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Name Help: A Brother for Art Dorsey

September 12, 2019 By appellationmountain 32 Comments

Name Help: A Brother for Art DorseyName Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, one reader’s name questions will be discussed.

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!

Erin writes:

I’m expecting my second son in the next six weeks or so and my husband and I are at a loss for names. All we have so far is the short list of names leftover from our first.

Our first son is Art Dorsey. Names we both tend to like are short, easy to pronounce and spell, aren’t too popular, and are what would be currently considered as grandparent-chic.

First names that we were considering before that could be back on the table would be Gus, Gil, Jude or Dewey. Other names we both might like are Linus, Amos, or Mack.

Middle names still evade us. Maybe it is hard without the first narrowed down more. But I tend to test middle names out like Lavern, Turner, Roe, Casper, or Palmer.

Also, my husband and I have different last names and neither of us have strong feelings either way about which last name to give our children. So far we are just going with sounds better with the first name. Our first took my husband’s two-syllable, starts with an R, ends with a -k sound last name. But mine, which starts with a McD and ends with a vowel sound, could also be in the running again.

For example, we’ve had a girl name that we both love picked out for a long time now, which is Mabel McD. Maybe someday we’ll have a girl, but for now these boy names are harder for us to find something that really strikes us. What would you recommend? I appreciate your insight!

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

Dear Erin –

Congratulations on your new son!

Art Dorsey is a brilliant first-middle combination. I sort of want to add “and his Orchestra” when I hear it. The name feels early twentieth century retro, jazzy, cool. But it’s rooted in tradition, and no one could argue that Art feels like it’s trying too hard.

No wonder it’s tough to name his brother!

Gus and Jude seem perfect on paper, but they’re probably both much more common than Art. At least, Jude certainly is, and with lots of little boys answering to August and related names, Gus feels like it must be, too.

Gil, Dewey, Linus, Amos, and Mack feel closer to the mark. I feel like Lavern, Turner, Roe, Casper, and Palmer could all make great middles, but it can be challenging to choose a middle when the first remains unsettled.

So let’s look at some fresh options for firsts.

Dex – We’re mad for Max and Jax, so why not Dex? Like those other names, it’s just three letters, but X offers a lot of sound. It could be short for Dexter, of course, but I think it stands on its own, too.

Frank – Here’s the beauty of Frank: like Art, it’s a nickname, in this case for Francis. But unlike Art (or Gus or Gil), it feels more like an independent name. If you named your sons Art and Gil, I wonder if you’d feel trapped into a three-letter, nickname-name pattern for a third son. Art, Frank, and Mabel sound like my great-great-uncles and aunts, a generation that’s just far enough in the past to sound fresh and stylish once more.

Ike – I can’t decide if Ike is the exactly perfect match to Art … or a little too close. I do think it’s the kind of strong sound that fits right in on your list, though, so I’m leaving it on the list.

Lyle – It’s close to Linus, but a little bit different, too.

Ray – I’m applying the same logic as Frank here; it’s a short name that stands on its own better than some. Plus, the image of a ray of light makes it bright and upbeat, while accomplished men like Ray Charles make it feel jazzy and cool.

Roscoe – Is Roscoe too far out? I pulled it from this list of 1919 boy names. I think that ‘o’ ending makes it quite current, even though it’s definitely borrowed from another century.

Overall, my favorite is Ray Turner. It matches Art Dorsey very well, but the sounds are distinct. And I think it picks up the right vibe, too: grandpa-chic, but short and easy to spell and pronounce.

Readers, what would you name a brother for Art Dorsey?

More names you might like:

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  • Baby Naming Advice: Spelling Counts EditionBaby Naming Advice: Spelling Counts Edition
  • The Myth of the Normal NameThe Myth of the Normal Name
  • Why Naming a Second Child is Harder – and How to Fix ItWhy Naming a Second Child is Harder – and How to Fix It
  • The Perils of Unusual Names: Ten Things to Consider When Choosing Hester or HabakkukThe Perils of Unusual Names: Ten Things to Consider When Choosing Hester or Habakkuk

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Comments

  1. stefanie says

    October 9, 2019 at 1:44 AM

    Oh golly, it just came to me: Saul! Art and Saul. It’s cheesy in such a heartwarming way.

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      October 10, 2019 at 10:21 AM

      Oh wow – I love that!

      Reply
  2. Wanda says

    September 20, 2019 at 9:28 PM

    Gus Landry

    Reply
  3. holey says

    September 17, 2019 at 3:06 AM

    There are some really perfect suggestions out there already. Here are a few I thought of that aren’t already listed:

    Len, Duke, Earl, Roy, King, Milt, Norm, Rudy, Grove, Ernie, King, Perry, Cal, Stan, Stu, Cleve, Claude, Wilt, Cliff

    Reply
    • holey says

      September 17, 2019 at 6:10 AM

      Also – Kip.

      Reply
  4. Natalie says

    September 15, 2019 at 9:00 AM

    Since you like Lavern, what about Verne for a first name? I also like Ralph and Amos. Good luck!

    Reply
  5. Em says

    September 15, 2019 at 2:03 AM

    Otis
    Otto
    Phineas
    Bert

    Reply
  6. Andrea Young says

    September 14, 2019 at 7:32 PM

    Lloyd. John. Montey.

    Reply
  7. Andrea Young says

    September 14, 2019 at 7:30 PM

    This! I prefer Morris nn Moss, but Morris is so perfect!

    Reply
  8. Keats says

    September 13, 2019 at 7:42 PM

    What about Orrin? Art and Orrin? If you want the one syllable, I like Rex and Hank best. Best of luck!

    Reply
    • Anna says

      October 12, 2019 at 10:09 AM

      How about Gable?

      Reply
  9. liz says

    September 13, 2019 at 2:05 PM

    I love all the names on your list so much as a brother for Art. I especially love Amos and Gil. If you want to start over and not use any of the names you considered for your first pregnancy, the first name that came to mind was Ned, just Ned and not short for anything. I love the sound of Ned Palmer together. It is a slightly different style but I knew friends named Art and Royal and always thought they sounded like a great brother set. Ralph always pairs nicely.
    Love your naming style and can’t wait to see what you choose.

    Reply
  10. RL says

    September 13, 2019 at 12:47 PM

    Morris nn Mo!

    Reply
  11. JK Garrisin says

    September 13, 2019 at 11:47 AM

    Some other short, grandparent-chic names to mull over:

    Ned, Dell, Lon, Hugh, Ira, Lou, Pete

    And few middle names that sound like they’d fit in your list:

    Jasper, Leander, Emory, Irving, Sherman

    Maybe Ned Leander or Dell Emory could be a brother for Art Dorsey.

    Reply
  12. The Mrs. says

    September 12, 2019 at 11:28 PM

    Ned!
    Glen!
    Rex!
    Mack!

    Oh, I love your style! These names are so…so… iconic and sturdy. Fun but direct.

    I don’t think Mack works with the McD last name. But, WOW, what great options!

    Best wishes!

    Reply
  13. Zena Eve says

    September 12, 2019 at 10:24 PM

    Avner
    Todd
    Eli
    Scott
    Obi
    Ziv

    Reply
  14. Janine says

    September 12, 2019 at 9:55 PM

    So many great suggestions!

    I’ll add Mel, Ralph, and Van/Vance/Vaughn

    Reply
  15. BioMoss says

    September 12, 2019 at 9:22 PM

    I love the above suggestions, and also Irving.

    Reply
    • Liz says

      September 13, 2019 at 2:06 PM

      Irving!!!

      Reply
  16. FE says

    September 12, 2019 at 5:48 PM

    One more that I havent seen here yet and love: Clive.

    I also thought Griffin might make a good middle.

    Art Dorsey & Clive Griffin
    Art Dorsey & Ted Griffin (I do like Ted)

    Reply
  17. Megan says

    September 12, 2019 at 12:38 PM

    I think from your own list Mack Turner McD would be perfect. All of Abby’s one syllable suggestions sound good with Turner and Palmer. Hank Roscoe and Linus Lavern McD are also very nice. Beau Casper and Ray Casper could also work.

    Reply
  18. Renée says

    September 12, 2019 at 11:51 AM

    I really like Gus Palmer or Hank Roscoe. They both stir up the same vibe as your first’s name, but also stand well on their own.

    Congrats on baby brother!!

    Reply
  19. Renée says

    September 12, 2019 at 11:32 AM

    I think you actually already have the best names on your list!!! Maybe with a perfect middle they’ll seem more right? I feel like no one is using Art these days. Same with Gil. Both derivatives of names on the slow upswing. Linus is also the same side of dusty in my opinion. Sooo how about:

    Gil Palmer Mc
    Linus Roe R-k (love alliteration)
    Gil Turner Mc
    Linus Lavern Mc (again with the alliteration)

    I like that you’re just choosing the surname that sounds best. My in-laws did this and my nieces have lovely names and in their smaller community everybody knows who ‘belongs’ together, regardless of surname.

    Reply
  20. A says

    September 12, 2019 at 10:51 AM

    I really like Mack, Gus, Ike, and Roscoe but I especially love the suggestion of Ray Turner; so handsome!

    What about…

    Hal
    Clyde
    Moe
    Lewis
    Chaz
    Floyd
    Glen
    Gene
    Hank
    Ted
    Lowell
    Lance
    Hutch
    Gordon
    Jerry
    Wayne
    Warren
    Bruce

    I really like Floyd, Bruce, and Hank along with Art.

    Reply
  21. Jaime says

    September 12, 2019 at 9:38 AM

    I actually really like Gus for you with Art and don’t think it’s too popular. Also like the suggestions of Ray, Lyle, Davis, Ned and Rufus.

    I could also see Harry, Louis/Louie or Wade.

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      September 12, 2019 at 10:58 AM

      Maybe I’m in a Gus pocket? I feel like I know a bunch. But I think it’s true that it’s really not THAT popular, and it is a great name …

      Reply
      • Stefanie says

        September 12, 2019 at 12:53 PM

        Yeah, I know a ton of Guses too. August, Augustus (whose twin is Gideon!), 2 just plain Gus and one Douglas inexplicably called Gus.

        Reply
  22. Dana M says

    September 12, 2019 at 8:29 AM

    Mack, Jude, Frank and Ray are great! FE’s suggestions of Beau, Hugh and Oscar are also terrific, and I think Walt, Cal or Gabe could be a good fit, too.

    Reply
  23. Maree says

    September 12, 2019 at 8:09 AM

    I feel like some early jazz names might suit you:

    Nat
    Herbert
    Miles
    Sid
    Rufus
    Les
    Davis

    Reply
  24. stefanie says

    September 12, 2019 at 8:06 AM

    I love this style! What about: Cy, Ned, or Errol?
    Cy Palmer
    Cy Carlyle
    Errol Edison
    Errol Turner
    Ned Harlan
    Ned Palmer

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      September 12, 2019 at 10:59 AM

      OH – how could I forget Cy? And Ned. Love Ned …

      Errol is very owl to me, but in a good way. And I think I’d change that association in a heartbeat if I met a person named Errol.

      Reply
  25. FE says

    September 12, 2019 at 7:57 AM

    A few ideas in no particular order (and more may follow when I’ve pondered a little longer):

    Ed or Ted
    Rex
    Bill
    Jim
    Beau
    Hugh
    Oscar
    Vince

    Reply

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