Looking for Modern Traditional Boy Names Like Elliot

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NOT QUITE NAME REGRET, BUT STILL …

Maya writes:

We named our first son Elliot James after going through what seemed like every name on earth. It’s hard to believe that all those weeks of discussion ended up with something that’s still kind of basic, but we loved it.

Only maybe I’m a little less thrilled with it over time. It feels like we’re always spelling it. My name is pretty easy now, but it used to get a lot of questions/misspellings when I was growing up, and I didn’t want to do that to my kid.

A few people have assumed Elliot is a girl’s name, or asked if he’s a boy or a girl, and while I don’t think that should bother me, it does.

I wouldn’t say I have name regret, but now that we’re pregnant with our second son, I find myself second-guessing every choice.

Our last name sounds like Burr-plus-K.

Names we like, but will not be using:

• Jack – too common, don’t like it with our last name
• Cole – same thing as Jack, don’t like it with our last name
• Jace – same thing as Jack/Cole
• Bryan – my husband REALLY likes this name, but I feel like it’s like a dad name
• Sullivan – I like the idea, but don’t really want a Sully
• Donovan – but REALLY don’t want a Donny
• Malachi – used to be my favorite name, I don’t think I’d use it now
• Raphael – friend suggested it, and I love it, but it doesn’t feel like us
• Callan – I like it, but feel like it’s another spelling headache
• Holden – my favorite, but my husband thinks it sounds too much like “holding”

Maybe we’re just overthinking this and Sullivan or Jack would be fine? Either I need someone to tell me that, or we really need new ideas!

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

FINDING NAMES LIKE ELLIOT, BUT WITH A FEW DIFFERENCES

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your second son!

I think this happens a lot. It’s tough to truly road test a name. Especially with our first, surprises are inevitable. We’re moving into a different stage of life, and that means we’ll notice things that weren’t on our radar before.

In your case, this means how certain names might be perceived as unisex. (Though Elliot is still solidly masculine, according to the numbers.) Spelling names like Elliot can be a hassle, too, something that isn’t necessarily obvious in advance. And our reactions to those realities?

That might be the biggest surprise of all.

I do think a fresh list might help, even if it eventually leads you back to Jack or Sullivan.

The right name for Elliot’s brother should be:

• Longer than one-syllable
• Spelled in one definitive way
• Used almost exclusively for boys

In addition, I think we should probably avoid another -T ending name, and my sense is that three syllables might be better than two. (But not enough to limit this list to only longer names.)

MORE NAMES LIKE ELLIOT

BRYSON

Would this be an update for Bryan? I agree that I expect Bryan to be the dad, not the baby. But Bryson falls around the #150 mark right now. I like the alliteration with Burr-plus-K and I think it checks all the boxes for names like Elliot.

CALLUM

Callum is just a little different from Callan. But while my brain hears Callan and wonders if it’s a C or K, if it’s -an or -en, and if it’s one L or two, Callum strikes me as more defined. It’s rising in use in the US, and is around as popular as Bryson at the moment, so that’s to your advantage, too. Even if Callum is new now, by the time your son gets to kindergarten, it will be more familiar.

CAMERON

Or maybe it’s better to stick with something established? Despite a brief surge in girls called Cameron, this name has remained overwhelming masculine. Nickname Cam might appeal in a way that Sully and Donny do not. It feels like a perfect match for Elliot.

DAMIAN

I almost suggested Dominic, but I’m going to add Damian to the list instead. One reason: it’s almost never shortened.

HARRISON

Like Damian, Harrison tends to be used in full. Names like Elliot and Harrison share that great surname style, making them sound very much like brothers.

JULIAN

Another option in the key of Damian.

MILES

I feel like Miles is the midpoint between Malachi, Bryson, and maybe even Jace.

OLIVER

Is it popular? Yes. But it’s also a polished name with plenty of traditional energy – just like Elliot.

WESTON

A two-syllable name seldom shortened, Weston is a 21st century favorite that feels like it has deep and lasting roots.

While Cameron was my first thought, it might still be perceived as unisex. I wonder if a name like Weston isn’t the better choice? Together, I’d expect Elliot and Weston to be climbing trees in the woods. There’s something sort of outdoorsy and fun about those two names together.

From your original list, I do think Sullivan works well. I’m guessing you don’t call Elliot anything for short, like Eli? So there’s no absolute need to shorten Sullivan. Will he get called Sully by his future T-ball teammates? Possibly. But that’s not necessarily a consideration right now. Something like Sullivan Bryce has potential.

I wonder if you’d like something like Weston Riley or Cameron Bennett?

Readers, over to you! What would you name a brother for Elliot James?