Name 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!
Challenge: No More E Names … But They Can’t Stop Thinking About E Names!
Kristen writes:
I’m one of four kids, all with K names, just like our dad. I’ve never wanted to do the same thing, but here I am, expecting our third, and our first two have E names … just like my husband.
My husband keeps joking this baby should be Eric Jr. or Ethan or Elroy.
The only other name we’ve discussed seriously is Michael, a family name (my dad, his uncle), but I feel like we’d just be settling for a name we don’t hate.
We named our daughter Esme Grace because it was my favorite name. And then my husband chose Eloise Rose because it was his favorite name, and we really couldn’t agree on anything else.
I love their names, but we need to break this E streak before this baby arrives in September!
Our last name sounds like Boring-with-an-L. It sometimes feels like the L sound is hard to work with, or maybe I just like names like Isabelle and Gabriel that run into the L, and wouldn’t want to use something like Lawson or Luna, either. I don’t mind Michael as much with the L, but it’s still not ideal, right?
Can you help us think up some new names?
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
Finding brother names for Esme and Eloise
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your new son!
Let’s focus in on what you’ve already decided:
- We’re avoiding another E name
- An L name won’t work with your surname, and names ending with the L sound are probably off the table, too
- You’re okay with Michael – maybe, possibly – but it’s not ideal
It strikes me that Michael might be the perfect middle name for this baby. But let’s focus on names that you might like as firsts first!
Esme and Eloise are contemporary names with deep roots and flowing sounds. They’re popular now, but don’t feel invented or novel. And both names are clearly given names, as opposed to words or surnames.
Nothing says you have to stick with that description for a son’s name – in fact, lots of parents find that their preferences for naming boys is different to their girl naming style.
But I’m going to start with masculine equivalents of Esme and Eloise – names with history and roots that are in favor now.
BOY NAMES LIKE ESME and ELOISE
JUDE
Smooth and short, Jude is Biblical, literary, and musical. I think it’s the last bit that shapes this name’s image most today – the enduring Beatles’ song from 1968.
JULIAN
A traditional name, Julian for boys has long lagged behind Julia for girls in the US. But that’s reversed in recent decades, and Julian is a mainstream favorite, polished and distinctive.
FINN
I think there’s something effortless about Finn. He’s also a hero, and usually a thoughtful one, too – from Irish legend to Huck Finn to the most recent Star Wars trilogy. It’s a name with history to spare.
HAYES
Strictly speaking, Hayes is a surname – but it pops up in the US popularity data back in the late nineteenth century, so it feels a little more traditional than some choices in this category. I love the bright sound and the way it shares the S of Esme and Eloise while still being quite distinctive.
HUGO
Boys’ names like Leo, Theo, and Milo are trending now. Traditional Hugo has been around for ages, but it’s still not nearly as popular as other o-enders.
MILES
From Plymouth Rock to jazz music, Miles features in American history across the years. But the name is familiar enough that it doesn’t scream Standish or Davis; instead, it’s a solid choice for a son. The only downside here: Miles Michael feels a bit repetitive.
PARKER
Another surname, but again, one with a long history of use. Parker feels polished and outdoorsy at the same time, a name at home in a blue blazer with hiking boots.
TATE
This name just sounds cheerful and upbeat. While it’s another surname, it comes from an Old English given name, Tata, plus it brings to mind Nate and Kate. While Tate sounds completely different than Esme and Eloise, it still feels like a brother name for the pair.
Overall, my favorites are Tate Michael or Miles … Eric? Everett? Yes, it’s tempting to keep the initial E in the mix, and now I’m doing it, too!
I love the idea of including a Z-sounding S like the girls have; the ones below have been suggested. It’s a fun tie-in, IF you really love any of that type of name. If not, just use what you love.
Charles
Isaac
Hayes
Miles
More options:
Pierce
Silas
Windsor
Raines
I absolutely love your daughters’ names! Esme and Eloise are two of my favorites.
Regarding first names running into last names, I think this is only an issue if it will create confusion about what the first name is.
Unfortunately, Michael doesn’t pass this test, as people will be unsure whether they’re hearing
“Micah L–ing”, “Michael L–ing”, or “Michael Oring”.
If you really loved Michael, it would still be worth considering, just with the knowledge that you would have to correct people sometimes. But you say you merely “don’t hate” Michael, so I would remove it from the list, at least for the first name.
By contrast, I think Gabriel is a fine option!
Nobody’s going to hear “Gabriel L–ing” and think the first name is anything other than Gabriel. And if he goes by Gabe, it will be even easier. I would keep it on the list of possibilities!
From Abby’s list, I really like Jude, Julian, and Hugo.
Like some other commentators, I’m leaning toward names that start with other vowels, such as:
Asher
Isaac
Isaiah
Oscar
As well as names with gentle consonant sounds:
Colin
Colm
Rowan
William
I would love to read an update once your son is here!
Love Hugo for this family!
Also the idea of a K name for mom.
Maybe:
Wells
Wyatt
Beckett
Peter
Harris
Miles
Xavier
Grayson
I am coming here for a K name suggestion like C in DC. That’s a nice pattern. Lots of good K suggestions and I’ll add Keaton. It feels tailored like the sister names. And in the middle Michael seems like a slam dunk (and even with Keaton) but I also love the idea of another M to honour both Michaels but that fits with the sister one syllable wordy names. Keaton March? Kerwin Miles? Or flip the syllsbles for a Keir Maxim or Kent Marvel….
Henry!
Esme, Eloise & Henry
Esme, Eloise & Gabriel- I think this sounds fine with your last name! My sons name ends with the same letter as our last name it’s no big deal. Think Graham McGregor. Actually maybe you’d like Graham instead of Gabriel?
Esme, Eloise & Graham
Esme, Eloise & Nolan
Esme, Eloise & Oliver
My first thought was a K name to match mom’s initial. Kieran, Kavan, Konrad, Kenneth (nn Kit or Kith, if you want something different), Kyle (a derivative of Michael), Keats, Kurtis, Kostas, Kirk, Konstantine, Karl, Keyes, Keynes. Or a C name to match the sound: Carson, Cameron, Clint, Caleb, Cairo, Cyrus.
For traditional, I like Kenneth called Kit. For literary, I like Keats. For something that stands out, Konstantine or Cairo.
From Abby’s suggestions I really like Miles. It shares some sounds with Michael which you already like plus the S sound nicely ties in with sisters Esme and Eloise. Esme, Eloise, and Miles.
Or maybe another name starting with a vowel, just not an E? Some ideas:
August. August Michael. August Boring with an L. Esme, Eloise, and August. Strong and handsome but a bit whimsical. I love this one!
Isaac. Isaac Michael. Isaac Boring with an L. Esme, Eloise, and Isaac. Swoon! I like how Isaac sounds a bit like dad’s name Eric but is still its own name; it also has a softness to it like dad’s other choice of Ethan. Plus Isaac means laughter which is such a lovely meaning.
Oscar. Oscar Michael. Oscar Boring with an L. Esme, Eloise, and Oscar. Amazing!
Since the girls have E names like dad then why not a K name for your son to match you?
Kieran Boring with an L is very handsome and sounds great with Esme and Eloise. Kieran Michael is very nice!
Or Kai? Kai Michael. Kai Boring with an L. Esme, Eloise, Kai.
Kingston. Kingston Michael. Kingston Boring with an L. Esme, Eloise, and Kingston. I quite like this one thanks to the S sound tying all the names together.
Knox. Knox Michael. Knox Boring with an L. Esme, Eloise, and Knox.
Kellan. Kellan Michael. Kellan Boring with an L. Esme, Eloise, Kellan.
Overall, I think Isaac would be my favorite. Good luck and congrats on baby 3!
Hugo Michael… big yes from me!
Xavier Michael
Oscar Michael
If you did go with an E
Elias
I like Hugo or Finn with your girls’ names.
Or how about Esme Grace, Eloise Rose & Theodore Michael?
Esme, Eloise & Jonathan?
Esme, Eloise & Darcy?
Esme, Eloise & Charles?
Esme, Eloise & Edward, nn Ned? (If you default back to an E name.)
Congratulations on your baby boy.
I agree that Hugo is a great choice-my sister has a Hugo and an Eloise. Here are some other ideas: Knox, Casper (my other nephew’s name), Orson, Felix, Sebastian, Calvin, Desmond, Henry, and Frederick. Congratulations and best wishes!