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Name Help: A Brother for Isla

May 5, 2018 By appellationmountain 16 Comments

Name Help: A Brother for IslaUpdate: He’s here! Welcome to the world, Otto Sidney!

Lia from Australia writes:

My husband and I have very different tastes and can’t seem to find that one name that fits us both. I was hoping you could help find a boy’s name, a brother for Isla.

I like Remi, Ellis, Dashiell, and Otis.

He likes Archie, Dexter, Sydney, and Quincy.

I don’t know how to describe the types of names we are after (like, you know how people say they like ‘country’ or ‘strong’ or ‘nature-based’ etc.)

My husband seems to prefer quirky-ish names, but they have to be “real” – well-established and not invented. Whereas I like names with a softer sound. It doesn’t bother me if they’re unusual or not.

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

Dear Lia –

How exciting that you’re about to add a son to your family!

I know what you mean about struggling to describe your style. I can’t really sum my up in a few words, either. (Well, unless “names I like” counts?)

Here’s what leaps out at me about your lists – and almost every set of lists I see! We tend to feel like our partners are choosing names completely different from our own. (And vice versa.)

To outsiders, though? The lists often seem remarkably compatible. That’s the case here. I can imagine brothers named Dexter and Dashiell, or Otis and Quincy.

That’s the good news. The bad news? It doesn’t necessarily get you any closer to finding The Name.

Based on the McCrindle Baby Names Australia 2017, Archie currently ranks in the Top 100. The other names are more obscure, so my guess is that you might prefer choices slightly outside the mainstream. I’m going to mostly avoid recommending names in the current Top 100. (Though I don’t think that means you should!)

It also strikes me that you both are drawn to names that feel at home in 2018. Some, like Remi, weren’t often heard in English until recently. Others, like Archie and Otis, are making a comeback. But none of them are classics in steady use, and none of them are surprising choices for a boy born today. So we can rule out names like William and James.

That still leaves plenty of options! What would you think of:

Felix – At #82 in the McCrindle report, Felix is fairly familiar. (Though BabyCenter Australia says it’s out of their Top 100.) Felix takes the ‘x’ of Dexter, but with a slightly softer sound. I think Isla and Felix are perfect together.

Harris – Ellis is a smooth name. It glides! Harris feels similar, but a little bit more traditionally masculine. One downside: Harrison is very popular these days. But I think Harris might hit the middle spot between your tastes and his.

Jude – This is another one where McCrindle and BabyCenter Australia differ on popularity. Let’s just say it’s near the current Top 100. I can never decide if Jude’s sound is strong or soft. Let’s say it’s both! That could make it the perfect compromise pick.

Linus – I think Linus makes for a delightfully quirky name, traditional and old-school but still completely unexpected. It also reminds me of Ellis, as well as lots of current favorites like Lucas.

Lionel – With Leo and related names so popular, might Lionel make a comeback? It’s got the same throwback vibe as Archie or Dexter. But Lionel comes from lion – it’s a towering name, quite dignified and capable. Or does this just feel too vintage for your family?

Otto – If Otis isn’t quite right, might Otto appeal?

Royce – Since some of the name on your list are modern contemporary favorites, I wonder if Royce has potential? It reminds me of Remi slightly, but with a bigger, bolder sound.

Overall, my favorites are Felix and Jude. But I am strangely drawn to Royce, too.

Let’s open this up to the readers: what would you suggest as a brother for Isla?

More names you might like:

  • Baby Name Trends 2018: O Baby, Em and Em, and the Power of the Small ScreenBaby Name Trends 2018: O Baby, Em and Em, and the Power of the Small Screen
  • Rare Boy Names Ending with ORare Boy Names Ending with O
  • 80 Boy Names Ending in O80 Boy Names Ending in O
  • Odette, Ottilie, and Otis: The OttosOdette, Ottilie, and Otis: The Ottos
  • Coco, Willow, and Marlowe: Girls Names Ending With OCoco, Willow, and Marlowe: Girls Names Ending With O

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Comments

  1. Cass says

    May 30, 2018 at 1:42 PM

    I know an Isla and her little brother is named Lachlan.

    Reply
  2. The Mrs. says

    May 7, 2018 at 11:22 PM

    What about Gregor?
    Isla and Gregor

    Reply
  3. onomastodon says

    May 7, 2018 at 5:06 AM

    Some great suggestions already. I’ll try not to repeat any.

    Edmund, Edwin – these feel slightly quirky and soft to me, and I feel like the nickname Ned is ripe for revival here (he’d’ fit right in with all the little Matildas and Lachlans)
    Rufus, Rupert
    Arthur
    Callum
    Elias
    Victor (Vico?)
    Alfred, Albert (Alfie, Albie, Freddy, Bertie?)
    Roscoe
    Fergus
    Quentin
    Idris
    Amory, Ellery, Emory
    Finian, Finnian
    Jasper (this one might be too popular for your husband?)
    Wilfred – this might be too quirky for you, but it gives the option of the relatively mainstream ‘Will’ as a nickname (as well as Wilfie, Freddy, etc)

    Reply
  4. C in DC says

    May 6, 2018 at 10:18 PM

    Julius, Cyrus, Titus, Axel, Luther, Matthias, Fletcher, Oscar.

    Reply
  5. Laura Powell says

    May 6, 2018 at 11:13 AM

    Judge came to my mind when reading the post so that’s a good suggestion or how about Aiden?…

    Reply
  6. Maree says

    May 6, 2018 at 6:16 AM

    Reggie
    Oscar
    Declan

    That McCrindle report was fantastic!

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      May 7, 2018 at 9:22 AM

      Yes! I’m a little bit obsessed with it …

      Reply
      • onomastodon says

        May 28, 2018 at 9:05 AM

        The 2018 report is out now, too!
        https://mccrindle.com.au/wp-content/uploads/Baby-Names-Report-2018.pdf

        Reply
  7. Jaime says

    May 5, 2018 at 10:04 PM

    Love Jude! Or Dashiell or Archie.

    I also think Finnegan, nn Finn would work well. Or Sullivan, nn Sully.

    Reply
  8. Em says

    May 5, 2018 at 7:10 PM

    Owen

    Reply
  9. Renae Stubbs says

    May 5, 2018 at 7:01 PM

    Lionel “leo”

    Reply
  10. Erin says

    May 5, 2018 at 5:57 PM

    A few ideas based on both of your preferences:
    Casey
    Grady
    Ramsay
    Redmond
    Cory
    Bryce
    Blake
    Reuben

    Reply
  11. Marie says

    May 5, 2018 at 5:15 PM

    Vaughn maybe?

    Isla and Vaughn

    Reply
  12. Renée says

    May 5, 2018 at 2:42 PM

    Finneus -called Finn (Isla and Finn sound adorable as siblings).
    Cassius – nn Cash
    Bohdi- I noticed 3 of the names your husband likes end in an -ee sound. So maybe Bohdi would be a name that would appeal to both your styles.
    Howie or Bowie also fit in that camp. Or from Abby’s list Harris nn Harry.
    I also really like Felix or Jude from Abby’s list.

    Congrats and hope you find a name that you both love!!

    Reply
  13. Fiona says

    May 5, 2018 at 10:16 AM

    Hello..I know an isla with a brother Joel. In case it appeals.

    Reply
  14. Marisa says

    May 5, 2018 at 9:57 AM

    I noticed that the names on both your lists share a lot of the same sounds: i/ie/y and s/x/c. Felix would incorporate these, but these also came to mind: Cassian, Bastian, and Xavier. (Though I suppose you’d have to like Caz, Baz, and/or Xave if you go with one of them.)

    Reply

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