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!
Zoe writes:
We need some help finding the right middle names for our new son.
His first name sounds like Owen, but is much less common.
We initially chose the middle names River Fox. My husband loves fishing, so River felt like it was “meant to be.”
I’m happy with his first name and with Fox, but River just doesn’t feel right.
Our other Son is sounds-like-Hudson (but much less common) Ezra Wolf.
We love unusual names but try to ground them with an older, recognizable name in the middle.
I absolutely adore Bodhi and would use it in a heartbeat. But Bodhi clashes with sounds-like-Owen due to the strong O sound in both.
Other names I like but my husband isn’t sure include Arthur, Dexter, Digby, Ephraim, Hugo, Huxley, Moses, Orson, and Orwell.
Any help is appreciated!
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your new son!
It sounds like the issue is this: you had a winning formula for your firstborn’s name. Unusual first, more serious middle, truly daring bonus middle. The pattern makes sense.
But your second son has two daring middles, without the benefit of more traditional name to anchor it all.
We could argue that River has caught on in a big way, and will almost certainly feel traditional in another generation or three. But we’re talking about today, and River still seems novel.
Does that sound right?
While changing a name is never easy, this seems like a fairly straightforward puzzle.
We’re looking for the equivalent of Ezra, which means:
- A time-tested name, one you might’ve heard across many centuries.
- Something immediately familiar, even if it’s not a chart-topper.
- One that flows nicely with sounds-like-Owen and Fox.
It does strike me that your husband is probably giving something up, so I wonder if the best approach is to find two or three names that you love equally, but give him a little more say in the final decision?
NAMES LIKE EZRA
From your current list, I think Arthur, Dexter, Ephraim, Hugo, Moses, and Orson might be the better bets. Digby and Orwell are great – but a little less broadly familiar.
I’m divided on Huxley. It’s certainly an established surname, but it’s trending now. Will it feel sufficiently traditional to fill that spot? Does the repeating ‘x’ in Huxley and Fox appeal … or repeat too many sounds? My inclination is to drop it from the list, not because it isn’t great … but because it shares some of the shortcomings of both River (a too-new name) and Bodhi (repeating sounds).
My personal favorite is Arthur. Like Ezra, it’s an old-school name that feels fresh and stylish by 2022 standards. And it’s a nice bring between sounds-like-Owen and Fox.
But … are the initials OAF a dealbreaker? I can’t decide.
My second favorite is sounds-like-Owen Hugo Fox. Another classic with a current vibe, perfect for anchoring an unexpected first and bold bonus middle. And while the O sound repeats, it’s far more subtle – and pleasing – in this combination.
LET’S TALK ABOUT BODHI
Bodhi is such a great name!
But … the repeating sound is strong. Too strong, I think. It’s a little sing-songy when said together.
Beyond that consideration, I also wonder if Bodhi feels less like Ezra. While there’s plenty of history and meaning behind it, Bodhi has only emerged as a given name in very recent years. That puts it closer to River and Huxley than, say, Arthur or Hugo.
MORE MIDDLE NAME OPTIONS
EZEKIEL – Like Ezra, Ezekiel combines a cool sound with Biblical roots. And I think the extra syllables help balance out a two-syllable first name and short middle name Fox.
HENRY – Too traditional? It has the ‘ee’ ending of Bodhi, but seems more like a rock solid anchor of a name.
ISAAC – Another Biblical possibility, but perhaps even more on the classic side.
MILO – Maybe not quite as conventional as Arthur, but Milo is a mainstream favorite with plenty of history.
THATCHER – If Dexter isn’t quite right, would Thatcher appeal?
ZACHARY – Or even Zachariah, for a more dramatic choice? Zachary feels like a staple name for a son, big in the 90s and still plenty familiar today.
From my list, I’m still stuck on Ezekiel. Sounds-like-Owen Ezekiel Fox. It’s more of a conventional given name than River, and a perfect parallel to Ezra. Plus the syllable count makes the overall rhythm of the name appealing, too.
I love how Owen Ezekiel Fox sounds, along with the suggestion of Douglas above. Looking at some other more classic names that connect to rivers/fishing I would suggest Maxwell (great stream) and Romney (winding river).
Owen Romney Fox
Owen Maxwell Fox
I like how both sound. Romney shares the R of River, has a great meaning and is familiar/classic but not super trendy. Maxwell is more popular, but still with a great meaning and is a total classic.
What about Brooks? Owen Brooks Fox. No Brooks isn’t an established name but if feels traditional because of Brooks Brothers. Yet it keeps the river connection and still fits in with contemporary naming styles -Ezrahis z appeal and Brooks ends in that trendy s.
This advice is for me :).
I wanted to add that although River is a nod to my hubby it wasnt something that he chose, it was me that chose it being sentimental, he actually chose the first name and had said about Fox years ago. I’m trying to find a name that is a choice that I love …that he will agree on. He doesnt mind River but is happy for me to choose a name.
I adore Bodhi but I unfortunately agree that it is to sing songy and we naturally call him #OwieBodi” as a nickname so he has taken on that moniker in a different way although also been a hindrance because i just feel like its his name now , he fits Bodhi and its an awkward adjustment.
I am drawn to more oldy worldly classic names like hebrew, old english style names or those with hipster boho vibes.
I love Ezekiel, my hubby doesnt and also all my children have a syllable count pattern. 2 syllable 1st name , 2 syllable 1st second name 1 syllable 2nd second name , 1 syllable last name.
“Example- Edie Betty May Smith” I’d be tempted to use the nickname Zeki as a nod to Ezekiel
My problem is I have such a great love for baby names and have done for aslong as I can remember so I almost have to much choice.
I like Henry but it’s almost to classic and doesnt have that rare classic feel to me, Isaac and Zachary are to popular where we live.
Milo reminds me to much of the Jack Russel in The Mask film.
Thatcher doesnt match his face lol.
Iv currently be liking Aksel (old Norwegian name) we know the more rock n roll spelling Axel but I prefer the former spelling. Still quite like Ephraim and also Ziah I also love Moses and is a name in my husbands family tree but felt did we have to same O problem
I was looking in to bear names as he very much is a chunky bear. We both like Bjorn which although has 1 syllable does have a bit of a stretch to 2 syllables depending on pronunciation.
I feel like I’m being too fussy and its stressing me out lol.
Names like Ezra: Abram, Jethro, Micah, Lucas, Judah, Justus/Justice, Tycho, Enoch, Linus, Silas, Timothy, Titus.
Names like River or mean River: Fisher, Carter, Fletcher, Afton, Abernathy, Blaine, Calder, Kelvin, Leith, Romney
Hugo, Ezekiel, Felix and Irving are all great suggestions. Following the Irving path I suggest Douglas and Windsor, which are both related to River.
Can you ask your husband to choose a river, lake or spot he particularly loves to replace River? That would be so meaningful and lovely if it worked as a name.
Or Fischer?
Unless the ‘Wolf/Fox’ connection is a strong intention, why not make River the whimsical middle?
Owen-Henry-River
Owen-Isaac-River
Owen-Amos-River
Owen-Gabriel-River
Owen-Matthias-River
Owen-Nathaniel-River
Owen-Tobias-River
(but I wouldn’t do Owen-Moses-River, ha! Unless you went ALL IN with Reed-Moses-River, lol)
River and Wolf are so complimentary without being too matchy. And River’s such a nice naming story for you!
I’m wondering if sounds-like-Owen Irving Fox works for you? Irving means “green water” and I guess it is related to “river.”
I love Irving and Orwell (a river close to home) but hubby doesnt.
I also think I might want to step away from water as I didnt get the water birth I wanted and it caused me mental health trauma (which I wont go in to detail of on here lol…I’m ok and it’s been dealt with)
I know you’re happy with “Owen” and Fox, but would you consider swapping Fox out for the similar but more Ezra-like Felix? You could then have “Owen” Felix Bohdi, which doesn’t seem to clash as much and matches your older sons name more. I’ve even heard Fox used as a nickname for Felix, so you could call him “Owen” Fox, or “Owie” Fox for fun.
I have been through the thoughts of if I should swap the whole thing out but we have very solid themes with them where we incorporate a one syllable animal name for the boys. I did think River Wolf because it made more sense to me with his first name as its Norse but I thought having 2 wolves would be a bit much.
Ahh … patterns 🙂
Was wondering if Beau could work, but it’s not an animal. “Owen” Felix Bear? Maybe then you can save up Fox if you need it, or go the whole Fox Bear if you don’t.
I just think it’s worth exploring other options and seeing if anything resonates, and if not…? Maybe then you can stick with the original and know you actually have thought it through and let it become his name.
Hope you find something you love as much as you love your little one!
I would use Bear in a heartbeat but my surname rhymes with it so if I kept River and Swapped out Fox say. He would been “Owen” River Bear Hare and I just cant bring myself to do that
I love the flow of Owen Arthur Fox.
Or maybe Bodhi Hugo River? It includes both mom and dad’ favorites.