Hello there,
We would love your help! My husband and I are having the hardest time choosing a boys name. We do not know the gender, but love the girls names we have picked out. Our due date is March 1st, but we may get induced early the week of February 22nd. I am starting to worry we will leave with “baby boy Clark” if we don’t hustle to find something we love!
Girl names we love:
Ellie Brave
Cosima WildeWe love the idea of using Word names as middle names. We also would love the name to have a strong meaning. For example, Ellie is “shining bright” and Cosima is “Order, beauty.” Overall, we also tend to lean towards gender neutral names. We plan to have 2-4 children, but this is the first!
Other girl names we love:
Winslet
Imogen
Nora
Sophie
Willa
Zoey
TheaBoy names we have considered:
Watson (Wat)
Indiana (Indie)
Oliver (Ollie)
Beau
Declan
Ellis/Elliot/Elias (Eli)
Ezekiel (Zeke)
DaxOne struggle we are having – we love short nickname type names, but with a surname like “Clark” they may sound too abrupt?
Oliver Watson is the most up to date we are considering, but my husband doesn’t love Oliver and his family doesn’t care much for Watson.Thank you!!
All the best,
Jess
My favorites from your boy-name list are:
Oliver Clark (though using Ollie may rule out using Ellie later)
Elliot Clark (may rule out using Ellie later)
Ezekiel Clark
Elias Clark (may rule out using Ellie later)
Would you want to consider Brave and Wilde as middle names for boys as well, or only for girls? A few more suggestions for word middle names with nice meanings:
Able
Justice
Loyal
Merit
Pax
Sterling
Because the first Indiana who comes to mind is Indiana Jones, and Jones/Smith/Clark share the Short Common Surnames area of my brain, the name Indiana Clark has an amusing sound to me. This could be a downside or an upside: it might get rather wearisome to have people keep referring to it, it might be quite fun to say “Indiana Clark and the Last Bite of Dinner!” or “Indiana Clark and the School Bus of Doom!” or what have you.
Beau Clark and Dax Clark sound a little choppy to me, but not deal-breakingly choppy. When I say them aloud, Beau Clark gets a little blended, but not to anything that creates a bad/embarrassing/confusing situation; and Dax Clark is a little hard for me to say.
The repeated CL in Declan Clark feels a little awkward/choppy when I say it aloud. But again, nothing at deal-breaker levels.
How do you feel about sibling-name coordination? Parents are all over the spectrum on this one, from caring very much to not caring at all. If you DO like sibling names to coordinate, experimenting with putting names on your list into pairs and groups can have the bonus of helping you narrow down a larger list. Pick one boy name from your favorites list, and then try it out with the names from your girl-name list, and with other names from your boy-name list. Are there any names that, if you used them, would cause you to cross out other favorites? For example, maybe you wouldn’t want two siblings with one-syllable names, or wouldn’t want to combine a one-syllable name with a four-syllable name, or wouldn’t want to repeat an initial.
Thinking ahead to future siblings is also a good idea to avoid accidentally ruling out names: for example, if you would FAR rather use Ellie for a girl than Ollie or Eli for a boy, that may knock Oliver, Ellis, Elliot, and Elias out of the running. If you love Watson but wouldn’t want to repeat an initial, you can think ahead to whether you’d most like to use Watson or Winslet or Willa.
I wonder if you would like the name Felix. It has sounds and style similar to other names on your list, and it means happy and lucky. A name like Felix Sterling Clark would be pretty smashing.
I’m wondering if you would ever address the Ollie/Ellie issue in a separate post. I have four friends whose kids are Leah/Ella, Allison (goes by Allie)/Ella, Allison (goes by Allie)/elena, and Alice/Eloise. Essentially all versions of allie/ellie. I would think this was such a major problem that I would never consider one of these names once I had picked the other but obviously 4 different people seem to love it. My first instinct is to think ‘what is wrong with you’ but then you have to consider that the answer is ‘nothing’ and obviously I’m the one with the problem. Could you elaborate why you (we) think Ellie is a no go once you’ve picked Ollie? Thanks!!
I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s a no-go, only that for some parents the two names may be too similar, and so it’s something I like to mention in case it hasn’t yet come to their attention. With nicknames, I feel less strongly about similarities/clashes than I do with given names.
I have Joseph and Jonathon which has morphed into Joey and Jonny (very similar in sound). Didn’t occur to me when naming as I never intended to use a nn for Joseph. It actually bothers other people much more than me. I have even had people rude enough to declare that the names are too similar and refuse to learn which is for which child! The kids think they are completely different. As they get older it becomes less of an issue as they get their own friends and associate outside of the family more and more (who calls their friend’s brother by a nickname?). At home I mix their names up but I also mix up the names of my other two (completely differently named) kids.
Essentially it hasn’t caused problems, the kids like their names and I have no regrets.
My daughters are Alyssa (Lyssie) and Olivia (Livie.) I honestly didn’t think about nicknames when I named them Alyssa and Olivia. I just loved Olivia enough (even knowing how popular it is, though, she’s in second grade and has never encountered another Olivia in a classroom setting) to use it even with the similarity to her sister’s name.
My husband does mix up the names ALL. THE. TIME much to the amusement of our daughters but really, it’s just not that big a deal.
Of your list, I like Elliot and Oliver the best, but Swistle makes a great point that those names may preclude you using Ellie for a girl. Indie strikes me a girl name.
I would like to suggest for first names: Dylan, Walden, Graham, Griffin, Fisher, Chet, Grady, Finian (Finn), Everett (Ever), Cormac (Mac) and Micah.
My daughter has a word name as a middle! Here are some that I think would work for you: Bodhi, Chance, True, Jet, Deacon
You did not mention nature/animal-inspired names but there are some great ones like Harbor, Wolf, Crane, Orion, Sage, River, Birch, Colt/Colton, Sorrell and Phoenix.
I love to do combos, so I’m going to play with a few!
Oliver Sage Clark
Elias Orion Clark
Walden Graham Clark (nickname Walt)
Dylan Crane Clark
I have a very diverse list of boy names so I’m just going to share randomly the names I have on my list in hopes that maybe one will spark your interest as either a first name or middle name!
Blaise
Cortlund
Blaine
Bradford
Bevin
Dougrey
Fenric
Gareth
Carlen/Carlin, Britton, Kasen, Carden, Candler, Colin, Coy, London, Dayton, Drake, Chason, Christian, Ryken, Peyton, Parker, Grayson, Rylan, Ryland, Braxton, Jackson, Zeke, Harrison, Easton, Kalen, Kingston, Hadley, Brock, Bryson, Talon, Blaze/Blaise, Maverick, Reid, Cale, Graham, Weston, Leighton/Layton, Slade, Kaylan, Tallon, Brighton, Kinsley, Brooks, Garrison, Harlan, Harland, Blakely, Harlan, Ryton, Breck, Tayson, Chess,
Graden, Daylan, Ridge, Baylen, Randon, Pearson, Hartley, Dagan, Laken, Bracken, Blaken, Barrington, Bastian, Brayton, Brier, Brack, Bronson, Bryson, Brasen, Breckin, Brogan, Conley, Duncan, Finley, Forrester, Griffin, Jadon, Jase, Keaton, Kennedy, Keelin, , Maddox, Presley, Lance, Rendor, River, Titus, Talen, Tayton, Saylor, Dawson
Reese, Ezra, Rayne, Cash, Brady, Tate, Finn, Tucker, Leland, Stanley, Sterling, Creed, Hollis, Matthias, Radley, Lawson, Fletcher, Baron, Kingsley, Adamson, Langston, Knight, Foster, Hart, Ford, Steele, Lander, Trucker, Indee, Carver, Thane, Thorn, Thompson, Bayne, Fuller, Frye, Gage
Ezekiel Clark. Done.
I think it carries the same feeling of adventure that you get with Indiana, but without the overwhelming connection to a single movie.
Or there’s Zebediah and Atlas.
Or if you want a subtle reference, maybe Henry Walton, Indiana Jones’ “real” name? Walton is close to Watson, and Henry fits stylistically with a lot of your other choices.
Watson Clark immediately makes me think of Watson and Crick, so I would stay away from that (unless you like the connection). I think Oliver Clark sounds beautiful.
Zebediah makes me think of Obadiah, which I’m in love with. Obadiah has an Ezekiel feel, and a lot of the sounds they like: O from Oliver, and I could even see an Obadiah nicknamed Bo or Beau. Obadiah Watson. Obadiah Elliot. Obadiah Declan Clark.
Nice one! Still gives you the option of the nickname “Indie” too :)
I love Swistle’s idea of Felix Sterling Clark. It’s beautiful!!
Of course I love the name Felix and pushed for it for my son but never got his dad to come around.
I love Oliver and I would try not to worry too much about what his family says.
I wonder if you’d like the name Wyatt?
Also, while I don’t love Dax with Clark or Beau with Clark – but generally I like short names and I think lots of people do too – like Brad Pitt or James Dean. I wonder if you’d like Dean Clark, actually.
Great suggestions of Wyatt and Dean! These also bring the name Whitaker to mind…
I also wanted to suggest Dean.
Dean
I do love the name Ezekiel but Zeke Clark is hard for me to say.
Ezekiel is my favorite of your boy names. I also really like Swistle’s suggestion of Felix.
I could get behind Watson but I don’t like the nickname you propose and I feel that a surname-y first name paired with Clark could cause some confusion. I think he would get Clark Watson a lot.
Also, I have to tell you that Cosima is GORGEOUS! Please, please, please use that! Seriously, it’s stunning! It has so much more sparkle than Ellie. “El” names are trending for girls right now in a big way. So many Eleanor’s, Eliana’s, etc. are going by Ellie. I know half a dozen between our group of friends and my son’s preschool classmates. It just feels very “dime a dozen” to me now.
I agree!
I love Ezekiel for you, even if Zeke Clark is hard to say – maybe when using the whole name, go back to the full name? Or maybe just go with the nickname Z =)
Ezekiel Stirling Clark
Cosima Wilde is just gorgeous – fingers crossed that you go with this for a girl <3
Concur on Cosima for future girl :-)
I feel like something should be said to the statement that his family doesn’t like the name Watson. From your list Watson was what jumped out to me and I am so sad you would consider nixing a name because of his family. This is why I advise not to share the name until the ink is dry.
What about Sawyer or Landon?
Watson is my favorite from your list. Watson Clark sounds great. Wyatt could also use the nickname Wat. I also wonder if you’d like Wayland.
Quincy came to mind.
What about Wilder for a first name for a boy?
Oh, so much fun in the middle name spot.
Love Felix and Beau – would you consider Robert nicknamed Bo?
I know a Web, short for Webster which I think sounds great with Clark. Or Winston?
Cosima is lovely. I’m not sure about Wilde though. Since you think meanings are important, it seems odd to have a name that means “order” and then pair it with Wilde. Also, I’m curious as to why there’s an “e” on the end of it. Is it a family surname? Ellie Brave also seems problematic to me. With an informal name like Ellie, she might want to go more formal at some point, but the middle name leaves her with nowhere to go. Neither Brave nor Ellie Brave seems any more formal than Ellie. Since you’re fine with giving a boy a full name and then using a nickname, why not do the same for a girl?
Indiana immediately makes me think of Indiana Jones, and “Indiana was the dog’s name”. I’m probably in the minority here, but Beau makes me think of lovers (I’ve read a lot of old fiction that uses the word “beau”). All of the other boys’ names are nice. In fact, I think you and your husband have a lot of nice names on your lists, but that some of them will be easier for your kid to wear than others.
Doing my best to “grasp” your style, I’m really puzzled by the popularity divide between Ellie and Cosima. There are so many little Ellie’s running around I’m tempted to call it in-the-top-10 when all versions are combined (but haven’t done research to back up this opinion). Whereas, Cosima ranks around 4,000. What would you call Cosima? Would you use that full name or call her Sima or Cossie? The middle names are interesting–I like the “short word name in the middle” style a good deal–but it seems almost immaterial unless you’re either going to call her that, or you’re imagining a future in which she’s a celebrity or uses her full name on a regular basis. Little Cosima Wilde may have a very cool name but it’s not going to survive the playground in that full form. And: Cossie Clark? Just not sure–I think the Starbucks test might be in order here, using only first and last name. Admittedly, I’m not taking meaning into consideration here….
So, onto the boys. My personal favorites, Declan & Ezekiel both shorten to names that are tricky to say with Clark. Otherwise, I’d give either the green light–recognizable, not wildly popular, supple enough. My next favorite choices would be any of the names that shorten to Eli. I think this is a great option–sounds good with Clark, sounds good with the kind of middle names you prefer. You can never go wrong with Oliver–unless you’re set on Ellie for a future girl….
As someone above me commented, Indie is all girl to me (though I know not a one). Watson I fear might be problematic–won’t he get called Sherlock?
I’d look for names that have a good rhythm with Clark, whose meaning and sound you like. I’d be really honest with yourselves about what you hope to actually call the child. I’d completely ignore the middle name until you have a solid first. I know that takes away a lot of the fun, but it really helps on the clarity end, and there’s such an abundance of cool middles in this category–North, Finch, March, True–etc., etc., that you can just have fun with that once you have the first name sorted.
Three years ago, friends named their little girl Darius Frost. That could work even better on a boy…..
From your boy list I like Oliver, Declan, Elliot, Elias, & Ezekiel.
And my vote for the girl name goes to Cosima, though I like a lot of the second string (Imogen, Nora, Zoey & Thea) as well.
Half of your girl names were on our short list, so here are the boy names that were on our short list:
Miles
Roman
Axel
Calvin
Silas
Ooo, I love Silas. Great suggestion!
Silas Clark!
Like Felix Clark — awesome
Absolutely love the name Elias nn Eli. Like Eli on it’s own too and both sound great with your surname.
My picks would be Elias Brave or Eli Sterling! Eli Sterling Clark is especially distinguished! Elias or Eli Watson perhaps? Watson is a great name, don’t listen to those naysayers, all that matters is that you and your Husband love it.
I agree with others that Cosima is lovely from your girl’s list. Cosima Winslet would be cool! Loving Thea too.
Good luck!
If you want to avoid/soften the Indiana Jones association, I like Indigo for you and think Indigo and Ellie are charming though I can’t decide if Indie and Ellie are too close or fun– I think I lean towards fun if Indie is something he’s sometimes or often called but maybe too close if it ended up being the sort of nickname that is basically all he’s called.
I couldn’t figure out why Watson Clark sounded off to me until one of the commenters said something about Watson & Crick. A lot of people might not have the reference in their mind, but I still think it would come up often enough that I wouldn’t use it.
You have lovely names picked out so you really can’t go wrong, but I have to urge you–intensely–to go with your bolder choices over your more predictable ones. Cosima Wilde is awesome and has so much going for it. Ellie just feels so plain by comparison (although still a beautiful name, which is why it is popular).
Winslet, Imogen, and Willa have so much panache. I just love how stylish they all sound alone and together.
Your boy names have some real style standouts as well: Watson, Ezekial, and Dax. I love Eli–I have a 7 year old son named Eli–but it feels too conventional next to Zeke or Wats or Willa.
I guess my point is that you have a bolder name style tucked away amongst the less bold names and I really, really, really love the bold names. They aren’t unheard of, they aren’t made up, and they all go together so beautifully that I want you to have at least eight children just so I can hear all their names together.
From the suggestions, I love Axel Sterling for you. Ace, Zeke, Winslet, and Cosima. GORGEOUS.
I have a 3 year old Watson and I love the name more now than when we picked it. We had it narrowed down to Watson, Wilson, or Corbin before he was born, and I’m so glad we went with Watson! I have yet to encounter any “Sherlock” comments even though I was sure there would be tons. We also have a surname that is a super common first name (even more-so than Clark). In 3 years there has only been one mix-up for him and I just corrected the person and it was done. We call him Wat at home occasionally but I don’t think it will stick as a full-use nickname. My 18 month old calls him Wat Wat which is adorable. The Watson and Crick association seems far enough from your name that it wouldn’t come up very often, if at all. Just wanted to add in my personal experience to help with your decision!
We have an Oliver/Ollie and also had Watson on our list! Have you considered Arlo?
I wouldn’t do Watson except as middle because Clark Watson / Watson Clark which is the surname confusion.
Knox Sterling Clark
Wyatt Grey Clark
Love Ezekiel “Zeke” Clark
I just have to chime in with my extreme love for the name Cosima. Wow! Beautiful but never/underused–for me that’s the sweet spot. Good luck!
Love all of these suggestions!! We are currently on day 2 at the hospital, with no luck choosing a name. I am up with the sweet one now googling names to help us, and found this post! I did not know our ask had made it to the blog until just now!! All of these suggestions and comments are really going to help! We had a girl :) Short list are now Cosima, Thea, and Octavia. We do love Cosima, but are having a lot of trouble with the nickname. “Sima” can sound a bit off putting and isn’t fairing well with anyone we mention it too. Thea is currently top choice. Thoughts!?