UPDATE: Marla writes, “Sorry it took so long to write. Loved so many of the suggestions! Before I went into labor, it felt like Tobias was our top name. But we’re still saving Tabitha in case we ever have another daughter, and realized we would prefer to avoid repeating initials. That left Gregor on my husband’s list and Reginald and Cedric on mine, but we were both “meh” about the other’s choices. In the end, seeing so many votes for Leopold swayed us both. And so we went with Leopold Gregory. Thank you all so much!”
Marla writes:
We have two children, Montgomery and Cordelia.
I love that they’re names from another time, old world names that feel like they stepped out of a nineteenth century novel.
We’re expecting our third child this spring. Gender will be a surprise.
We’re pretty settled on Tabitha for a girl, but we’re all over the place for a boy.
Names we have considered:
- Sebastian – Almost used this for Montgomery, but now I feel like I hear it everywhere, and maybe it’s not a good fit anymore.
- Arthur – Could be great, but my husband has a relative named Arthur and it might be weird to use it for that reason.
- Gregory – My husband really likes this name, but I think it’s a little rhyme-y with Montgomery, and while I love Monty, I really don’t care for Greg.
- Lawrence/Laurence – But maybe we have too much of a subtle Anne of Green Gables thing going already?
- Graham – I kind of like it, but it’s short and I’m really not a short name person. Don’t really like shorter names with our last name, either.
Can you help us think of some more ideas?
Our last name sounds like James without the J.
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
Abby replies:
Congratulations on baby number three! I love Tabitha with Cordelia and Montgomery.
It does sound like you’re a little stuck on boy names, doesn’t it?
Sometimes the world catches up to us, discovering our favorite names before we get a chance to use them! That sounds like that’s exactly what happened with your list here – Sebastian and Arthur have gone from undiscovered gems to everybody’s favorites.
Gregory is great, and I’ve heard it used for this generation in full. But I know what you mean about Montgomery and Gregory sounding a little repetitive together.
It strikes me that neither Montgomery or Cordelia rank in the current US Top 1000. Maybe it would help to focus on names that are similarly underused?
A BROTHER FOR MONTGOMERY AND CORDELIA
ARCHIBALD
Archie is rising in use, but it’s still just #466. And Archibald is very rare. Montgomery, Cordelia, and Archibald have that stepped-out-of-a-period-drama sound for me.
BENEDICT
Gregory is great, but I know what you mean about Greg. It’s very Brady, even after all these years. (Maybe especially after all these years. And I know some great Gregs!) Could Benedict be another option? It’s slightly British, broadly familiar thanks to leading man Cumberbatch, and easily shortened to Ben.
CONRAD
Conrad is one of the great names that everyone knows, but almost no one uses. Except … maybe it’s a little close to Cordelia? Not sound-wise, exactly, but visually they look quite similar. Still, it’s worth consideration.
FREDERICK
A handsome and traditional name, Frederick is more popular in the UK than the US. That’s also true for sweet nickname Freddie.
HORATIO
Horace is serious and tweedy, while cousin Horatio is spirited and high-stepping. I can make the case for either name, but I think Horatio pairs best with dashing Montgomery.
PERCIVAL
A knight from medieval legend, Percival is quite handsome, and nickname Percy makes it easy to wear.
REGINALD
Not so long ago, Reginald would’ve felt stuffy. But I think it’s almost time for a comeback. Or at least it’s early stages in the UK. And Reggie is darling, plus Rex is another nickname option.
WALLACE
Polished and understated, Wallace feels nicely understated. But Scottish hero William Wallace lends it some bravado. I think Wally could be cuddly on a baby, but I’m not sure I like it as much as Monty or Archie or Percy or lots of the other possibilities.
A BROTHER FOR MONTGOMERY + CORDELIA
I think Horatio is my favorite. Doesn’t it just sound like Montgomery’s mischievous little brother? Except the lack of a nickname could be a limiting factor. Do you just like Monty, or do you actively use it?
If you’re in the market for a name with an easy short form, then I’d give the nod to Archibald. It sounds a little dramatic, even outlandish, compared to Sebastian or even Arthur. It’s a BIG name for a baby!
But it’s such an old world, gentlemanly choice. I mean … Hollywood icon Cary Grant was born Archibald Leach.
I can think of a lot of two-syllable names that would fit this style although a few of them might not be ready for a comeback yet or ever. Roger, Cyril, Gerard, Gerald, Harold, Hubert, Herbert, Homer, Hector, Eugene, Maurice, Stanley, Oswald and other Os- names, Wendell (Wells), Ogden (Oggie), Quentin, Bernard.
Unless you want to go classical, medieval, old-school Biblical, Slavic, or Romance-language, three-or-more-syllable boy names are harder to come up with. I personally would be excited to meet a boy named Algernon, Ludovic (obscure LM Montgomery character), Constantine, or Barnabas.
Oh wow I love your sibset! What do you call Cordelia??
I also love that Ambrose and Basil are coming up lots here! Would love to hear those on the playground. And Horatio! Wow. That would be so so good. Maybe nickname Ray? Monty and Ray sound like brothers.
I’m here for the following:
Ignatius – Iggy!
Winston – Winn
Alistair – Atlas, Ace, Alec?
Tobias – Toby
Lysander – Andy!
Can’t wait to hear what you decide on!
Oh and how could I forget Lionel! Such a strong, underused, classic pick.
What about Gideon, Desmond, Malcolm, Nathaniel, Simeon, Wallace, Preston, Prescott, Whitaker, Ignatius, Calloway, Alfred, Carlisle?
Really kind of love Ignatius for you! It stands fine on its own alongside Montgomery and Cordelia but you also have nickname options of Iggy, Nat, Nate, or Nash if you want to go that route.
Two of my favorite boy names are Edmund and Basil, the latter being a family name. Ned and Baz are great nicknames. Sebastian is trendy where I live. It would be noticeable to have a rare name like Montgomery and then use Gregory, which ends the same way. August is trendy, but Augustine isn’t as much and seems to fit the bill. Walter (too ‘Walter and Bertha Shirley’)? Wilfred? Hugh and Blaise are two of my other favorites, but I know short names are out.
I thought Anne of Green Gables when I saw your names, but Lawrence is so nice that it wouldn’t stop me if it was your #1 choice. Most people won’t think of it.
Tabitha is fabulous.
I love Horatio too! Also Ambrose (which I see several people have recommended), Bertram, Errol, Linus, Ernest, and Victor/Vincent. And Abbie’s suggestion of Frederick also seems to fit well with Montgomery and Cordelia. You have great taste in names and I’m sure whatever you pick will be perfect!
My top boy names are Basil, Jasper, and Ambrose. These definitely fit the bill for gentlemanly, but maybe they’re a bit short for you? My match for Archibald is Leopold, but maybe Leonardo suits your style more.Ulysses, Roderick, Gideon, and Evelyn all suit your style. Surnames that were historically used as given names and go nicely with your set: Mortimer, Wellington, Hilliard, and Jacoby. Check the top names from 1890, I think you’ll find a lot you like. You might want to start from the bottom of the list.
I just read a lovely middle grade fiction book (The Mapmakers’ Race) in which the youngest of four is a boy named Humphrey. Surprising and adorable and old-worldy, much like Montgomery & Cordelia.
I also have a 3 year old Edwin, which strikes me (biased as I am) with the same sort of charm.
And I guess Gilbert is out … Monty & Gil would be sweet, but oh well 🙂
I love Tabitha! And Sebastian, Lawrence, and Graham!
Ambrose
Walter
Harvey
Francisco
Artemas
Sylvester
Ingram
I love Tabitha! Fantastic pick there! I also really love Sebastian and I don’t think it’s popularity would dissuade me—it’s not THAT popular, right? I’d avoid Gregory though—it’s just too close.
Would you like Peregrine, nickname Pip or Pippin?? Walter, nn Walt? Francisco, nn Franco, Frankie, Sisco, or Chico? Langston? Sylvester? Harvey? Artemas? Ambrose? Ingram? Xavier?