Naming a Brother for Grayson and Miles: Polished and Strong

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.

WHAT GOES WITH GRAYSON AND MILES?

Maggie writes:

We have two sons, Grayson Walker and Miles Cameron. Our third son is due at the end of the year. Whenever someone brings up style, I always think we don’t have one. It’s just whatever names we finally manage to agree on!

Our last name is one syllable. It sounds like Teal-with-an-N. I think a first name has to be at least two syllables, and we’re avoiding N names. (Though I like the idea of Nicholas as a middle name, maybe, especially because my due date is December 24th, though both of my sons were late.)

The names that we’ve discussed this time are mostly from our lists with Grayson and Miles. So far we don’t hate:

• Axel – husband’s #1 name, my least favorite, and I think the L ending sounds weird with our last name
• Griffin – I don’t really want another G name
• Hayden – maybe too much like Grayson
• Hayes – but maybe too much like Grayson and Miles
• Jasper – my favorite since Grayson was born, my husband just can’t warm up to it but I keep hoping!
• Judah – but we’d want to call him Jude, and really would only use Judah because of our last name and I don’t think it really works
• Knox – too short
• Shepherd – love it, but maybe more of a dog name, and my husband isn’t really on board
• Truett – I just think Chick-fil-A, but maybe
• Wilder – husband loves it, but is this just too much, feels a little bit like naming a baby Spike or Butch?

It feels like we’ve heard every name. The ones we like don’t work and the rest we can’t agree on.

What are we missing?

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

MORE STRONG, POLISHED, and FAMILIAR CHOICES

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your third son!

Grayson Walker and Miles Cameron are great names for your boys. They’re polished and strong, a good mix of current trends and enduring style.

Choosing names is that one parenting challenge that actually gets harder with experience. But I wonder if the right name is already on your list?

Let’s review those quickly.

CURRENT LIST FOR MILES AND GRAYSON’S BROTHER

It’s always hard to cross out some great names, but I think you’ve already identified reasons lots of these won’t work for your family.

1. Drop all single-syllable names. I agree that Knox Teal-with-an-N or Jude Teal-with-an-N is a little abrupt. I think Judah/Jude could work, but there’s enough hesitation that let’s drop it.
2. Likewise, Hayes does sound a little bit like a blend of Grayson and Miles and Hayden shares sounds with Grayson. Again, if either was your favorite, I might overlook the similarity – but in this case, let’s move on.
3. Drop Griffin because of the initial issue. Though I do think Grayson, Miles, and Griffin sound good together.
4. Because one parent is lukewarm about Axel, Jasper, and Shepherd, they should probably all be put aside, too. I do think Jasper could be perfect, but if your husband isn’t into it, then it’s probably better to put it aside.

That leaves two names: Truett and Wilder. Both are worth thinking about for a minute.

• Truett and Wilder both have a different ending sound from Grayson and Miles.
• They’re both surname style names, which fits nicely with Grayson Walker and Miles Cameron.
• Both names rank in the current US Top 1000, and while they’re not as popular as your boys’ names, that’s changing – and they’re definitely not crazy, out-there choices.

Is Truett a little eat-mor-chikin? I guess so. But only a little.

Does Wilder sound a little out-of-control? Maybe potentially.

But I’d call both polished, gentlemanly names – just like Miles and Grayson.

Before I push too hard for one of those choices, let’s brainstorm some more ideas.

FRESH SUGGESTIONS

ARCHER

If there’s any downside to Wilder, it might be the shared vowel sound with Miles. I like Archer’s sharp style, but also the way the sound is completely different.

BECKETT

An -tt ending name, hold the sandwich associations.

HOLDEN

Similar to Hayden, but without the repetition.

JULIAN

Jude/Judah reminds me of Julian – a little longer, but with the same energy as Miles and Grayson.

LENNOX

I agree that Knox is a non-starter with a short, N surname. But Lennox is kind of great with your last name, and just happens to share the same sound.

PARKER

Another R-ending name with a good mix of outdoorsy adventure and polish. Possibly the ideal alternative to Wilder.

SULLIVAN

Another surname choice with an upbeat vibe.

XAVIER

If Axel appeals because of the X, could Xavier be an even better choice?

So what I would recommend when naming a brother for Grayson and Miles?

Normally I can narrow my list pretty quickly, but this time, I like them all so much! I’m drawn to Lennox Nicholas, but I wonder if Parker Julian or Holden Nicholas isn’t the better fit? And I’m still not sure that Truett or Wilder wouldn’t be perfect. Truett Sullivan or Wilder Hayes, maybe?

Readers, what would you suggest for Grayson and Miles’ brother?