Finding Boy Names to Go With William and Olivia

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.

STARTING OVER WITH BOY NAMES

Megan writes:

I’m feeling unhappy with all of our name options for our fast-approaching almost definitely final child.

My daughter is named Olivia. She’s almost 12, and while her name was already very popular when she was born, I was much younger and didn’t know any other kids/parents at the time. It was the only name my ex and I could agree on, so she’s Olivia Grace. I love her name, even though I do feel like I hear it a lot.

When my now-husband and I were expecting our first child together almost three years ago, I had a really long list of girls’ names and only a few boys’ names. Then his dad passed away suddenly right before our son was born, so we both felt strongly we wanted to name our son after him, William Joseph. We call him Will. My late father-in-law was Bill.

Again, it’s a really common name but we agreed it was the right thing to do. I do wish we’d maybe given him a middle name we chose together, but neither of us was really in a place to think about that at the time.

We are now expecting our second son, and almost certainly our last child. I’m a little sad about all the girls’ names we won’t be using, and I’m not really excited about the boys’ names on our list.

So far we mostly agree on:

• Alexander – Feels traditional and safe. I like how it sounds with Olivia and Will/William. Everybody seems to like Alex.
• Jonah – Kind of for Jones, my family’s last name. Olivia and I have the same last name, and my husband, Will, and this baby will have another, so this kind of ties it all together a little. My husband is kind of lukewarm, but agrees that a family name from my side makes sense.
• Michael – For my dad. This feels very fair because Will is name for a grandfather, but it’s not all that exciting of a name. Also I’m pretty sure my dad isn’t into it, and I already have a nephew with the middle name Michael.
• Joshua – My husband’s suggestion, but it just feels like a dad name to me. And I went to my high school prom with a guy named Josh, which is in the past, of course, but still feels weird.
• Drew – Another name my husband likes, but I don’t like Andrew, and I think Drew isn’t enough on its own.
• Beckett – Maybe my new favorite, but I’m not sure if it’s too different from William and Olivia.

My top name for a daughter was Evangeline. I’m not sure if my husband was on board, as he really like Amelia for a girl when we were expecting William. This time, we agreed not to talk about names at all until my ultrasound but now I feel like we’ve left it too late.

This baby’s last name will sound like Riley, so we will probably not choose anything ending with Y, so no Henry, etc.

Is one of these names the right choice, or can you suggest some names for us?

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

FINDING DISTINCTIVE NAMES WITH HISTORY

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your new son!

I think this is a thing that happens a lot, but we don’t talk about. For whatever reason, our first son gets the honor name. Maybe he’s First Last IV, or just named after a grandfather. Either way, the name you choose reflects people you love and your family history.

But it doesn’t capture your style, does it?

And that means you’re naming your second or third child, but still feeling a bit like a beginner – but a beginner who still wants to match those earlier choices.

Based on what you’ve shared, it sounds like the most classic names aren’t your thing. You prefer names with history behind them, but also names that aren’t terribly common.

Olivia might’ve been popular when you chose it, but it wasn’t common when you were growing up, right? And that’s what a generation of parents responded to – a name with a lovely sound, borrowed from literature, with enough of a story to make it feel substantial without falling into the Mary/Elizabeth/Anne category.

We’re looking for a boy’s name that checks more of the same boxes as Olivia, but this time, it should be a little less popular.

NAMING A BROTHER FOR WILLIAM and OLIVIA

With all that in mind, let’s look at your list again.

I’m going to drop Michael. Honoring your dad might be nice, but it’s been done. His name is a rock solid classic, and that’s not what appeals to you.

I think Alexander would be great, if not for the fact that it’s been very popular since the 1990s.

Similiarly, I agree that Joshua had its moment and it’s best to find something a little more distinctive.

As for Drew? It does feel a bit incomplete with Olivia and William-called-Will.

That leaves Beckett and Jonah. I kind of think they’re perfect, and part of me wants to suggest you name your son Jonah Beckett or Beckett Jonah or, maybe best of all, Beckett Jones.

So let me answer the question I think you might be asking.

Can William’s brother be Beckett?

Absolutely.

William and Beckett are both solid choices for a son, familiar in the 2020s.

Does it sound a little like Will has a family name and Beckett has one you just liked? Sure. But … first, that’s accurate. Second, Beckett isn’t all that new. It’s literary (Samuel Beckett) and historical (Saint Thomas Becket). It could be exactly the current-with-roots kind of name you’re seeking.

Also, putting Jones in the middle spot balances everything out. It’s a very cool middle name, but it also ties your second son’s name to your family, just as much as Michael would, right?

A BROTHER FOR WILLIAM AND OLIVIA: FRESH IDEAS

AUGUST

Summery and strong, August is a Top 100 choice for boys that feels quite current now, but has a long history of use.

DEAN

There’s a perpetual, black-leather-jacket kind of cool to this brief, complete name. I wonder if it might substitute for Drew? While it had a good moment in the mid-20th century, it’s trending again now.

EMMETT

If he loved Amelia, and you are very into Beckett, is there any possibility that Emmett would appeal?

EVERETT

The same logic applies here: taking the Ev- of Evangeline and the -ett of Beckett.

GRAHAM

Another short-but-complete option, Graham is one of those names that never tops the popularity charts, but somehow always feels very on-trend.

PARKER

There’s something polished and snappy about Parker, but it’s still kind of outdoorsy at the same time. I think it balances nicely with Olivia and Will.

SULLIVAN

I wonder if a longer name would appeal? Sullivan shares a little of Evangeline’s rhythm. And it’s kind of fun the way it has the same double-L of William, and middle-V of Olivia, without sounding at all repetitive. Sully is one nickname option; Van is another.

THOMAS

Or maybe you would love a classic name … but just haven’t thought of the right one yet? I think Thomas is forever overlooked. Use it in full and it feels a bit like style stars Miles and Brooks. Shorten it to Tom, and it’s a bit like Gus or Max or Sam – friendly and timeless, too.

Overall, I’m most drawn to Everett. It feels like William’s name ended up being the right choice, but it wasn’t one that featured much of your personal style. That is, of course, if Beckett isn’t still in the #1 spot.

I’d vote for Beckett Jones or Everett Jones. I love the way it directly connects to your family. And while Jonah is great, too, if it’s not your husband’s favorite, I wonder if sticking with Jones as a middle name is the right choice?

Readers, over to you! What would you name a brother for William “Will” Joseph and Olivia Grace?