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.
Congratulations on a baby brother for Leo Alexander! I see why this is a hard choice! I get it personally as I have now named 4 babies..sometimes its easier than others to find the right name.
You seem to like short and strong names, with a middle that is longer in syllables and classic in style. I love it!
Keeping this in mind I was thinking first of O names to bring that O from Leo. What about:
Leo & Otto
Leo & Oscar
Leo & Owen
Also could consider other subtle animal names to keep a pattern for the boys. Some nice shorter ones that sound nice with Leo:
Leo & Hart (stag)
Leo & Orson (bear cub)
Leo & Gavin (hawk)
Leo & Callum (dove)
For your pick of James, what about Jacob as an alternative?
Some other names that just sound nice with with Leo could be:
Leo & Finn
Leo & Max
Leo & Willem
Leo & Emmett
For what it’s worth I think Peter is a lovely name. I know a little boy with this name and he’s the only Peter in the school!
I agree with Abby with her names she offered and particularly think Reid, Rory and Otis are nice options!
With some middle names options in there, how about:
Leo Alexander & Rory Douglas
Leo Alexander & Otis Franklin
Leo Alexander & Owen Douglas
Leo Alexander & Finn Theodore
Leo Alexander & Emmett James
Leo Alexander & Otto Harrison
Leo Alexander & Willem Frederick
Leo Alexander & Reid Benjamin
Leo Alexander & James Hendrick
Leo Alexander & Jacob Lennox
Leo Alexander & Peter Maxwell
Enjoy the new baby snuggles soon!
Others have mentioned Arthur, but what about Art?
Leo and Art
Art Peter Heather-
Felix could give you the nickname of Fox.
Leo and Fox
Felix Peter Heather-
Or how about Rex?
Leo and Rex
Rex Peter Heather-
Zev means ‘wolf’. Your lion and wolf as brothers!
Leo and Zev
Zev Peter Heather-
Dax would be very cool.
Leo and Dax
Dax Peter Heather-
Do you like Nash?
Leo and Nash
Nash Peter Heather-
Oooh! How about Dane?!
Leo and Dane
Dane Peter Heather-
Ford?
Leo and Ford
Ford Peter Heather-
Rook means ‘raven’.
Leo and Rook
Rook Peter Heather-
Finally, Falk is Norwegian for ‘falcon’. He might make an excellent brother for a lion.
Leo and Falk
Falk Peter Heather-
Wonderful wishes to you and yours!
Eric – Means eternal ruler. Classic, recognizable to everyone, but not overused at the moment.
Rhys – Similar vibes as Leo.
Wesley – Use the short form Wes primarily, which fits with Leo very well. Goes well with middle name Peter too. Or hey, just go with Wes. it’s strong and versatile.
Wow, Leo Alexander is a gorgeous combination! No wonder you had your heart set on it for so long… and I can see why it’s a hard one to follow.
A few notes about your existing list:
Leo and Alexander have both been popular names for popes (including the current one). If you like that association, then Peter (the name of the first pope) might move up in your esteem. But if you prefer not to continue the papal theme, that could rule Peter out (along with Adrian, Felix, and Paul, which I would otherwise suggest).
As for Ari, hmm… is your family Jewish? I’m sensing that might not be the case, since you also cited non-Hebrew etymologies for the name. I think many people strongly associate Ari with Jewish heritage. It’s a Top 10 boy’s name in Israel (along with its longer form, Ariel).
If it’s not connected to your ancestry, you might want to read some Jewish perspectives on the use of that name by gentiles. Some Jews have no problem with it (especially since it’s also a Finnish/Armenian/Albanian name). Others find it odd, but not necessarily offensive; and some consider it a form of cultural appropriation (though perhaps not as off-limits as, say, Cohen).
I would definitely assume a boy named Ari was Jewish, unless his surname was Scandinavian. It is a beautiful name, so I see the appeal!
I think Abby offered some great alternatives – especially Ezra. Leo Alexander and Ezra James could complement each other well.
Some other names I would offer for consideration…
Arthur – Same initial sound as Ari; the meaning (from “bear” in Welsh and Greek) would be a subtle connection with Leo
Cyrus – An alternative to Silas that evokes majesty and strength, like Leo
Declan – A potential alternative to Dylan, with the hard C offering a little more structure
Remi / Remy – An alternative to Ari (both spellings have plenty of history, but the Y ending is slightly more common)
Rhys – Compact but stately, like Leo
As well as:
Aaron
Abel
Asa
Axel
Eli
Eric
Kai
Lars
Max
Noah
Sam
Good luck, and I hope you’ll update us when your son arrives!
I like the spelling of Rhys with Leo
Rhys Nathaniel or Calvin James
I do love Ari and funny story I know two families with brothers Leo & Oliver. One of the Olivers pronounced his nickname Olli as ‘Ari’ for the first few years, and his parents decided they loved it even more than Oliver so legally changed it! So of course I love Ari for you.
I was coming here to suggest Amos, so I see I’m seconding that and I also love the suggestion of Ezra and Otis. I was also thinking Cole could be a perfect little name that also honours YOU and I see someone has suggested it already…
These are fun ones I see in the same category as Leo!
Gus
Ansel
Tully
Jones
Elroy
Pierce
Quincy
Good luck. It is completely difficult to find a second name after you’ve used one you love on your list. Maybe he’ll give you a clue?