Hi Swistle,
We’re quickly approaching baby #2’s due date and are lost on what to name her. Our second daughter is due on May 30th (though, I anticipate she’ll be a few weeks early, due to a few complications I’m experiencing.) We have a 3-year-old named Sawyer Beatrice (Beatrice is a family name) – we went into the hospital with 25 names when she was born, and I was certain she would be named Grey. 4 days later, hubby convinced me that his choice of ‘Sawyer’ would be a perfect name for a life we hope is filled with adventure. Of course it fits her perfectly now.
Our last name starts with an ‘Abe’ and ends in -son, and if we were having a boy, favorites would include Crew + Grey. We’ve agreed upon two names so far for girls: Finley and Wren. We were pretty close to deciding on Finley, when my hubby realized there were far too many people in his office with little Finley’s at home, so that name is hanging in limbo. While we like Wren, we just haven’t fallen in love with it, so we continue the search. We are open to a middle name, likely something feminine knowing that we’ll choose a first name that is unisex to align with Sawyer, though the family name Kathryn is a strong option for the middle name.
Other names we’ve discussed:
Rowan (I love, husband ruled out for both girls as he has a business partner with a son Rowan)
Milo (hubby does not like)
Luca (just used by good friends for a boy)
Malou (hubby keeps singing “skip to Ma-lou” when we discuss)
Winter, nn Winnie (hubby’s choice, I do not like it)As you can see, we like unisex names, though nothing overly popular for both genders (especially the Charlie’s, Riley’s and Alex’s). I also like the idea of connecting the sib-set with the ‘w’ or ‘y’ in the name, though definitely not tied to this idea. Because of our last name, I’m trying to avoid first names stating with ‘A’ (as initials would be ‘AA’) and any names that end in -son. As an avid reader of your helpful advice since trying to choose my first daughter’s name, I would certainly love your take on ideas for baby girl #2.
Sincerely,
Nicole
I think I might start here by finding out exactly how many Finleys are involved in your husband’s office: if you both love and agreed on the name, and it seems to me a near-perfect choice with Sawyer, it would be a shame to cross it off the list unnecessarily. There definitely can be little pockets of a name, but are we talking ten co-workers with children named Finley, or are we talking two? I remember one day when I was pregnant with William and we’d already chosen his name, I took toddler Robert for his two-year check-up and then to have his two-year portraits done—and there was a baby William in each waiting room! I went home in a panic, telling Paul we couldn’t use that name. But…it was only two Williams total. It just FELT like a lot of Williams because of the coincidence, and because I was highly sensitive to hearing that name once we’d chosen it.
But if we’re talking a truly surprising number of baby Finleys, I can see how that might take the shine off the name. For other possibilities to consider, I’d look for another unisex and/or surname name, ideally one used more often for boys (according to the Social Security Administration, the name Sawyer was used for 1,272 new baby girls and 4,213 new baby boys in 2016):
Baxter
Beckett
Bennett
Brady
Brecken
Callan
Carter
Chandler
Channing
Colby
Collins
Crosby
Declan
Elliott
Ellis
Emmett
Emory
Flynn
Hollis
Keane
Keegan
Lennox
Lachlan/Locklyn
Logan
Merrill
Merritt
Miller
Padgett
Presley
Quincy
Reeve
Sterling
Teague
Tiernan
Tyler
Winslow
Yates
It’s a little tricky: so many surnames end in -son (duplicating your surname) or -er (duplicating the sibling name). I left a few of the -er names in because there are just SO MANY, it seemed wrong to rule them out entirely—but sometimes the resulting pairing makes me think of the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker. For example, I thought Miller might be a great candidate, but does “Sawyer and Miller” sound like two side-by-side shops in the village?
I particularly like the idea of Winslow. It’s similar to your husband’s choice of Winter/Winnie, and to your choices of Rowan and Milo.
Name update:
I don’t think a follow up ever got posted here… for those wondering, we went with Quinn for our second baby girl to big sister Sawyer. It took three days after she was born to name her, at which point we still couldn’t choose and narrowed it down to two and let big sister pick. In the end, it fits her perfectly of course. I still think of this name list from time to time, and how it really helped me narrow down what names I liked, brought fresh ideas even after a long search, and confirmed that in the end I would figure out the perfect name for my daughter. This list was an important stop on the journey to meeting our girl. Thanks to all for the suggestion, and especially to Swistle!
Swistles suggestion Padgett makes my heart sing. Padgett Katheryn. Wow. Also love it with a “J” middle for the nickname PJ.
I think Finley and Winter are great too. But Padgett!
If Finley is out, oh please consider Flannery!!! Such a good connection to Flannery O’Connor, and a loose southern theme going with Sawyer and Flannery. And just saying, but the nicknames Annie or even Flo for Flannery make me swoon (may be too feminine for your taste but still).
Oh anddd….no reason you couldn’t squeeze Wren as a nickname from FlanNERy. It’s in there, just a bit scrambled:)
Absolutely LOVE this suggestion! I’m swooning over Sawyer and Flannery.
Colby, Brady, Emery and Hollis all stand out to me from Swistle’s list.
What about Teagan?!
I have a toddler daughter named Brady and I was thrilled to see it made Swistle’s list! It’s a great name! Sawyer and Brady – love!
However if you’re not feeling that, just wanted to offer up our “if we had a second girl” name (we had a boy and agreed that 2 kids is our max!) – Ellis. Ellis Kathryn!
We also considered the name Spencer, but I’m not sure how you feel about matching initials.
Good luck!
If you love Finley then use it. Your husband may not always have this job, colleagues may move away, etc etc. Work friends are just not close enough in my book to rule out a name you love (I make exceptions for my cousins and my best friends).
I love the suggestion of Flannery.
Maybe you’d like Anouk? As soon as I saw Malou it came to mind. It’s a French and Dutch nickname for Anna, but I love it as a full name and even though I’m not usually into name alliteration, I really like it with your last name! (which I’m pronouncing with a long “a” for the first part “Abe-son”)
I just reread and I saw your comment about “AA” but really she’d be A (middle initial) A. But I see the concern. I honestly think I like Anouk enough to overcome it.
Also, maybe you’d like Paisley?
Winslow nn Winnie is so sweet. I also have a soft spot for Elliot for a girl. I like Teagan/Tegan suggestion from the above poster too.
Reese? Ellis? Levi? Bailey? Lennon?
If Winter is a no-go, what about Autumn? I agree with Swistle about Winslow. And I’m also ditto’ing Flannery.
What about Bailey? Burnett (for Frances Hodgeson)? Keene (for Carolyn)? Tey (for Josephine)? Alcott (for Louisa May)?
It did occur to me that the reason Sawyer and Finley sound perfect together is because of Tom Sawyer & Huck Finn. It would be enough for me to not use the names together, but it may not bother you as much. If that’s not an issue and the only thing holding you back are Finleys at your husband’s work, I would encourage you not to worry it too much. There probably aren’t as many as you think, and co-workers come and go. The odds that all the Finleys parents are still working together as the kids grow up is probably fairly slim.
That was my strong association as well. It isn’t negative but it projects a clear image.
This was one of my initial concerns with Finley, but as we shared the idea with friends, the association had mat been made by anyone, and even surprised them when we told them we had the concern… so I totally hear you on this one!
Perhaps Finnegan?
I don’t know why, but when I read Wren, Robin popped in my head.
I wonder if Yardley appeals to you at all? Ryder or Sutton, Kendall, and Landry are my other suggestions!
Wylie? Hadley?
I really like the way Wylie Abe-son sounds, but I guess it’s very possible that people would think she was saying Riley with a speech impediment. :)
I love love love the name Wren, and I think it goes beautifully with Sawyer. The name Wren also makes me think of Sparrow, another favorite name of mine. (I guess I like bird names?) Sawyer and Sparrow! I love it!
I wonder if it would too much of a stretch to the ‘ryn’ of Kathryn to get the nickname of Wren. I know it’s not a common nickname like Katie, Kate or Kat but it would give you a familiar name and an unusual nicknamed
So many great suggestions. I really like Flannery, Crosby, Quincy, Lachlan, and Keegan for you. I would add Tierney, Hayes, Brett, and Marlowe.
How about Quinn or Quinlan? Reed?
A few idea, sorry if I’m repeating,
Remington nn Remi, or just Remi on its own is lovely, Micah (similar to Luca), Beckett, Holland, Cambridge or Cambria/Cambrie/Camden, Sage, Willa, Marlow, Arie, Lyndal, Blakely or just Blake, Brynn, Grayson, Skyla, Tatum, Rory.
I think my favourite would be Micah, Sawyer and Micah are great together!
My mom read The Little Colonel series to me when I was a kid, and I’ve read it several times as an adult. I have always loved the main (female) character’s name: Lloyd.
Parker, Hunter or Harley were the first names that came to mind. Quite like the sound of Sawyer and Hunter together.
Ripley! Sawyer and Ripley are so cool together!
I really like swistle’s suggestions of Presley. Sawyer and Presley!
If you like Wren, what about Lark or Dove?
Other suggestions:
Wynter (prefer it with a Y next to Sawyer)
Jagger
Perry/Perrie
Clover
Meadow
Harvest nn Harvi. Cute!
Reeve
Love Reeve! Sawyer and Reeve!
Good luck!
My favorite suggestions so far are Winslow and Hollis.
Other alternatives to Finley might be Finch or Harley.
I also really like Wyatt as an option. Sawyer and Wyatt.
Sterling! (That is unless you mind having another “S” name)
I love Winslow, and came to suggest Holland and see that it has already been suggested so I’ll just second the idea. Winslet is also a similar option to Winslow.
I wouldn’t rule out Finn bc of office mates using it (how many? Are the kids similar ages?) but the whole Tom Sawyer/Huck Finn would give me pause. It’s not a bad association, but it’s a strong and specific association.
Ooooh I love Remi and almost went Reed for my own girl, so I’d looooove to see that!
I second Sutton and will add Wynn (instead of Finn/Wylie?).
I like Campbell, Lennox, Hollis or Ellis
Campbell Kathryn
Sawyer and Campbell (this is my fave!)
Lennox Kathryn
Sawyer and Lennox
Hollis Kathryn
Sawyer and Hollis
Ellis Kathryn (this might be my second fave!)
Sawyer and Ellis
Oh I like Lennox!
Ditto. Lennox is good.
I like these for you with Sawyer:
Darby
Rory
Remy
Quinn
Tory
Marlo
Teagan
Tierney
Personally, would try to use another family middle name (even your maiden name?).
Forgot to mention Britton and Windsor
From Swistle’s list I love: Beckett (Kate Beckett from Castle!), Carter, Collins, Lennox and Logan (possible nickname Lola!).
Some ideas:
Kit (Kit Kathryn is beautiful)
Tate
Galen
Asa
Hayes
Sinclair
Monroe
Lawson
Jensen
August
Blaise
If you’re ok with variations of Kathryn, I suggest Katrina, Catherine and Katia. Maybe August Katia, Tate Catherine or Blaise Katrina?
Came back to suggest the name Reagan/Regan, I pronounce it Ree-gan but it could also be pronounce Rae-gan which ever you prefer. Reagan is one of my favourite names for girl/boy!
Sawyer and Reagan!
So many great suggestions, both from Swistle and in the comments.
My first thought upon seeing Malou, Wren and Rowan in your list was Maren (or Marin). You could still get the nickname Wren. Maren Abe_son. Sawyer & Maren.
Some more ideas in the same vein:
Mirren, Merrin, Merryn
Renly
Bren, Brennan
Seren
Corin, Coren
And some more ideas (I’ll try to avoid repeating suggestions. Sorry if some slip through):
Everett
Arden
River
Aspen
Nova
Dylan
Auden
Delaney
If you feel comfortable with a name close to yours, Nico also works well with Sawyer.
Good luck with the search, and Congratulations!
Crew and Grey for boys reminds me strongly of Greer for a girl. It might rule out Grey at least in the future though.
I like many of these suggestions – one that hasn’t been mentioned yet that I like is Ryan.
What about Romy?
Sawyer and Romy. Cute!
Holliday or Holland?
Sawyer and Hayden sound nice together too.
☺️
I am all in on Flannery or Greer for this family. Love it!
I like the suggestions of Lennox, Campbell, Ripley and Lark.
Also:
Ridley
Ripley and Ridley make me think of Sigourney :)
Scout (too literary matchy-matchy?)
Starling
Sutton
Darcy
Bronte
I have a Holland (nn Hols) and I could see that pairing well with Sawyer. I also second pp’s suggestion of Keene (Keane). I personally love Wren from your choices and use it myself one day but it conflicts with a last name ending in “en” too.
I don’t think a follow up ever got posted here… for those wondering, we went with Quinn for our second baby girl to big sister Sawyer. It took three days after she was born to name her, at which point we still couldn’t choose and narrowed it down to two and let big sister pick. In the end, it fits her perfectly of course. I still think of this name list from time to time, and how it really helped me narrow down what names I liked, brought fresh ideas even after a long search, and co firmed that in the end I would figure out the perfect name for my daughter. This list was an important stop on the journey to meeting our girl. Thanks to all for the suggestion, and especially to Swistle!