one syllable, because I love how that sounds with Oliver and Silas.
Emmeric is one I like, but husband vetoes. Emmeric Douglas.
Also thought if Garrison.
*of
*Oliver
I have never heard of this Clement sausage company- and I love Clement! Or Clemence. :)
My suggestions:
Isaac,
Calvin,
Gus (or Augustus with nn),
Theo
Caleb has always seemed like a good brother name for Silas.
Isaac (Ike!) and Ezra would be great, too,
Caleb Douglas Howe
Isaac Douglas Howe
Ezra Douglas Howe
EEE.. I love Whitaker! I have on numerous occasions recommended people use this name! I think Whitaker goes well with the other boys names.
Wow. I find your last name quite difficult actually. Almost all the names I like, the shortened versions/nn’s don’t go very well. Even Whitaker is so cute, but not really enjoying Whit H0we very much…. I guess it depends on how you guys feel about the flow and whether or not you would use the full “official” name more then the nn.
Ooh… what about Charles? Charlie H0we. TO DIE FOR! Oliver, Silas, and Charlie. So cute!
Ok… or Franklin. Frankie H0we. Frank H0we. These all sound great. Franklin Douglas H0we. Oliver, Silas, and Frankie. Love.
I actually really like Clement. Not very common.
PS. Good pickings (we also have an Oliver!) hehe… Other names on our short list:
Simon (Oliver was almost a Simon)
Winston
Louis (loo-ee)
Augustus – Gus is sooo cute. Sigh. Although, feel like Gus H0we doesn’t flow very well either…
Leopold – same issue with last name for Leo
Sullivan
I personally don’t really care for Linden (have a nephew and he is 7, still hasn’t grown on me). Instead of Linden, what about Lincoln?
Good luck and keep us posted!
Love the suggestion of Charles, nn’d Charlie for this family!
Okay-I immediately thought Leo Douglas Howe; Leo on its own-strong, decisive-the ‘L’ can honor your mother. I prefer Leo to Leopold, and I have no problem with the O from Leo to Howe, though the flow is not as good w/ Milo to Howe-I think it’s more to do w/ the full combo of letters making it awkward. My other contenders would be Emmett Howe, Garrett Howe, Callum Howe. Oliver, Silas and Leo-love it. : )
My favorite pairing with Oliver Beckett and Silas Athen is Everett Douglas. I’m curious about the concern for a nickname, since there doesn’t seem to be a glaringly obvious nickname choice for Silas. Do you use a nickname for Silas? Maybe Sy? If your husband is pushing for a nickname for Everett because he just doesn’t like the full name, then you should look for another name. I think most people would assume that Everett is one of those fairly nickname-proof names and they won’t default to a “standard” nickname. If you just want to have a nickname, so that something heinous doesn’t develop, then great. Rhett is an option. Also, since Everett Douglas would have the initials E.D., I suppose Ed is a possible nn, but it is a stretch.
My second favorite for you is Linden, with whatever spelling choice you prefer. Again, I think that is a fairly nickname proof name, and people won’t default instantly to a nickname. You could use Don (for Lyndon spelling), Denny, or Lenny.
I also really like Abraham for you. Oliver, Silas, and Abraham. Ollie, Sy, and Bram. Too cute. I like how having a name with an “H” in the middle flows with your last name: AbraHam Howe. Using the nn Bram plays on the literary connections / thread in your name choices. (Oliver Twist, Catcher in the Rye, Dracula)
My other suggestions for you would also have some of the same concerns you’ve mentioned, so it really comes down to “Do you love the name enough to get over the minor drawback?” Here’s my list, just in case:
– Roland (no default nn),
– Sebastian (no default nn, same first letter as Silas)
– Gabriel (potentially sounds feminine to certain ears)
A huge red flag went up for me with Whitaker. We have a friend whose name is Whit, and it is a constant struggle for him to get people to understand what his name is. Constant! It’s his name, so he lives with it, but I hope you will consider how frustrating this might be for him down the road. I really think other good options have been suggested. For what it’s worth, others for your consideration (perhaps repeats from above?): Brian/Bryant, Weston, Denis, Morris, Lewis, Nicholas, Owen, Preston, Garrett, Fletcher and Anton.
If you like the nickname Whit but think Whitaker is too cumbersome, you might like Whitman.
A few more ideas if you’re interested:
Redford (Red or Ford for nicknames)
Able (my FAVORITE with Oliver and Silas!!)
Bowen (this one makes me think of “Know how” if the nickname is Bo… which sounds super capable!)
Woodrow (Woody could be a nickname al la Toy Story… pretty cool for a boy)
Best wishes as you welcome your new son! And congrats!
The name Dexter came to mind. Dex is a great nickname. I don’t think Dexter is too similar to Oliver; yes, they both end in -er, but Oliver has three syllables vs. Dexter’s two syllables, consonant vs. vowel first letter, and I think they go well together. You could use Dexter Linden to honor your mother. Dexter Linden Howe sounds fantastic.
Oliver, Silas, and Dexter. Ollie, Silas, and Dex. Such a cute trio!
Whitaker! Clement! I like both of these a lot. I don’t think the -er ending is a reason to nix Whitaker, but as someone else noted Whit Howe does sound sort of sentence-y. I had an acquaintance with a son named Clement a few years back. I really think it’s great.
I also throw my weight behind these that were suggested above – Charlie, Calvin, Elliot.
Whitaker was on our boy’s list too! I LOVE the nickname Whit. If you are worried about the “er” ending maybe try Whitman or Whitton. I really like Oliver, Silas and Whitton together and Whitton Douglas sounds awesome.
I also REALLY love Franklin for you! It goes well with your other boys and it ends in “lin” which could honor your mother. Franklin Douglas. Oliver, Silas and Franklin. Perfect!
Another one I thought of is Watson. Watson Douglas sounds so handsome. Some others you may like are: Henderson, Ira, Tennyson, Clayton, Clarence, Eugene, Archie, Arthur, Percy, Sullivan, Gordon and Clifford.
Good luck!