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 BOY NAMES LIKE WESTON
Allison writes:
We named our son Weston Timothy, a name that took us pretty much all nine months to agree on. Timothy is a family name that we felt some pressure to use, even as a first name, but we were clear it would only be considered as a middle name. While we’re ultimately pleased we used it, I would prefer to avoid a repeat of “why don’t you name the baby this?”
This baby is another boy, and there’s really nothing that leaps out at us as an obvious name. I think part of the problem is that Weston didn’t really feel like the kind of name we expected to choose.
Our original list was Jack, Theo/Theodore, Henry, and Sam/Samuel. By the time we were expecting Weston, we knew boys with all of those names. While we want something that is reasonably popular/known and also on the traditional side, it feels wrong to copy someone else’s name. My husband’s top name has always been Sam, but it’s our nephew’s name so it’s definitely out.
We’d like our new son’s name to be the kind of name that others recognize, that isn’t hard to spell or confusing, and that feels flexible. Like he could grow up to be anything he wanted to be. I love the way Weston sounds strong and sturdy.
The sooner we choose a name, the less time we’ll be fielding suggestions from our loved ones. But we keep coming back to names of kids we already know.
What’s the perfect name for Weston’s brother?
Please read on for my response and leave your thoughtful suggestions in the comments.
NAMING WESTON’S BROTHER: SOMETHING ALL HIS OWN
Abby replies:
Congratulations on your new son!
Two things leap out at me:
- Family pressure is rough. And unfair. Also unhelpful. It sounds like your plan is to avoid sharing any name details until you and your husband agree and can present a united front. I think that’s smart.
- But can we talk about the pressure to not repeat a name? I can see that repeating a nephew’s name is a non-starter. But there’s a balance. Especially because you’re looking for a familiar, reasonably popular choice for your son’s name, it means he’ll inevitably share with others. Assess the relationship. That random co-worker’s kid, a neighbor from a few blocks over, the college friend you haven’t seen since graduation … those names are probably safe to duplicate.
There’s another issue, and I think it matters here. When you started your name search, you focused on classics – Theodore and Henry. But you ultimately pivoted to names that are still traditional, but not quite as timeless. There’s a Jack born every year, for centuries upon centuries. But you’re looking for something different – a name with history, but one that’s particularly right for a 21st century child.
At the same time, we don’t want anything too similar to Weston. Preston or Clayton, for example, would be way too similar.
A BROTHER FOR WESTON
BENNETT
Long-established surname names might be the perfect choice for Weston’s brother. I like the way Bennett could be Ben, just like Weston might be Wes. And there’s a strength to both names that feels nicely paired.
CAMERON
There’s something upbeat about Cameron. While it’s a surname name, it’s been in use for boys in the US as a first for generations.
GRAHAM
The first name that came to mind as brother for Weston. There’s a gentle strength to Graham, a name with Scottish roots and a long history as a given name in the US. It’s more popular than ever right now, ranking right outside the current US Top 100. That makes it straightforward to spell and pronounce, a name with classic vibes and a current style, too.
JUDE
An Old Testament name kept forever current by literary use, and, of course, that enduring song from the Beatles.
PARKER
Like Bennett, Parker is a polished surname name. Just like Weston’s first syllable evokes the wide open American west, Parker also contains just a hint of outdoorsy energy and a sense of adventure.
RHODES
This might be a little out there, but boys’ names ending with S often share the same qualities as Weston. They feel like they’ve been around for ages, are familiar(ish), and offer a strength and current style, too. Rhodes always comes to mind for multiple reasons: the ancient Colossus of Rhodes makes this a towering choice for a son while Rhodes scholars make it powerfully intelligent.
ROMAN
Another option in the ancient-but-new category: Roman. It’s been used in small numbers for years in the US, and has been even more popular in Europe.
TATE
A bright, strong sound, Tate is a twist on Nate. Unlike Gabe or Jake, it’s not short for anything. Tate feels a little more buttoned-up than Cade, but not quite as classic as John. It feels like the kind of compromise name that could work well for you.
Overall, I think I’m most drawn to Bennett with Parker as a close second. If you like that vaguely outdoorsy/sense of adventure hint to Weston, then I’d put Parker in the first spot.
I wonder if it would help to think about some of those more traditional favorites as potential middles. I love the idea of Parker Theodore or Bennett Henry, maybe?
