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Name Help: Something like Lincoln

October 1, 2021 By appellationmountain 16 Comments

NH: Names like LincolnName 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!

Steph writes:

We’re expecting our first baby at the end of November, a boy.

My all-time favorite name is Lincoln. It’s strong, historical, not something you hear everyday. But it turns out it has a really bad association for my husband.

It’s taken me a long time to get over the idea that we can’t use Lincoln. He’s not really into names, and is pretty much willing to go with whatever I suggest. Well, except the one name I can’t stop thinking about!

Can you help us with a list?

Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your son!

It is so tough to move on from a long-time favorite name, isn’t it?

But everyone has feelings about a few certain names.

Sometimes they’re logical – like a prickly family member you wouldn’t want to appear to honor.

Other times, they’re all wrapped up in emotion from the past. The mean kid from the school bus in third grade can permanently mar a name – even if you wouldn’t recognize that kid on the street today.

And sometimes they’re just plain irrational. I dislike the name Alyssa, even though Every. Single. Alyssa. I have ever met has been nothing short of wonderful.

No matter why your husband has vetoed Lincoln, it seems best to move on and find a name you can love every bit as much.

One consolation: while you probably don’t know many people named Lincoln, it currently ranks #40 in the US. We know a handful, all my kids’ ages or younger.

Let’s look for a boy’s name that is strong, current but not popular, and rooted in history, too.

NAMES LIKE LINCOLN

ARCHER #160

A sharp surname-name that finds the mark, Archer was once an occupational name for a soldier or a hunter. Today it’s just a cool, current pick.

CALLUM #335

A traditional Scottish name, Callum fits in with names like Colin and Colton, but feels just a little different.

CREW #283

There are wrecking crews and Motley Crue. But there’s also J. Crew. It’s the kind of name that straddles the wild and the buttoned-up.

HAYES #245

Another preppy hellraiser name in the key of Crew, Hayes feels traditional, but with an adventurous streak.

HENDRIX #284

A form of classic Henry, Hendrix takes on a rock and roll edge, thanks to the late, legendary Jimi Hendrix.

KNOX #236

Like Lincoln, Knox has a specific tie to American history. Fort Knox is home to the US Mint’s bullion depository – the gold.

PARKER #95

An outdoorsy name with plenty of polish.

WESTON #104

Weston sounds like a surname name, but it also conjures up the American West.

Overall, my favorites for you are Hayes and Archer. I think they’re strong names that sound like natural substitutes for Lincoln.

Readers, what would you suggest to Steph as substitutes for the name Lincoln?

 

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Comments

  1. Carly says

    October 4, 2021 at 1:58 PM

    Landon or Linden/Lyndon

    Langston
    Holden
    Colin
    Harrison
    Knox
    Grayson
    Larson

    Reply
  2. Dutch says

    October 2, 2021 at 5:54 PM

    Linford
    Lyndon
    Prescott
    Hamilton
    Hawthorne
    Winthrop
    Compton
    Trafford

    Reply
  3. Michelle Post says

    October 2, 2021 at 5:55 AM

    Aldonis

    Melvin

    Radcliffe

    Reply
  4. Erin Beth says

    October 1, 2021 at 7:21 PM

    I really like the suggestion of Gideon. Other favorites:
    Calvin
    Lawrence
    Everett
    Bennett
    Atticus
    Evander
    Virgil
    Ambrose
    Miles
    Alden

    Reply
  5. Marie says

    October 1, 2021 at 5:49 PM

    I love Knox and Pierce suggestions.

    I like Edison and Theodore Tannen

    Reply
  6. Andrea says

    October 1, 2021 at 5:32 PM

    Fate is the traditional nickname for Lafayette.

    Reply
  7. Kristine Smith says

    October 1, 2021 at 12:36 PM

    Grant
    Franklin
    Ulysses
    Pierce
    Calhoun
    Atlas

    Reply
  8. A says

    October 1, 2021 at 12:19 PM

    Oh I really like the suggestion of Archer and Hayes; they both have that same strong vibe as Lincoln. Other names that I think might match the energy of Lincoln:

    Grant
    Preston
    Nolan
    Gideon (love this!)
    Malcolm
    Reid
    Sullivan
    Elliott
    Everett
    Houston
    Duncan

    My favorites would be Gideon, Malcolm, Grant, or Reid. They are all strong names that are familiar but don’t feel too popular

    PS Abby, I don’t like the name Alyssa either…and that’s my own name!

    Reply
  9. Megan says

    October 1, 2021 at 12:13 PM

    Marquis
    Lafayette (possible nn Eddy)
    Skylar
    Franklin
    Fredrick

    Reply
  10. Renee says

    October 1, 2021 at 11:50 AM

    Strong (guessing you mean sound), historical (guessing you mean US) and not something you hear every day.

    Linden (I mean, it can’t be that easy, right? but maybe? the spelling makes it more nature, less president…)
    Quincy
    Pierce
    Franklin

    Reply
    • KM says

      October 1, 2021 at 12:32 PM

      I think Franklin would be perfect for them! Good thinking

      Reply
  11. Iris says

    October 1, 2021 at 10:54 AM

    Callum is a great idea. A few more:
    Malcom
    Vincent
    Spencer
    Landon
    Brandon
    Lance
    Clayton

    Reply
  12. KM says

    October 1, 2021 at 10:40 AM

    I like Callum and Weston!

    Other ideas: George, Clark, Hudson, Harrison

    Reply
  13. Willow says

    October 1, 2021 at 10:08 AM

    Maybe Campbell, but I’m not entirely sure if it’s considered as a boy’s name nowadays.

    Reply
  14. FE says

    October 1, 2021 at 9:32 AM

    Lachlan?

    Reply
    • Louise says

      October 2, 2021 at 4:30 PM

      Lennon or Lennox
      Hudson
      Quinton
      Conrad
      Layton
      Lachlan
      Declan
      Byron
      Jackson
      Calvin
      Simon
      Nelson
      Walter
      Lionel
      Julian

      Reply

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