Dear Swistle,
We are expecting a boy this year and are struggling to find a name we love. Our last name rhymes with Inpin@relli, which is obviously a mouthful, so we prefer one or two-syllable first names. Our daughter is Quinn J(oo)liet (but spelled with a u). We have basically eliminated names ending in the -in sound due to our last name, although we decided to break that rule with Quinn and it somehow works. We prefer names that aren’t super popular but are recognizable and easy to pronounce. My husband doesn’t like what he deems “preppy/pretentious” names such as Sawyer, Spencer, and Parker.
The middle name will probably be Simon after my grandfather, although we could also use the S initial or a J initial for my grandmother.
First names we like but aren’t sure about:
Reid- This is currently our front runner. Would this be annoying for the child in school considering how often the word “read” is said? Does it sound nerdy with Simon?
Miles- Seems a little bland to me- maybe because of the similarity to the word mild. It also eliminates a middle name starting with S.
Cole
Graham- Would he be called grammy or graham cracker?
Theo- too popular
Nolan- has that -in ending
Hayes- my husband doesn’t like it
Our original favorite boy name was Ryder but two friends in our orbit have recently used it.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts and suggestions! I will definitely provide an update once the baby is born.
I think Reid is great. Perhaps some Reids and/or parents of Reids can weigh in on the Reid/read issue, but my own opinion is that it wouldn’t stop me from using it. I don’t think it seems nerdy with the middle name Simon.
Or would you like Reeve? Reeve Inpin@relli; Quinn and Reeve.
I wonder if Milo would feel a little more interesting than Miles. Milo Inpin@relli; Quinn and Milo.
Nolan + Cole makes me think of Noel, but I suspect in the U.S. it would be irritatingly often confused with Noelle. Noel Inpin@relli; Quinn and Noel.
I do think a Graham would sometimes hear the graham cracker wordplay; perhaps some Grahams or parents of Grahams can weigh in on how much of an issue it is.
I wonder if you’d like Grant: similar to Graham, but no crackers. Grant Inpin@relli; Quinn and Grant.
Or Emmett. Emmett Inpin@relli; Quinn and Emmett.
Or Wyatt. Wyatt Inpin@relli; Quinn and Wyatt.
Grady. Grady Inpin@relli; Quinn and Grady.
Clark. Clark Inpin@relli; Quinn and Clark.
Gage. Gage Inpin@relli; Quinn and Gage.
Lane. Lane Inpin@relli; Quinn and Lane.
Rory. Rory Inpin@relli; Quinn and Rory.
I have known several Graham‘s and only occasionally thought about the cracker. In any event, it’s a pleasant association.
Would you like Malcom?
I have two boys who are 7 & 4 and they’d probably have LOVED to be named Miles since that is the new SpiderMan! He’s a big-hearted, dynamic character, and definitely not boring. I also have a nephew named Graham and adore his name. We do sometimes call him Graham cracker though, so if that bugs you, you might want to pass. Reid is solid! What about Callum?
Milo seems so incredibly perfect. It’s a great sibling name to Quinn and sounds amazing with the last name. And it works with the intended middle name. Two solid thumbs up.
I’m a mom of a Reid who is 9, and that issue has never come up! We also named our girl pup (13) Quinn, so it seems like we have similar tastes! ;)
Rhys?
Your husband possibly doesn’t like surname/occupation names.
3 syllables, but I think Elliott is nice with the surname and with Quinn. Also Louis (Louie) … or Lewis, but probably with a different middle name.
Teacher here:
I have taught a “Reed” before and the read/Reed was never an issue. Possible once or twice “ Reed, can you please read the next question.”
I vote for Reid and Cole. Such a great combination with your last name!
I don’t see any problem with Reid/Read. It’s not a negative word. (Maybe if you used the Reed spelling it would be even more differentiated because reed is a word, too.) Same thing for Graham. If anything it’s a positive association. If you want similar names without a dessert association, though, there’s Grant or Garrett. I like the tweak of Miles to Milo, though, because it works better with the middle.
I know a little Reid who loves to say “my name is Reid and I love to read!” He gets a kick out of it. Reid Simon is very handsome and sounds nice with Quinn
If you like shorter names then I also want to suggest Zane. Not too popular, not pretentious/preppy, easy to pronounce. Zane Simon. Zane and Quinn. I like how both siblings have a fun, zippy first initial.
Or Dean. Dean Simon. Dean and Quinn
Love the idea of Grant or Grady to sidestep the graham cracker issue. Or Bram maybe? Bram Simon. Bram and Quinn.
Or Maxwell instead of Miles? Maxwell Simon. Max and Quinn. Or Malcolm. Malcolm and Quinn. Mac and Quinn.
I like both Reid and Graham with the name Quinn. But, honestly, all your options are good!
I don’t see an issue with Reid/read, either. I would think, in passing, of “graham cracker” or “teddy graham”, but I wouldn’t feel inclined to call a baby or child by those nicknames. I think if anyone DID call the baby by either, it would likely be a very time-limited, cutesy sort of thing when he’s small. I can’t see either nickname sticking long-term.
You have good, solid options! I like that the names are all surname names, but that both Reid and Graham are decidedly masculine. No one will wonder whether your son is named Quinn with either Reid or Graham.
Since you have good choices already, I hesitate to mention another. But my friend has a little boy named Smith and it wears surprisingly well as a first name. I think a sister named Quinn and brother named Smith is darling.
Adding Maddox and Joel.
I think you couldn’t go wrong with any of the names on Swistle’s list, except for maybe Clark, but that’s only if your family gets as tongue-tied as mine!
I like Reid, it’s gentle and attractive and kind of soft. I think with spunky Quinn, you might want to match that spunkiness. Like to me, Grant and Quinn both have the same energy to them. Maybe Fraser? Everett?
Quinn and Grant
Quinn and Fraser
Quinn and Everett
Quinn and Cormac
Quinn and Emmett
I love Quinn, by the way! Good luck and let us know, please!
I too love Ryder and am bummed you can’t use it. I also like the following, so maybe you will, as well:
Garrett
Hank
Bridger
Thatcher
Hunter
Barrett
Jedd
Silas
Chase
I like Simon Miles; the Ss are separated and I rather like Quinn & Simon as a sibset.
Nolan and Cole make me think of Colin. but maybe too close to Quinn?
Reid Simon sounds solid to me, too.