Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, we discuss reader’s name questions, usually on Tuesdays and Fridays. We’re relying on thoughtful comments from the community to help expectant parents narrow down their name decisions. Thank you in advance for sharing your insight! To have your question considered, email appmtn (at) gmail. Looking for your own private #namehelp post? Order one here.
FOURTH CHILD, OUT OF NAMES
Allison writes:
We have a Phoebe who was almost a Daphne, a Jack who was almost a George, and a Georgia because we just couldn’t agree on a girl’s name. Our fourth and (probably) final child will be here in a few weeks, and we are really out of boy names.
Most of the names we like are shorter, no Sebastian or Tiberius. We’ll pick a family middle name after we decide on his first name. I almost want it to be something related to Daphne, because of the way we got Georgia from Jack’s almost-name, but I’m coming up empty. No to David, Dylan, and Duncan so far.
My husband likes Clark, which is just okay for me. He also likes Paul, which I do like, but my family can’t pronounce it, which makes it a no. My favorite so far is Abel, but my husband has vetoed, mostly because of the Cain and Abel story.
We know we don’t want another name starting with the G/J sound, which ruled out James, which I’m not sure we would have used anyway.
I do like Beau, but I just don’t think it’s right for us.
It feels like every name has a reason for one of us to say no, and feels really right.
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
COOL, CURRENT, TRADITIONAL
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your new son!
I wonder if you’re mentally trying to complete a pattern? It’s inevitable when we have more than two children, I think. Many of us are filling in a blank, without fully recognizing it.
The tricky part, of course, is that any name we choose will pretty quickly sound like it’s meant to be said as part of your children’s names. Even something as offbeat as Phoebe, Jack, Georgia, and Wilberforce would, with repetition, become familiar.
But let’s see if we can find something that satisfies the pattern more naturally than, erm, Wilberforce.
We’re looking for something cool and contemporary. Not new or invented, but also not in the most traditional of lists – maybe. A hint of classic, balanced out with plenty of current appeal, just like your older kids’ names.
NAMING A BROTHER FOR GEORGIA, JACK, AND PHOEBE
COLE
Paul and Abel both end with L, as does Cole. But I think the strong, distinctive sound of Cole might work even better.
DEAN
Another short, strong choice like Cole (and Clark and Paul), but also a D name definitely making a comeback. Plenty of families put Jack and Dean on the same shortlist. I think they sound very much like brothers.
FINN
If Georgia and Jack are connected by the shared sound of the initials G and J, what do you think of Phoebe and Finn? Shared sound, but different first initials. Plus Finn is a strong, distinctive, and brief name, just like so many on your list.
LUKE
One more short name: traditional Luke. Phoebe means bright; Luke means light. It’s a quiet, but possibly appealing, connection.
MILO
Milo’s bright O sound reminds me of Beau. It’s a name with lots of history, but it’s fresh and current, too.
OWEN
Owen also shares the long O of Beau. It’s traditional, but not in the Charles/Edward camp.
REED
A strong, definite sound, Reed is a brother for Jack, sharing the “ee” from Phoebe.
WILLIAM
Okay, Wilberforce started out as a joke. But if you like James and Jack, maybe William or William-called-Will would appeal?
Overall, my favorite is Finn. It’s short like Clark, Paul, and Jack; contemporary like all of your children’s names; and shares the same sound as Phoebe, without repeating an initial. It’s a fun parallel to Jack and Georgia. If not Finn, I think Owen just plain sounds like Phoebe, Jack, and Georgia’s brother.
Zeke and Zane sprung to mind! And a few more:
Pierce
Royd
Royce
Breck
Graham
Luke was one of my first thoughts for you. Other ideas:
Blaise
Theo
Abram or Bram
Miles
Nico
Fletcher
Emmett
Archer
Nathan
Shane
Zeke
Eli
Caleb
Levi
Robin
Kurt
Pierce
Seth
Tobin
My immediate thought when I saw the names was Felix!! You have Jack & Georgia, so another F-sound would compliment Phoebe well. Plus it nods to the sound in Daphne. I’m also suggesting it because I love all your kids names and I also love Felix so maybe you will too.
If you’re set on a D as your guide – I think Dane or Dashiell (Dash!) would be very cool.
Good luck!
I was coming to say exactly this! Abby had the same thought with Finn, but I think Felix hits the traditional, current and cool.
Congratulations on baby #4!
I really like Abby’s ideas of Finn or Luke due to the connection to Phoebe’s name. I also really like Owen with your sibset.
And, just cause I like the name, I’ll throw out Hugo… Phoebe, Jack, Georgia & Hugo sound great together in my opinion. I hope the name hunt will start to be fun again for you!