Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, one reader’s name questions will be discussed. This is a special post prompted by the devastation of Hurricane Harvey. Proceeds from the post will benefit Texas Diaper Bank.
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:
My husband and I decided on a name just a night or two after finding out we’re having a boy, about 6 weeks ago. We had been using it privately and felt like it fit perfectly and we were glad to have a big decision out of the way.
But after recent events, it feels inappropriate to name our new son Harvey!
My in-laws in Houston are thankfully safe and staying dry, but we don’t want to saddle their grandson with a name that reminds them of the hurricane that’s harmed so many of their neighbors and friends. Can you help us think of replacements?
We liked Harvey because it’s classic but a bit unusual. Bonus points for it having a secular Jewish feel without being super Biblical. One backup we’re considering is R(e)uben.
No siblings to coordinate with and our last name is a long-ish hyphenate that starts with a hard G. Thanks!
Please read on for my response, and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
Hi Kelsey –
Congratulations on your new son! And wow, what a story.
First, I’m glad your family is safe. But I agree that this name needs a rethink. Maybe if you lived in Minneapolis, with no ties to anyone south of the Mason-Dixon line, Harvey would still feel reasonable. Maybe. Katrina faded from use dramatically following 2005, and shows no signs of a comeback.
It’s surprisingly difficult to find substitutes for Harvey. First, Harvey is beginning to rise, meaning it still feels slightly edgy and uncommon, especially for a child. But everyone instantly recognizes the name and can spell it easily. That makes a great combination. Plus, Harvey boasts an awful lot of sound, if that makes sense, especially with that middle V.
I’ve avoided most Biblical names in favor of names from Harvey’s heyday, from the late nineteenth century through the 1930s. I’m struggling with the secular Jewish part – while I have a general sense of what that means, finding names that fit that category feels harder than I would have guessed. But I know there will be some readers who can weigh in on this subject.
Alfred – Tennyson, Hitchcock, Batman’s capable butler. Accomplished Alfreds are everywhere, and nicknames like Alfie and Freddie seem sweet and wearable. I keep waiting for Alfred to return to favor in the US. After all, Alfie has ranked in the British Top Ten. So far, though, it remains under-the-radar. Read more about Alfred here.
Bram – Because your last name runs longer, I wonder if shorter first names appeal? Harvey boasts a compact, complete sound. Bram could be short for Abram or Abraham. And while Bram has never ranked in the US Top 1000, it’s a favorite with the Dutch. The most famous Abraham is known as Honest Abe in the US, but it truly counts as an international name, and maybe one that hits the same mark. Read more about Bram here.
Clyde – Until the 1930s, Clyde appeared in the US Top 100. Like Harvey, it once read regular Joe, but now feels vintage and unexpected. Some parents might avoid Clyde because of the villainous boyfriend of Bonnie – though we’ve romanticized the criminal couple to the point that probably doesn’t count as a detraction. Besides, the name was so popular for so long, plenty of men answer to Clyde. Read more about Clyde here.
Cy/Cyrus – Does Cy seem too short? Ever since Zoe Saldana gave the name to her son, I’ve been thinking it feels brief but complete. It can be short for lots of names, like regal Cyrus, woodsy Silas, or neglected Sylvester. (Darn that cat!) I think that leaves Cyrus as the frontrunner for a formal name for Cy, though I’m not sure if it feels too tied to the Old Testament. Read more about Cyrus here.
Ernest – Like many of the names on this list, Ernest comes from the same era as Harvey. One hundred years ago, it served as a Top 100 staple, as ordinary as Ryan or Luke today. Hemingway makes it literary; Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest reinforces the name’s virtuous vibe. (It comes from a Germanic word meaning serious; so does our word earnest.
Floyd – Floyd sounds like a brother for Clyde, another vintage name from the Top 100 of a century ago. Boxer Floyd Mayweather puts it in the spotlight today, and after years in style limbo, Floyd is rising in use. That’s where Harvey stood ten years ago.
Frank, Franklin – A few years ago, I found Frank hopelessly fusty. Today I think the name feels ready for revival. Surname form Franklin fits right in with all of those boys answering to Lincoln and Carter. While it spiked in use following the 1932 election of FDR, Franklin boasts a long and steady history of use. It feels vaguely vintage and nicely under-the-radar. Like Harvey, Franklin hovered just outside of the US Top 400 last year. Read more about Frank names here.
Harry, Harold – Jazz age chart-topper “I’m Just Wild About Harry” remains in the public imagination, even if we’ve mostly forgotten that it came from a 1921 Broadway musical. Harry tops the charts in the UK, where their famous exports include famous Harrys like Potter and Styles. In the US, it languishes in the upper 600s. Harry originally comes from Henry, a classic boy name favorite of the moment. It can connect to the very vintage Harold, which feels like another ready for revival choice. Read more about Harry here.
Howard – I’m on an H spree, because, well, Harvey. But Howard could be one of those fits-in, stands-out picks. Originally the surname of a well-connected English family – Catherine Howard became the ill-fated fifth wife of King Henry VIII – it has been a given name for so long that we’ve forgotten all that. I like the idea of Howie as a short form, but I’ve also heard Hoby as a nickname for Howard. Read more about Howard here.
Humphrey – Too much with the H names? We’re naming our daughters Audrey and Ava, so why not some more men’s names borrowed from old Hollywood? Humphrey Bogart makes it dashing, and the name fits the same general traditional-not-common profile as Harvey. Read more about Humphrey here.
Monty, Montgomery – Monty – or possibly Monte – stands on its own, though Montgomery makes for a dashing longer form. Actor Montgomery Clift inspired a surge in the name’s popularity around the 1960s, but the name boasts a long history of use. Isla Fisher’s son is named Montgomery. Read more about Montgomery here.
Morris – If Montgomery is close, but not quite, how ’bout Morris? Unlike Montgomery, it requires no nickname. And while it fits with popular surname picks like Harris and Brooks, Morris feels distinctive and different.
Simon – I don’t know if Simon feels like a secular Jewish name, but I do think of it as a quirky traditional. Simon belongs with classic boy names, and yet it feels a little offbeat, in a good way. Simon could easily be an artist, a writer, an athlete, a scientist – or some combination of the above. Read more about Simon here.
Solomon – Saul and Sol keep coming to mind, and yet I wonder if Solomon feels to specifically religious to you? Still, Solomon has gained steadily in use in recent years without reaching Sebastian-Alexander levels. It might be a great alternative to Harvey.
If I listed my favorite Harvey substitutes, I’d probably go with Franklin, followed by Ernest and Clyde. But Ernest and Clyde strike me as a little more daring than Harvey, while Franklin hits the sweet spot.
Readers, I know you’ll have some great suggestions for Kelsey. What would you use instead of Harvey?
Also, if you’re looking for a way to help with disaster relief efforts, Kelsey suggested the Texas Diaper Bank, which coordinates with other disaster relief organizations to get diapers to families in need. I’ll be donating the proceeds from this post to the organization. Online donations can be made here.
Hallie, a female nickname of Henry, owns a streamlined spelling as well as a contemporary aura, like a lovable and jovial maiden. Meanwhile, this sassy female name is also connected with the fusty grandpa name, Harold, which feels like the next Arthur or Theodore.
This might be weird to some people but I say still name him Harvey 1. You love the name 2. Use it not to remember the devastation but to honour the ones that survived it and all the people that have been brought together because it seems the greatest disasters bring out the best in people they show great hospitality compassion empathy and love.
And maybe open up to your family and ask them how they would feel I’m sure once they see that little boys beautiful face it will be bring a beautiful imagery of Harvey rather than the disastrous one that they remember at the moment x
They should really stop naming hurricanes using great names!
There’s a ton of great suggestions here and in the comments!
I had Jewish great uncles Harvey and Mervyn..
Any good?
I mean, to me, the quintessential secular Jewish name is Irving. I love Irving!! What about Iggy for nickname? I think it works.
My son is called Asa, so that is obviously my favorite name. Thank you to the person who suggested it already!! It’s a little bit Jewish (I mean, I don’t think a lot of Jews use it actually but it is Hebrew) and it’s a little Southern gentleman to me too.
I also love the suggestion of Leonard. I would go with Lenny as nickname only because I know so many little Leos, but either option obviously works.
A Jewish family I know used Herschel, which took me aback for a few seconds, and then I realized I LOVE it for a baby. Adorable and unusual and gives you the same “H” first letter.
Isidore!
Has anyone suggested Edwin or Edward yet? These fit the classic and underused category too.
I really like your pick of Ruben and the suggestion of Bram.
Marvin and Leonard are also great suggestions!
I wonder if you’d like Hugh? I don’t hear it as much as Hugo, but like it better … it feels more classic to me. My only concern is that it may feel too much NOT Harvey.
Congratulations! I love the name Harvey, but I understand why you feel the need to choose something different. Other H names that might work are Henry, Harry, Harrold, Hubert or Hampus. I also get a similar vibe from names like Murphy, Charlie, Arthur, Spencer and Levi.
Some great suggestions above! I’ll try not to repeat any:
Herschel (Hirsch, Hirschy)
Myron (Ronny)
Moritz (Mo)
(Harvey -well, Herve in the French- is one of my son’s middle names after his great-grandfather, while another son has Morris (Moshe) after the other. We also have familial Seymour, Max, Irving, Philip (Feivel), Karl, David, Martin, Isaac’s, etc.)
Harvey was our other top contender for our youngest son. The week before he was born, my older son came home from a park visit with excited stories about a PUPPY NAMED HARVEY A PUPPY NAMED HARVEY. For some reason, even that was enough to lead us to our other option, so I can only imagine how the hurricane association would feel.
Our baby is named Errol, which I haven’t seen mentioned yet. Our older son is Cyrus, so there’s some overlap in style. Hugo was also on our short list.
I also like Calvin, Asher, and Leo, though they may be more common than you prefer. Walter and Clive/Clyde (we know a toddler named Clyde – seriously adorable) are good too.
Maybe Abel or Saul?
I love old-timey Jewish grandfather names on 2017 babies. What about Harry, Asher, Leo, Benny or Otto? Max? Abe?
It’s already been mentioned, but Alvin might work well. Al is an “every-guy” name, and Vin is incredibly cool.
Royce could be a possibility, too. Royce Harvey sounds marvelous.
Speaking of marvelous, how about Marvin? He’s got the two syllables, ‘v’ in the center, and harkens from the same era. Marvin also has the same feel as Ruben. And, once again, Vin could be a nickname.
Finally, how does Rex grab you? Like a T-Rex? 🙂 Rex Harvey is smart all over. Rex Harvey G_____-_____. Nice!
Best wishes!
You can use my favorite, Asa. We have older guy Jewish relatives Albert, Bernard, Simon, Alvin and Wolfe.
Asa is my son’s name! I love when other people love it too!!!
My son is Ira, we love the secular Jewish feel.
I love the suggestions of Harold/Harry, Bernard/Bernie, Sidney, and Leonard! In addition, what about Stanley?
Walter gives me the same type of vibe as Harvey. Good luck choosing!
Before you discount the name completely, I’d discuss it with your in-laws. I’m a couple days past due with my daughter, living in a suburb of Houston, and a ton of friends/family have joked about me using Harvey or some “feminine derivative” like Harvelina. I know that there has already been at least one Houston babe named Harvey after the hurricane. So… your family may not find it a difficult association. Sometimes making light of a serious situation is therapeutic, and sometimes a positive association, like a new grandchild, can remedy even trauma.
Otherwise, there are some great suggestions here. You could also use a similar-sounding name, like Harlan.
I suggest
Barnaby
Charlie/Charles
Chester
Willard
And I like the previous suggestion of
Harry/Harold
Leonard
Arnie/Arnold
Peter
Claude
I love the idea of Abram possibly nicknamed Bram. Maybe Levi? Liam? Oliver?
It is a shame about Harvey. “Suits” made me see it as a viable name and it seemed poised for a comeback.
I see Clive mentioned twice in the comments …. it was going to be my suggestion. I thought I heard a lady call her grandson this at swimming the other day and I loved it. I was so dissapointed when I realised that wasn’t what she said at all!!
Oh, also:
Oscar
Seth
Rufus
Barney
Calvin
Otis
I just knew this was going to be a concern for parents, which is a shame because I would love to know some little Harveys and feel like this name has been snuffed out before it had a chance to rise again. That being said, I totally agree that you should find another option due to your family’s connection to Houston and how soon after the hurricane he’ll be born.
I actually like Reuben for you all better than the other suggestions. A few others that came to mind:
Milo
Arlo
George
Gideon
Ari
Davis
Ezekiel, nn Zeke or just Zeke
Ezra
Vaughn
Jonah
Jude
Judah, nn Jude
Clive
Leon
Peter
Barney (I still think Miller before dinosaur), Bernie, Gerald/Jerome/Jerry, Claude, Clive, Neil, Hiram, Vincent, Victor, Reuben, Rauol, Harold, Hal/Hale, Reid, Lee, Martin/Marty.
Frank(lin) and Harold are great suggestions! Other ideas: Irving, Ivan, Martin, Arthur, Leo, Gustav, Victor, Warren, Walter
How about
Sidney, Sid
Leonard, Leon, Lenny
Milton
Isaac, Ike
Saul
Maurice, Maury
Quincy
Homer
Lloyd
Linus
I’m not sure if this is really in the same category as “Harvey,” but the first name that came to my mind was Arnold. I adore the nickname “Arnie,” especially in the younger years.
For a name with more of a Hebrew origin, perhaps “Asher, which means “fortunate, blessed, happy one,” a lovely and seemingly apt substitute for a baby who almost shared a name with the recent hurricane. Whatever you decide on, I wish you all the best as you welcome your little one.