Update: It was a girl after all. Welcome Ivy Eleanor! See their comment below for what they’d have named a boy. Thanks to all for their help.
Sophie and Zak write:
My husband and I would really appreciate your help! We are expecting our first baby late in February and although we think we have got a girl’s name sorted (Ivy Eleanor Abel or Sylvia Elsie Abel) we can’t quite fall in love with any of our boys names. Our last name is the same as the famous film-making brothers.
We like names with a bit of history or meaning and are using mostly family names for a girl. However, lots of the male family names don’t really work for us (Peter, Frederick, Malcolm, Norman, Raymond) so we are more than willing to cast the net a little wider.
My husband likes Norman or Raymond for a middle but I would prefer Ross (a family name but too close to be used as a first). We definitely want Matthew as a middle, but for the same reason we want it for a middle we couldn’t have it for a first.
We quite like Albert, which is the top of our current list (Albert Matthew Ross?), but keep dithering about it. I also really like Alfred, especially as it has the ‘Fred’ from Frederick without the ‘rick’ which I hate, but a cousin already has that name and I don’t want to duplicate! I always thought I liked longer names with the option to shorten, but now I am actually naming a baby most of my favourites seem to be a little shorter than before! We are open to long or short names. As the baby is a winter baby, I like the idea of a wintery name but again, it is not a deal breaker.
Other names one of us likes but the other doesn’t include:
Jacob (too ordinary)
Eric (I love, husband doesn’t)
Rory (too many Rs with our last name),
Timothy (sounds lispy)
Nicholas
We would really love to hear what you and the readers think!
Please read on for my response, and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
Dear Sophie and Zak –
I think these are the most difficult questions! You basically agree, right? The names on your list are traditional favorites, not too common but not too out-there, either.
And yet getting to one single name – or even two or three for a shortlist – can still be difficult.
For starters, let’s not talk about middles. We use our child’s first name 99% of the time, so it deserves the lion’s share of our attention.
It seems like there are plenty of traditional names in the same category as the others you like. But it also seems like Albert might very much be The Name. Let’s look at some others with the same vibe. And if you get to the end of this list, and none of them measure up to Albert?
That’s a pretty strong signal that Albert could be the name you’re looking for.
Alternatives to Albert
Arthur – As royal as Albert, Arthur is another traditional name that feels increasingly stylish today. Your surname ends with -r, so this might sound choppy … but in your case, I think it makes for a handsome combination.
Clark – Once upon a time, Clark felt dated. And yet, it belongs to a Hollywood icon (Clark Gable) and a favorite superhero’s alter ego (Clark Kent). It has the same short, upbeat sound as Jack. It’s short – and that’s not what you had in mind – but I wonder if that might appeal?
Franklin – Strictly speaking, Franklin is a surname name. But it feels like a first, doesn’t it? From President Roosevelt to the cartoon turtle star of a series of books and a long-running children’s television series, Franklin has been used as a first for years. I think it has the same vibe as Alfred and Timothy.
Gilbert – Okay, maybe Gilbert is a little out-there. It’s an awful lot like Albert, and even the go-to nicknames are similar. They share Bertie/Bert, and Gil is similar to Al. But I think Gilbert sounds more gently vintage, the kind of brother name I’d imagine for Sylvia or Ivy. It is far less common than most of the names on your list, though, and you’d probably be asked – forever and ever again – if you were an Anne of Green Gables fan. (Wait, are you? Because if you are, maybe it’s perfect …)
Henry – Maybe you already know a bunch of little Henrys, or maybe this name doesn’t work for another reason. But it’s an impeccable classic that feels at home on your list.
Lawrence – I keep waiting for Lawrence to make a comeback. After all, it’s a towering classic with a long history of use. Maybe the hold-up is how recently Lawrence was popular – it peaked in the US In the 1940s. Or maybe everyone hesitates about the nickname Larry. But Lawrence requires no nickname, and would wear nicely in full.
Louis – Whether you pronounce it the French way, lou EE, or add the ‘s’, Louis sounds like a brother for Sylvia or Ivy, which makes me think it deserves consideration.
Robert – Many of your shortlisted names feel traditional, but not necessarily stylish. They’re rock solid, unlikely to climb dramatically in use, but also unlikely to plummet in the rankings. If there’s any name that hits that mark for me, it’s Robert. Once a #1 favorite in the US, Robert feels outside of the trends today, an enduring choices. Nicknames come and go – Rob was long favored, but lately I’ve heard of more baby Bobbys. Either way, it was the first name I thought of, and still the one that I’d put at the top of my list.
Vincent – I’m adding this one at the very last minute. Because your top two girl names, Sylvia and Ivy, both include the ‘v’ sound. So could a V boys’ name work well for a son? I think it’s worth a thought, especially because Vincent hits that traditional-not-trendy mark so nicely.
One last thought, since you noted that you like Fred but not Rick, and can’t use Alfred. Would you consider Wilfred? It’s an old school name with a vintage, throwback vibe – but that’s not a bad thing. Actor David Tennant (my favorite Doctor, if you’re a fan) named his son Wilfred, so maybe that softens my view of the name. But I do think it’s worth consideration. After all, Wil/Will or Wilf/Wilfie is every bit as great a go-to short form as Al or Alfie.
So I’d suggest Robert, but that’s only if Albert doesn’t feel like a true #1 choice after this exercise. Because I truly do think that Albert Matthew Ross is pretty much perfect.
Drawing on some more winter-inspired options, I wonder if you might like:
- Henry Raymond Frost
- Louis Raymond Whitaker
- Albert Norman Fraser
- Wilfred Norman Pine
I do like Henry Raymond Frost an awful lot, but I’m not sure if it works better than Albert Matthew Ross.
Let’s turn this over to the readers: what would you suggest to Sophie and Zak for their firstborn if it’s a boy?
Just a quick message to announce that Ivy Eleanor was born last week! We had decided on Albert or Isaac for a boy, so maybe next time!
Many thanks for all the help!
Congratulations! What a gorgeous name, and thank you SO much for the update. Wishing you every happiness. 🙂
I like Alden or Adler as alternatives to Alfred
I recently saw a birth announcement for a new baby Warren. That’s got a nice traditional sound, yet isn’t too popular. What do you think?
I want to add Andrew or Samuel… They seem to go with the names you’ve been considering and a lot of the other suggestions (though I don’t know how popular they are over in the uk)… Good luck and congrats!!
Thank you so much for this Abby, and everyone’s comments- it’s great to get some different ideas and perspectives and we’re mulling them over. We will let you know what happens! (And yes Sargjo, we’re British)
I think Albert and Alfred are both lovely names. I like the suggestions of Robert, Henry, Louis, Wilfred, Edmund and Redmond, which share the Germanic/Anglo-Saxon Victorian revival feel. Victor also seems to fit well. Ivy, Sylvia, Raymond and Robert are all family names for me (all immediate family of each other), so I thought I’d throw in one of their other sibling’s names: Arnold.
A few more thoughts:
Edwin, Edgar
Dunstan
Charles
William/Wilhelm
Bertram/Bertrand
Richard
Godfrey
Harold
Roland
Walter
Conrad
Leonard, Leopold
And, if -ric(k) isn’t a deal-breaker:
Alaric, Alberic, Roderick
All the best of luck, and Congratulations!
I also thought Godfrey, or his more mainstream cousin, Geoffrey or even Joffrey (like the ballet company, but also with Game of Thrones connections, which may spoil it for you).
Geoffrey Malcolm Ross appeals to my naming tastes.
Oh! How could I forget Martin?!
Martin is a brotherly companion to Ivy and Sylvia.
Do you like Warren?
Kincade might suit you, too.
How about Rockwell?
Miles could be a brother to Sylvia and Ivy.
Finally, my favorite option, what feelings do you have toward Murray?
Best wishes to you and your family!
I think it’s interesting that you don’t like the rick of Frederick but love the name eric. It makes me wonder if it’s more of a spelling issue. Does Frederic seem more sleek and dashing to you? Because you could have both Freddie AND Eric as nicknames…
Other names that might be in your British (?) wheelhouse: Felix, Archie, Rupert, Callum (a nod to Malcolm), Rafe/Ralph (has the Ray of Raymond)
Louis Matthew Ross
Grant Matthew Ross
Davis Matthew Ross
Peter Matthew Ross
George Matthew Ross
Harvey Matthew Ross
NAF of Alfred, sorry! Love Ivy and Sylvia (although I prefer Sylvie)
While I was pregnant, I also “dithered” about my favorite name–literally until she was born, coming up with every reason it wasn’t the right one (as I did with every name haha). But the name we chose ended up being perfect, even if it took a couple weeks to get used to calling this tiny human by it.
I suspect Albert really may be the one for you, and the hormones are just making decisions increasingly difficult!
Best of luck!
I just want to check-your cousin’s child is Frederick or Alfred? If your cousin’s child is Frederick, I say you go for Alfred. It’s not the same name, even if it gets you to the same nickname.
I would like to add Tobias to the consideration list. I feel like it meets Rory and Timothy in the middle.
I like Clark best, but I would also suggest Russell, Rhett, Edmund, and I love the idea of Loren for a boy. I think Redmond would be one to consider too, taking the ‘red’ from Fredrick and putting it into Raymond-that way you use two family names. Redding is a good one too.
It sounds like Albert Matthew Ross is the right one for you. Clark is my fave from Abby’s recommendations. Two I’d suggest: August and Bernard.
What about…
Victor
Harry