Dear Swistle,
We are expecting a baby boy early in 2015. He will be our second and last child. Our daughter is named Jewel, after my grandmother. Her middle name is Bird. I love her name! It’s a family name, unusual but not made up, it’s classic, it’s ideal for us. Boy names, MEH! I just do not love boy names the way I love girl names. If we were having a girl we would probably name her Rose with some kind of family honor name for the middle name.
For a boy, my husband is REALLY stuck on the name Noel (pronounced Knoll or NOH-ell). I like the name, but I see some problems, e.g. being called Noelle all the time and people calling him Joel or Noah or something just because Noel is a little unusual. I love the way it looks on the page but it’s not a pretty word to say. Also, we live in a mix of Spanish and English speakers, and I feel like the Spanish pronunciation will be Noelle no matter what I do, and that will drive me (and the kid) crazy. My first name is a little tricky and I have really hated dealing with it in my life, and I hate to burden a kid with that! The Mr. has an easy name and has no idea how annoying it is to always be called by other names and have people misspell your name (except it took months to get his parents to say my name right! He kind of got it then).
A name that we both like is my late father’s name, which is Brendan. It’s just a LOT to have two kids named after recent generations of my family, so I’d rather not use his name in the first name spot–maybe as a middle name. But it’s a rare example of a name we agree on!
Some of the names that we both like but have been rejected for various reasons are Henry, Oliver, and Felix.
Names on our “maybe” list that I love but husband is lukewarm on are Ian and Malcolm.
The names I like that the Mr. has vetoed are Leland, Oscar, Alec, Larkin, Edmund, Ewan, George.
The names the Mr. has liked that I have vetoed are Roy and Nolan.
So, should I learn to love Noel? Keep lobbying for something else? The baby’s last name will be Romlin with a T.
Thank you!
It sounds to me as if you have a lot of reasons you don’t feel comfortable using the name Noel. I would add a reason: it’s very similar to the name Jewel. They’re spelled differently, but the endings sound the same.
Could you learn to like Nolan? It sounds very similar to Noel, while eliminating most of your objections. It also reminds me of Leland, Ewan, and Ian from your list. Although, when I say it with your surname, my tongue does get a little tangled; and I’m not crazy about the repeating -lan/-lin sounds.
If you two agree on Brendan, I wouldn’t cross it off the list just because it’s another family name; in fact, for me that’s a point in its favor. Perhaps you could find a name from your husband’s side (his dad’s name?) to use as the middle name—or perhaps Noel would work there, since then your husband can have the name he loves without any of the everyday hassles of using it as a first name. Brendan Noel Romlin; Jewel and Brendan.
I was planning to suggest Leo: it’s similar in sound to Noel and Leland, and similar in style to Henry and Oliver. But when I paired it with your surname, it instantly sounded very familiar; it took me a few moments, but I realized it was reminding me of the actress Lily with your surname. I don’t THINK that would bother me, but I’d want to consider it ahead of time.
This may be a long shot, but I was thinking about names that sound like Noel, and then I saw Roy on your husband’s list, and that made me think of the name Loyal. (I also thought of Royal, but Royal and Jewel seem like an amusing combination.)
Ewan on your list made me think of Owen: it has the N, the O, and the W-sound of Noel.
Or Rowan or Rohan or Ronan or Roman or Bowen if you want something less popular.
(All these -an/-en endings bother me just a little with the ending of your surname, but that’s only a matter of personal preference, and you have Nolan and Ewan and Larkin and Ian on your lists, so I’m including them anyway.)
I feel like the two of you are dancing right around the same sounds. He likes Noel and Nolan, you like Ewan and Malcolm. Would you like something like Logan or Landon or Hudson or Holden or Wilson? Lincoln or Roland or Conrad or Lionel or Moses or Leroy? Carlo or Nico or Bo or Otto or Mateo or Hugo or Milo or Arlo or Theo? Brody or Colby or Oakley or Jacoby or Crosby? Elliot or Louis or Tobias or Hayes? Orion? Troy or Royce or Bryce?
Name update!
Hi Swistle,
I am pleased to introduce Ian Riley Romlin-with-a-T! His middle name (spelled differently) is my last name, to honor my dad. My husband gradually learned to love the name Ian and let go of Noel, and I am very grateful. We had some discussion at the hospital of naming him Rory on account of the red hair, but stuck with Ian! Thanks so much for your ideas and input, and thanks to those who commented.
What about Neil or Niall? You don’t hear Neil very much any more but to me it has the working man feel of Roy plus the dashing strong man feel of Malcolm. Surprisingly versatile name! It does still have the ‘similar to Jewel’ drawback/advantage depending on your perspective. Niall might be less similar depending on your pronunciation but also rarer and requiring more explanation.
Neil Brendan Romlin
I like that both children would have ‘B’ middle names as well.
Do you know why your husband likes Noel so much? Is there an association or the meaning or is it just the sound? If it’s primarily a sound thing, Cole could be an easier to pronounce and more mainstream option. If he likes the Christmasy vibe of Noel, you can make Cole short for Nicholas.
For what its worth though, I grew up with a Noel in an area with a lot of Spanish speakers and I don’t really remember it being an issue. Of course, I’m not him, but I don’t even remember if his name was mispronounced ever. (Does it help to think of it as being said with an accent instead of mispronounced? Spanish speakers might also roll the R in Rose, but we wouldn’t think of that as them not being able to say the name).
One last suggestion. Have you heard of the Starbucks Test? That might be a way to either calm your fears about Noel or convince your husband that it really will create a lot of confusion.
Hi! Well, he got the idea from Noel Fielding, the British comedian, who we both love. I think there is also a musician with that name who he likes? This weekend he told my family what name we were considering, and my mom was like, “you’re naming the baby Noah?” MM-hmmm.
If Brendan is a rare name you both agree on, I might go ahead and use it as a first name, especially if the children have their father’s family surname. I’m not sure it’s a good style match for Jewel, though. I want something more nature-based to go with it. There aren’t as many for boys as girls, but when I’m suggesting one I usually offer Cedar, Forest, or Reed. Reed Brendan T. I like that.
Or how about Linus, Phineas, or Simon? For me they have the same vibe as Henry, Felix, & Oliver.
This is so interesting…..Because my daughter lives in Switzerland & is expecting in October, I’ve been charting the most popular names there for awhile, and noticed that Noel is one of the fastest rising names on their charts, appearing out of nowhere in 2012 to land at #50. (they’ve yet to release the list from 2013). Noah is #1, so my sense is that Noel is being viewed as “similar but different, new.” On this same list, Joel ranks #24, which is perhaps also factoring in to Noel’s rising popularity. I wouldn’t dismiss it out of hand as being unstylish, but agree with Swistle that its similar ending to Jewel would give me pause. At least your husband is suggesting something interesting, though!
Brendan is one of my all time favorite boy names, so I’ll go ahead and cheer for that–and the fact that it’s an honor name from your family only balances out what I’m assuming is your husband’s family’s surname. Brendan Noel (T)omlin is a great name.
Just wanted to add that I think Roy is also pretty great to hear suggested for a change. It fits in with Sam & Max & Ben & Jack, etc., while being completely refreshing.
I like Roy a lot too, and kind of like Swistle’s not-quite-suggestion of Royal. I had a great-great-uncle named Noble. Maybe that would work? You seem to like word names quite a bit, and its a bit less matchy with Jewel.
I was going to suggest Noble, also. It has the same first sound as Noel and the same letters but is easier to pronounce.
I absolutely adore the name Brendan, so I’m lobbying for that one to be used in some capacity. I understand your hesitance at another family name, but I don’t think it’s a big deal. Nolan is also another favorite boy name of mine, so here are some of my other favorites that might appeal to you and your husband:
Calvin
Charles (Charlie)
Joseph
Malachy
Seamus
Donovan
James
Caleb
Bryce
Connor
Evan
I really like Swistle’s suggestion of Arlo as well; Jewel and Arlo sound like a fantastic sibset and I think Arlo is wonderful paired with your last name.
I like Leonel, Miles, Peter, Alistair, Hugo, Atticus, Asher, Cyrus, Harvey, Vincent, Quinn, Hunter, River, and Everett. I think they all work with Brendan as a middle name and would complement Jewel.
Brendan Noel is perfect.
I once heard of a little boy named Prosper, nn Pros (or Pross, maybe?) … just thought I’d throw it out there as a complement to Jewel and something that works nicely with your last name! (I think the -er with two syllables is nice symmetry without being matchy-matchy).
Or maybe Valor? Or Anchor? Harbor? Apex? Revere? Zenith? Concord? Clement? Worth? Everest? Ooo, Everest Romlin!
(got most of these from here: http://appellationmountain.net/prosper-sage-merit-virtue-names-for-boys/)
I also like Swistle’s suggestion of Loyal quite a bit. Or Victor? I think Victor (R)omlin has a nice ring to it because of the central consonant repeated at the begging of the last name :)
One thing I notice, particularly among your list, is the number of Old British names, so I am going to suggest Lachlan.
Lachlan _omlin
Jewel and Lachlan
I know in some parts of the States it is being used as a girls name, but it is a traditional male name. Has some of the same sounds as Nolan and Leland from both of your lists.
I also like the suggestions of Leo and Noble. Leon is Noel backwards but doesn’t sound as good with your surname. Good luck.
I suggest Oakley, Brighton or River. I think they’d go well with Jewel.
I really like the name Brendan too but all the names ending in an “n” sound a bit awkward with your last name. To my ear anyway!
I get the feeling that you don’t particularly like Noel either so here are some alternatives:
Jett (love this with Jewel, type of stone too!)
Bram
Clay (love this!)
Bran (ending in “n” but I think the one syllable makes a difference)
Asher
Beckett
Parker
Ryder
Abel
Amos
Kent
Ezra
Vale
Love the suggestions of Reed and Niall too.
Good luck!!
Noel means Christmas Day. Perhaps if he comes early he will be born during the christmas season and it will make a perfect name. I would spell it Nohl however. I also like Roy or Red.
I do like the name Noel boy every time I see it {even though I know how to pronounce it} I say Noelle in my head. Because your daughters name is Jewel, a noun and a name, would you consider spelling Noel as Knoll instead? Knoll gives you the same name but the spelling of a noun to finish out your naming style.
Knoll Brendan Tomlin
This is genius. Totally agree.
This is a great suggestion!
I unfortunately have to agree with the mispronunciation on the name Noel. When I first see it I instantly think Noel, like Joel, and then quickly wonder … Oh is it no-ell like Christmas Noel? Which is unfortunate because I do really like it. But I can definitely see a lifetime of correction with it.
What about Arlo instead of Oliver or Oscar.
What about Callum instead of Malcolm. Or Clark? Or Clement? Or Carter? Or Cole?
If you aren’t fond of Roy… Maybe too dad-ish?? What about Leroy??? I love this name. Quite uncommon but isn’t made up. You could use Lee or Leo or Roy as shortened names.
If you prefer the Knoll pronunciation, I love the look of using Knoll.
Other names I like:
Oswald nn Oz or Ozzy
Simon
Elliot
Abram
Ezra
If I had a daughter named Jewel, I’d name my son Onyx. This is my male perspective.
OK… I seriously meant to put Onyx in my post… I think Onyx and Jewel are perfect together. My friend has a 3 year old named Onyx and it is unique but not made up. This would be my pick, 100%. Glad someone else thought of it, since I clearly forgot to.
Personally, I prefer the “no-EL” pronunciation rather than “noll.”
My first thought is Rory…similar to your husband’s suggestion of Roy and the Gaelic/Scottich style of Ewan and Ian. Good luck. :)
Wow, some great suggestions here. I don’t know why, but your lists made me think of these suggestions:
Jay
Rupert
Rufus
Calvin
Good luck!
Thanks all! We added FIVE names to the list. Wow! Maybe this baby will actually get a name.
I second Swistle’s suggestion of Roland. I’m also intrigued by the suggestion of Noble.
I like using Brendan to honor your father. I like it for a first name, but especially like how using it in the middle name spot would give you two B names as middle.
Perhaps because your Mr. likes Roy, the name Savoy popped into my head. Savoy has the same sort of luxurious feel/French origin as Jewel. Jewel Bird and Savoy Brendan. Hmm. Oy names don’t do it for me, but I like the symmetry between Jewel and Savoy.
Merle is derived from blackbird. I like that Arlo is the Spanish word for the ‘barberry tree.’ There’s also Hollis (same sound as Oliver).
Oh, Shut the Front Door! What about Elon? Just rearrange the letters in Noel…same sounds…plus Elon means oak tree. This is my favorite for you. Jewel Bird and Elon Brendan. I feel like Elon is uncommon, but certainly known due to Elon Musk.
Wonderful name and cute picture! I can relate to this update – because I loved the name Noel for a boy, my husband wasn’t crazy about it, and we ultimately decided on Ian too!
That’s so funny!
Congratulations! Ian is adorable!