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!
Please read on for my reply, and leave your helpful suggestions in the comments.
Dear Samantha,
Congratulations on your first baby!
Usually I like to write about the name question in general before getting to specific name suggestions. But this time? Calder! I can hear the final piece click into place when I think about Calder for your son’s name.
It gets to the nickname Cal; has the same feel as Carter/Tanner from his list and Mercer from yours. Plus, you’ve already agreed on Wilder. So Calder seems like exactly the kind of name that would please you both.
But let’s say I’m wrong, and you’re already shaking your head “no” as you read this. What then?
I wrote a list of formal names for Cal a few years ago. I wonder if Callahan might appeal? It’s another surname name, like your boyfriend’s favorites. And it leads directly to Cal, which you both agree on.
Moving away from Cal names, it seems like you both agree on surname names in general; just not one surname name in particular.
If you would agree to stick with that style, do you think your boyfriend might consider some names that are less popular?
Archer – Archer sits just inside the current Top 300. I think that’s the definition of a sweet spot name!
Bennett – Bennett remains outside of the Top 100 – for now. It combines the appeal of a traditional choice (Ben) with the surname style of so many rising choices. This makes it a good possible compromise pick for lots of families, including (maybe!) yours.
Grady – I love the sound of Crosby, but I can’t decide if Crosby Crumb is too much repeating ‘cr’ sound. Given the connection to your family history, I’d still strongly consider Crosby. But if it ends up crossed off the list, Grady might make a good substitute.
Miles – Depending on your circle of friends, Miles might feel a little too popular. But it takes the ‘s’ ending sound of Silas and nudges it a little more towards the surname style your boyfriend prefers. Of course, Miles has been used as a surname and given name for generations, so this falls more on your side of the style line than his.
Thatcher – Thatcher makes a great surname name in the key of Carter. Only it’s much less popular than Carter and Parker and other Top 100 favorites.
Walton – Walton fails to crack the current US Top 1000, so maybe it’s a little too out there for you! But I think it’s the perfect stands-out/fits-in name. If names like Walker and Weston are on-trend, why not Walton? You might still think of long-time television series The Waltons, but it’s a reference that few children born in 2017 will recognize.
Does that feel like the right direction? If you’re on board with a surname name, it feels like one of these – or something similar – might create a good compromise between you and your boyfriend.
Readers, what would you suggest to Samantha and her boyfriend for their son? And what’s your favorite formal name for Cal?
I personally prefer the longer names with the last name Crumb, the extra syllables in the first name break up the repetitive C sound (especially since Crumb is just one syllable). So I like Calloway or Callahan. Just my preference though. Calder is a pretty cool name.
What about Maguire nn Mac?
Wells? We have a Wells and absolutely love his name. It’s so uncommon but not off the weird list.
Good luck!!
Both suggestions are great, Kelsey! Maguire is an overlooked Mac- name, and Wells is fabulous!
I’ve been crushing on the name Calvary (not to be confused with Cavalry), for a long time with the nickname of Cal.
Ooh … that’s a bold one, but it works! I am *forever* tripping on Calvary versus Cavalry, but if I knew a kiddo with the name, I’m sure I’d get it.
My son is Calvin, and I thought we would call him Cal, but 3 years later, he’s still always Calvin. And I’m very familiar with the dad ruling out perfectly great names for reasons he can’t even articulate. I like Calloway and Callahan but with your last name they sound kind of like a law firm to me. Calder is a name I’ve never heard in real life – is the first syllable like California, or like cauldron or telephone call?
I know a little boy named Callan (with an “n”). It’s a twist on a family surname which makes me think of surnames with “Mc” might work such as McCallister or McAllister, etc.
These comments are so good! A lot of great ways to get Cal – so many that I’m kind of sad we didn’t think of any of these before naming our own boys.
I’m combining some ideas and going outside of the directions to suggest Malcolm nn Mac.
Oh what an awesome surprise! Thank you for fitting me in Abby :). We’ve talked about a couple of these suggestions for Cal, but some I’ve never thought of. I’ll take them to my boyfriend and I’ll be sure to update you. Thank you all!
My favorite Cal name is Calhoun. But maybe it’s a little too out there? I still had to suggest it. Good luck!
I agree that Calder seems to hit the sweet spot. Another possibility might be Malcolm.
Good thought on Malcolm, C in DC!
I’m guessing your boyfriend doesn’t like Calvin, or that would be the obvious answer. Also, names that start with C paired with the last name Crumb are going to have a Harry Potter-ish vibe, which is not necessarily bad – I love Harry Potter names and I like alliteration – but some people would really dislike that, so I wanted to point it out.
Have you thought about Caleb, Samuel, Saul, Jasper, Micah, or Emmett?
Your comment made me smile – I love alliteration AND Harry Potter. Our names are both alliterative (I’m SS and he’s CC) and quite a few of our friends are as well. I don’t plan on any future children starting with C, but it would be fun if this one did. Calvin was my first choice for a formal name for Cal, but getting Mr. Crumb on board isn’t happening. Caleb has great potential though!
I think Calvin called “Cal” is perfect! I am really liking Calvin Everett or Calvin Wilder for you… Let us know what you name him!
Well, I HAVE to put in a plug for my favourite Cal-name that I want to see get more love – Calloway! Comes with a multitude of nicknames, Cal being the most natural, plus it’s lovely and grows well with the child.
But I also really really like Crosby and Mercer. Amazing bonus that they have family ties! I’d love to see:
Calloway Mercer Crumb
Crosby Mercer Crumb
Calloway Crosby Crumb (I think the alliteration is wonderful but it may not be everyone’s cup of tea!)
Based on your original pick of Owen, though, you may like Callum best. It’s a solid name. Callum Wilder would be great too!
Oh, wait, I forgot a more unexpected option – Pascal! Especially good if you are not a fan of alliteration but still want to get to Cal.
Pascal (nn Cal) is brilliant! I love that.
We are having a baby any day now–his name will be Carlisle (family bang) and we will call him Cal–a bit of a stretch, but we like it! Good luck!!
*family name
My son is a Callum that goes by Cal. It fits with our Irish/Scottish heritage.
Emmett!