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Name Help: Zane, Fox, Violet, and …

July 24, 2017 By appellationmountain 30 Comments

Name Help: A Brother for Zane, Fox, and VioletName 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!

Jamie writes:

Hi! I could use some name help. I’m due with baby #4, a boy, in November and we’re having a really tough time with names. His middle name will be James.

My other kid’s names in order are Zane (b), Fox (b), and Violet (g).

I think the main issue we’re having is that my husband and I both tend to like “thing” names, like Fox and Violet, but I’ve been trying to find a non “thing” name for this baby so my first born isn’t the odd one out. My husband wanted Jett and I wanted Luca but we vetoed those.

A few possible contenders are:

  • Leo – but it’s a bit too common
  • Axel – the current front runner which is not technically a “thing” name but borders on one. I’m also concerned that the “x” sounds in Fox and Axel have a bad flow.

We keep the name a secret until baby is born so I have no one to bounce my thoughts off of! So, I don’t know! I’d love to hear some ideas. Thanks so much!

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

Hi Jamie –

Congratulations on baby #4!

Here’s what jumps out at me: your two sons have single-syllable names.

Yup, that’s the first thing I noticed, not the thing-ness of Fox and Violet. In fact, the thing-ness doesn’t even come in second place.

Second place goes to all of those high-value Scrabble letters: the Zane’s ‘z’ and Fox’s ‘x’, plus Violet’s ‘v’.

Factoring in Axel, I suspect that you gravitate towards short, modern boys’ names with powerful sounds. It just so happens that these tend to be noun names, in slightly higher proportion than is true for all names.

Violet also feels a little different because, well, it’s been a given name for ages. Fox, not so much. But the fictional Dowager Countess of Grantham claims a birth date of 1842, and we all find the name perfectly reasonable. (Indeed, it is. The name ranked in the US Top 250 back in 1880, and plenty of nineteenth century Violets appear in the historical record.)

And yet, I agree that avoiding another noun name – especially a nature name – feels sensible. If – and only if – you can find one that you love. I also wonder if you’d prefer to choose a two-syllable (or even longer) name for your son, to bridge the shorter sounds of Zane and Fox with the slightly longer sound of Violet. But again, that’s only if the right name happens to be longer. Plenty of short names made my suggestions list, too!

Now, on to the names:

Arlo – Would you consider Arlo, or maybe Milo, Nico, or another o-ending name, of which there are dozens. No, hundreds. I suggest Arlo because Leo is so high on your list, but you’d prefer something less common. Also, Axel reminds me slightly of Arlo. And lastly, an o-ending name stands up to those high-value Scrabble letter choices nicely. It’s another distinctive sound. (Even though it’s just one point in the board game!)

Dash – Okay, Dash could be considered a word name. It feels like an action verb name. And yet, like Zane and Fox, Dash seems effortlessly cool. While it’s most often short for Dashiell in theory, Dash ranks in the US Top 1000, while the longer form does not.

Everett – Like Violet, Everett would make for a longer choice than Zane or Fox. Actually, the names share a ‘v’ sound and ‘t’ ending, too. It almost makes your older children’s names seem paired – Zane and Fox – and your younger children’s names sound like a set. Hmmm … that’s either exactly perfect, or completely wrong. If you’re in the wrong column, might I suggest another -et ending name, like Beckett, instead?

Ezra – Ezra ranks in the current US Top 100, just a few spots north of Leo. So maybe this also feels too popular? But I think it’s a great brother name for Zane, Fox, and Violet; plus, Ezra’s ‘a’ ending reminds me of Luca.

Jude – Another strong sound that pairs well with Zane and Fox. Sound-wise, it reminds me slightly of Jett. No question that Jude feels more traditional, though.

Lennon – Here’s the problem with Lennon: it implies that you’re huge fans of the musician. Others will almost inevitably ask. And yet, Lennon makes for a cool name that doesn’t duplicate sounds.

Roman – Speaking of cool names and strong sounds, how ’bout Roman? Zane, Fox, Violet, and Roman. I don’t have a great reason, but I think this is my favorite so far.

West – You probably shouldn’t name Fox’s brother Wolf, but West might work. Yes, it’s another word name. But in general, I like the idea of a W name. Wilder, Weaver, and Wells come to mind, too.

And yet, even after finishing this list, I wonder if Axel isn’t your best bet. Sure, Fox and Axel share a strong, distinctive letter. But they don’t share an initial. And I’d file Axel with Violet. Maybe it brings to mind a thing – a car part, a figure skating jump – but it actually is not a noun. Plus, you’ll likely say your children’s names in birth order much of the time: Zane, Fox, Violet, and Axel. And I like the fact that it’s a two-syllable name, not another single-syllable choice.

If the duplicated ‘x’ bothers you, I’d lean towards Arlo or another o-ending boys’ name. There are so many to choose from, and I think it gives you a distinctive sound that stands out from your other children’s names, while still fitting in.

Readers, what would you suggest as a brother for Zane, Fox, and Violet? Do you agree that the Fox/Violet nature name isn’t too, too obvious? Or am I wrong-headed on that one?

More names you might like:

  • Name Help: A Brother for Leah and JoelName Help: A Brother for Leah and Joel
  • Name Help: Crazy Long List for a SonName Help: Crazy Long List for a Son
  • Name Help: A Sibling for RubyName Help: A Sibling for Ruby
  • Name Help: A Sibling for Paige RileyName Help: A Sibling for Paige Riley
  • Nature Names for Girls: Most PopularNature Names for Girls: Most Popular

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Comments

  1. Kalee says

    September 16, 2017 at 6:26 PM

    I have a Silas James 🙂 It flows nice and has a beautiful meaning.

    Reply
  2. Lynette says

    August 19, 2017 at 11:33 AM

    I like Quinn, Quint and Quaid. He would have his own unique scrabble high letter score.

    Reply
  3. countrygirl says

    August 2, 2017 at 7:47 AM

    Love you current kids names. Zane, Fox, Violet and… (I agree with abby, I High value letter like W)
    Wells would go perfect!
    Wick (My favorite)
    Flint James
    Slade (Different but not too out there)
    Riv (Loved this name for my first)
    Garth
    Trip
    Royce
    Croix (Croy)
    Lars (Sounds really good) but not sure with James
    I love Bo James…
    York (Sharp sounds and has a younique letter) and I think York James is cute!
    Roark (similar)
    Steel (super cute with James)
    Oak James

    Reply
  4. Pearlai_88 says

    July 30, 2017 at 9:21 AM

    Love Axel and Boaz!

    Reply
  5. Julie says

    July 27, 2017 at 9:37 PM

    Beck
    Beckett
    Reese/Rhys
    Louis (shortens to Lou)
    Reed

    Reply
    • appellationmountain says

      July 28, 2017 at 2:36 PM

      Love the suggestion of Rhys/Reese!

      Reply
  6. Lashley says

    July 26, 2017 at 10:54 PM

    Lots of good suggestions!
    Favorites I’ve seen –
    Jasper
    West or Wells
    Axel or Arlo

    My firstborn is Cyrus, which could also work, I think. Or my husband’s name, Koan! We are generous with our names – have as many as you like!

    Reply
  7. Em says

    July 26, 2017 at 1:12 PM

    Colt or Colton?

    Reply
  8. Maree says

    July 26, 2017 at 5:22 AM

    Zane, Fox, Violet and Xander.

    Reply
  9. Baylee says

    July 26, 2017 at 2:34 AM

    Love the suggestion of Dash. Would be so cute for a little boy. Here are a few more that I think could work.
    Chance
    Cash
    Chase
    Rogue
    Knox
    Everest
    Jagger
    Orion
    Rhett
    Finn
    Wilder

    Reply
  10. onomastodon says

    July 25, 2017 at 7:53 PM

    There have been some great suggestions. I think Axel works very well. I also like Abby’s suggestion of Arlo, and particularly like Griffin, Idris, Viggo, Abel and Milo from the suggestions below.
    Quinn, Cove and Leif seem like good fits too, but I think a 2-syllable name might flow better with James.
    Some more suggestions:

    Otto
    Calvin (or Colvin or Corvin)
    Davis
    Rufus
    Magnus
    Macsen
    Orson
    Corin/Torin
    Declan
    Lorcan
    Titus
    Selwyn
    Cassian/ Cassius

    Ryker
    Corbin
    Theon

    Possibly a bit “thingy” for your taste?:
    Quillan
    River
    Arno
    Bowie
    Talon
    Ryder

    One syllable (and sounds thingy):
    Blaise

    Good luck!

    Reply
  11. a says

    July 25, 2017 at 7:50 PM

    My favorite suggestions from Abby are Roman and Jude. So stately and dashing with Fox, Violet, and Zane. (I LOVE Zane btw!)

    What about Nash or Stellan? I think both are quirky-cool like your other kids’ names but are still strong sounding. Zane, Fox, Violet and Nash. Zane, Fox, Violet, and Stellan.

    I also think the suggestion of Quaid would be a great choice!

    Reply
  12. Lisa T. says

    July 25, 2017 at 4:39 PM

    Quinn is a great suggestion!

    How about:
    Kai
    Falco
    Link

    Reply
  13. Mandie L. says

    July 25, 2017 at 12:26 PM

    Zane, Fox, Violet and . . .

    Quinn is the first that comes to mind.

    Quinton
    Bran
    Bram
    Boone
    Jed
    Sawyer
    Wesley or Westley
    Jericho

    Is James as a first name an option? I know it is more common, but otherwise I think it works. High Scrabble letter, not a thing, one syllable, and if you use Jim or Jem each name has different vowels.

    I like the suggestions of West, Jude, and Ezra. Also Axel.

    I would lean away from both names being 1 syllable, but since your other boys have short names I would rethink the middle, personally.

    Fwiw, I love Jett for your sib set. Not really crazy about how it flows with James, though.

    Reply
  14. Lola says

    July 25, 2017 at 8:05 AM

    Names that go
    Van
    Gray
    Oslo
    Asa
    Raz

    Off beat ones
    Jaeger
    Quaid

    Reply
  15. Constance says

    July 25, 2017 at 7:31 AM

    A few other suggestions (but I really like Axel)
    Ivo or Ivor
    Blaise/Blaze/Baze
    Ajax
    Enzo
    Fritz
    Idris
    Jerzy
    Laszlo
    Zaire
    Cove
    Gervais
    Irvin
    Lev
    Sullivan
    Orville
    Reeves
    Silvan
    Torvald
    Vale
    Vanya
    Virgil
    Vero
    Viggo
    Waverley
    Winslow

    I got a little carried away…

    Reply
  16. Leela says

    July 25, 2017 at 12:24 AM

    I read your list and immediately thought of these three boys’ names:

    Wyatt
    Chance
    Cash

    Granted, two are “thing” names. But all of them are short and have a cool factor that fits with Zane, Fox, and Violet.

    Reply
  17. The Mrs. says

    July 24, 2017 at 10:17 PM

    I haven’t read any other replies, so if there are repeats, my apologies.

    What about Boaz for a son?

    Zane, Fox, and Boaz? They feel cohesive: few letters, “high value” Scrabble letters, & familiar but rare. Throw in sister Violet, and you’ve got a winning mix.

    Otherwise, how do you like Griffin? He’s technically an animal (just mythological) like Fox, two syllables like Violet, but as Wild West classic as Zane.
    Zane, Fox, Violet, and Griffin. The combo feels COOL.

    Next up: Roy. He’s a highland warrior and musical cowboy. He’s a saavy fellow that makes everyone smile.
    Zane, Fox, Voilet, and Roy.

    Lastly, there’s Rex. He’s loosely connected to an animal (T-Rex), one syllable, has an ‘X’, and isn’t overused. He could be a rancher, jungle explorer, mountain climber, CEO, football coach, or computer programmer.
    Zane, Fox, Violet, and Rex.

    Best wishes!

    Reply
  18. RL says

    July 24, 2017 at 10:06 PM

    I agree with Abby – Axel or Wells. And someone else suggested Atlas, which I also love (I really didn’t notice the “word” aspect of this group).

    I also like Casper with these names. And Yeats for the end-of-alphabet theme.

    Reply
  19. C in DC says

    July 24, 2017 at 9:02 PM

    Quinn, Quinton, Quincy, Quilliam, Wesley, Wilson, Wilder, Weston, Whit, Whitman, Walt, Yancy, Yance, Yves, Vance, Dax, Ross.

    I like Axel and Ezra, too.

    Reply
  20. Zena Eve says

    July 24, 2017 at 7:11 PM

    Yves
    Jasper
    Valor
    Basil
    Ash
    Drake
    Leif
    Robin
    Heath
    Rune
    Abel
    Peregrine

    Reply
  21. Jaime says

    July 24, 2017 at 6:35 PM

    I really like Jude, West, Ezra, Arlo and Milo for this family. Dash also works. Not a fan of Axel.

    Reply
  22. Cany says

    July 24, 2017 at 2:34 PM

    I’m with Abby on this one! Axel seems like a perfect match.

    Reply
  23. Vanessa says

    July 24, 2017 at 1:01 PM

    My favorites are Roman and Ezra. Both are strong names that fit well with all 3 siblings. Here are a few more suggestions that I think would work well for you…

    Archer
    Davis
    Brooks
    Griffin
    Ellis
    Odin
    Atlas
    Thatcher
    Mack
    Otis
    Huxley

    Reply
  24. Meredith says

    July 24, 2017 at 1:00 PM

    Tempted to suggest Grey (or Gray if you must 🙂 ) because it goes with each of the others in some way. But also for your somewhat 1860s western theme:

    Garrison
    Coy
    Lemuel
    Destry
    Gatlin
    Ira
    Artie

    Reply
  25. Sargjo says

    July 24, 2017 at 12:26 PM

    I like that the other commenters are pulling names with W because that’s what I’d do-a subtle end of alphabet thread. Even a dashing Y name could work too! So to West and Wylie, I’d add Wyatt if it didn’t sound so darn close to Violet. What about Wynn? Wilder (maybe too close to Violet again?Waldo? Whit?

    Reply
  26. Amity says

    July 24, 2017 at 12:06 PM

    Everest
    Denali
    Indigo
    Ash
    Corentin
    Rio
    Cosimo
    Apollo
    Locke
    Onyx
    Stone
    Devereux
    Roux
    Arrow
    Keanu
    Dario
    Merritt

    Reply
    • Amity says

      July 24, 2017 at 12:08 PM

      Revel

      Reply
  27. Renee says

    July 24, 2017 at 11:37 AM

    I love West for you! The high-value scrabble set is exactly the theme I’d try to continue. Some others:
    Zane, Fox, Violet & Crew
    Zane, Fox, Violet & Walsh

    Reply
  28. MKK says

    July 24, 2017 at 10:14 AM

    My wife suggested Wylie, which I think is just about perfect. It

    Reply

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