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.
I love Ari on a boy. Asa was my first thought. Leo Alexander and Asa Theodore. I also like Leo & Simon as a nod to Peter (Simon was Peter’s original name). Simon James. If you aren’t saving Maya, then Leo & Miles or Max is also perfect. Miles Peter is handsome. You might also like Eli (Ari), Cole, Dean (Dylan), or Jack (James). Congratulations!
I think you should let your husband use Peter as the middle name if he agrees to let you use a favorite name as the first name. Ari Peter works nicely. I personally like Peter better than any of the other names on your list and Peter Ari sounds good too, but it’s your child and you should like the name. If you had more of a say in picking the first child’s name, it’s probably only fair to let your husband’s favorite name be used this time as a first or middle name.
Oh I agree Leo Alexander is a tough act to follow; it’s so handsome!
I think Ari is so perfect with Leo. I wonder if your husband would compromise with Ari if you agree to Peter in the middle? Leo Alexander and Ari Peter. Leo and Ari.
The first suggestion to come to mind was Jude so I’m happy to see Abby also suggested that. Leo and Jude! Her suggestions of Jonah and Ezra are great as well. Leo and Jonah. Leo and Ezra.
Some other ideas:
Leo and Zane. Zane shares the same vowel sound and syllable count as James but is definitely less ordinary. Zane has the energy to match Leo.
Leo and Ronan. The shared long O sound feel coordinated but not too matchy.
Leo and Nolan. Same as Ronan. Maybe a good alternate to Dylan?
Leo and Davis. Davis feels almost traditional like David (or Peter or James) but is just different enough to stand out. It almost means “beloved” which is such a great meaning.
Leo and Xavier. Two syllables and ends in R like Peter but not a family name so maybe more usable or appealing to you?
Leo and Felix. Felix instead of Silas? Felix means lucky.
Leo and Max. Can you find a friendlier name to match upbeat Leo? Max is hard to beat!
Leo Alexander and:
Hugo Christopher
Wyatt Zachary
Jasper Nicholas
Axel Sebastian
Miles Nathaniel
Weston Jeremiah
Kai Jonathan
Wesley Julian
Evan Gabriel
My fave is still Ari 🙂 for either sex
Congratulations on your second baby! You mentioned that you like Ari. Is this perhaps in part because it also means ‘lion’? What about another name that points to an animal. Two of my neighbours have sons named Leo. 10 year old Leo has a younger brother named Wolf. 6 year old Leo’s father is named Boris, which means ‘wolf’. If not such an obvious animal name like Wolf, Fox or Hawk, what about Arthur?
Leo and Arthur sound great together. I like Arthur Peter, but it pairs nicely with longer middles too.
Other ideas to repeat the O sound of Leo:
Leo & Owen
Leo & Oren
My favourite is Leo and Arthur.
I like Otis and Jude. Also Carl. Maybe Carl Peter?
I like Ari from your list a lot, and also the suggestion of Ezra.
Here are a few more ideas:
Leo & Sawyer – has some similarities to Dylan / Silas
Leo & Kai – maybe the sea meaning is appealing
Leo & Asa – an alternative to Ari?
Leo & Aaron – another alternative to Ari
Leo & Finn – feels a little spunky like Leo, and I can imagine siblings Leo, Finn and Maya
Leo & Asher – same as Finn
Peter or Nicholas could work great as family middle names depending on the first name, or James from your list. Nicholas especially matches the feel of Alexander (or Elizabeth) in the middle.
Hi!
Here are some more names that I think could work well with Leo…and hopefully…with all the suggestions from Abby & other readers & the ones here…you & your husband will find another boy name you love as much as Leo!
Amos
Asa
Beau
Clark
Ford
Troy
Wyatt
Cole
Bode/Bodie
Luke
Chase
Ian
Hi-
I just wanted to add Noah to the list.
And, of my suggestions, I think “Asa” works the best because it mirrors the three letters of Leo, is easy-to-pronounce & spell, etc.
Leo & Asa. : )
I had that exact combo on my own list and agree it’s spectacular, alas never used as my last one was a girl.
Leo has a certain sass to it but sounds friendly.
For that vibe I suggest a brother could be Max.
Leo and Max
Max Oliver would be my top pick.
Well known, 3 letters and easy to spell too.
If you were willing to go with something popular…
Henry Theodore
Congratulations on your brother for Leo Alexander.
Here’s some combinations you might like.
Nathanael Peter (Nate)
Leo and Nate
Sebastian Ezra
Leo and Seb
Rory James
Leo and Rory
Felix James
Leo and Felix
Ari Silas
Leo and Ari
Eli Dylan
Leo and Eli
All the best.