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?
Jack Valentine Hannah-Ford and:
-Bennett. Ben is cute and reminds me of Jack, but Bennett has a slightly more preppy vibe. Jack and Bennet. Jack and Ben. Bennett Nicholas Hannah-Ford. Bennett Holiday Hannah-Ford. Bennett Winter Hannah-Ford.
-Elliott. Another name ending with -tt, with a similar tailored and bright feeling. Jack and Elliott. Elliott Noel Hannah-Ford. Elliott Frost Hannah-Ford.
-Noel. Very Christmassy, but also classic and sweet. I like it rhyming with Cole, but it could also be pronounced more like Noelle. Jack and Noel. Noel Henry Hannah-Ford. Noel Gabriel Hannah-Ford.
-Miles. Reminds me of Milo, but a little different, and adorable with Jack. Jack and Miles. Miles Fraser Hannah-Ford. Miles Nicholas Hannah-Ford.
-Noah. Reminds me of Theo and Leo, but a little more complete. Jack and Noah. Noah Frost Hannah-Ford. Noah Winter Hannah-Ford.
-Charlie/Charles. You could use just Charlie, or Charles in full, but either way, it’s very cute, whilst still being mature. Jack and Charlie. Jack and Charles. Charles Frost Hannah-Ford. Charlie Nicholas Hannah-Ford.
Overall, I love Will and Owen for you, as well as Bennett and Charlie. But Leo and Theo are both great! Good luck!
I think Leo Nicholas is cute – but since Jack Valentine is so bold I wonder about something even more holiday related as a middle like Yule, Noel, Frost, Snow, Rudolph, or even Winter. Jack Valentine and Owen Winter. Jack Valentine and Samuel Frost. Jack Valentine and Finn Rudolph. Perfection!!!
I really like Leo Nicholas! That would be my choice. I also like the suggestions of Blaise and Seth. I would add Nathan, Kit, and Ned.
My fave brother names for Jack are familiar, casual, energetic:
Flynn
Nico
Wyatt
Declan
Isaac
Luca
Ethan
I’ll also second Will on Abby’s list. Will is perfect! I do love Leo – or maybe Leon? – for you. And Felix, Clark, Levi as suggested.
Someone has already suggested my fave middle idea – Holiday! That sounds amazing. There are so many fun Christmas words that would work. I’ll add:
Winter
Merry
Bright
Nico Winter! Flynn Merry! Wyatt Winter! Luca Bright!
Can’t wait to hear what you land on.
Also…
What about Levi?
Jack & Levi
Or Archer? (A little less common than Asher)
Jack & Archer
Or Rory?
Jack & Rory
Or Callan?
Jack & Callan
I actually know a sibset named Jack and Leo, so in practice it does work
Abel
Asa
Caleb
Blaise
Clark
Ezra
Guy
Ira
Kurt
Pierce
Seth
Tobin
Jack Valentine and…
Bennett Christopher
Daniel Nicholas
Ryan Joshua (Jesus is a variant of the name Joshua)
Peter Rudolph
Luke Jasper
Adam Yule
Wyatt Magnus
Thomas Lux
Also, Casper is one of the three wise men (variation of Gaspar).
What about Jack & Casper?
I also like Oscar for you.
Jack & Oscar
Casper Noel
Oscar Noel
Best wishes again!
Congrats on baby #2! Jack Valentine is such a fantastic name and I agree it would be fun to have a seasonal name for this baby too.
Leo Nicholas is fantastic and I think it’s especially cool because Leo N gives Noel if you read it backwards; another fun little Christmas connection hidden right there!
Other ideas:
Zeke Douglas (as in Douglas fir)
Calvin Frost “Cal”
Maxwell Fraser “Max”
William Holiday “Will”
Zane Clarence (the angel from It’s a Wonderful Life)
Nolan Claus/Klaus
Felix Noel (Felix means happiness which is very suiting for a Christmas baby)
Good luck!
This is Fabulous!! Love that you found an extra subtle tie in with Leo N (Noel), and to a name that was already near the top of their list! This would be enough for me to solidify an already great option.
My ideas pale compared to this, but I’ll mention them anyway in case it helps:
Luke (as a first name, but also with Christmas ties thanks to the Christmas story in the gospel of Luke)
Thomas/Tom
Charles/Charlie
Emmanuel as a middle … but not with Thomas.
All the best!
What about Noel as a middle name?
Hugo Noel
Felix Noel
Otis Noel
Jude Noel
Best wishes!!