Finding Little Gentleman Names like Percy and Sebastian

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FINDING NAMES INSPIRED BY SEBASTIAN … AND PERCY

Julia writes:

Our son is named Sebastian Charles. It wasn’t my first choice, but I do really love his name now. Even though it is always on most popular lists, we really don’t hear it too much, which I was originally worried about.

My favorite name for a boy has always been Percy, because I loved the Percy Jackson books so much. But my husband is from England and he and his family immediately say “percy pigs” for the candy.

It doesn’t really matter anyway, because our last name starts with a P, and sounds like Perdue, but ends with an O. Percy Perdue-with-an-O is pretty bad, so I know we wouldn’t use it.

I really like Percy and know we won’t use it but it feels like I keep getting stuck because of it. We need new ideas that go with Sebastian, or this little guy is going to be named not-Percy!

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

LITTLE GENTLEMAN NAMES LIKE PERCY

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your new son!

It’s a tough situation. Your husband has some big reservations about your favorite name and it just plain doesn’t work with your surname anyway. Even though you know this baby’s name isn’t Percy, it’s tempting to rate every name against it.

That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though. What are the qualities that Percy and Sebastian share that might help us brainstorm new names?

• There’s something gentlemanly and refined about Percy and Sebastian. They fit just fine on an American playground now, but I can also imagine them in an early 20th century drama set at Oxford. Or maybe supporting characters from The Gilded Age.
• While the names are masculine and traditional, they’re not quite evergreen classics. Your son’s middle name, Charles, is the kind of name we hear in every decade. Sebastian is more of a 21st century favorite – at least in the US.
• They’re used in full, without nicknames. Yes, you might shorten Sebastian. And Percy is short for Perseus in the books. But it sounds like you’re looking for a complete name that doesn’t automatically lead to a nickname.

And a few more considerations …

I think the appeal of Sebastian is also syllable count and rhythm. Percy Perdue-with-an-O feels a little much – the alliteration, the bouncing two-syllable names together. I’m always looking for a way to encourage parents to use their favorite names, but I think you’re probably right that Percy doesn’t work.

So we’re looking for something longer – probably three-syllables. But we’re also after names like Percy that blend a certain aristocratic vibe, without sacrificing a sense of adventure. And they need to feel as current as Sebastian.

Let’s brainstorm some names!

A BROTHER FOR SEBASTIAN

BENEDICT

A trending favorite in the US, thanks to Benedict Cumberbatch and our love of Ben- names. While it might be shortened to Ben, I feel like parents choose Benedict specifically to use the name in full.

DOMINIC

Some hear Dominic as an Italian-American mainstay, and that’s true. But it’s also a polished choice. Think of British actor Dominic West, who has appeared in The Crown and Downton Abbey, along with plenty of other roles, like The Wire.

EDWIN

Edward is more popular, but I think Edwin is the polished brother for Sebastian. The “win” in the second syllable means friend. But it lends Edwin the same sort of energy that names like Percy require.

EVERETT

Another current favorite with plenty of polish.

LIONEL

Theodore could be Sebastian’s brother, but it almost inevitably is shortened … and Theo Perdue-with-an-O isn’t great. Lionel has that same hint of an O as Theodore, but I’ve yet to meet a Lionel called Leo.

MONTGOMERY

Whenever I think of little gentleman names, Montgomery tops the list.

VINCENT

Used in full, Vincent is handsome, creative, and traditional without being too popular.

WALLACE

There’s something about Wallace that makes it a perfect alternative to favorites like William, and a brother for names like Percy and Sebastian.

Overall, I think my favorite is Everett. Sebastian Charles and Everett Percival, maybe? The chance to fit in a nod to Percy appeals. I do like Benedict, too, but I’m less sure about a middle name. Benedict Henry, maybe?

Readers over to you! Can you suggest some names like Percy for Sebastian’s brother?