Finding A Classic Boy Middle Name for Boaz

Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, one reader’s name questions will be discussed. 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.

THE RIDDLE OF THE MIDDLE

Addy writes:

We are expecting a son in September. It didn’t take long for us to decide on his first name, Boaz. We know it’s unique, but we love it and think the nickname Bo is adorable. 

Our last name sounds like Beaver but with a W.

While I love unique Bible names, I don’t want another Biblical name for our son’s middle name. It sounds too religious. I would really prefer a traditional, maybe even old-fashioned name, but nothing too unique since the first name is already outstanding. 

I’m not against names from the Bible that don’t scream Bible, for example, Philip, Thomas and Jason. But I think names that end with S sound funny with Boaz’s last syllable, so that eliminates a ton of names I love, and names ending in R or starting with W don’t flow with our last name. So no William or Arthur.

I’m really struggling with a first, middle and last name that flows beautifully together, and it’s harder than I thought it would be to find a middle name.

Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks for your time and help! 

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

THE BEST MIDDLE NAMES FOR BOAZ

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your new son!

Boaz is a great name, and I love it with your surname. But finding the perfect middle is a puzzle, isn’t it?

A few thoughts:

• I wonder if it might help to consider something longer or shorter? Boaz has two syllables, as does your surname, so a different syllable count might vary the rhythm.
• That said, lots of classic choices for boys come in at two-syllables, so let’s not rule those out, either.
• I think something ending in a vowel or a hard syllable sound might work well, regardless of syllable count.
• Are you open to expanding your list from true classics to strong traditionals? There are plenty of names that aren’t really classic, but come close, and I think some of those have potential, too.

Okay, so we’re looking for something not obviously Biblical, without conflicting S/R/W sounds, and possibly longer or shorter than two syllables?

Let’s find middle names for Boaz!

TRADITIONAL BOY NAMES

ANTHONY

The English form of ancient Antonius, this name is classic, three-syllables long, and ends with a vowel. It feels like it checks all the boxes.

CAMERON

I tend to think of Cameron as a modern traditional. It’s not Biblical, and it reads a little newer than, say, William or Philip, but it’s ranked in the US Top 100 since 1987. That’s a solid choice for a son.

ELLIOT

Strictly speaking, Elliot is a surname related to Elijah, via the medieval Elias. But it doesn’t feel particularly Biblical. And while surnames are enjoying a moment in the 21st century, Elliot has ranked in the US Top 1000 every year since data was first collected in 1880. I’d call that classic!

HENRY

Rock solid, stylish classic that fills in the middle spot nicely.

JAMESON

I love the bright A sound of James, but Boaz James is a lot of hiss! Would you consider Jameson? It blends the classic appeal of James with a more modern, surname style.

LANE

Like Elliot, Lane is a surname with plenty of use as a first. Lainey is trending for girls in a big way now, but Lane is a steady, reliable option for a son.

MAXWELL

There are many, many Max names. Boaz Maximilian has some serious appeal. But maybe Boaz Maxwell is more of a familiar, but distinguished combination.

RAPHAEL

In any language that isn’t English, Raphael is a reliable classic. Raphael – or Rafael or Raffaello – has a long history of use, from the ancient world to Renaissance Italy. I think it works perfectly in terms of sound, and also hits the classic(ish) mark nicely.

VINCENT

An impeccable classic, equally artistic and strong, Vincent holds it own with Boaz.

ZACHARY, ZACHARIAH

The feels a little offbeat, but maybe Boaz lends itself to a Z middle? Zachary or Zachariah, maybe … with a slight nod to Zachary because it’s more on not-so-clearly-Biblical side of the line. I’ve almost deleted this suggestion more than once because visually z/Z seems wrong, but I think it works!

Overall, I’m really drawn to Boaz Jameson, but I’d put Boaz Elliot as a close second. And if you’re really feeling like classic matters most? Then Boaz Henry goes to the top of my list.

Readers, over to you! What middle name would you choose for baby Boaz?