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Name Help: A Brother for Marshall

November 25, 2022 By appellationmountain 33 Comments

Name Help: A Brother for Marshall HenryName 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!

Kelsey writes:

We have an almost three year old named Marshall Henry Lastname, and his baby brother is due in January. (But I was three weeks early with Marshall, so maybe we’ll have a Christmas baby!)

My husband suggested Marshall and at first I wasn’t sure. But I love it now. It sounds maybe a little bit tough, but still cuddly. People always know it, but we’ve never met another little Marshall. And he can grow up to be anything – ball player, businessman, electrician.

But nothing seems to really go with Marshall, if that makes sense.

My favorite from last time, Arlo, seems too short next to Marshall, and I don’t like the way there’s a MAR/AR sound.

This time around, my husband’s only suggestion is Grant, but when I Googled the names together, I found a musician named Marshall Grant. (Maybe that doesn’t matter?!)

We would like to use the middle name Frank or Francis for my grandpa. Franklin could be an option, too, maybe, but he was named Francis and mostly called Frank/Frankie.

Hit us with all the ideas, please!

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

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your new son!

There’s something about Marshall. I wouldn’t think to call it timeless, and yet it is. It’s ranked in the US Top 1000 every year since the list was established in 1880. It peaked around a hundred years ago, hovering around the #150 mark. Over the last twenty years, it’s typically ranked in the 300s, including #379 in 2021.

So I wonder if the right name for Marshall’s brother shares that profile – never too popular, never out of favor.

In that sense, Grant is a perfect match. It’s a strong name, one we think of as a first, even though it really started out as a last. And it’s bounced around the 100s to the 300s in the ranking – perpetually familiar, never overused.

While I immediately recognized “Marshall Grant” as a combination, I couldn’t name the exact person. (He was a long-time backing musician for Johnny Cash.) So I do think Grant could very much be on the table.

But let’s see if we can find some more possibilities.

A BROTHER FOR MARSHALL

BRIGGS (#372)

Strictly speaking, Briggs is a trending name. The S ending makes it stylish. And it fits with lots of surname names like Brooks. But it’s not terribly common, and it has a rugged, strong sound.

CLARK (#396)

Superman’s alter ego once sounded a little quiet. After all, nobody ever noticed Clark Kent, right? But these days, the distinctive sound feels like an alternative to Jack or Cole, and I think the slightly mid-century vibe matches Marshall well.

GARRETT (#402)

Garrett made it all the way into the Top 100 in the 1990s, but it never quite caught on. Instead it sounds a little Western. And, like Marshall, it’s appeared in the US Top 1000 every single year, so maybe it’s a quiet classic, too.

GRADY (#428)

We tend to think of surname names as a new trend, but we’ve always used them – especially for our sons. And so Grady shares the same timeless quality as Marshall. It’s not exactly a style star, but neither is unfamiliar. Grady could be 3 or 53, an HVAC tech, a CEO, or CEO of the HVAC company.

HEATH (#958)

If Heath hadn’t had a good run in the 1970s, bolstered by a television Western and the popularity of Keith, it would be a mega-hit now. After all, Heath is a nature name with a surname vibe, and there have been just enough notable Heaths to keep it in the spotlight across the decades.

OTIS (#647)

Like Marshall, Otis is an unexpected choice. Originally a surname form of Otto, Otis has history to spare – and yet, it remains relatively uncommon.

REED (#416)

Or Reid, which, at #299, is more popular in the US. Either way, it’s a strong sound, a name with several possible origins and meanings.

REEVE (unranked)

One more inspired by Reed … Reeve. It’s actually a surname derived from a Middle English job title. Back in the day, a reeve was the equivalent of a sheriff. Which makes it a subtle, but undeniable, match for Marshall. The sound is strong and distinctive, though I suppose Reeve is often misheard as the more common Reed.

I’ll admit that I’m kind of in love with Marshall and Reeve. But I’m not sure that’s quite what you’re after. And, realistically, if you had a third son, it potentially creates a pattern that would be impossible to continue. So I’ll vote for Briggs, though maybe it’s trendier than you would like, or possibly Heath, which feels like a perfect match with Marshall to my ear. And for middles: Briggs Franklin or Heath Francis.

Readers, what would you name a brother for Marshall?

More names you might like:

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Comments

  1. Emmy says

    December 15, 2022 at 4:45 AM

    Late to the party on this, sorry….

    Lawson Frank and Marshall Henry

    Reply
  2. Cristina says

    November 28, 2022 at 6:55 PM

    I saw Duncan listed…I know someone who is a mom of a Marshall and a Duncan and I think they go well together! So many great options though! I like Chester too, but maybe it’s a little less popular than Marshall. I think Chester and Marshall go well together too!

    Reply
  3. Jules says

    November 28, 2022 at 3:23 PM

    Just came here to specifically suggest Graham Francis!

    (I also think Grant should not be discounted because of the musician name. I personally like the name Graham a lot though – has some of the same warmth as Marshall. And I agree Arlo is too close to Marshall in sound.)

    Reply
  4. Erin says

    November 28, 2022 at 5:59 AM

    Waylon Francis, Alden Francis?

    Reply
  5. A says

    November 27, 2022 at 11:00 PM

    So many great suggestions already. I love Grady and Garrett along with Marshall.

    Other ideas

    Trevor
    Gavin
    Wesley
    Morgan
    Elliot
    Shane
    Davis
    Duncan
    Spencer
    Lewis
    Zane
    Roland
    Leland
    Vance
    Jesse
    Cade
    Avery

    Reply
  6. diane921 says

    November 27, 2022 at 1:40 PM

    I like the alliteration of Marshall and Malcolm. It got me thinking of other M names.
    Marshall Henry and Myles Francis or Miles Franklin
    Marshall Henry and Maxwell Franklin or Maxfield Francis
    Marshall Henry and Maddox Franklin
    Marshall Henry and Marcus Franklin
    Marshall Henry and Morley Francis

    Reply
  7. Megan says

    November 26, 2022 at 11:22 PM

    There are so many winners in this thread. I’m still not over Winston & Sterling. I’d like to add Donovan, Wyatt, and Winslow (thanks autocorrect).

    Reply
  8. Megan says

    November 26, 2022 at 11:08 PM

    Marshall Henry and Sterling Francis are such a great pair. Marshall and Sterling just feel like brothers.

    Reply
  9. Megan says

    November 26, 2022 at 11:05 PM

    Marshall & Gideon are a swoon worthy pair! I’d still use Francis in the middle though.

    Reply
  10. Megan says

    November 26, 2022 at 11:02 PM

    Winston Francis would be dapper!

    Reply
  11. Megan says

    November 26, 2022 at 10:52 PM

    Warren Francis is SO good.

    Reply
  12. Alyssa says

    November 26, 2022 at 10:14 PM

    Love all the suggestions! I feel like Warren could be a great fit with Marshall.

    Marshall Henry & Warren Francis

    Reply
  13. diane says

    November 26, 2022 at 9:53 PM

    There is a college in Pennsylvania named Franklin and Marshall. I guess it might be okay because it would be Marshall and Franklin and go by a nickname like Flynn or Finn.

    Also, another name to consider is Alden. Marshall and Alden would make great brothers.

    Reply
  14. The Mrs. says

    November 26, 2022 at 7:25 PM

    A brother for Marshall:

    Travis (not with Francis… maybe Franklin?)
    Briscoe
    Kincade
    Orson
    Humboldt
    Garvan
    Winston
    Shepherd

    So wonderful for your family! Congratulations!!

    Reply
  15. Em says

    November 26, 2022 at 3:53 PM

    Felix
    Jasper
    Atticus
    Judah
    Asher

    Reply
  16. Another Emily says

    November 25, 2022 at 11:01 PM

    What about Graham? Graham Francis sounds great to me!

    Reply
  17. LadyRay says

    November 25, 2022 at 6:34 PM

    I’m in favor of…

    Rowan Francis & Marshall Henry
    Quentin Francis & Marshall Henry
    Boswell Francis & Marshall Henry

    Gideon Frank & Marshall Henry
    Cyrus Frank & Marshall Henry
    Oliver Frank & Marshall Henry

    Best of luck on your naming journey! It’s certainly coming up quick, so I hope you take care of one another.,

    Reply
  18. Stefanie says

    November 25, 2022 at 5:48 PM

    I really like Harlan with Marshall but I see that you don’t like the repeating ar sound. I still think it could work and Harlan Francis called Hal would be really nice, I think.
    If not that, what about Owen or Callum? Both are lovely combined with Francis!

    Marshall Henry & Owen Francis
    Marshall Henry & Callum Francis
    Marshall & Harlan Francis

    Reply
  19. Liz says

    November 25, 2022 at 4:57 PM

    The first name I thought of was Heath. Heath Franklin sounds lovely with Marshall Henry.

    Reply
  20. Christine says

    November 25, 2022 at 4:50 PM

    Marshall and Garrett! Or Grant! Like Ambrose so much too!

    Reply
  21. Candy says

    November 25, 2022 at 3:52 PM

    Ditto on Garrett Francis. Kind of perfect!

    Reply
  22. Anchors_and_Whales says

    November 25, 2022 at 3:09 PM

    Grant Francis works. The AN sound repeats, but wouldn’t be an issue, as middle names are rarely spoken.

    I once met a twin set named Marshall and Sterling.

    Sterling has always been in the US top 1000, too.

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      November 25, 2022 at 7:44 PM

      Sterling is such a great suggestion – thanks!

      Reply
  23. Willow says

    November 25, 2022 at 3:05 PM

    Grover and Bramwell immediately came to my mind by reading the title!

    Reply
  24. Brittany says

    November 25, 2022 at 2:55 PM

    Grant Franklin sounds like a great brother to Marshall Henry!

    Other ideas: Emmett, Fletcher, Amos, Peter (Pete)

    Reply
  25. C in DC says

    November 25, 2022 at 2:17 PM

    Frank, Francis, or Franklin in the first spot would go nicely with Marshall. Francis Arlo, called Frank, would be a winner for me.

    Walter
    Gerald
    Cooper
    Fletcher
    Weston
    Clifford
    Ellis
    Guthrie
    Milton
    Vaughn
    Vincent
    Kenneth

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      November 25, 2022 at 7:44 PM

      LOVE Vaughn with Marshall …

      Reply
  26. Renée says

    November 25, 2022 at 12:46 PM

    I’ll admit when I saw the title of this post, I immediately thought of Paw Patrol, which once upon a time I thought I’d never forgotten the theme song or pup names! I’m glad to find with my youngest being seven, it’s now just a fond memory. But maybe I still wouldn’t pair Marshall with Chase, Rocky, Zuma, Skye, Ryder, Everest, Rubble 😉 My second association (and fondest) of Marshall is How I Met Your Mother and that totally exemplifies how you describe the name for you. I wondered why it wasn’t more popular after becoming a fan of the show.

    I like the angle of surnames that Abby took – and I’ll add Barrett, Davis, Smith (or Smythe!), Scott, Shepherd, Thatcher, Walsh. Grady is one of my faves!! I never hear it but it feels homespun like Marshall. Same with Heath. Other homespun ideas:

    Ambrose
    Anders
    Bramwell
    Cormac
    Dane
    Tobias
    Ezra
    Emmett
    (Those last two may be too popular)

    I hear you on the Mar/Ar combo, but I wonder if you’d like Arlen? I just know an adult with the name and it wears well. He could be Arlo as a nickname. Arlen Francis is lovely.

    Grant is 100% a good match. I’ve never heard of that musician. Grant Franklin feels a bit repetitive maybe that’s a hesitation? Would you consider Franklin up front? I love love that with Marshall! He could be Flynn as a nickname? Ooh or Flynn Francis is alliterative perfection!

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      November 25, 2022 at 7:43 PM

      Franklin as a first name is a great idea!

      Reply
  27. Erin Beth says

    November 25, 2022 at 12:42 PM

    Graham
    Quincy
    Redmond
    Shepherd
    Forrest

    Reply
  28. Iris says

    November 25, 2022 at 12:40 PM

    I think you nailed it with Garrett: not modern, not old-fashioned, just always there.
    And the sound is very similiar to Grant!
    Mashall and Garrett! Garrett Francis!

    A few more:
    Lewis Frank
    Nicholas Frank nn Nico (I think it’s a great compromise between Grant and Arlo)
    Curtis Frank
    Wallace Frank

    Reply
  29. GalNamedGuy says

    November 25, 2022 at 12:25 PM

    Marshall Henry & Warren Francis

    Marshall Henry & Winston Francis

    Marshall Henry & Wesley Francis

    Marshall Henry & Malcolm Francis

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      November 25, 2022 at 7:43 PM

      Oh, Wesley is great with Marshall!

      Reply

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