Dear Swistle,
My husband and I are expecting our first baby, a boy, in late July. We would love to honor my mother’s family by using her maiden name as either his first or middle name. (I recently lost my grandmother, whom I loved very much, as well as an uncle. The past two years have been hard for my family, and this baby is a joy and sign of hope for all of us.) That name is Hale (pronounced hail). The baby will take my husband’s last name, which is said like Will-yums. I like that Hale is uncommon, since his surname is very common.
We like Hale Alexander. Hale Hudson is another idea. I also love Ezra Hale, but my husband isn’t a fan of the name Ezra. Other boy names we like are Leo, Ronan, Sebastian, Silas, Arthur, Tate, Rhys, Luca, Archer, and Louis.
Do you have suggestions for middle names that go with Hale as a first name, or first names to go with Hale as a middle? Nothing sounds 100 percent perfect to us just yet.
We plan on having at least one more child. If we had ended up with a girl, we liked Clara, Julia, Ruby, Elodie, Esmé, and Isla. We likely would have named her Clara Hale—Clara sounds like my grandma’s first name, and they would have shared initials.
Thank you for your help!
I think I would use Hale as a middle name. It has two issues as a first name: it sounds like the command “Hail,” and it’s one of the pronunciations of the word “hell.” Neither of those things is a huge deal (how often does anyone say “Hail” anymore? and no one is going to think you named your child Hell, even if you move to an area where that’s the local accent), but together they motivate me to find a first name that sounds great with it—maybe another family name?
From your list, my favorites are Louis Hale, Arthur Hale, and Leo Hale. (I like Ezra Hale best of all.) If possible, I would avoid looking for a name that is 100% perfect; it’s too high a goal, especially when trying to incorporate an honor name.
More options to consider:
Aidric Hale Will-yums
Elliot Hale Will-yums
Everett Hale Will-yums
Frederick Hale Will-yums
Gideon Hall Will-yums
Julian Hale Will-yums
Oliver Hale Will-yums
Simon Hale Will-yums
Louis Hale, most definitely.
While Swistle raises excellent points here, I like Hale as a first name! I actually gave a little giggle of delight at Hale Hudson. It has a great meaning, if you care about that sort of thing, and it sounds enough like other established boy names (Dale, Cole, Hayes) to fit right in. It’s a no-brainer on spelling and pronunciation. “Hale Hudson” is really strong in that memorable superhero way.
My grandmother has a strong Tennessee accent, and hell and hale would sound different spoken by her, but even if they didn’t–I feel like she’d make an effort to clearly enunciate the long A in Hale to make sure that didn’t happen.
Finally, I think it’s really beautiful that you plan to honor a boy’s matriarchal ancestors with his name, and that honor is amplified when it’s a first name.
I know a late 30yr old Hale. Always have loved the name and no issues or ever thought of “heil”. I vote to use it!
I think Hail Hudson is adorable.
I think Hale could work as a first name and Hale Alexander is a nice combo, and you both like it, so I’m tempted to stop right here. But I do like Hale Louis and Hale Silas. Ronan Hale and Sebastian Hale are good, too. In fact, I think any of those combinations are reversible.
Since the coming of this baby represents happiness after loss to you, Felix could be a fun choice. Hale Felix or Felix Hale.
Agree. I swooned at Hale Alexander!
I find Hale totally useable as a first name and would not hesitate to use it. I love a good maternal line last name going into a first name.
If you don’t want to use it as a first name, I might consider using a name that might mimic the girl option: Christopher Hale, Clark Hale, or Clarence Hale.
If you do want to use it as a first name I am also very charmed by the alliteration of Hale Hudson.
I would have never thought of the heil pronunciation that Swistle pointed to, but now that it has been said I do think there are a few names that probably should be avoided whether Hale goes either in the first or middle spot: Caeser, Augustus, Julius, etc.
I was coming here to suggest Clark! Love the Superman tie-in, the connection to a relative, and how it’s uncommon but not unfamiliar. Only downside is if you really want to preserve the ability to use Clara with a potential future daughter–Clark and Clara would definitely be A Sibling Set.
I am a University of Michigan alum and the song Hail to the Victors or just saying “Hail” is pretty common there. So I would definitely avoid Victor unless you want to send a very pro-Michigan message. And if you do, I totally support you naming your kid Hail Victor Will-yums.
Alexander Hale Will-yums is an awesome name!!!
Hale Alexander leads me right into the many epic Roman films and TV shows that I love to watch with my husband. As in, “Hail Caesar!” Lovely, ringing strength, but also, it’s right on the edge of parody.
Of course, a number of the Caesar names are still used, like Alexander and Titus and August (us). And Julius or Julian.
If Hale is this baby’s first name, and I get it, Hale has a really fresh, catchy sound, and it’s a great option in the surname-as-first-name category, then I’d probably aim for something less grand and more standard-issue in the middle, like David or Timothy or George or Thomas. Hale John. Hale Jonathan. Hale David. Hale Louis. Much less of the historical film vibe.
I really love Alexander Hale Willyums! It has all those associations of Roman and neoclassical early American history without the confusion.
Although Hale is a very nice name, I would probably use it as a middle rather than a first name.
“Hail Caesar!” or a Hail Mary prayer doesn’t seem like huge deal-breakers, however there’s also a Nazi salute “Heil Hitler!”, and THAT would be a an issue, at least for me.
Alexander Hale Will-yums really IS a wonderful name! (And, as you mentioned, both you and your husband like it).
And if you ever have a daughter in the future, you still can name her Clara Hale: Clara & Alexander sound like a perfect combo, and a shared middle name would make a cool connection between the kids.
I would use Hale as the first name. I love that it is an honor name. Hale Alexander is at the top of the list. Other names
Hale Bennett
Hale Franklin
I actually really like Hale as a first! It’s just the right amount of unusual.
I just finished listening to “The Selection” series by Keira Cass and in the last book “The Crown” there is a guy named Hale so maybe I’m used to it. While the books books were not much more than a way to help pass time while doing housework, you might enjoy it as a way to test out hearing Hale used commonly as a first name.
I LOVE Hale Alexander Willyums.
My impression is that most people do not know your middle name. Therefore, to me it diminishes the honour – which is fine for some people – but it sounds like you really want to honour your mom’s side, and also, it limits the amount of times anyone would say ‘Hail Alexander!’ is minimal and heck, might even be kinda fun. But there are many other middles which would be great here too. Hale Hudson is pretty kickass.
Hale is so very now. Think of all the punchy surnamey names like Holt and Cash and Tate, and it’s not too much of a jump from names like Kale and Hayes. But the best part is it fits right in but honours your family bigtime in an everyday way.
Lastly, I think it works well with some of your other faves for future children. I could totally see brothers Hale and Ronan or Hale and Archer. And a little sister named Ruby, Elodie or Esme would be lovely.
Another vote to use Hale as the first name. I think it’s just too cool and significant of a name to hide it in the middle! It has just the right amount of that stands-out-but-fits-in quality to it too.
Hale Alexander is probably my favorite on your list
Hale Thomas
Hale Edward
Hale Jacob
Hale David
Hale Joseph
Hale Adair
Hale Bennett
Hale Simon
Hale Gerard
I do think Hale is a bit tricky to pair with a middle because it is only one syllable so it’s hard to find something with a nice rhythm. You could always still put Hale in the middle and just call him Hale. If you did that then I think Nathaniel Hale or Everett Hale are both very handsome.
I kinda like Hale in the first name slot too!! I see what swistle is saying with the “hell” issue. Like if you say, “oh… Hale, no!” It sounds like “oh hell no!” With an accent.
But I don’t think it’s a deal breaker. I wouldn’t have made that connection on my own.
I think this is one of those regional differences. In the South Hale is a perfectly normal name, wouldn’t stand out in the least. I love it. Hale Hudson? That’s a spectacular name. Go for it!
I am squarely on team Hale. I knew a few people with that name as I was growing up in the 80s. I was quite charmed by it even then, and never thought of it as “hail”. Admittedly, I don’t live in an area where people would pronounce the name like “hell”, so that seems like less of an issue than it might in other places. The backstory for this family is so good, too. I wouldn’t hesitate to use it as a first name.
I LOVE Hale as a first name! All the heart eyes! Hale Hudson is great.
Never heard it but I like it! For first or middle.
I agree: Hale with any name after it that used to be a Caesar sounds odd to me. But how often is the first and middle name said together? So probably not a big concern.
Hale Hudson is great.
I like longer names too in the middle, for flow, so of your others I like Sebastian.
Definitely Hale as the first! Hale Archer?
I prefer it in the middle, particularly with your surname. Hale Smith would be read correctly, but I can imagine Hale Thomas being called Thomas Hale quite frequently … and I think the same may occur with your last name (even with the extra ‘s’).
I like the comment which suggested keeping Clara Hale for a girl, and using XYZ Hale for this baby. The honour is then shared and continued.
Another vote for Hale as a first name. I love it!
Love love love love love Hale as a first name!!!
But…IF it goes to the middle…would you consider using it as a middle for all future children, girls too? I like that idea as well- but not as much as I like it as a a first name.
I love Hale. It sounds so elegant and classic and very modern at the same time. I do not think the “Hail” as a word is too bad. There are regional differences in pronunciation, as well as a multitude of nice connections. I love Hale Arthur, James, Jacob, Alexander, and William.
Disclaimer: I have an Australian accent.
I love Hale! In my accent it sounds nothing like Hail Hitler (Hi-uhl) or Hell (rhymes with sell). So I guess this is a locality thing??
I think of ‘hale and hearty’ which is 100% positive.
I would avoid ‘a’ middle to get away from HAW.
Hale Benjamin
Hale Gideon
I have zero qualms about putting Hale in the first name spot! Love it and the connection to your family. For middle, anything that has 2 or 3 syllables works for me, they all sound great!
I ADORE Hale as a first name! None of the issues Swistle raised came to my mind at all. I think it would be a great tribute to your family.
Go with Hale Alexander if you love it. People so rarely even know other people’s middle names – i only know the middle names of my closest friends kids and my nephews, definitely none of my kid’s other friends or classmates. If Alexander is your favourite middle then use it!
I’m from New Zealand and wouldn’t hear hell or heil. Hale also wouldn’t seem strange in a sea of surnames as first names!
I think Hale is very useable in the first name spot. I would pair it with another family name or one with some other special significance (or just a meaning you love).
I really like Louis/Lewis Hale if you keep it in the middle. Or maybe Spencer Hale, Connor Hale, Everett Hale, Wyatt Hale, Griffin Hale, Grady Hale or Gideon Hale.
I really love Hale Hudson. I agree with the above commenter that it sounds very strong in a super hero way. And if you are a monogramming kind of lady, it would be such a nice, symmetrical one: HWH. Very handsome.
I just want to throw this out there. I know a sweet girl named Elodie (meant to rhyme with Melody) and her name is CONSTANTLY being mispronounced as “el-LOW-dee.” I know it annoys her to know end. Just something to think about when the next baby comes around.
I also love Hale as a first name! Hale Will-yums sounds like some kind of legendary author to me. The only association I would have is hail as in the weather phenomenon. I’d never think of “hail” as in the greeting or even “hell”.
Love love love Hale. Great name.
Alexander is a great middle, Hudson is cool, Hale Rhys or Hale Phillip or Hale Francis or Hale Walker – Hale goes with everything. Well almost everything: Storm, Hitler, Augustus and Cesear are prolly off the table but it’s a small price to pay for a cool name.