Naming a Brother for Elias: Truly Unusual Boy Names

Name Help is a series at Appellation Mountain. Every week, we discuss reader’s name questions, usually on Tuesdays and Fridays. 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! To have your question considered, email appmtn (at) gmail. Looking for your own private #namehelp post? Order one here.

A BROTHER FOR ELIAS

Kellie writes:

We could use some help finding a name for our second son.

I love our son’s name, Elias Brewer, and I wouldn’t change it. But I was very surprised when we announced it and everyone immediately commented things like “oh, my friend has an Elias” or whatever.

Brewer is my mother’s maiden name. Our last name sounds like John with an S, but the spelling is confusing and people often say Jones. So while I did want a name that was different, I appreciate that an easily spelled/pronounced first name is important.

Many of the names that were on our list with Elias would not be good choices for his brother necessarily.

• We talked about Everett a lot, but I’m not sure we want two E names.
• Callum is one name we both like, and I think it works, but afraid it might be too trendy.
• Jasper was my favorite name before Elias, but because of the painter with the nearly identical last name, we ruled it out.
• I like both Rory and Sutton, but worried they’re more girl names now. And then I also think maybe that doesn’t matter?
• My husband has always liked Reese, but I don’t like it with our last name and I do think it’s been too popular for me.

Nichols is family name that we are considering for a middle name. I also like the idea of using Kelly for his middle name, or my husband’s name, Bryce, depending on the first name we choose.

Right now, I really don’t think we have a first name we’re even close to agreeing about.

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

LIKE ELIAS, BUT (MORE) DIFFERENT

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your new son!

Elias is a great name, isn’t it? I share your surprise at how popular it’s become in recent years – just outside of the current Top Ten nationally.

But even a Top Ten name doesn’t feel as common as it might have during the 1950s, 70s, or even 90s. In fact, Elias still feels different in many ways – it’s just not like Michael or Jacob or Ethan; or Henry, Alexander, or William. It’s a softer, more flowing sound with a global profile. Elijah is clearly Old Testament, but Elias not so much. Elias succeeds on sound, too, a little more elaborate than Liam or Leo, but with shared sounds.

So I think naming a brother for Elias means finding a name with these qualities:

• Traditional, in the sense that the name has history and has been in use for generations
• Uncommon, at least until recent years
• Possibly a name that works outside of American English and travels well

From your current list, the name that leaps out at me is Callum. While it’s risen in use in the US lately, it remains beyond the current Top 100. It’s a form of the enduring Malcolm, and feels even more familiar elsewhere in the English-speaking world. And I think it has the same polish as Elias. Callum Bryce is kind of perfect.

If not Callum, I wonder if Nico is a choice? I’m drawing from your family name, Nichols, that you’re considering as a middle name. Nico, or even Nicolas called Nico, strikes me as a brother for Elias. It’s rising in use in the US, but currently ranks just in the boys’ Top 200. I love the sound of Nico Everett, or maybe Nicolas “Nico” Kelly?

But I think some new suggestions might help here, too.

FRESH IDEAS: A BROTHER FOR ELIAS

ARCHER

Sharp surname name Archer recently entered the US Top 100, but remains less common than Asher or Oliver. Nickname Archie is also given independently, though plenty of Archers use their name in full.

DESMOND

Gentlemanly name with a hint of sophistication, Desmond ranks in the 300s.

FELIX

Another vintage favorite on the upswing, Felix ranks in the 200s, but still feels fresh and surprising.

LUCIAN

Somewhere between popular Julian and Adrian and obscure Finnian, there’s Lucian. It’s handsome and smooth, a Top 500 name everyone knows but few of us are choosing. Nicknames like Luc, Luke, and Luca would make this more familiar, but Lucian wears well in full.

MARCEL

Like Elias, there’s a hint of pan-European about Marcel. It’s a cousin to 1950s and 60s favorite Mark, but feels more elevated. Marcello, Marcelo, and Marcellus are options, too.

ROWAN

You’ve mentioned unisex names. There’s a distinction that might be meaningful for you: some unisex names are more commonly used for boys, and others for girls. Rowan ranks in the boys’ Top 100 and the girls’ Top 250. Rowan leans masculine, as do Owen and Bowen. I think that might be ideal, and Rowan’s sound is strong and bright, a good match for Elias.

SULLIVAN

On that note, I’ll suggest Sullivan instead of Sutton. Sutton’s numbers are nearly reversed from Rowan: girls’ Top 200, but for boys, hovering closer to the mid-300s. Sullivan ranks in the 300s for boys, is rising slightly, and has an approachable, but distinctive, sound.

XAVIER

A traditional name with a long history of use, Xavier’s scissory-X, middle-V and R-ending is very 21st century. Elias and Xavier sound like they could’ve been brothers in medieval Spain or the 19th century or right about now.

Overall, I’m not sure I’ve topped Callum and Nico, but I do love Lucian Kelly and Xavier Nichols or Xavier Nicolas.

Readers, over to you! Can you suggest some boy names that would be the perfect brother for Elias?