A Classic First Name Like Paul

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THEIR LAST NAME SOUNDS LIKE A FIRST

Libby writes:

My husband Carter and I have a son named Paul Henry.

Our last name sounds like the girl’s name Jocelyn. (Different spelling.) My husband’s name is often confused as Jocelyn Carter. We were looking for a first name that wouldn’t have that happen, at least not as often. So far, that’s been true for Paul.

We are due with our second, another boy, in September. So far, it feels like Paul is the only name that really fits our criteria. (Or maybe Henry, but I don’t want to re-use the name.)

Names we have considered but aren’t sure about:

• ANDREW – I like it better without a nickname, but everyone seems to shorten it to Andy/Drew.
• DAVID – Not sure about this one, really don’t love Dave, but I do think Davey is sweet for a baby.
• DEAN – My favorite, but I think it would be confused for Jocelyn Dean.
• EVAN – My husband’s favorite right now, but I’m not really on board.
• JAMES – Is this just too boring? We don’t like Jimmy or Jim as nicknames.
• PETER – This is kind of what we’re looking for, but it feels like a matched set with Paul.
• THEODORE – This was almost Paul’s name, but it looks too long next to Paul.

One name we have ruled out is Joseph, especially with the (real) spelling of our last name. It looks too repetitive, and I don’t really like Joe Jocelyn.

Do you think we should re-consider any of the names on our list? We’d love some new ideas, too.

Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.

FINDING ANOTHER CLASSIC BOY NAME LIKE PAUL

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your new son!

We’ve had the our-last-name-is-a-first-name question a few times, but I think this might be the first scenario where there’s also the gender aspect to consider. Someone named Carter James will inevitably be mistaken for James Carter sometimes. But it’s a double error when Carter Jocelyn is assumed to be a woman named Jocelyn Carter.

It’s not just that they’re fumbling your name. They’re looking for a completely different person.

While I can appreciate the frustration, I think your children have a big advantage, and it comes down to data.

The name Jocelyn was relatively obscure, but gained in use during the 1980s and 90s, alongside J names like Jennifer, Jessica, and Jasmine. It peaked around 2007, and has been declining since.

In fact, I suspect Jocelyn would’ve been a more common first name than Carter during much of your husband’s childhood.

So while I think your strategy of choosing a solid first name like Paul is sound, I do think that trends are on your side. The less popular Jocelyn is as a first, the more likely it is to be correctly heard as your last name.

Okay, let’s look at your list with fresh eyes.

DROP: EVAN + ANDREW

Let’s start with Evan, because this is easy. If it’s a no from one parent, the best approach is to drop it from your list.

Nicknames can be dicey. While I know Andrews, child and adult, that never shorten their name, I agree that it’s a little more tempting with Andrew. If you’re really opposed to a default nickname, better to skip the name than spend years correcting others.

MAYBE: DEAN, PETER

I know what you mean about Dean being an actual last name, but I’m not sure I have the same reaction. I like the way it’s short and strong like Paul, but also feels different. Paul and Dean sound like brothers, without being too well matched.

Speaking of matching, I do hear Peter and Paul as a pair. If you welcomed a third son in the future, I can imagine it being difficult to find the right name. That said, I think Peter is perfect for your criteria, so maybe it will be just right for a future child.

YES: DAVID, JAMES, THEODORE

Here’s the thing that I’ll say about David and James: we are less likely to use nicknames for either of those names for a child born in 2025 than we were for a 1990s kid. Why? I can’t really say. Popular names change, but so do default nicknames and the names we shorten.

James Jocelyn is a lot of J, but I kind of love it.

David Jocelyn is strong and timeless and I really like Paul and David as brothers.

But let’s talk about Theodore. Would you call him Theo? Because while I see what you mean about Theodore and Paul being very different lengths, they’re both classic boy names.

Paul and Theo together sound great. And I think Theo is very much an obvious first name.

MORE SUGGESTIONS LIKE PAUL

ADAM

I’d call Adam a classic, but it’s not exactly in the John-Charles-George category. Paul and Adam sound like brothers from any decade in the last 200 years – at least.

ALEX/ALEXANDER

This is another one of those short/long challenges, like Theo/Theodore, but I do like Paul and Alex together, so it feels like it’s worth a mention.

LEO

If Theo/Theodore is a sticking point, would you consider Leo instead? While it can be short for Leonard/Leonardo or lots of Leo names, Leo is most popular in full. Paul and Leo are visually compatible, and there’s no doubt in my mind that Leo Jocelyn is the first/last name combination.

MATTHEW

Mateo is having a moment, but classic Matthew sounds like a brother for Paul.

WILLIAM

When it comes to a name like Paul, William immediately springs to mind. One hitch: Paul and Will share the same L ending sound, so maybe it’s a tiny bit repetitive. But William is a rock solid classic of a name, and I think it’s worth consideration.

Overall, I really love the idea of Paul and Theodore together. Well, make that Paul and Theo! I think Theo is a problem-solver name. I’d never mistake Theo Jocelyn for Jocelyn Theo.

Theodore James, maybe?

If you’re still not comfortable with Theodore, I’d suggest Leo as an obvious substitute. Leo Alexander and Paul Henry, maybe?

Or maybe Matthew Dean? Paul and Matt; Paul Henry and Matthew Dean.

Readers, over to you! What would you name a brother for Paul Henry?