We have an update! Scroll to the bottom of the post to learn what they chose for their daughter. It’s not a name from my suggestions, but OH, I do love it!
Rusticmommy writes:
My husband and I are expecting our second child.
We live on a farm with horses, cows, and hogs, in a very rural, tight-knit community where everyone knows everyone. We are raising our family in the same small town where we both were raised. I am seeking a name that IS unique (yes, I read your blog about “what is really unique”), has a country, cowboy, rustic flare.
I have this fetish for one syllable names and am not willing to budge on that.
Here’s the story behind our son’s name:
We had an outdoor wedding and were searching everywhere for a hutch to put our deserts in, with glass doors, so that people could see the dessert options, without the flies getting to them. I finally found one on craigslist and was texting back and forth with this guy selling it. I ended up saving his name in my phone as Hutch.
When we were pregnant with our son, my husband threw the name out there. I spent my entire pregnancy trying to persuade him about other boy names, but he wouldn’t budge. And when our baby boy was born, we had a Hutch Gerard.
Gerard is the middle name of my husband, his father, my father, and my step-father.
I thought we were going to get a lot of negative feedback on it, but everyone accepted it really well, and even though it is unique, everyone remembers his name.
My husband and I both have unique names for our age group, and it was nice growing up that I wasn’t Ashley A. or Ashley C. I want the same experience for my kids.
We are at a loss for our second born’s name. We are not finding out what we’re having. My husband really likes old western names: Clyde, Wayne, Clete. But I am not really a fan of any of them. I really like the name Field for a boy. He isn’t completely opposed, but isn’t in love.
As for girl names, my husband has completely talked himself into thinking we are having another boy and won’t even entertain girl names. So I am on my own! I really liked the name Lux, but a girl a few towns over just had a little girl named Lux, and now I just cant do it. I don’t want people to think I copied. I really like the name Rome for a girl. My grandpa’s name is Jerome. And I also like Cross, but my husband doesn’t.
Any help you can provide on unique names would be greatly appreciated.
Read on for my response, and please leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments!
Hi Rusticmommy –
Oh, I love the name Hutch! And the story? Quirky, cool, unforgettable.
I think you’ve also keyed in to something important about distinctive names. Some are more memorable than others. The ones that are forgettable tend to be the Cayson, Axton, Zayden names – the mix and match ones that might be unique in terms of absolute numbers of children with the actual, identical name – but sound just like so many other names!
So I’m going to limit our search to names not in the current Top 1000, probably never in the US Top 1000, but also with a distinctive sound. And I won’t try to talk you into anything longer than a single syllable!
I do think Rome and Field are great choices, too. Combined with Hutch, it makes me think that even though you’re looking for a shorter name, you might be looking for a name with a lot of sound. Hutch is one syllable, but you really have to say the -tch part – it’s not like Will or Kai, which are great names, but with pretty simple sounds. So I’m going to err on the side of names with a similar boldness to Hutch.
Rustic Chic Names for Boys
Boone – I’ve been thinking about Boone a lot lately, as a sort of Americana name with ties to the West, thanks to frontiersman Daniel Boone. It would be a great brother name for Hutch. Except. The name just entered the US Top 1000, which might make it more popular than you’d like. It was given to 220 boys last year. So it breaks my rules, but I still think it’s worth a mention.
Chord – You didn’t mention being musical, but I’m not sure that’s a requirement to choose a name in our age of Aria and Cadence. Chord ultimately comes from the same roots as accord – to be in agreement.
Croy – In French, Cross is spelled Croix and pronounced Croy. More or less. (Think St. Croix.) It’s a surname for an aristocratic European family, but I’ve come across Coy as a rare boy’s name a few times, with a Southern vibe, and Crew has seem some use, too. This makes me think that Croy is one of those out-there baby names that might just work.
Fox – Fox isn’t as rare as Croy, but the letter ‘x’ gives it a lot of sound, enough to stand up to the cool factor of big brother Hutch’s name.
Grange – Field reminds me of Grange, but it’s maybe the tiniest bit more subtle. (Or not. Is The Grange organization active in your community?) It comes from a word meaning farmstead or small farm. Range has recently entered the US Top 1000, and I think Grange might feel delightfully different, but completely wearable.
March – March is a month and a verb, and I’ve always thought it would work well as a given name. One hesitation: March and Hutch end with the same sound, which might be too much. Also, I wonder if March works better for a girl? It makes me think of Little Women, though the name of the month comes from Mars, the Roman god of war, which feels more masculine.
Reeve – Reeve originally comes from an Old English word meaning sheriff, making it an occupational surname, along the lines of Carter or Clark. But Reeve has a cool, edgy sound, and is far more rare than either of those two names. Reeve is sometimes used for girls – probably because Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh gave the name to their youngest daughter. (It was a family name from Anne’s side.) There’s a young actor on Showtime’s Penny Dreadful named Reeve Carney. He’s brought the name more attention, but it remains uncommon.
Rook – A rook is a member of the crow family, but it’s also a surname with uncertain roots. It’s also a chess piece, and brings to mind the word rookie – another word with debated origins. The problem with Rook is that it can also mean to deceive or to cheat – though I think that’s a fairly obscure use. (I think chess board and black bird first.) Rook is about as rare as Reeve – both were given to a few dozen boys last year.
Townes – Townes and Towne probably started out as surnames for those folk who lived in the village, rather than farther out – but we’re talking New York City. Townes Van Zandt was a Texas-born country music singer in the 1960s and 70s.
Twain – Twain is another name with a big sound, and I absolutely love Hutch and Twain together. It’s the pen name of Mark Twain, of course, which makes it literary. It’s not perfectly Southern – the author started out in Missouri, as did his most famous characters. Plus it means two – “mark twain” was a term used in depth sounding on steamboats. If we can name kids Octavia and Una and such, why not Twain? It’s among the rarer names on the list.
Rustic Chic Names for Girls
Blythe – Blythe is another name that stands up beautifully to Hutch. Except I’m not certain it’s a style match. Blythe is a sort of Victorian, vintage choice. I think it could very easily feel just right on a Southern girl. While it’s not in the US Top 1000, it’s not the rarest name on the list.
Bright – If you like Lux, but it’s taken, then how about Bright? It means “to gleam,” but it also means smart.
Dove – I have Rook on the boys’ list, so why not Dove here? Paloma – the Spanish for dove – has a history of use. And there have been a handful of girls named Dove over the years, too. Young actress Dove Cameron, of Disney Channel fame, might make the name slightly more popular, but it remains rare.
Fair – Is Fair too much of a word name? I’m not sure. But it’s an interesting thought – a little bit virtue name, but also a name that means pleasing and lovely. Of course, it also conjures up images of a country fair – which is either a bonus or not. I kind of like the idea.
Gem – Gemma is on the rise, and Jewel is in the US Top 1000. Okay, Jem is a Hologram. But how about Gem? It’s another word name, with a sort of glittering quality and an interesting sound.
Lake – One more obvious word name before we move on … Lake strikes me as the perfect combination of familiar word and unfamiliar name. It’s used for boys and girls in small numbers.
Leith – Now, back to the rarities that feel a little more like what you had in mind. Leith is an incredibly interesting name that hits the not-really-used mark, as well as the feels-like-a-name mark. Except. I’m not sure it feels Southern. It has ties to Greek myth and Scotland.
Gates – If you’ve ever read Curtis Sittenfeld’s novel Prep, you might recognize this name. Sittenfeld used it for a minor character. It’s the kind of surname name you might except to hear on a prep school campus – but then, surname names are quite Southern, too. Close to Kate, I think Gates works – though Gate would be a word name that seems too much like Coatrack or Bookcase to consider.
Pax – Here’s my stand-in for Lux: Pax. From the Roman goddess of peace, Pax has a meaning and a sound that’s every bit as appealing. The Jolie-Pitts used it for a boy, and it’s been slightly more popular for boys ever since. But overall, it’s mostly just rare – and, of course, started out as a goddess name.
Vale – The Today Show’s Savannah Guthrie named her daughter Vale in 2014. It’s a poetic name meaning valley. Short, with a cool, crisp sound. But does this one feel Southern? I think so, but I’d love to hear others’ takes on this.
Wynne – Why does Wynne sound so Southern to me? I might be wrong, but I think the vibe is right. It’s relatively rare – there were 25 girls given the name in 2015. It’s a Welsh name meaning blessed or fair.
Overall, my favorites for a boy are Twain (he is the second-born, after all!), and Grange. (Though as I’m not Southern, so I might be completely wrong on how this name is perceived.)
For a girl, I find this infinitely more difficult. Rome is gorgeous, and I really like Wynne and Vale, too.
Rusticmommy writes:
Thank you everyone for the wonderful suggestions. Our baby girl was born 1/16/17 and we named her Scout. We have had mixed reviews but mostly positive feedback. Thanks again!
We are pregnant with our 4th now, i like Croix
Scout is perfect with Hutch and I love it on a little girl. My daughter’s bff is Scout but that’s the only one I know IRL.
I love Vale, Reeve, and Blythe!
Scout is perfect! My oldest daughter’s best friend is a darling and sweet and spunky girl named Scout. Her name always makes me smile.
Thank you everyone for the wonderful suggestions. Our baby girl was born 1/16/17 and we named her Scout.
We have had mixed reviews but mostly positive feedback.
Thanks again!
What a GREAT name, rusticmommy! Love it on its own, and especially love it as a sister name for Hutch. Wishing you joy! 🙂
My son’s name is Ridge, which goes with your name vibes. We named him after my dad, Eldridge.
Thank you everyone for the suggestions! There are a lot of names on here I would have never thought of. If you come back to check this post out again, feel free to leave more comments. Once we figure out what we are going to name him or her, I will definitely let you all know! thanks again!
Twain
Clay
Finch
Fitz
Heath
Flint
Firth
Moss
Elm
Crowe
Floyd
Fjord
Sprig
Slate
Mills
Thorpe
Spence
Pine
Chrome
Greer
Flight
Prague
Lark
Bliss
Cloud
Fern
Fife
Fawn
Bright
Spring
Vale
Chess
Quince
Mirth
Quill
Maude
Fayre
Boys…
Flynn
Hart
Pine
Vaughn
Lyle
Nile
Jules
Lane
Vince
Vance
Penn
Sage
Cove
Flint
Marsh
Two syllables but so awesome!
Cedar
Viggo
Girls…
Blaine
Blair
Jules
Laine
Sage
Clove
Two syllables again!
Adair
Della
Henna
I wonder if you would like Scout for a girl?
Hutch and Scout is a very cool sibset.
I think for a boy that Bramwell would be a great fit too but I know you want only one syllable so what about just Bram or Wells?
Hutch and Bram, Hutch and Wells. Hutch and Wells might be my favorite set.
I really like other suggestions such as Kit, Greer, Brynn, and Sloane for girls and I absolutely love the suggestions of Rhodes and Jones for a boy. Grange, Croy/Coy and Townes are nice too. I think Hart/Heart would work well for a boy or girl.
I wonder if you have any suitable surnames back through your family tree that may be useable. That would be a cool tie in since Hutch has a cool back story to his name.
Leith has a really intriguing sound, pretty yet complex. My only hesitation is that the Lethe is a river in Hades that completely wipes the memories of those who drink from it. Not really a positive association, but the spelling is different, so maybe it doesn’t matter too much.
For a Girl:
Bay
Wynne
Sky/Skye
Croix (Prefer this spelling and to me, this name is feminine)
Dale/Dael (I like sort of weird spellings sometimes. : ) )
For a Boy:
Gear
Reeve
Rex (means “king” and sounds great with Hutch!)
Moor/Moore (which means “a tract of open uncultivated upland; a heath” I like this name and its meaning. And while we’re at it……)
Heath
Pierce/Pearse
Hey, Abby- Do you post updates on the names that parents actually choose for their new little ones? I am so curious!!
I live in Charleston and have two little boys, Hutch and Hayes. These are both family names (Hutch is short for Hutchinson). He is 9 and loves his name.
Forgot Bridge, Quest and Dash for a boy. Bliss for a girl.
I love Chord, March, and Twain for boy. I love Blythe for a girl. I wanted to suggest Rhodes, Stone, Beau, and Drake for a boy; Bix and True for a girl
I made a list of Spaghetti Western/Cowboy names awhile back, which you can view here: http://nameberry.com/userlist/view/53072
I think the majority of the names there are a great match with Hutch, if the baby is a boy.
Good luck!
Gates reminds me of Gates McFadden, the actress who played Dr. Crusher on Star Trek the Next Generation. Other parents might think you’re trekkies. But it’s awfully appealling all the same.
Some of Abby’s suggestions of action/word names come to mind: Chase, Gage, Pierce, Dirk. Others: Kirk, Bayard/Baird, Tuck, Rafe, Mick, Mitch, Clint
For girls: Eve, Kit, Britt, Shirl, Sun, Stelle, Roan, Jett, May, Lane
Another vote for Twain if the baby is a boy. 🙂 Hutch and Twain sound nice together.
Your suggestion of Bright made me think of Glow. It’s not what I’d ever have considered a name, but I used to read a blog and they had a daughter named Glow (other daughters were named True, Soul, and Brave). Hutch and Glow sound nice together, to my ear anyway. It doesn’t necessarily sound rustic or southern to me, but Lux doesn’t either. Although I guess Glow makes me think a little bit of fireflies, which is sort of outdoorsy-childhood-ish, so that could be nice. 🙂
Wow what a great set of names. Rustic chic is a spot-on description for these group. It is always exciting to hear undiscovered gems. Really loving Blythe and Lake for a girl and Grange and Townes for a boy.
Oh, a boy’s name that belatedly occurs to me is Brock, the name of a friend of mine. I believe it means badger, which fits the rustic criterion 🙂
If not Brock, maybe Brom?
Congratulations on your second child.
I like Abby’s suggestions of Twain, Reeve and Blythe.
Here are a few one syllable names, although, I’m not sure how country western they all feel.
Brant
Tate/Tait
Finch
Royce
Hawk
Ash
Lark
Breeze
Mare
Raine
For a boy I thought of Pake. From Abby’s list I like Grange. For a girl I like Rome or what about Greer?
I meant to include Twain; I think that’s a great option too.
If not Lux, how about either Luz or Luce?
I like Grange and Croy the best from the list of boys’ names.
Boy Suggestions:
Burl
Birch
Frost
Jones
Oak
Wynn is probably my favorite of Abby’s girl recs, some others are:
Fern
Hart
Brynn
Faye
Finch
Greer
Congratulations of the upcoming addition to your lovely family 🙂
Fern is a lovely classic for a girl. Pearl is also nice (but slightly more common). Brynn is even less rare but still country. June is growing in popularity as well, but it sounds so musical next to Hutch. Heart would be touching for a darling daughter. Blanche isn’t unheard of, but they are rare. Cheerful Joy doesn’t get a lot of use these days. In similar vein, the name Muse might be just what you are looking for.
Boys: Red and Blue are down-home, steer-ropin’ names. But you might know some in your community! Therefore, may I humbly suggest Brown? Hutch & Brown sounds a bit like a firearms company, but I think that’s quite nice. Cord (like Cord McCoy, rodeo champion) would make a fine namesake. Tack might work for you as well. Buryl is manly, a nature name, and sounds totally different than Hutch.
Best wishes to you and your family as you welcome your little one!
I LOVE the suggestion of Bay for a boy. Sometimes I feel like I need more babies just to name them, and this is one of those names. (Just a heads up about the slang term Bae, though, if that sort of thing would bother you.) Another one of those names for me for a girl is Greer. Hutch and Greer. *swoon*
I’ll add a few girls ideas: Laure (French form of Laura) Merle (means blackbird, and then there’s Haggard ;)) and Joy. Joy is very uncommon for a baby these days but no less charming.
Hutch & Pom
Hutch & Spire
Hutch & Smythe
Hutch & Kip
Hutch & Quay
Hutch & Nine
Hutch & Fawn
I love Twain so much.
I love Townes! What about Hoyt?
Single syllable girl names are hard! I keep coming up with multi syllable with a one syllable nickname options
My favorites from the list are Boone and Lake.
Roan and Bay are both words describing a horse’s coloration. I think either one would give that rustic, cowboy flair. I also like Twain, Cord, Vale, and Wynne fromAbby’s list. Wayne and Field made me think of Wade.
I was going to put Wayne forth as a suggestion for both genders, but it’s still a top 1000 name for boys. It’s never been popular for girls, so that’s a thought (side note – I went to college with a female Wayne)
Other suggestions: Frost, Whit, or Oak? Key (as in Francis Scott Key)?
I love this question! Its brought up so many names I’d neber considered before but sound like they’d suit this family well. Hutch is great. I like Rome and Grange, but again, am from Australia so have no idea if they’d work in this family’s context