Naming a Brother for Leo: Strong and Storied

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.

FINDING ANOTHER BOY NAME THEY LOVE AS MUCH AS LEO

Nicole writes:

We are expecting our second son this summer and pretty much he’s either not going to have a name, or I’m going to have to ask our labor & delivery nurse for ideas.

I love our first son’s name so much. It’s Leo Alexander, and it was my favorite boy’s name since before I even met my husband. Fortunately, he agreed that it was perfect.

We also agreed on Maya Elizabeth for a girl.

But we’re having a second boy, and we do not have a list.

The names that neither of us has completely rejected are:

ARI – also means lion (or maybe eagle) so I think it’s fun, I like that it’s also short, husband isn’t sold on it

DYLAN – Another name I’ve liked for a really long time, but I’m not sure if it sounds right with Leo, also is it too Bob Dylan with the movie being out (not a bad thing, just not something that means all that much to me)

JAMES – I like it, but it’s kind of ordinary

PETER – husband’s new favorite, keeps pushing for it, it is a family name on his side, but we never talked about using family names before, this just doesn’t feel right to me

SILAS – I think I probably feel like I should like this name a lot, but I only like it

Our last name sounds like Heather-plus-enton. We probably wouldn’t use an H name, and tend to like shorter first names.

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

A BROTHER FOR LEO: A TOUGH ACT TO FOLLOW

Abby replies:

Congratulations on your new son!

Naming a second child can be hard – so much harder than naming our first, for all sorts of reasons.

But I do think you’re moving in the right direction, and I’m glad to manage to find some really strong contenders that sound exactly like a brother for Leo – even if you haven’t quite found The One.

The ideal name is probably:

• Short, complete, and distinctive in sound
• Probably nickname-proof
• Possibly vowel-forward, since those sounds so prominent in Leo, as well as Maya, and names on your list like Ari
• Practically speaking, another O-ending name is likely out, and I’d drop choices like Liam, Levi, and Luca if only because another short L name is probably too similar

From your list, I really do like Ari. But I’m wondering if the issue is popularity? We often avoid any name we perceive as too common, but often names that feel different can also feel wrong. Or maybe it’s unisex names? Ari hovers in the boys’ Top 400, and ranks around #500 for a girl.

Still, I’ll vote for Ari from your current list. Now let’s brainstorm some fresh ideas.

I’m not going to suggest Arlo, which I normally might … if only because I think Leo and Arlo are a little repetitive. But I’ll curious to hear if readers make the case for brothers named Leo and Arlo.

A BROTHER FOR LEO: FRESH SUGGESTIONS

BECKETT

It’s not a vowel-forward name, but it’s a strong, distinctive sound like Dylan. And, like Leo, it feels traditional but not classic.

EZRA

I think Leo and Ezra are perfect together. They’re brief and complete, with unforgettable sounds.

JONAH

Another great pair with Leo, sound-wise. And if you like the fact that Leo means lion, maybe Jonah’s connection to the whale will appeal? (Or at least give you some ideas for nursery decor and 1st birthday party themes?)

JUDE

A strong, bright sound, Leo and Jude pair together nicely. I wonder if it’s an alternative to James?

OTIS

If it’s Leo’s vintage status that appeals, Otis might be the perfect brother. It’s also an S-ending alternative to Silas.

REID

Another name I’m including for the same reasons as Jude. Leo and Reid share a long E sound, which might make them sound even more like brothers.

RORY

If Ari isn’t quite right, would Rory appeal? I also like the association between a lion and a roar, but maybe that’s too fanciful?

TATE

One more in the Jude/Reid category, a little more current.

I wonder if Peter is a potential middle name? I want to suggest something like Jude Nicolas or Ezra Jonathan, but I can imagine a combination like Ezra Peter, too. That is, of course, if something like Ari Nathaniel doesn’t end up being the best choice.

Readers, over to you! What would you name a brother for Leo Alexander?