Distinctive Boy Names Like Matilda, Leila, and Elowen

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.

A BROTHER FOR MATILDA, LEILA & ELOWEN

Elisa writes:

Baby Elowen will no longer be the baby of the family soon. We’re expecting number four this fall, our first boy! Our older daughters are Matilda and Leila.

Husband and I have always had a hard time picking boy names (when we didn’t know the gender of our first three babies) and genuinely would love your help. The last time you had suggested Oliver and we both agreed as it was a top pick.

Now we think Oliver is maybe a little too popular?

We also love Milo, but can’t use it as a very close friend has a Milo.

I like Liam, Rory, and Sonny, but husband isn’t too keen.

Ollie is another option.

His middle name will be Michael, after dad. Our surname starts with McG.

Thank you so much!

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

FINDING DISTINCTIVE BOY NAMES LIKE MATILDA, LEILA & ELOWEN

Abby replies:

Congratulations on baby four!

When we’re good at naming children of one specific gender, it can be a bit challenging to switch gears. That’s because our preferences for a son’s name can be different than our favorite girls’ names. So even if we’re using to compromising when naming a daughter? That knowledge and experience counts for less when we’re Team Blue.

I think you prefer names that are current but with a hint of tradition; casual but with substance. Your hesitation around Oliver makes me think that avoiding the most popular names makes sense.

And yet, your top contender is probably still Ollie, right? It’s a little less common than Oliver, but it’s almost the same name. At least, I imagine every Ollie will be asked if it’s short for Oliver, and plenty of Olivers prefer to go by Ollie at some point in their lives.

I still think Oliver is the name to beat.

Looking at your list, it seems like you’re gravitating toward liquid names – flowing choices with more vowels than consonants. Leila, Ollie, Milo.

Let’s see if we can find names that hit those marks – some choices that are liquid and flowing, a few that are casual, maybe some that manage to be both.

FRESH IDEAS FOR BABY FOUR

ARCHER/ARCHIE

If Oliver and Ollie are both favorites, I wonder if you’d like Archer and/or Archie? It’s rising in use, but far less common. Archie and Sonny are sharing the same playground back in the day, vintage names with a certain sweetness.

ARLO

An obvious substitute for Milo, with a bit of Rory’s roar.

ELIAS

A name trending globally, related to Old Testament Elijah but smoother, I think. The only drawback I see? Elias is awfully close to Elowen’s name and an anagram of Elisa. (Or maybe that’s a bonus?)

JONAH

I’m not sure this is quite the right vibe, but I like Jonah’s bright sound. Matilda, Leila, Elowen, and Jonah are all distinct and different, but somehow work together, too.

LEONEL, LIONEL

Leo is quite popular, but longer forms Leonel and Lionel are relatively uncommon. They have that gentlemanly polish, just like Oliver, but also have the same smooth, L sounds of your girls’ names.

NICO

Another possible substitute for Milo, either as a stand-alone name, or as a short form of Nicolas/Nicholas or Niccolo. Or nearly any Nick name.

ORION

I think you mentioned previously that you and your husband have some Irish roots, so I’m a little worried Orion might read like O’Ryan. But if that’s not a concern, I think it’s a great substitute for Oliver.

ROWAN

A lightly Irish surname/nature name/color name that might substitute for Rory.

Overall, I’m probably most drawn to Rowan, but I feel like a name with more of an L sound might appeal to you and your husband even more. If Oliver is really off the list, then I’m drawn to Jonah Michael.

Readers, over to you! Can you suggest some boys names like Matilda, Leila, and Elowen for their new son?