Finding a Classic, Casual Boy Name for Jack’s Brother

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.

NAMING JACK’S BROTHER

Danielle writes:

We have an adorable three year old son named Jack Valentine LastName. We knew we wanted to name him Jack from before we were even pregnant. His middle name is because he was due on Valentine’s Day (but showed up almost a week late!) and it started as a joke but we ended up really liking it.

Our girl name has always been Violet.

But we’re expecting a boy, and as happy as we are, I feel like I don’t have any ideas. There are some names that I like, but that are taken, like Henry, Milo, and Asher. My husband has suggested names like Cole and James that sound too similar to Jack, in my opinion.

So far the only names on our maybe list are Leo and Theo, but Theo seems incomplete and maybe Leo does, too? Neither of them feel as strong to me as Jack.

We’d also like him to have a great middle name. He’s due on December 19th, which is so close to Christmas that I feel like he needs a December/winter/Christmas middle name, but it’s not like February 14th when there’s really only one obvious name.

If he were born today, we’d probably go with Leo Nicholas, but I’m not sure it’s The One.

Our last name sounds like Hannah-Ford.

Can you help us find a name for Jack’s brother?

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

A CLASSIC FIRST AND COOL MIDDLE NAME FOR JACK’S BROTHER

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your new son!

I know what you mean about going into parenthood having a girl name and a boy name … and then realizing that actually, it’s very possible to need two of one, and it feels like nothing is quite right.

That said, Leo Nicholas is a rock solid name for a son. And it’s perfect with Jack Valentine. So that’s the name to beat.

Let’s see if we can come up with more first name options like Jack. They should be traditional but casual, easy-going but not invented, and sound distinct from Jack’s name.

FRESH IDEAS FOR JACK’S BROTHER

ARLO

If not Milo, would Arlo be an option?

BROOKS

There’s a polish to popular surname name Brooks that feels like a match for Jack.

DYLAN

We don’t necessarily think of Dylan as a classic, but it’s a name with a long, consistent history of use.

FINN

Finn is short and memorable. Like Jack, there’s a playful, spirited side to this name.

NATE

Bright and strong Nate can be short for Nathaniel or Nathan … or stand nicely on its own as a brother for Jack.

OWEN

Owen and Jack sometimes appear on lists of names related to John. But while that’s very true for Jack, it’s a bit of a stretch for Owen. I think it’s just enough of a connection to make them sound like brothers.

SAMUEL/SAM

Jack and Sam sound perfect together. The only question: would he be Samuel called Sam, or just Sam? The first option is far more popular, but both are valid choices.

WILLIAM/WILL

As with Sam/Samuel, there’s a decision to be made about Will versus William. But it’s an enduring classic that pairs perfectly with Jack.

MIDDLE NAMES FOR THE WINTER HOLIDAYS

Valentine is a showstopper of a middle. I’m going to suggest a few winter-holiday related names that I think work well for your family. But there’s a longer list here.

• Drummer – As in “The Little Drummer Boy.” Sweet sentiment with a rock roll energy.
• Gabriel – From the Nativity Story. A popular name with a distinctive sound.
• Fraser – As in the type of evergreen often used as a Christmas tree. I think this is my favorite parallel to Valentine.
• Frost – Wintry weather name.
• Linus – From the Peanuts character, known for his sweet explanation of Christmas.
• Marley – Inspired by A Christmas Carol.
• McCallister – The family at the heart of modern classic Home Alone.
• Yule – A traditional name for the holiday.

TOP COMBINATIONS FOR JACK’S BROTHER

Overall, I think it’s tough to beat Leo Nicholas.

I really like Dylan Fraser and Samuel McCallister, though I think Owen is my top choice. Maybe Owen Gabriel?

Readers, over to you! What would you suggest as a name for Jack’s brother, this time with a winter/Christmas holiday-inspired middle?